Galveston College made it 16 wins in a row to start the season after sweeping a four-game series from Monroe University over the weekend, and the Whitecaps softball team continued its ascent in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I rankings.
 
With the sweep of the Mustangs, the Whitecaps improved to 16-0 and are now ranked 11th in the nation by the NJCAA DI Softball Rankings.
 
“We’re off to a great start and I’m proud of what the team has achieved so far this season,” said Whitecaps Head Softball Coach, Kelly Raines. “They’re taking it one game at a time, showing up, practicing and playing hard, and staying healthy.”
 
GC opened the series against MU with a hard-fought 3-2 victory and readjusted to rout the visitors 15-0 in the night cap on Feb. 27. In the closing set of games on Feb. 28, the Whitecaps continued their double-digit assault with a 12-7 triumph and concluded the series with a slim 3-1 win.
 
During the four-game set, freshman hurler Daphne Utajara helped lead the Whitecaps to a pair of victories, 15-0 and 12-7. Utajara improved to 6-0 with 19 strikeouts and a 0.74 ERA in 28.1 innings pitched.
 
GC freshman pitcher Jadyn Struxness also remained undefeated and improved to 5-0 from the circle after holding off the Mustangs in the series opener, 3-2. Struxness struck out nine opposing batters to increase her total to 46 strikeouts in 34.1 innings of work, and lowered her ERA to 0.82.
 
Struxness received just enough offensive support from GC freshman catcher Sammie Paukert, who went 1-for-2 and drove in two of the three runs, to help the Whitecaps overcome the Mustangs for a series-opening win.
 
In the second game of the series, the home team teed off for five home runs by four different Whitecaps. GC third baseman Gabriella Zulfekar hit a pair of homers, while shortstop Alayna Davis, infielder Andrea Tagovailoa and catcher Paukert each hit roundtrippers.
In the third game, GC freshman first baseman Cassidy Bank contributed a pair of dingers and five RBIs to the Whitecaps’ cause en route to a 12-7 victory.
 
In the series finale, Tagovailoa hit a homer and brought in a pair of runs to support freshman hurler Kalion Fuentes’ four-hit, 3-1 win to keep the winning streak alive. With the win, Fuentes improved to 3-0 on the season.
 
Galveston College will face Bossier Parish Community College on the road Wednesday, March 4, at 12 and 2:30 p.m. The Whitecaps will follow up with a two-game stint against Tyler Junior College on Thursday, March 5, at 12 and 2:30 p.m. before returning home for a doubleheader against Temple College on March 7 at 1 and 3:30 p.m.
 
All GC home games are played at the Lassie League Complex’s Carter Field, located at 2506 83rd St. in Galveston. Admission is free and open to the public.
For more information about the Galveston College Whitecaps softball program, including rosters and the full season schedule, visit https://www.gcwhitecaps.com/landing/index.
 
ABOUT GALVESTON COLLEGE
Galveston College was founded in 1967 and is a comprehensive community college providing the residents of Galveston Island and the surrounding region with academic, workforce development, continuing education and community service programs.