THIRD RANKED EAGLES LOOK FOR “FOUR-PEAT”

By Stephen Janes

Many teams hope that they can become champions. Some teams win it this year, and then are never heard of again. Good teams can win two championships in a row, and only the great teams can pull off the “Three-Peat.” But what do you call a team that wins four in a row? A “Four-Peat,” as it’s called? That, my friends, is the making of a dynasty, a mighty dynasty that will never crumble.

“We are going for our 4^th straight Bay League Title,” explained Coach Keith Cameron. “Our league will once again be tough, but this team has been through it all before, and we want the seniors to go out with a title in all four of their years.” This is the El Segundo Softball team.

As the defending champions of the Bay League, El Segundo looks to do the unthinkable and go for four. Not only is this the team’s destiny, but their goal is to “Win CIF,” as junior Jenna Coburn puts it. “We look really good. We have a strong team and a good defense as well as offense,” she later stated.

In order to complete the dream, the Lady Eagles need to go through their biggest rivals of the year. Ranked in the Daily Breeze, Mira Costa and Redondo are set at fourth and eight respectably. “Coach Dick from Mira Costa is out to get us this year, but we will beat them,” said junior Christine Simper.

Although Costa and Redondo have an impressive rank, El Segundo is ranked higher than both teams. Being placed third behind San Pedro (1) and Carson (2), the Lady Eagles take this as a “Challenge.” After all, the best team (El Segundo) should be ranked as the top team, no?

“We have the talent and ability on this team to win League!” said Coach Cameron. “Everyone in the Bay League will be gunning for us, so we must work hard as a team in order to achieve our goals!”

In order to accomplish this goal, the Eagles need big performances from their team leaders. Senior Jessica Doucette will be on her way to Georgia University on a softball scholarship next year. She will show this year why she is not only the best hitter in the area, but also the best and most feared pitcher. Doucette went 10-0 with a 0.33 Earned Run Average and 104 strikeouts as a pitcher. At the plate, she racked up an impressive .512 batting average, along with four home runs, 19 RBI’s and 16 stolen bases.

Doucette isn’t the only pitcher on the team. Fellow senior Lauren Bargmann will be providing extra help in the pitching department, as the two look to overpower any batter that steps in their way. Also, freshman Jamie Escalante will be a third arm in the bullpen when needed. With three healthy, hard-throwing, accurate pitchers at Coach Cameron’s use, El Segundo has probably the deepest and best pitching staff in South Bay.

Senior Ciji Rich will be providing big things for the Eagles. With her clutch hitting coming from the fourth or fifth batting spots, expect her to be the one to drive in the winning run in the seventh inning in a 1-1 ballgame. She also is an extraordinary center fielder.

In right field, blazing past everybody with her scorching speed is Randie Bundy. As a solid defender, she will be using her speed to track down anything that comes her way in RF. As a switch hitter, she is expected to hit for power from the right side and slap down infield singles from the left. When she gets on base, its almost like putting a quarter in the Merry-Go-Round, for her speed will leave the opponents heads spinning.

The first game of the season was against St. Bernard’s. However, it didn’t seem like the Vikings showed up because El Segundo scored eleven runs. Senior flamethrower Bargmann pitched a gem of a game, striking out three batters and only allowing one hit.

The next game against South Torrance was closer. Coburn and Doucette got it started with singles in the first inning. Escalante was walked, which allowed Simper to single home both Coburn and Doucette. Not only did Doucette provide offense, she stunned any chances of a South victory. Throwing five innings, she struck out eleven of the batters that walked to the plate. She also gave up no hits or walks while pitching.

The next game will be against second-ranked Carson. It shall be a clash of the Titans, as some of the top team’s face-off in the Quarter-Finals of the Downey Tournament.