For the second time this season, no new teams entered the latest California Community College Fastpitch Coaches Associations rankings.West Valley (14-5) made the biggest leap, moving from No. 20 to No. 15 after rallying off six-straight wins, outscoring its opponents 37-3 during the stretch.
No. 2 Sierra and No. 3 Monterey Peninsula continue to battle for the top spot in the north, with Sierra (18-1) taking the top spot this week after three wins including an 11-3 five-inning victory over No. 18 American River. Monterey Peninsula added a 7-1 win over Cabrillo.
No. 4 Cypress (11-2) makes an appearance in the top five after a 4-0 week with wins over No. 10 Fullerton, and No. 12 El Camino.
Olivia Ramirez and Malia Venegas have been named 3CFCA Players of the Week.
Ramirez earns 3CFCA Pitcher of the Week honors after showcasing her dominance in the circle in a pair of wins for Long Beach. The sophomore showcased her talents in a relief outing in a 3-2 nine-inning win against Rio Hondo. With the game tied 2-2 in the fifth inning, Ramirez stepped in to deal and dominated the rest of the game. The ace struck out 14 of the 15 batters she faced, giving the Vikings a chance to walk off the win in the ninth inning.
She opened the week with a complete-game win over Chaffey where she struck out seven batters while allowing just four hits. Ramirez finished the week 2-0 with zero earned runs, 21 strikeouts, four hits, and just one run. She currently boasts a 5-2 record with 58 strikeouts, the sixth most in the state.
Malia Venegas picks up Player of the Week honors after leading San Jose to a 3-0 stretch in a week full of stellar performances. She started the week by nearly hitting for the cycle in a 6-1 win over Chabot. The third baseman hit a home run, triple, and double in the win accounting for two RBIs and a run.
Vengas got the Jaguars' offense rolling in a doubleheader sweep over Porterville. In the first inning of the opener, she hit a clutch double that scored a pair of runs to give her squad the early 2-0 lead. She added a stolen base, run, and another RBI in the 11-1 win. In the second game, she added another RBI double in the 5-2 win.
Venegas finished the week with a .600 batting average, six RBIs, six hits, three doubles, one triple, one home run, two runs, one stolen base, and a walk.
Previous Players of the Week & links to Press Releases
Jan. 31
- Eliza Deatherag, Sacramento City (Player) / Alexya Naranjo, Chaffey (Pitcher)
Feb. 7 - Brooklyn Gregor, Golden West (Player) / Kindall Pierson, Fresno City (Pitcher)
Feb. 14 - Patty Rodriguez, Citrus College (Player) / Amaya Sutton, Sierra College (Pitcher)
Feb. 21 - Kadyn Smith, Bakersfield (Player) / Avery Mytnik, Monterey Peninsula (Pitcher)
Feb. 28 - Sadie Hampton, Redwood (Player) / Emma Silva, West Hills Coalinga (Pitcher)
-- Courtesy 3CFCA & ccaa.prestosports.com
