College of the Redwoods Athletics

Grace Turgeon appears to be enjoying life at College of the Redwoods.

The freshman outfielder had a day to remember on Tuesday, as the CR women swept a softball doubleheader at Chabot College to give them some momentum heading into conference play.

The Ponderosa High graduate had a monster day to help lead the local community college team to 21-17 and 14-5 victories, finishing 7-for-10 over the two games with six RBIs and six runs scored. 

Turgeon, who is batting .339 in her first year with the team, also had nine stolen bases, giving her 17 on the season.

With the two wins, the CR women improved to 7-8-1.

“Grace really stepped up for us and was a huge force at the plate and on the bases,” CR head coach Micaela Harris said. “She is so consistent in the outfield as well.”

Turgeon’s big day wasn’t the only one for the CR women.

Former Del Norte Warrior Audrey Phillips finished 2-for-3 with home run, a triple and four RBIs in a high-scoring opener, while Kailey Wheelock had a home run in game two.

But Harris admits there is still room for improvement if this team wants to make some noise in the Golden Valley Conference.

“I am proud of our girls for finding ways to win both games,” the coach said. “But as we’re about to start conference we know we have to tighten up on defense, especially in pressure situations.

“Those little moments matter, and against good teams they can be the difference. If we clean up the small things and keep bringing the same energy and toughness, we’ll be a in good spot moving forward.”

Speed on the bases has not been a problem and Redwoods leads the state with 72 stolen bases.

In addition to Turgeon’s 17 stolen bases, Hampton and Emily Gomez each have nine, while Cunningham and Tsinte Steinruck each have eight and Bailee Box has seven.

“There were a lot of positives that came out of today with a lot of big hits,” Harris said after the sweep, which saw the CR bats account for 29 base hits. 

“That aggressiveness on the base paths has really become part of our identity.”

College of the Redwoods Athletics

Wheelock finished 3-for-4 with a walk in game one and drove in four runs, while Phillips, Lily Cunningham, Sidney Sherrod and Maeghan Hampton each also had two hits, including doubles by Cunningham, Sherrod and Hampton.

Makayla Youngman also doubled in the win.

Hampton added two more hits in game two.

Mackenzie Dean got the win in the circle in game one, with Wheelock throwing a complete game for the victory in game two.

Redwoods took control of game one with 11 runs in the top of the third inning to open up a 16-3 lead, and that would prove decisive down the stretch despite a late surge from the home team that included seven runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Chabot led 5-1 early in game two, but the CR women would respond, battling back with three runs in the fourth to pull within one, and then adding seven more in the sixth to take a lead they would not relinquish.

CR will have a 17-day break between games before opening conference play at Lassen on March 20.

And Harris is confident the team can make some noise in the GVC.

“I’m looking forward to conference and what this team will do,” she said. “They are fighters and will compete from inning one through seven.”

With the two losses, Chabot dropped to 1-13.