Sac City's Coach Kiernan Earns Career Wins 900 & 901

City College softball snapped a three-game losing streak when it defeated the Modesto Junior College Pirates 8-0 and 10-2, in the March 14 doubleheader.

The Panther's victories were in large part due to pitching by starting pitchers Morgan Welch (Game 1) and Jostyn Bebout (Game 2).

"[Pitching] was a lot better today," said head coach Tim Kiernan, whose victories put him one game above the 900-win mark in his career coaching softball at City College. "We're still missing spots, but my expectations are pretty high, and we've got freshmen [pitchers]. Sometimes that's what happens."

In the Game 1 of the double header, the Panthers scored eight runs on just four hits and five errors. They finished the game on an eight-run rule in the bottom of the sixth.

Welch pitched a no-hitter and retired 15 consecutive batters from the second inning through the sixth.

In Game 2, Bebout threw six strikeouts in four shutout innings before being pulled for Welch in the fifth after allowing two runs.

The Panthers' hitting was improved in Game 2. They scored 10 runs on 13 hits and three errors, and ended the game on an eight-run rule in the sixth inning.

Eight players had RBIs on the day, including Erikka Burke's solo homerun in the first inning of Game 2, and Aaliyah Oliver's three RBIs in Game 1.

"This team always has a chance to win if they play well," said Kiernan. "I tell them, 'You've got to come out and do three things: You got to throw strikes. You got to play catch. And you've got to put the ball in play. You do those three things and you've got a chance to win every time out.'"

When asked if he planned on coaching until he hits the 1000-win mark, he responded, "I might stick around until I hit 2000."

The Panthers will continue their five-game home stand March 17 when they face crosstown rival Cosumnes River College.