The Fresno City College Rams softball team is off to a great start in Central Valley Conference play during this COVID-shortened season. With five teams participating this season (FCC, COS, Reedley, Merced, and Taft), there are only 16 CVC games on the schedule, and the Rams are in first place with 10 to go.

After a rocky start to the season with four losses, the Rams have got hot. They have been led by great pitching and timely offense that have come from many contributors. The Rams pitching staff has been anchored by freshman Jazmine Castaneda. She is 5-0 in CVC play and has only yielded 11 hits in 26 innings pitched with a remarkable 40:3 strikeout to walk ratio. Her 54 total strikeouts lead the state this season. Sophomore Kyndyll Garrison has also stepped up this season picking up the Rams most recent win with a complete game against Merced.

The Rams graduated all but 4 players off a team that was ranked in the top 10 in the state last season in many offensive categories. The offensive contributions are coming from many different players this season, as the Rams have 9 different players who are currently hitting above .300 on the season. Sophomores Amber Aguilar and Jada Gallagher are both hitting .444 this season and provide stability in the middle of a very good Rams lineup. Sophomore Mary Mets is off to another great season hitting .421, and Castaneda provides a ton of pop and is sitting right at .400 average for the season.

"With all of the obstacles this last year has thrown us, this group of young women have been resilient. They have stuck it out for over a year to compete this season and have been a pleasure to coach and watch compete for a CVC title" says 2nd year head coach Haley Janzer. "These girls could have called it quits a long time ago, but their commitment to the game, this FCC softball program and their teammates says a lot about their character."

Covid-19 delayed the start of the season and shortened the schedule from 40 to 24 games. They have 10 CVC games remaining and 4 non-conference beginning with a trip to Bakersfield College on Tuesday May 4th.

The next Rams home games are scheduled for Friday May 7th vs. Taft College at 11am and 1pm. Rams home games allow fans at 10% capacity. Masks and social distancing are expected by fans attending home games this season.

Stay tuned to Rams softball Instagram and Twitter for gameday updates.

written by;

Jordan Keener,

FCC Softball Assistant Coach

GO RAMS!