Lady Centaurs struggling to break even in softball

The Culver City High School girls' varsity softball team has lost five games in a row and they are currently 7-11 overall and 1-5 in the Bay league. That's the bad news. The good news is the young Lady Centaurs have four regular season games remaining on their schedule. That gives them a chance to move up in the league standings and get close to being a .500 team.

"We have a lot of young players who don't have a lot of experience," said head coach Brandy Peacock after a recent loss against Santa Monica. "We lost two seniors last year and one of them was our shortstop, Cheyenne Navarro and she was a big part of our defense. This year we have had to move players around to different positions, so some players are not playing their normal positions."

Softball is a sport that if you don't start early, you are most likely to be behind talent wise of the girls that started at an early age. "We don't have as many travel ball players as I had in the past," said Peacock. "Our players are learning and adjusting, and we have come a long way, but we play in a tough league."

Playing in a league against Redondo Union, Mira Costa, Palos Verdes and Santa Monica every game is a challenge, but Peacock is still enjoying being the head coach at Culver City. "I love it," said Peacock. "I have so much fun, but this will be my last year being the head coach after four years. I will be so excited to just being able to work with the pitchers and volunteer my time. I have had the best time and memories coaching these awesome athletes."

The past three seasons the Centaurs have had winning records but this year they are making rookie mistakes on offense and defense. "We need to hit the ball,' said Peacock. "We are making contact with the ball in practice but not in the games. In practice there is not as much pressure as there is in the games. The girls play hard, and they are proud to be representing Culver City and I am so proud to be their coach.

"The expectations were high this year because we had a large training support group that included the Clippers," said Peacock. "We are getting the most out of this team this year. They are great kids."

Some of the players that are playing well this year are the coach's daughter, Taylor Peacock, who can play all nine positions, but she has been their best pitcher for the past three years. She will continue her playing career at San Jose State next season. Other top players this season are catcher, Hayden Martin, infielder Xochil Romereo, infielder Ashlynn Ito and outfielder Nai Lah Long.

The Centaurs have a lot of young players returning next season so the future looks bright, and Peacock will still be around to help the program she has fallen in love with. "I am a Physical Education teacher at Culver City High School so I will still be available to give free clinics and continue to work with the pitchers because I was a pitcher in college. I will continue to work with the softball players at Culver City. I live near the school so I will always be here to work with the girls."

Their last two home games this season will be against Peninsula on Friday, April 19, at 3:30 p.m. and Redondo Union on Saturday April 20, at 10 a.m. and the last two road games will be against Palos Verdes on Monday, April 22, at 3:15 p.m. and Santa Monica on Wednesday April 24, at 3:30 p.m.