Pitching Gives Squad the Edge

**Staff Anchor** / In 10 games pitched Frances Campoy has logged 47 innings, compiling a 2.23 ERA. / **Liz Monroy** / el Don

By: Jorge Campos

With one loss in the first 16 games, the softball team ranks No. 1 in the South Region and No. 2 in the state through the first week of March.

“We definitely have not peaked yet. We definitely have not played the level of softball at a continuous, consistent way that I know we can,” Head Coach Jessica Rapoza said.

Freshman outfielder Emily Whitecavage leads the state with a .702 batting average, while ranking third with 14 stolen bases. In eight different games Whitecavage has picked up multiple hits. She had four hits and four RBIs, while scoring three runs in a 13-9 win over Cerritos College on Valentine’s Day.

Sophomore outfielder Keila Tenorio is batting .462 with 16 RBIs and 14 runs. She leads the team with six doubles and two triples, while sporting a .491 on-base percentage. Tenorio is having a bounce-back year after redshirting in 2013. In 2012 Tenorio led the team with 48 hits. She batted .387 while scoring 26 runs and driving in 26, also leading the team with 10 doubles and four triples.

“I’m about on-base percentage, the Moneyball aspect of it. The more you get on base, the more chances you have,” Rapoza said. “When you start having the mentality of a higher on- base percentage, your quality of at bats get better.”

Sophomore pitcher Frances Campoy is the anchor of the Don pitching staff. She worked 47 innings in 10 games with a 2.23 ERA. Campoy has five wins and three have been in relief. She also leads the team in saves and complete games, with three in each category. Campoy’s only blemish on record is an extra-innings, complete game loss at Cypress College.

“Our pitchers get first-pitch strikes. The way they have been pitching, it keeps our team together,” Tenorio said.

Nine sophomores returned and one — Campoy — transferred, making the roster sophomore heavy.

Tenorio and Campoy aren’t the only sophomores having big years.

Reigning All-Orange Empire Conference first baseman Sabrina Perez is continuing her record-breaking freshman campaign. With 16 career home runs, she holds the record at Santa Ana College. Perez leads the OEC with five home runs and is second in RBIs at 23. Perez has scored 13 runs on 17 hits while batting .459.

“We all keep each other accountable for things. We play like sisters. We work hard off the field, trying to do everything together,” Perez said.