Cal Poly softball walked off the field Friday night at Bob Janssen Field after yet another lopsided loss, adding to a season filled with obstacles.
The defeat marked their fourth straight loss, extending a streak reflecting the ongoing challenges of a rebuilding year.
With the season nearing its end, the Cal Poly softball team is navigating a rebuilding year following key veterans’ departures and introducing a largely underclassman roster.
The Mustangs have only three conference wins under their belt so far, with two series left in the Big West. The young roster has gotten a glimpse of what it’s actually like to play Division I softball, with the transition showing that development is necessary going forward with the program.
This past weekend, the Mustangs (8-33, 3-18 Big West) got swept against UC San Diego, falling in both games on Friday and in their final matchup on Saturday.
The Mustangs kept game one on Friday within reach, with a strong performance from the Cal Poly pitching staff in the 3-1 loss. However, the second game in the doubleheader highlighted the team’s weaknesses.
The Mustangs fell 11-0 in five innings in the second Friday game, netting just two hits in the loss. The Tritons exploded for nine runs in the top of the third, turning a 2-0 lead into a commanding 11-0 advantage.
The Mustangs found some offensive firepower in the final matchup on Saturday, pushing the Tritons to the final inning in a hard-fought 8-9 loss.
Cal Poly’s eight runs set a new season high, but the UC San Diego bats snatched the victory from the Mustangs’ grasp.
“We’re definitely still working a lot of things out,” said sophomore infielder Sehren Martinez. “I don’t think we realize how much we lost last year.”
A shift after key departures
Part of the reason this season has centered on rebuilding is the departure of key players. Outfielder Jessica Clements and pitcher Sophia Ramuno transferred following last year’s third-place finish in the Big West.
The 2024 season marked the first winning campaign since 2017, a long overdue result for the program.
Clements was one of the leaders in the Big West conference in slugging percentage (.686) and on-base percentage (.526).
Ramuno ended her second season as a Mustang leading the Big West in strikeouts with 160, which placed her 54th among Division I pitchers.
However, Celements took her talents from the Big West to the Big Ten Conference, joining the program at UCLA, nationally ranked No. 6. Ramuno followed suit, transferring to the University of Washington.
“I think people who enter the transfer portal– if they get better opportunities, then obviously go for it,” Martinez added.
These two players were not only statistical leaders but also foundational pieces of Cal Poly’s recent success.
Filling the void
Their departures left significant gaps both offensively and in the circle. These gaps are that the young, largely inexperienced roster has struggled to fill.
Clements brought consistent power at the plate, while Ramuno gave the Mustangs a reliable presence in the circle.
This year, Mustang pitchers have struggled to find success, with senior Kate Judy the only Mustang with an ERA below 4.00.
In the series against UC San Diego, the Tritons stayed locked in at the plate, scoring 23 runs across three games.
This past season, the Mustangs recruited three new pitchers, all of whom are freshmen. However, Judy and senior Paige Maier have been carrying the bulk of the workload, taking on leadership roles and as the more experienced arms on the roster.
“I think as a freshman coming in, there’s a lot of big shoes to fill,” said freshman infielder Sienna Erskine. “We’re just relying on the upperclassmen to kind of lead the way,” Erskine added.
Looking ahead
Despite the growing pains, the Mustangs are focused on finishing the season strong and using this year as a foundation for growth heading into next season.
With only two series left in the Big West, Cal Poly stay at home to take on Hawai’i next weekend.
