An all around victory was the outcome on Saturday, Jan. 19 as the Cerritos College softball team re-dedicated its field to former coach Nancy Kelly.

Kelly was the coach of the softball team for 38 seasons, spanning from 1976-98.

As part of the festivities, a high school game was played between the Mayfair Monsoons and Warren Bears.

The Monsoons, who were victorious 11-2 in the contest, were coached by Erin Brown, class of 2003. Meanwhile the Bears were led by Mary Starkson class of 1980.

Following the event, Kelly and current coach Kodee Murray spoke to the many fans in attendance.

“I’m so proud. There was no field (in 1976). Title IX said that women had to be treated fairly. We always wanted to teach truth and values and finishing,” Kelly said in reference to the evolution of Nancy Kelly Field.

“I just want you to know. 38 years (have pasted) and look where we are. Look at this!” Kelly added.

In 1978 Kelly led her version of the Falcons to a state championship; a feat that would be matched 30 years later by Murray, who is now in her 12th season as head coach of Cerritos College softball. She has won five South Coast Conference championships in addition to the state crown, and is also a three-time SCC coach of the year.

“Two years ago my dean told me that if this field wasn’t done at the same time as the baseball renovation, it would not get done,” Murray said.

“That would have been true if we didn’t have the board members that we had. They equaled the playing field between baseball and softball. I’d like to thank Bob Arthur and also Tom Jackson,” Murray continued.

As the speeches wrapped up, the current members of the Falcons team were unveiled against a squad that contained both members of the 2008 team and of the modern day 2013 Falcons.

In what could be a sign of things to come, the modern-day Falcons took down the alumni, 6-4, but not without a fight.

Charlee Cox, the designated hitter from the 2008 squad, sent a Lily Cornejo pitch over the wall and off the scoreboard for a home run, properly inaugurating the field.

“I closed my eyes. But don’t tell anybody,” Cox said of the home run.

Meanwhile, Cornejo was happy to finally be pitching on the new field.

“It’s nice. I didn’t think it was going to get done so fast,” Cornejo said.

She pitched in all but one game last season as the softball team finished with a 29-10 record, culminating in a sweep in the Regionals falling in back-to-back games against Southwestern College.

The first official game on the field is scheduled to be played on Friday, Jan. 25 at Fullerton College.

An all around victory was the outcome on Saturday, Jan. 19 as the Cerritos College softball team re-dedicated its field to former coach Nancy Kelly.

Kelly was the coach of the softball team for 38 seasons, spanning from 1976-98.

As part of the festivities, a high school game was played between the Mayfair Monsoons and Warren Bears.

The Monsoons, who were victorious 11-2 in the contest, were coached by Erin Brown, class of 2003. Meanwhile the Bears were led by Mary Starkson class of 1980.

Following the event, Kelly and current coach Kodee Murray spoke to the many fans in attendance.

“I’m so proud. There was no field (in 1976). Title IX said that women had to be treated fairly. We always wanted to teach truth and values and finishing,” Kelly said in reference to the evolution of Nancy Kelly Field.

“I just want you to know. 38 years (have pasted) and look where we are. Look at this!” Kelly added.

In 1978 Kelly led her version of the Falcons to a state championship; a feat that would be matched 30 years later by Murray, who is now in her 12th season as head coach of Cerritos College softball. She has won five South Coast Conference championships in addition to the state crown, and is also a three-time SCC coach of the year.

“Two years ago my dean told me that if this field wasn’t done at the same time as the baseball renovation, it would not get done,” Murray said.

“That would have been true if we didn’t have the board members that we had. They equaled the playing field between baseball and softball. I’d like to thank Bob Arthur and also Tom Jackson,” Murray continued.

As the speeches wrapped up, the current members of the Falcons team were unveiled against a squad that contained both members of the 2008 team and of the modern day 2013 Falcons.

In what could be a sign of things to come, the modern-day Falcons took down the alumni, 6-4, but not without a fight.

Charlee Cox, the designated hitter from the 2008 squad, sent a Lily Cornejo pitch over the wall and off the scoreboard for a home run, properly inaugurating the field.

“I closed my eyes. But don’t tell anybody,” Cox said of the home run.

Meanwhile, Cornejo was happy to finally be pitching on the new field.

“It’s nice. I didn’t think it was going to get done so fast,” Cornejo said.

She pitched in all but one game last season as the softball team finished with a 29-10 record, culminating in a sweep in the Regionals falling in back-to-back games against Southwestern College.

The first official game on the field is scheduled to be played on Friday, Jan. 25 at Fullerton College.