SOFTBALL GRABS 2022 IEAC TITLE AFTER DOUBLE WINS V DESERT

Panther Softball needed back-to-back wins yesterday afternoon to close out the 2022 IEAC season with their first title since 2016 and that is exactly what they did.  The Panthers shutout College of the Desert 8-0 in a walkoff 5-inning game and then followed up with a 12-1 victory to seal their championships season.  The team finishes the IEAC season 12-3 bringing home the college's 10th conference championship.

"I'm proud of the way that these girls have all 'bought in' to our culture and have played their distinct role on any given day with no hesitation," said Head Coach Jerry Tivey. "Chaffey Softball is back and our plan is to create a tradition that breeds success, on the field and for these individuals far beyond that."

In game 1, the Panthers came out swinging putting two on the board in the 2nd but it was a five run 4th inning that sealed the game's destiny.  Leading 7-0, the Panthers needed only a solo run to end the game in mercy.

Game 2 looked to be a different ballgame with COD putting a run on the board to start the 2nd but that was not to be the case.  The Roadrunners could not overcome a four run 2nd nor an 8 run charge in the 3rd.  At that point it appeared the game was and the title were locked in but the Panthers continued until the very end holding Desert to that solo run.

Violet Salazar pitched a combined 10 innings giving up only 8 hits and one run total.  She faced off against a total of 43 batters for her 15th and 16th wins of the season.  Violet finishes the conference season as the most accomplished pitcher in the league with 98 strikeouts, 16 wins, and and ERA of 1.76.  At the plate, Salazar had 5 hits, 2 runs, and 4 RBIs on the day.  She also leads the conference in all batting metrics placing in either 1st or 2nd place and is a Top 20 state athlete, #8 in hits and #10 in runs.

"Violet knew she was going to have to hit her spots and let her defense make plays and she really played her role. Having Marisa back at shortstop and hitting third in the order gives us a completely different look and she just adds a calming stability to the team when she is on the field."

"It was really great to see our hitting come back after a prolonged absence! We talked about attacking the pitch and took a lot more of an aggressive approach at the plate which paid off with 9 extra base hits in the two games."  Lorissa Avila and Marissa Marquez each snagged their 2nd season homeruns - one in each game.

The Panthers complete the regular season next week at Santa Monica and will begin playoffs the beginning of May.