Schools
Malibu Softball Starts Off Season With Wins
Led by senior captains Alena Kaye and Zena Kesselman, the Sharks are finding early success under the direction of Coach Mark Cooley in his first year at MHS.
The MHS Sharks softball team has opened their season on a tear, outscoring opponents 50-13 in their first two games.
On Tuesday, the Lady Sharks ran over defending league champion Marymount High School, 30-9, and they followed on Wednesday with a 20-4 drubbing of Cate Prep.
Led by senior captains Alena Kaye and Zena Kesselman, the Sharks are finding early success under the direction of Coach Mark Cooley in his first year at MHS.
Kaye is the Shark’s star pitcher, and Kesselman leads the defense from the catcher position. Kesselman has also keyed a productive offense, with a triple and a double and 6 RBI’s in just her first two at-bats of her season.
Senior outfielders Abby Gibson and Zoe Dunn are the only other seniors leading an otherwise young team of sophomore Elizabeth Gordon-Walker, and six freshmen: Xena Amirani, Isobel Anthony, Mollie Armitage, Rachel McConnell, Hali Norris and Nancy Walecki.
Coach Cooley said after the Cate game, “We need to tighten up our defense, and make our basic plays consistently - nothing extraordinary, just the routine plays. Offensively, we’ve had good success hitting, and we’re taking alot of walks, too. Zena [Kesselman] has been scorching the ball, and others are making solid contact.”
Asked about the key to the Shark’s early success, Cooley responded, “It’s our work ethic. These girls know we have to work hard and hustle to be successful. They want to play, and they’re beginning to believe in the themselves.”
Next for the Sharks, their home opener v. Hueneme on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
