KELSEY GRAHAM | staff writer
The softball season is now in full swing after playing two double headers in Hawaii.
Arriving in Hawaii on Saturday, Jan. 31, their first game was scheduled for Monday against BYU before a storm hit and postponed the game.
Azusa Pacific defeated Chaminade University Wednesday, Feb. 4, with scores of 9-5 and 13-1.
“We did really well. It was a very successful game with four total homeruns and a lot of hits all the way around,” senior co-captain Camille Hundley said.
Erika Marmolejo joined the softball team as a freshman transfer days before leaving for Hawaii.
“It was a big confidence booster to have her [Marmolejo] especially because she is another pitcher,” Hundley said.
Marmolejo proved herself with two home runs against Chaminade.
Senior co-captain, Natalie Mickelson also had two homeruns during the doubleheader.
Unfortunately, on Thursday, Feb. 5, the Cougars lost both games against Hawaii Pacific University, 1-9 and 0-6.
“We did not look like ourselves and we had a lot of errors,” Hundley said.
“It was definitely a wake-up call that not every game will be like Chaminade,” senior rightfielder Erika Navarrete said.
After the loss the team reflected on the positives and negatives of the game and closed in prayer.
“We are not going to let it drag us down but learn from it and take it into the rest of the season,” Hundley said.
The Cougars went looking for sponsorships as well as doing fundraisers to help get to Hawaii.
The most successful fundraiser was the homerun derby which took place during homecoming weekend last semester.
But, Azusa Pacific did more than play softball while in Hawaii.
During the Cougars stay head coach Carrie Webber, rented a limo and arranged for them to be taken to dinner for extra bonding time.
This is Webber’s second year coaching softball for the Cougars.
“[Webber] is such a blessing, she is in tune with our needs and very involved with our team on and off the field,” Hundley said.
The softball team practiced at 6 a.m. during last semester and the first week of this semester.
“We’re not just playing softball this season we’re playing it with purpose,” Hundley said.
Azusa Pacific finished in fourth place, just under Biola at the end of last season in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC).
“We are going to prove them wrong and rank above Biola, but it won’t be easy,” Navarrete said, “The goal is to not only make it to Nationals, but to just have fun, not give up and to continue to do better as a team.”
The new addition to the Cougar team, Marmolejo, also plays first base and is a designated hitter in addition to being a pitcher.
“She [Marmolejo] has a really powerful bat and will definitely be one of the new players that will stand out this season,” junior pitcher Erin Halma said.
Along with a new middle infield, the Cougars are playing with a whole new chemistry.
“Our team is very bonded. We know who we are and our chemistry is really going to have a positive impact on the outcome of this season,” Halma said.
The team’s motto for the year is “Carve” and is based on their team’s verse: Proverbs 27:17.
“Our coach is really pushing team unity this season and that we always build each other up both on and off the field,” Navarrete said.
Softball plays their first home game of the season on Thursday, Feb. 19 against Holy Names University.
