Softball Game Preview: Foothill Tech Dragons vs. Santa Barbara Dons

The Foothill Tech Dragons will venture away from home to face off against the Santa Barbara Dons at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday. Foothill Tech will be strutting in after a victory while Santa Barbara will be coming in after a loss.

On Tuesday, Foothill Tech made easy work of Hueneme and carried off a 14-3 win. The Dragons have beaten the Vikings the last three times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Vikings has come to flipping the script.

Jaelyn Perez made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing five innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off six hits. That's the fewest hits she has allowed since back in February of 2024. She was also big at the plate, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while going 1-for-3.

In other batting news, Jocelyn Morales was a standout: she scored three runs and stole two bases while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances. Lauren Fossati was another key player, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI.

Foothill Tech always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .556. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Hueneme only posted an OBP of .400.

Meanwhile, Santa Barbara didn't have quite enough to beat Bishop Diego on Tuesday and fell 5-4.

Like Foothill Tech, Santa Barbara also got a great game from a two-way player: Vienna Mochi. She struck out nine batters over six innings while giving up just two earned (and three unearned) runs off seven hits (and only one walk). Mochi has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-3.

Santa Barbara dropped their record down to 2-2 with the defeat, which was their ninth straight on the road dating back to last season. As for Foothill Tech, the victory got them back to even at 1-1.