MSJC Celebrates Dedication of Softball Field With Win

Softball players from Mt. San Jacinto College (left) and Barstow College gather for the Pledge of Allegiance during the dedication of the Lady agles' new field on the Menifee campus.

The Mt. San Jacinto College softball team celebrated the opening of its new field on the Menifee Valley Campus Wednesday with a "First Pitch" ceremony that included a number of MSJC dignitaries and a dominating win by the team over visiting Barstow College.

Dean of Physical Education and Athletics Patrick Springer was joined by MSJC Board Trustees Bill Zimmerman, Ann Motte and Tom Ashley, as well as MSJC Vice Presidents Dr. Bill Vincent and Dr. Pat Schwerdtfeger on the field for a pre-game dedication.

Springer praised all the hard work over the past few years of everybody involved in the project, including MSJC Superintendent/President Dr. Roger Schultz and the entire Maintenance Department. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Head Softball Coach Gina Oliver. Speaking about their new home, Oliver said, "We have been able to practice on our new field for the last six months and the whole sense of MSJC Eagle pride, tradition, and camaraderie has developed strongly over that time."

As for the game itself, the Lady Eagles did not let the large home crowd down. They scored 11 runs in the first inning on their way to a 19-3 win over Barstow. Nine different players had RBIs for MSJC, led by Jena Chilson, who had three. Alasia Tana-Torres scored four times and the team collected 17 hits. Chilson and Sierra Falcon shared pitching duties in the victory.

The next chance to see the Lady Eagles on their new home field is today, when they host San Bernardino Valley in a doubleheader. The first game is set to begin at 1 pm.

Front row, from left: Trustee Tom Ashley; Board Chair Ann Motte; Coach Gina Oliver; Dean of PE and Athletics Patrick Springer. Back row, from left: Vice President of Student Services Dr. Bill Vincent; Trustee Bill Zimmerman; Interim Vice President of Instruction Dr. Patrick Schwerdtfeger.