The Lady Sharks softball team has continued their impressive run in March, improving their record to 11-5 during the month.
With a 16-18 overall record, the team now sits only two games below .500 after starting the season at 5-13.
“You’re not going to just throw in the towel and give up just because of a few losses in the beginning of the season,” said Lady Sharks head softball coach Gina De Agüero. “My assistant coach and I try to get the best out of every individual so that we can make the team stronger and better.”
The team’s confidence is boosted by its .308 batting average and 5-3 record in Southern Conference play.
“The girls play for each other now, it’s going to make us better,” De Agüero said. “We definitely can do much better. We do too much for winning to be a surprise to us. I expect to win and they expect to win which is good.”
Sophomore infielder Eliza Artiles has been putting in a heavy workload for the team. She has a team-leading 21 stolen bases to go with a stellar .402 batting average.
Artiles believes the team can be dominating if they work on fixing the little things.
“We’re taking it one step at a time, one at-bat at a time, trying to move forward and collectively as a team,” Artiles said. “What it comes down to at the end of the day is limiting our errors. Once we bring those down to lower numbers, and we work hard and pay attention, I think we are the team to beat.”
Freshman outfielder Amber Dalfonso has also shown steady improvement as the season has progressed. She has three stolen bases in the last five games and 18 of her 28 hits are all in the month of March. Dalfonso credits her success to staying focused on the fundamentals.
“I focus on putting the ball in play, instead of trying to hit it to the outfield every time,” Dalfonso said. “It’s just little base hits.”
Dalfonso and the Lady Sharks hope to keep the winning going as the season progresses.
“We really got comfortable with each other. We built a better trust and a better bond and started playing more as a team,” Dalfonso said. “You’re always going to feel pressure when there’s states and nationals. You always want to be the best. You just have to keep doing what you’ve been doing.”
The Lady Sharks next game is at the softball field at Kendall Campus, 11011 S.W. 104th St., on April 3 versus ASA College at 2 p.m.
