5/5/2010 - Seeded 10th in this year’s regional playoffs, the Feather River College softball team traveled to seventh-seeded Ohlone College last weekend and won in two games, 10-5 and 7-6.   

This advances FRC to the Super Regional Tournament at Sacramento City College this Friday through Sunday, May 7-9. The four-team, double-elimination tournament will determine who goes to the California State Finals.

    College of the Siskiyous and College of the Sequoias are the other two teams competing in the Super Regional Tournament with FRC and Sac City.

    Feather River College and College of the Siskiyous tied for first place in the Golden Valley Conference this season.

    When the Golden Eagles traveled south to take on the Ohlone Renegades last weekend, FRC proved to be more than the Renegades could handle.

    The Golden Eagles offense dominated Ohlone pitcher Jessica Varady, who was named the pitcher of the year in the Coast-North Conference.

    “It was a great weekend for us,” said FRC coach Josh Taylor. “We hit the you-know-what out of the ball. We were pretty amazing. It was fun to watch.”

    In game one, Feather River pounded out 14 hits in the 10-5 victory. The offense was led by Dani Ming, who started the game with a stand up triple. Through the game, Ming totaled three hits, three runs scored and one RBI.

    Alisha Perry also registered three hits, including a triple to lead off the third inning.

    The Golden Eagles offense finally knocked the wind out of the Renegades in the sixth inning, when Brittany Potter stepped to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded in a tight 5-4 game.

    Potter got behind in the count 0-2 before delivering a line drive that bounced off the left centerfield wall. The double scored three runners and was the only offense pitcher Erica Wieck needed, as she went on to win the game 10-5.

    Other notable Feather River standouts included Leah Justice (one hit, one RBI and two runs); Chelsea Venable (two hits, two RBIs and one run) and Shelby Watts (two hits and one run).

    “These young ladies have worked extremely hard to get to this point, and they went out and took it from Ohlone today,” said  Taylor.

    Game two began with the Golden Eagles offense once again jumping out to an early lead.

    Dani Ming led the game off with a double, Leah Justice walked, then Brittany Potter and Chelsea Venable also doubled. Before Ohlone had a chance to take a deep breath, the Golden Eagles were on top 3-0.

    Feather River added another run in the second inning on a Leah Justice double.

    Ohlone answered back in the fourth inning, cutting the Golden Eagles lead to 4-3.

    In the top of the fifth inning, Ohlone’s Varady appeared to find her groove from the pitchers circle, as she retired Justice and Potter on two routine fly outs, but then Chelsea Venable kept the inning alive with a solid single to left.

    That brought third baseman Shelby Watts to the plate. After taking the first pitch, Watts deposited the second over the leftfield fence for a two-run home run that gave Feather River a 6-3 lead.

    Once again, the resilient Renegades of Ohlone College answered back, tying the game in the bottom of the sixth inning.

    However, Feather River once again had an answer, as Brittany Potter delivered with a towering solo home run to right field in the seventh inning to give the Golden Eagles an emotional 7-6 victory.

    FRC pitcher Annalee Rubio battled the entire game, going seven innings while striking out seven and walking none.

    “I am very proud of the accomplishments of this year’s team,” said Taylor. “They believe in themselves and each other. We are looking forward to heading to Sacramento to play in the super regionals next weekend.”

    The Golden Eagles will open against Sacramento City College this Friday, May 7, at 2 p.m.