Story by Madison Caropino
Staff Writer
In the past, Amat softball has not reached its full potential, according to Head Coach Jesse Mendez.
“I am sure this season will be different,” Coach Mendez said. “Our team will be led by our four seniors—Alma Cortez, Katie Cunningham, Jackie Carlin, and Natalie Sanchez.”
The team started off the season with preseason games against Covina and Whittier high schools and participated in the Tournament of Champions in Arizona. The team won both of the preseason games, and they won three out of the four games in the Tournament of Champions.
The early season challenges were set to prepare the Lady Lancers for a difficult schedule this season.
“Our biggest competition this year is St. Paul and St. Joseph,” Coach Mendez said. “But I think that if the girls are determined and work hard they can beat anyone.”
The Amat Softball Team hosted their first league game against the St. Paul Swordsmen on St. Patrick’s Day. They ended with a 6-5 victory over the Swordsmen.
With their 7-1 record, the girls are off to a better start than last season’s 3-5 record.
“This year I want to win league, and make it far in the playoffs,” Coach Mendez. “We fell just short of league champions last year, and I do not want that to happen again.”
Four-year varsity players Jackie Carlin and Alma Cortez along with veteran Katie Cunningham and first-year varsity player Natalie Sanchez have the same expectations as Coach Mendez.
“Our team expectations are to place first in league and bring home a CIF championship banner,” Cortez said.
Cunningham echoed those expectations.
“My expectations are high as well,” said Cunningham. “We want to be league champs and then take home that CIF banner, baby. I know we have the potential. We work hard and we play even harder.”
Sanchez is just as determined as her teammates.
“I look forward to keep working hard with my team, and giving my all every game,” said Sanchez. “My expectations are to win league and to go very far in CIF, hopefully the championship.”
Mendez is very confident that this season will end up successfully. Most of his players are returning, and there are a few new players that fill the voids of the players that graduated.
“We have seven starters returning and there are two new players that stand out a lot, freshman Amanda Sanchez and junior Cassie Padilla,” Coach Mendez said.
Coach Mendez said the girls also work well together, a key ingredient to success.
“The girls get along with each other and they love the game they play and they work hard all the time,” Coach Mendez said.
Cunningham said she thinks this camaraderie on the team makes them special.
“We are really good and we all get along really well,” she said. “We play hard and we should beat anyone who comes our way if we work together. I love my girls.”
