The Coalinga College Softball team kicked off the 2025 season with a rollercoaster of performances, showcasing offensive firepower, defensive improvements, and resilience. After dropping two tough games to Ohlone College, the team bounced back in dominant fashion with back-to-back shutout victories over Chabot College.
Early Struggles Against Ohlone College
The Falcons opened their season on Tuesday with a pair of hard-fought losses against Ohlone College. In the first game, Coalinga seemed to take control in the third inning, stringing together five runs on five hits to claim a 5-4 lead. A key moment came when Lupita Romero delivered a clutch two-RBI single on an 0-2 count. However, Ohlone responded with a massive nine-run sixth inning, ultimately handing Coalinga a 14-7 loss. Despite the defeat, Breanna Cisneros led the offensive effort with a 2-for-3 performance, while pitcher Alexis Espinoza struck out five over five and two-thirds innings.
In the second game, the bats stayed hot for the Falcons as they out-hit Ohlone 12-11, but defensive miscues and free passes proved costly in a 12-8 defeat. Esme Zuniga Romero and Bryton Loflin each tallied three hits, with Alex McDanell chipping in two. Ava Carlton went the distance in the circle, allowing 10 earned runs while striking out three. Despite the loss, the offensive production provided a glimpse of what Coalinga was capable of when clicking at the plate.
Turning the Tide Against Chabot College
On Wednesday, the Falcons found their rhythm in a big way, rebounding with a dominant 10-0 victory over Chabot College in five innings. The offense erupted early, scoring in each of the first three frames, with Alex McDanell leading the charge. McDanell put on a hitting clinic, going a perfect 3-for-3, including a third-inning home run that capped off a three-run inning.
Esme Zuniga Romero continued to be a force in the middle of the lineup, collecting two hits and three RBIs, while Lupita Romero added a triple. The team's aggressive baserunning paid off, swiping three bags in total. In the circle, Jenessa Sanchez was dominant, throwing a complete-game shutout with eight strikeouts, allowing just four hits.
Coalinga kept the momentum rolling in the second game of the doubleheader, blanking Chabot once again in an 8-0 win. This time, it was Bryton Loflin who stole the show, driving in six runs on two hits, including a grand slam in the first inning that put the Falcons in control from the start. Loflin added a two-RBI double in the fourth, solidifying an already stellar day at the plate.
Pitching continued to shine as Jenessa Sanchez picked up her second win, tossing another five-inning shutout while surrendering just one hit and striking out six. The team's aggressive approach on the bases was once again a factor, as Coalinga stole six bases, with Zuniga Romero and McDanell leading the charge.
Building Momentum Moving Forward
After a tough start against Ohlone, Coalinga College showed its ability to adjust and dominate in its matchups with Chabot. The lineup displayed depth and consistency, with key contributions from McDanell, Loflin, and Zuniga Romero. The pitching staff, led by Sanchez, proved it could control games when given the run support.
At 2-2, the Falcons have set the foundation for a strong season ahead. If their offensive production remains steady and their pitching continues to dominate, Coalinga College Softball is poised to make a statement in 2025.