Medina, Hawks win season opener

ECS staff writer

SANTEE —- Featuring someone “old” and someone “new,” San Diego Christian College opened its 2022 women’s softball season with an 8-3 triumph over La Sierra University.

The “old” featured Amaryssa Medina, the Hawks’ top hitter from a year ago, who continued her .300 batting rate by raking a home run in a 3-for-4 outing at the plate.

The “new” welcomed the addition of freshman Maya Abrego in center field. The speedster will start the season as the Hawks lead-off batter after going 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Abrego also collected an RBI.

Medina also served as starting pitcher, blanking the visiting Golden Eagles in six of seven innings to gain the victory. The senior struck out six with only two of the runs being earned.

Medina was aided by her new catcher, Hailey Morgan-Voyce, the third player with multiple hits for the Hawks after going 2-for-3.

San Diego Christian mounted a 7-0 advantage through the first two innings, which also featured doubles by second baseman Alicia Corona and third baseman Jodi Thomasian.

The offense was started by another member of the freshmen corps, center fielder Marley Rimoldi (Steele Canyon HS), who struck a 2-run single, with a third run scoring on an error.

Rimoldi was an All-East County second-team performer out of Steele Canyon High last year.

In the second inning, Abrego doubled then came home on an error. Medina slugged a solo homer to left field for a 6-0 cushion.

La Sierra took the nightcap, 13-2, as the first eight runs were unearned on three Hawks errors.

San Diego Christian (1-1 overall) returns to action Tuesday, traveling to Lancaster for a doubleheader against the University of Antelope Valley. The Pioneers (1-0) captured their season opener over Menlo College, 6-3.