Mar Vista Softball Ready to Fight for Third Straight Championship

In their first game of the season last Friday, Mar Vista’s softball team got things off to a great start with a 12-1 win against The Bishop’s School in La Jolla.

Junior Victoria Santa Lucia hit two home runs in last Friday's game.

The Lady Mariners finished last season 21-8 and 12-0 in league. The team was also undefeated on the road with an away record of 8-0.

This season, they hope to continue their dominance in the South Bay League and to compete for a CIF title.

In his third year at the helm, Varsity Head Coach Rick Nichols is expecting nothing but the best from his team.

Although Mar Vista finished first in the South Bay League last year, they ended the season with a disappointing 0-5 playoff loss to Valhalla.

But the Mariners didn’t go down without a fight.

“Valhalla was the #5 seed and we had their attention for 5 innings (0-0), but they caught up to our pitching,” Nichols said. “We just didn’t hit.”

Nichols has been part of the softball coaching staff for seven years. In his first two years as head coach, he acquired a 42-18-1 record. 

The biggest struggle last season, he said, was the lack of cohesion. Seniors were individuals and did not work together as a team. But he feels that won’t be an issue this season.

“The girls have been playing together in leagues since August and have bonded well,” he said. “The Metro Conference winter ball league allowed the girls to stay focused on softball and not come in with sore arms, as in the past.”

Team captain Ariana Trammel said the team has worked on quit a bit during the off-season.

“Some improvements the team has made are working together as a team, we have had additions to the coaching staff and there are less problems with attitude,” the senior said. “We are currently working on better communication.”

Nichols said the team’s strengths are teamwork, team speed and fielding. The weaknesses, however, include lack of pitching experience and having a young team.

Eight players were lost to graduation in the off-season, including two pitchers.

But between newcomers and returning players, Nichols has the team swinging for the fences.

“We have very talented freshmen coming in, with probable starters at second base and catcher,” he said. “My returning players are all Varsity letter earners and I feel they are ready to take the league championship for a third straight year.”

Trammel, a starter since her freshman year, said she shares the same goal as her coach.

The shortstop played in 27 of 29 games last season and led the team with a .309 batting average. Trammel also recorded 29 runs, 25 hits –including six home runs– and 33 RBIs out of 81 at bats.

She hopes her experience and leadership will carry the team through another successful season.

“I feel by being team captain I can lead by example and help my teammates to become better players,” she said “to help our team succeed and play with the same drive and heart I intend to play with.”

The Mariners have their work cut out for them. They may have a young team and a weakness in pitching experience, but their goal for the season remains the same.

“To win the league championship for the third year in a row,” Nichols said. “We’ve won it six out of the last seven years. We want to advance in the CIF playoffs.”

The Lady Mariners next game is Thursday at Mater Dei Catholic High School.

Correction: The original article stated Victoria Santa Lucia is a freshman. She is a junior.