After struggling through a tough non-conference schedule in which EPCC managed a meager 4-12 record, the Tejanas rebounded by wining three of their first four Western Junior College Athletic Conference games.
The Tejanas are at the top of the league standings (3-1) after sweeping Frank Phillips College 5-4 and 9-1, and splitting two games with Clarendon College.
After losing the first game 7-2, EPCC rallied to take the nightcap 4-2.
The tough Tejanas’ non-conference schedule consisted of games against four-year universities.
“If we didn’t have the games like we had early in the season, it would have been too much of a shock for the girls,” said head coach Mandy Gamboa. “As a coach, we always ask more from them. We are their number one fan, so we push them so much they might not think so, but we want them to be the best.”
The Tejanas will play the conference pre-season favorite, Midland College, in a two-game series in Midland this Friday.
Midland College is coming off a season in 2007 in which they finished with a 28-8 conference record and shared the conference title.
If that challenge isn’t tough enough, the Tejanas will then take on the conference’s second-ranked preseason pick, Odessa College, in a two-game series on Saturday morning at Odessa.
The Tejanas have spent the majority of their practice time working on defense.
According to Gamboa, Midland and Odessa have a “strong short-ball game.”
To be successful against the talented schools, the Tejanas will need to capitalize on their own offensive strengths.
“The slappers have been doing a very good job on getting their runners on base,” said Gamboa.
The Tejanas will need to be firing on all cylinders, the next two series will be definite challenges for the Tejanas, who wish to remain among the teams vying for a conference title.
“This team is unique because it does what we ask, everyone contributes on this team, each player plays a role and if one person is not playing well, another player steps in to fill the gap,” said Gamboa.
“We just want the community to come and see all the hard work the girls do. To come and support the local talent. They deserve it.”
The Tejanas will return to the friendly confines of EPCC on Feb. 29 when they host Howard College.
The doubleheader with Howard College will get underway at 11 a.m.
On March 1, EPCC will take on the defending conference tournament champions, Western Texas College.
The doubleheader with Western Texas College will begin at 1 p.m.
