When 2023 rolls around and the Pirates take the field, there will be familiar faces in the Pirates outfield. Second team all conference players Kalissa Martin and Kara Pittel will take their positions looking to improve MJC's record. Last season Kara lead the team on overall batting with a .393 batting average, 2 homeruns and 28 RBI's for the season and missed a few games with a shoulder injury. Kalissa Martin held her own as as the center fielder and captain of the outfield batting .351 batting average, 17 walks leading to a .446 on base percentage.

Both players were selected as 2nd team all conference by other coaches adding to a list of goals accomplished for 3rd year head coach Donnie Donaldson. "it was nice to see some of our girls get some attention in a conference that saw seven of the nine teams make it to the Nor Cal postseasonk out of 16 teams." Lead by Sierra College who lost to San Mateo College in the state championship in 2022, the Big 8 added, Cosumnes College, Santa Rosa Junior College, Sacramento City College, Delta College, Folsom Lake College and American River College to the 16 team field. "This may be the toughest junior college conference in California. Every week we play a ranked softball team in league. There are no breaks and no easy teams. The Pirates saw some success during the season, knocking off a few of those teams, many for the first time in several years. The Pirates took a game from Delta College, Folsom Lake College, Sacramento City College as well as non-league but also ranked West Valley College last season and many of the losses during the season were within 2 runs. "We are getting there and improving all the time. The Modesto Area and adjacent cities have tons of talent that have escaped MJC softball and I really hope to change that soon. I have met and watch nearly 300 softball players at tournaments, high school games and clinics just to introduce myself and my coaching staff and let them know we are for real and doing the little things to make MJC a great program."

Kara and Kalissa are two players that have the ability to change games and we are returning more players this year than we have in the past as well as add some extremely talented players to fill spots. The Pirates also return all three pitchers for 2023 - CJ Baxter (Enochs HS); Emily Cabral (Millenieum HS) and Bethanie Thornberry (Ceres HS), outfielders Kiana Briseno (Manteca HS) and Cece Childers (Johansen HS) and Hailey Hunter (Lathrop HS).

Pirates play their at home on November 5th vs Chabot College at Pirate Softball Field Game times are 11am and 1pm then planning an Alumni Game on November 19th at 10am.

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