Catcher Samantha Vaaulu led the Cerritos softball team to two first-round play-off victories last Saturday, 10-0, and Sunday, 9-0, at Nancy Kelly Field against Chaffey College.

The Falcon team scored eight runs in the first inning on Saturday but only two runs in the innings that followed.

“We weren’t really happy with our play on Saturday,” head coach Kodee Murray said, “we came out and took advantage of a team that was nervous and jumped all over it.”

The team regrets not keeping the momentum going throughout the entire game but this didn’t prove to be a factor when they came out on top.

Vaaulu said, “After the first inning, we pretty much had it, but we should’ve kept going so we would’ve been done earlier.”

Although the team dominated Saturday, Sunday had the more complete performance head coach Kodee Murray was looking for this far in the season.

“We came back on Sunday and we scored in every inning, we were in it the whole game,” Vaaulu said.

Vaaulu scored two home runs Sunday to land the Falcons in the second round of the play-offs and lead the state with 17 home runs .

With only five hits landed on pitcher Hillary Perez-Ashley, it’s not a mystery why Chaffey couldn’t score a single run in the best of three series.

“She was hitting her spots and she made the other team go for bad pitches,” Vaaulu stated. “She did good.”

Murray said, “I think as a team we did an outstanding job, and Hillary is just very steady out there in the circle.”

All areas of this team are outstanding and the players can count on each other on every play.

“We’re comfortable all the way around,” Vaaulu said, “we have our defense backing us up, and if not, we’ll get it done with our offense.”

Murray also recognizes her team’s strength in all areas.

“I think one reason we’ve had a successful season is that we’ve had timely hitting, a consistent defense, and a group of players that works hard and really cares about what’s going on,” she said.

Although there is some standout performances every game, many players from Cerritos are continuing assets to the team.

“We’re at a different place this year because we have two strong pitchers that can do the job,” Murray stated referring to freshman pitcher Jessica Lozano.

“People have seen Hillary, but they haven’t gotten to watch or hit against jess, she’s a tough pitcher.”

Murray says her sophomores have been helping her freshman players to compete at this high a level and that they are learning how to carry the team themselves for next season.

But with this season continuing, sophomores such as Vaaulu and Perez-Ashley are already showing what they can do.

 “I think there’s a really solid group of sophomores that are ready to make a name for themselves,” Murray said.

As they enter the second round of the play-offs this Friday through Sunday, the Falcons will look win and move on to state.

“The most important game we play all weekend will be against Grossmont, once that game is finished then we can move on.”

“I think our chances in this tournament are outstanding, but not because of how we’ve done in the past, but how were doing things right now,” Murray added.

With a focus on doing better as a team every game, it’s no wonder why the Falcons have done well this season.

“I feel pretty good,” Vaaulu stated, “we’re going to try to play our game and not to get too cocky with it to get it done in three [games].”