From the very beginning, the bar was set high for this year’s Fresno City College Baseball team. The Rams came into the season ranked as the number two team in the conference and had high hopes of making it to the state championship. But they quickly learned just how difficult it would be to meet those high expectations.
The season kicked off with a three game series against Taft, during which the Rams lost all three games. As one of the top teams, the Rams faced their opponents’ best just about every game. And with injuries to several key players, the Rams didn’t have the record they expected. After 16 games, they had a record of nine and seven.
In the midst of adversity however, the Rams stayed on the same page and slowly returned to their winning ways.
“The kids are winners. They have a winning attitude. We can overcome and still make a push to win the league,” said head coach Ron Scott.”Every Baseball team goes through adversity. Ours just happened to be in the beginning.”
The season highlight for the Rams came against the Chabot Gladiators when they pulled out a 3-2 victory after 12 innings. “They’re a good team. They beat us in the past, but we showed that we can beat anyone,” said outfielder Mitchell Sodersten, who is among the leaders in doubles with a total of six
For Sodersten, the feeling of losing is too familiar. “I played on a 7-win team in Porterville. I don’t want to go back to that,” he said. And although the Rams seem to be getting back on the winning track.
Sodersten believes the Rams have not yet completely turned it around. “We’re still figuring out who we are. We’re still getting better,” said Sodersten.”We have to hit better with runners in scoring position and we have to play as a team.” The Rams are fourth in the Central Valley with a batting average of .270 and fifth with a total of 71 runs batted in.
Infield Player Jeff Phillips also realizes the potential on the team. “This team has more than enough talent to win,” said Phillips. “We are still trying to get our groove back. We haven’t played Fresno City College Baseball yet.”
As one of the older guys on the team, Phillips has taken on the leadership role. “I try to pick up the players when they’re down,” said Phillips.”There’s no panic in this team. We have a very young team, but we have depth. We’re much better than what our record shows.”
The schedule doesn’t get much easier for the Rams. In the next two weeks, they will complete a three game series with Reedley and Merced, who are both making a push for the league title in the Central Valley.
“We still control our own destiny,” said Coach Scott.”We depend on ourselves. No one else.”
