The EPCC Tejanas softball team is working hard to improve on last year’s disappointing 17-35 season.
With 11 freshman, the Tejanas will have to bond quickly if they are going to have success this year.
“We are trying to get prepared,” said head coach Mandy Gamboa. “We are a young team, and everybody is working hard to do better than last year.”
Last season, the Tejanas finished fifth in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference with a 14-22 record, and this year they hope to finish in the top four to advance to nationals.
“We expect a lot out of all of them, especially the returning sophomores from last year because they know what we expect and where we want to go,” said Tejanas Assistant Coach Katie Gutierrez.
The Tejanas will be relying heavily on their returning veterans.
“I did well last year and have been working my butt off since August,” said third basemen/catcher Kristin Jaramillo. “I hope to accomplish a winning season and go to nationals.”
Jaramillo, hit .333 in 2007 and was second on the team in home runs a year ago with five. She also had 21 runs batted in.
Also back for the Tejanas are Megan Humphrey and Adriana Martinez.
Humphrey finished the 2007 season hitting .353, with two home runs, and 21 runs batted in. Martinez batted .333, with 16 runs scored and 33 hits.
The Tejanas have welcomed a few new members to their team.
“I felt like I had to finish what I started,” said Jesse Manquero, who played softball in high school, but is resuming her career after not playing the game while attending New Mexico State last year.
The Tejanas will begin their season at the Great Western Shootout Tournament on the campus of Arizona Western College in Yuma on Feb. 1.
EPCC will open the tourney with two games on day one against Eastern Arizona College at 9 a.m. and Pima CC at 1 p.m.
The Tejanas are scheduled to play three games on day two. They take on Glendale CC at 10 a.m., Utah’s Snow College at noon, and Arizona Western College at 5 p.m.
