FLC Softball Falls to Merced in Inaugural Game

The long-awaited debut of the Folsom Lake College women's softball team became a reality yesterday afternoon with a doubleheader at sun-drenched Falcon Diamond, only to see the Merced Blue Devils spoil the occasion with a 2-0 win in the opener.  Locked in a true pitcher's duel, Falcon freshman Anna Ydiarte was up for the challenge as she matched Merced's Jessica Arias for seven innings.  The Falcons struggled at the plate against Arias, managing just one hit, but Ydiatre kept the Blue Devils in check except for two unearned runs in the third inning.  As it turned out, that would be the difference.

In game 2, both teams' bats came alive as they collected more runs and more hits in the first inning alone than the entire first game.  Sophomore outfielder/pitcher Hailee Gall smoked a double to deep left field for the Falcons' first extra-base hit and RBI, scoring Brooke Stacy with the Falcons' first run.  In the sixth inning, sophomore Bree Martinez made Falcon history when she crushed a monstrous home run over the left-center field fence for the first home run at Falcon Diamond.  In the end, the Blue Devils had too much offense as they downed the Falcons, 11-3.

The Falcon softball team will return to action today when they host Lassen College at noon.