The Lady Rams are off to a good start this season. The softball team started their season on January 27 against Bakersfield College, beating them back-to-back to start with a 2-0 record. They now claim a 5-2 record, also declaring victories against College of San Mateo, Ohlone College, and San Joaquin Delta College, but unfortunately losing to Sierra College, and Cosumnes River College along the way. The lady Rams shut-out Bakersfield College 6-0 in their first encounter, and also College of San Mateo with an 8-0 victory. Unfortunately they too were shut-out by Sierra College, losing 0-5.
The Fresno City College Softball program is one of success, both on the field and off. The team and coaching staff strive for a commitment to academics, just as much as the commitment they expect on the playing field. The coaching staff is dedicated to making sure that the team is surrounded by an unsurpassed and positive learning environment which in turn will ensure academic and athletic success for each of the athletes.
The program is also one of the finest, strongest, and well-structured in the Central Valley Conference. They are well above a 500 team with a 671-514-1 (.566) overall record in the last 26 seasons. Even better in the CVC, they are 316-175-1(.644) overall. The FCC Softball team has made it to the State Championships four times in their 26 seasons, placing fifth place in 1999. That fifth place finish in 1999 is the best finish ever in the history of the softball team.
Rhonda Williams, a full-time faculty member at FCC, and the head coach of this team, brings her vast experience to the FCC program. Williams has been named the Central Valley Conference Coach of the Year four different times; that’s an admirable resume. Rhonda Williams has been coaching the FCC softball team for 15 seasons thus far. Coach Rhonda also has 13 years experience with coaching high school softball. Williams not only has coaching experience, but she also has on the field action experience. Williams is a Fresno State alumna where she played on their softball team in 1981 and 1982.
Coach Williams is a true athlete. She doesn’t just stick to softball; she played on the Fresno Pacific University volleyball team in 1984 and 1985, while completing her undergraduate education. Here at FCC, she also coaches the women’s golf team.
Coach Williams is backed by a superb coaching staff, named Staff of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for the 2001 softball season. William’s assistant coaches consist of Sandi Auble, Ralph Salazar, and Colleen Horn, all of whom have a worthy softball background.
The softball team has a total of 15 women; #2, Samantha Futrell, #4 Toyahni Beihn, #5 Kelli Willis, #6 Candace Van Hoorebeke, #7 Marissa Marquez, #8 Eva Sahatdijian, #9 Brianna Fulkerson, #10 Kristina Flores, #11 Stefani Nomura, #13 Nicole Reed, #15 Jenn Cap, #17 Sonya Eggleston, #18 Catherine Cousins, #21 Jacquelyn Kornegay, and #24 Tawny Walker.
The softball season is barely beginning and there is still plenty of time left to go out and support the FCC team. They will have five consecutive home games, starting on Feb. 14 versus. San Joaquin Delta College at 10:00 am, and Cabrillo College at 2:30 p.m.. On Feb. 15, they will face off against Gavilan College at 10:00 a.m. and Cuesta College at 2:30 p.m., and on Feb. 24, they will host Modesto Junior College at 1:00 p.m.. It looks as if Coach Williams is hoping for a good sevvason, but most importantly, it appears to be that her philosophy is for her students to be strong academically so they will be sought after by competitive four year colleges; success and pride, on and off the field.
