On March 29, the Mustangs returned home to Bucky Layland Softball Complex and beat Cosumnes River 7-6 in the first game held there for 2 and a half years.
The field was all turf except the dirt mound, and had concession stands that gave hot dogs and
water for free, with the option to purchase chips or soda.
The Mustangs started the game out strong leading 4-0 by the time the first inning ended with No. 6 3B Elon James knocking in two runs with a single.
It seemed like Delta had closed the door because No. 2 2B Tara Fornaciari hit the first home run in the new stadium in the fifth inning, making the score 6-1 Mustangs.
“It felt really good to hit that homerun honestly I was just trying to put my bat on the ball because I struck out before and I wasn’t trying to do too much I’m more shocked than anyone that I actually hit that,” Fornaciari said. “We can build off this by realizing we can come together and play as a team, you know. We have gone through some ups and downs, but I feel like we’re actually grabbing a hold of it and becoming a team.”
After the homerun athletic director Tony Espinoza retrieved the ball so Fornaciari could sign it and her family could keep it as a souvenir.
She also credits the hitters at the top of the lineup that got RBIs like James and No. 25 Arianna Coehello who both had 2 in the game.
“It was exciting to score in the first inning. It is really important that we start well and jump on top early in the game. The energy was great coming from the last game into this game, you honestly just look forward to what’s coming next,” James said
Cosumnes River only scored one run in the second inning until scoring five runs in the last inning.
Starting pitcher No.5 Ariel Nava, who is committed to the University of Pacific, threw six strong innings but ran into trouble in the last inning.
She walked three batters before No. 24 Brie Tyler was put in the game.
Tyler walked two batters and gave up three hits but managed to get one out during her performance.
Cosumnes River was coming back and the Mustangs needed someone to close out the game because Cosumnes River was hot in the last inning.
The score was 7-6 with the winning runs on base for Cosumnes River until Delta looked to Pitcher No. 10 Lily Alamillo and she closed out the game by striking out two batters.
“I have to give credit to the coaches and my teammates for having confidence in me”, Alamillo said after the game “It shows we can compete and it definitely gives us confidence going forward.”
All three players mentioned that being back at Delta felt amazing and that it was cool to be known as the first team that got to play on the new field.
With the win the Mustangs move to 14-8 overall and 9-5 in Big 8 Conference games which is second place in the conference behind Modesto.
