GALT, CA (MPG) - The Hawk softball team had a good season, coming in second in league with the championship almost in their grasp. They lost their last game to Union Mine after beating them twice earlier in the season and losing to Rosemont.

The Hawks, ranked eighth in the playoffs, hosted ninth-ranked Oakmont at home May 14, which should have proved to be a close game. They just weren’t able to get hits off of Oakview pitcher Emilee Monell, who stuck out eight Hawks and walked none, allowing only four hits. The final score was Oakmont 6, Liberty Ranch 1.

Hawk pitcher Natalie Vigil spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: She surrendered three earned (and three unearned) runs on 10 hits. She also struck out three batters and only walked one. Vigil hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive pitching appearances.

At the plate, Liberty Ranch had three players step up and record at least one hit: Natalie Vigil, Carlie Perez and Shelby Duarte. Duarte went 1-for-2 with an RBI.

With only two seniors, head coach Vince Bunac is already planning for next year. 

“We started strong in the beginning of league beating Rosemont and stayed steady till the end of our season when we had some missteps and dropped to second place,” said Bunac. “My senior Natalia Vigil was my workhorse for the last three years on the dish. My other senior CiCi Kahm has been our workhorse at the JV level for three years. She couldn’t be a better teammate; both seniors have a great future in front of them and they will be missed.”

“We ended our season on our first game in playoffs; we just didn’t have an answer for their pitching. We are losing only two players this year. We can only get stronger going forward. I am already looking forward to next year.”

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