Culver Softball Recovers From First Defeat

By Fred Altieri

Sports Reporter

The 2015 Culver High softball team is off to a promising start despite losing 8-3 to Rolling Hills Prep in their season opener in the St. Monica High Softball Tournament.

The Centaurs earned their first victory of the season on Saturday, March 7, against Serra High, 4-2. The girls followed up with a 16-2 road rout of Blair High in Pasadena this past Monday.

Manager John Sargent liked how his team rebounded on Saturday morning against a recommitted Serra team: "The girls did a great job. Breana Dunlap did an outstanding job of pitching with the help of Ava Fairbanks behind the plate.

"Breana had six strikeouts, only gave up three hits: one double, one triple, a home run and one hit batter. Ava showed maturity in framing the ball. She's doing an excellent job with our pitching staff."

Dunlap started on the mound for Culver and pitched a complete game in her first outing of the season. She also struck out the side in the second inning with two K's following a one-out triple leaving the Serra runner stranded at third.

Second baseman Julia Perez led off the bottom of the first inning with a walk and came home when shortstop Sidra Montoya tripled her in. Fairbanks hit a double and scored on Sabrina Perez' single for a 2-0 Culver lead.

The visiting Cavaliers broke through in the top of the third inning. Two singles, two doubles and the Centaurs' only error allowed Serra to tie the score at 2-2.

Culver responded immediately with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the third that ultimately clinched the game.

Sargent commended his batting leaders: "Sidra Montoya, the sophomore shortstop, excelled offensively and defensively. She had a triple, a single and one RBI. Alex Thomas, my senior centerfielder, doubled with two RBI's. Ava went two for two with a run scored."

He saw team's defense rebound after a rough start in their loss against Rolling Hills: "The girls had first game jitters in the opener and committed eight errors. That was really a good game except it's tough to beat a strong team when you give them so many unearned runs. I thought the girls responded well defensively."

Monday's easy win over Blair was not expected as Sargent scheduled the game with competition in mind for his young team: " They didn't have the experience that I thought they would have. It was a victory and unfortunately we won 16-2. Imani Bell pitched for us and she won her first game of the season."

The Centaurs were supposed to have the grand opening of their new field on Tuesday, March 10, but it was moved back due to minor construction delays. When it does open there will be limited viewing for a short while as the area behind the outfield fence will be off limits until the work is completed in that section.

Sargent offered the revised schedule for the next few weeks: "We have a big game against Palisades on Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Park. The opening and the dedication of our new field will be on Thursday, March 19 against St. Monica High. We moved it to the 19th to allow them to finish some tests on the field.

"We're on the road Wednesday at Leuzinger High. We are back at home on Friday in the St. Monica Tournament against Notre Dame High. And we'll play at Beverly Hills High on Saturday, March 14 in the same tournament.

"We have a young but very talented team and I'm sure those who come to watch our games will like what they see. I've been impressed with them so far."