By Stacy Damitio

Softball season is back in full swing for Glendale Community College’s Lady Gauchos. All of the sophomores on the team are returning, with the exception of catcher, Morgan Desaulniers.
“One of our strongest advantages as a team is the team chemistry. Our team does get along well, and it shows on the field,” Trisha Thurston, the Lady Gaucho’s head coach said.
While most GCC students were enjoying the week long break, the softball team was hard at work on the field.
March 12, they hit the diamond to face-off against the Saints from Seward County Community College from Kansas, visiting the Arizona heat for double header.
The first inning the Saints had two runners on base when a homerun was hit to the left-center field fence 210 ft. away.
The Lady Gauchos went into the batter’s box with a score of 0-2.
GCC’s Erica Downing answered back with a homerun of her own to center field, scoring three runs, starting the second inning with a score of 3-2.
The next few innings the ladies battled it out in the batter’s box. Both teams’ sticks were alive, and both teams’ defenses’ were working hard.
The bottom of the fourth inning GCC pitcher, Niki Turnbough hit a single into right-center field; she was moved to second by a nicely placed bunt. The Saints missed the throw, leaving runners on first and second. A fly to center field loaded the bases. The Gauchos were able to score with a ground ball to second base.
The Gauchos moved into the fifth inning with a score of 4-2.
The fifth inning the Gauchos showed off their defensive skills with a sweet double play.
During the bottom of the sixth inning, the Gaucho’s had runners on second and third, when a line drive was hit to score a run.
The last inning started with the Gauchos up 5-2.
The Saints had one last chance to make a run at the “W,” but GCC’s defense shut them down. With three batters up, and three batters down, the Lady Gauchos secured the 5-2 win.
They Gauchos won the second game against the Saints as well.
Their current record is 12-12 for conference play, and 19-15 overall. The ladies are third in the Division II region, and eighth overall.
“Our main goal for the remainder of season is to make playoffs. We are striving to become more consistent and put some winning streaks together so that we are playing our best ball at the end of season,” Thurston said.
With obvious team chemistry and dedication, the Gauchos are a team to be watching.
“The freshman are playing together for the first time this season and we are expecting big things from them next year as well,” Thurston said.
The Gauchos finished second in the conference tournament during the 2012 season, and finished the season with a record of 20-35.