The Reedley College softball Tigers are 2-0 at their new home, the completely renovated Tiger Diamond.
The field is at the same location but features new dugouts, a new batting cage and bullpen, a net to stop fall balls from getting away, and an announcer's room located just north of the Reedley dugout. A dedication ceremony is planned at a later date TBD.
On Saturday, the Tigers played host to a 3-9 Shasta College squad that ended going back to Redding with a 3-11 mark.
Shasta Head Coach Eric Jones brought only two pitchers to Reedley, matching the current number on Tiger coach Stefani Nomura's squad. Shasta starter Joci Bertain lasted only one and a third innings in the first game. By the time Coach Jones pulled Bertain, Reedley had a 12-0 lead on the way to a 17-0 RC victory.
Freshman outfielder Za'cari Donald (Liberty, Bakersfield) hit Bertain's tenth pitch over the left field fence for a three-run homer. Donald just missed another home run in the second inning, reaching the warning track in center field at about the same spot where Celine Ramos (Clovis East) hit a two-run homer two batters earlier. That was the start of a nine-run inning for the Tigers.
Reedley pitcher Sierra Hallum (Reedley Middle College) had as many hits (four) as the Knights did, finishing with two doubles and two singles. Ashlee Chavez (Reedley) added three hits.
The second game was a different story. Shasta took a 10-6 lead into the Reedley half of the seventh inning. Nissa Gonzalez' (McLane, Fresno) walk-off sacrifice fly scored Zoey Rodriguez (McLane, Fresno) with the winning run as two Knight errors helped out the Tigers. Katelyn Edmondson (Liberty, Madera) hit a two-run homer that started the rally.
Hallum was again the winning pitcher, taking over for starter Elissa Olea (Selma) in the third inning.
Reedley is 2-2 in Central Valley Conference play and 9-13 overall.
Reedley is scheduled to travel to Taft College March 11 for a 1 pm doubleheader. Twin bills are scheduled for Tuesdays and single games on Thursdays in conference play. A non-conference twin bill is scheduled for this Friday at 12 noon with Feather River College, weather permitting.