The Cosumnes River College softball team ended conference play at home in a match against their fellow Big 8 first place team from Diablo Valley College, on April 21.

The action began in the bottom of the second inning when freshman utility Christy Satterlee sent a ball over the fence for a home run, giving Hawks a 1-0 lead.

The Hawks increased their lead in the third inning as sophomore utility player Hanna Miller hit the ball into center field, bringing home two runners from first and second base. With Miller at third base, freshman shortstop Brenda Velasquez hit one out to center field as well bringing the Hawks another RBI and a 4-0 lead.

The Vikings tried to respond in the first five innings, but the Hawks’ defense and the pitching from sophomore pitcher Amanda Horbasch shut them down.

The Vikings tried to make a move during the fifth inning and loaded the bases, but were still unable to make any runs before striking out.

“The game was amazing,” Velasquez said. “I am very proud of the girls. They were there giving us the support when we are up to bat. Amanda was great.”

Velasquez was not the only one to speak on Horbasch’s performance during the big game.

“Amanda pitched great and came up with some big hits,” said head coach Kristy Schroeder.

The Hawks continued their scoring streak into the fifth inning when Velasquez hit a sacrifice fly that brought Horbasch home to give the Hawks a 5-0 lead going into the sixth inning.

The Hawks shutout came to an end in the top of the sixth when an RBI from Vikings freshman pitcher Nicole Nordahl brought DVC their first run of the game. In a quick reply, Hawks sophomore first baseman Briana Cherry scored a run in the bottom of the sixth to bring the Hawks a 6-1 lead.

In the top of the seventh, the Vikings managed to score their final run of the game off an RBI from sophomore catcher Selena Townsend. DVC freshman third baseman Bailey Simmons tried to make it home, but was tagged out by freshman catcher Raechel Hopper to end the game, 6-2 in the Hawks favor.

“I thought it was the best out of all the games we played throughout the semester,” Hopper said. “I like all the hits we made. I think it was a great game.”

With their spot in the playoffs and the Big 8 Championship title secured the team celebrated their victory through the usual tradition of dumping gatorade over their coach’s head.

The victory was more meaningful for Horbasch, Miller, Cherry, sophomore outfielder Christin Stein, sophomore pitcher Nicole Madolora and sophomore catcher Carly Hintz as they were honored before the match for the annual Sophomore Day. Because players are only able to play two years of a sport in community college, Sophomore Day is one where family, friends and the rest of the team pay respects to those players who will be ineligible to play in the next season.

Horbasch said the game was amazing.

“We came together to the conference to win it. They [the Hawks] are all awesome. I can get outs, they have confidence in me and I have confidence in them. We have chemistry and that is why we we made it so far,” Horbasch said.

Schroeder said it was a fun game for her and the team.

“I am really stoked that we won the championship. Going through the season, I really didn’t think we were gonna stand a chance because the [other] teams weren’t losing their games,” Schroeder said. “Our team was just amped today and were burning, ready to go.”