Softball: Manuel playing role in Camarillo’s present and future

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Jennifer Manuel‘s fantastic season continued at full speed on Thursday. The sophomore standout went three for three at the plate to push her batting average to .514 and scored two runs in Camarillo‘s 16-0 victory over Hueneme.

OK, I realize a Hueneme thrashing isn’t the best way to measure someone’s talent, but Manuel has been establishing herself as the future face of the program. Once seniors Delaney Willard, Hannah Klein and Laura King toss their mortar boards in the air this June, Manuel will be expected to play a vital role in carrying on the Scorpions’ winning legacy.

Manuel leads the team in batting average and on-base percentage and only trails team leader Willard in home runs (two) and RBI (12). She also has established herself as the heir-apparent of the Scorpions’ pitching game. Sure, she has an average-looking 2-2 record with a 2.12 ERA, but two of her four starts came against powerhouses Valencia and Anaheim Canyon.

‘She’s totally capable of being someone else’s No. 1 [pitcher],’ Camarillo Coach Jack Willard said. ‘Offensively, she’s been really consistent and that has helped us a lot since we’ve struggled, at times, with our hitting.’

Willard is obviously impressed with Manuel’s talents, but would like to see her develop a more defined leadership role. Of course, the Scorpions’ next Pacific View League games against talented squads from Rio Mesa and Oxnard could provide Manuel with the chance to highlight something more than her impressive hitting capabilities.

-- Austin Knoblauch