Lancers win GSL with unbeaten record

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Congratulations to the Cordova High School varsity softball team for capturing sole possession of the Greater Sacramento League (GSL) Championship with a 6-4 victory at home against West Campus on May 9.

The Lady Lancers wrapped up the 2022 regular season two days later with an 18-0 road victory at Florin. The win gave Cordova a perfect league record at 10-0 and their third GSL championship in a row, better known as a “three-peat.” Back in 1989, the term “three-peat” became a registered trademark owned by Pat Riley, the former coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, and has been an achievement rarely accomplished in sports over the years.

“(Assistant) coach Beamish and I are beyond proud, and we feel as long as everyone is moving together, then success takes place,” said head coach Kim Little.

The CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Softball Playoffs brackets pitted the No. 15 seeded Lancers against No. 2 Saint Francis in Sacramento. The Troubadours were victorious 8-1 on May 17, ending Cordova’s season. The Lancers were only able to get two hits off Saint Francis senior pitcher Hope Jenkins, who is being recruited to play Division I college softball.

The first Cordova hit was a double by junior outfielder Leiana Hobart and the second hit was a single by senior reliever Diane Salinas. Both hits off Jenkins were in the top of the seventh inning, breaking up a possible no hitter. Junior pitcher Cassaundra Seifert took the loss on the mound for the Lancers after pitching five innings and allowing five hits, seven runs (four earned) and three walks with eight strikeouts.

The final record for Cordova was 17-9 overall. The Lancers’ starting lineup had all nine players record at least 48 at bats, a .316 batting average, 18 hits and 10 runs batted in, respectively.

The following is the statistics from the top nine hitters. Junior shortstop Mariah Hopkins: .542 avg, 32 hits and 23 RBI. Sophomore infielder Abigail Perona: .469 avg, 23 hits and 13 RBI. Senior outfielder Kelissa Lee: .469 avg, 30 hits and 23 RBI. Hobart: .458 avg, 33 hits and 22 RBI. Salinas: .435 avg, 30 hits and 31 RBI. Freshman first baseman Niya Brown: .417 avg, 20 hits and 12 RBI. Senior outfielder Laemya Banks: .412 avg., 21 hits and 10 RBI. Senior outfielder Noelle Gifford: .380 avg, 19 hits and 15 RBI. Junior second baseman Alyssa Soliven: .316 avg, 18 hits and 10 RBI.

The Lancers will have five players departing in the Class of 2022. The following seniors will be graduating: Salinas, Banks, Gifford, Lee and catcher Rose Briggs.

“Next year looks bright still, a lot of returning players with experience from this year’s team. We’ll miss the seniors we are losing but confident we should be ok,” Little said when asked about the outlook of next season.

I, also think next year looks promising and a potential “four-peat” look great.

Go Big Red!