Benicia’s Marcacci is athlete of the week
Softball star went 4-for-4 against Napa and is hitting .909 on the season for the Panthers.
With 10 hits in 11 at-bats to start the season, no one can slow down Benicia High third baseman Lorenzza Marcacci.
Well, no one on the softball field anyway.
Due to coronavirus concerns, all Solano County schools were officially closed on Monday. The postponement of schools also stopped high school sports teams from practicing or playing games for the time being. Benicia High athletic director Craig Holden said Benicia sports will be shut down until at least March 27.
While the stoppage may have slowed the Panthers’ momentum, it didn’t stop head coach Kristin Grubbs from raving about Marcacci’s red-hot start.
“I love having her on the team, both offensively and defensively,” Grubbs said. “She’s a rare talent.”
That start included a 4-for-4, five RBI-performance in a 21-3 win over Napa on Thursday. She is the Times-Herald Athlete of the Week.
Marcacci is taking a simple approach at the plate to start the year as the Panthers are 4-0 after last week’s blowout victory.
“I’m just seeing the ball really well right now,” said the 15-yearold. “I’m trying to stick to my game plan depending on what pitcher I’m facing.”
As a freshman last season,
Marcacci hit .300 with 16 runs scored and nine RBIs in 26 games. This season, she has a whopping 10 runs scored, 10 RBIs and is hitting .909. Yes, .909!
“I’m probably more prepared this year,” Marcacci said. “As a freshman I was just trying to learn everything. This year, I kind of know what to expect and I’ve tried working 10 times harder.”
Grubbs raved about Marcacci’s work ethic, saying she practices as hard as some of the best players who have come through the system.
Marcacci said she helped improve her skills playing for her 18-and-under travel ball team, Athletics Mercado, in Petaluma.
“I think getting a lot of live atbats against really good pitching helped me,” she said. “Getting a lot of reps in the cage helped too.”
With graduated senior Amanda Ajari playing third base last season, Marcacci started most of her games in left field. She moved back to her natural position at third for this season.
“She told me that she would play wherever I asked her to play,” Grubbs said. “That kind of attribute can really help you in college.”
Grubbs said she and the team discussed the possibility of the season being halted once the NCAA decided to cancel spring sports last week. Most schools decided to shut things down on Friday.
“That’s something that’s beyond our control,” Grubbs said. “Right now we’re just trying to go with the flow and adapt.”
Grubbs said she encouraged the players to work out at home if they can but not to take any possible risks in regards to their health or the health of their families or friends.
Marcacci said she has a net at her house where she can hit and she’ll try and stay in shape and be ready for when (or if) the spring season resumes.
Marcacci said if Benicia goes to online classes, she’ll be ready too although she prefers to be on campus.
“I’d rather be at school so I can get 1-on-1 attention from my teachers but online classes will be OK,” she said. “The players on the team have good grades and we want to maintain that. We’ll keep getting our work done.”
Honorable mention
• Riley Carlos (American Canyon baseball) had two hits and three RBIs at the plate and pitched five strong innings on the mound in a loss to Alhambra.
• Jasmin Guarino (Bethel badminton) dominated in a win over Pinole Valley and
picked up another win in a team loss to De Anza.
• Dishon Jackson (St. Pat’s boys basketball) had 16 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots in a one-point loss to Weston Ranch in the NorCal championship game.
• Mateo Santos (Bethel baseball) had a double and three RBIs at the plate and pitched 61⁄3 strong innings on the mound, fanning eight in a win over De Anza.
• Carson Williams (Vallejo baseball) was 3-for-5, finishing a homer shy of the cycle, in a win over Fairfield.