The Bear Cubs softball team entered the Fresno City Tournament on March 1 having won 11 of its first 12 games. It left the five-game day with an outstanding tournament record of 4-1.

In the first game of the tournament, the Bear Cubs matched up against Reedley College. Behind a huge day at the plate for sophomore third basemen Alexandria Coirds, the Bear Cubs won 3-1.

Coirds went 3-3 falling a triple shy of hitting for the cycle and collected two RBIs, including her first home run of the season.

Megan Winters picked up the victory for Santa Rosa Junior College after hurling seven innings, scattering only three hits while allowing one earned run and striking out six batters.

The Bear Cubs dropped a heartbreaker against Fresno in the second game of the tournament that day.

Fresno’s pitcher Selena Ruiz had a dominant start, edging SRJC 2-1.  Ruiz covered seven innings while allowing one run and striking out five Bear Cubs.

Sophomore catcher Megan Stroud scored the Bear Cubs only run on an RBI single in the third inning.

In the final game of the tournament the Bear Cubs cruised to a 9-0 victory. The offensive explosion began with sophomore center fielder Chauntel Cesna.

Cesna went 2-3 with a game high three RBIs and one stolen base. Sophomore designated hitter Courtnie Morton went 2-3 with two runs and two RBI’s.

Nine runs were more than enough of run support with Haylie Chase on the mound.

Chase went five innings, allowing only two hits and zero runs with only two walks, striking out five West Hills Coalinga batters.

SRJC defeated Porterville 10-1 behind freshman Nikki Potoc’s huge game later that day.

Potoc went 3-4 with two RBI’s, two runs and a stolen base to help lead the Bear Cubs in their blowout victory.

Porterville pitcher Jennifer Ortega couldn’t figure out the Bear Cubs’ lineup. Ortega allowed nine hits and 10 runs while hitting five Bear Cub batters.

On the flipside, Winters allowed only three hits, zero earned runs and striking out eight Porterville batters over six innings.

SRJC won 10-2 in another blowout against Los Medanos.

Firing out of the gate for seven first-inning runs, the Bear Cubs gave more than enough run support to help Winters.

Winters lowered her Big 8 lead ERA to a miniscule 0.91 after throwing five innings, scattering two hits while allowing one earned run and striking out eight batters.

Winters went 1-3 with a walk, two RBIs and two runs. Morton was 2-2 with two RBIs and two runs as the Bear Cubs cruised to their 15th victory.

The Bear Cubs have prevailed behind their great starting pitching, helping them to advance to a 14-2 record.

SRJC now leads the Big 8 in ERA and batting average.

The Bear Cubs look to extend their record to 16-2 when they take on Sierra in a doubleheader at noon Mar. 8 at Sierra College.