California softball’s first-year coach Salvador Padilla admits it has been a rough start for a Condors program that many expected to pick up where it left off last season when it finished 28-5.

The Condors were on the brink of winning the CIF Southern Section Division 2 title, just one out away when Gahr rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 5-4 victory.

Padilla replaced beloved coach Jason Ramirez, whose battle with ALS over his final two years with the program inspired his team and community.

But it wasn’t the smoothest transition. The Condors started 4-5 and were losing confidence. Star second baseman Isabella Salas was lost for the season with a torn ACL, and they had problems gelling with a few new players.

“You could see it wearing on the players,” Padilla said. “New coach, trying to figure it out. We really didn’t know where we were headed.”

But they may have got the boost they needed. With Ramirez in attendance during Tuesday’s Del Rio League opener against El Rancho, the Condors put it all together for a 7-3 victory to improve to 5-5 and 1-0.

“It was great to have (Ramirez) there and we really needed a win, especially that win,” said Padilla. “We needed to boost our morale. We’re not use to losing and hopefully this is the confidence boost we need going forward. It was big.”

It was big because El Rancho (6-4-1, 1-1) had just beaten La Serna (4-2, 1-1) on Monday, 6-5, and California will host La Serna on Thursday at 3:15 p.m. California went 12-0 to win the Del Rio League title last season, so it is hoping a return to league can get them going again.

Where there is no reason to worry is in the cirlce, where the Condors boast two of the area’s best pitchers.

Junior Alexis Salas pitched against El Rancho, throwing a complete game with 12 stirkeouts. In Thursday’s game against La Serna, it will be senior Pricilla Ramirez’s turn. Ramirez is 3-1 with a 2.73 ERA this season.

“When it comes to our pitching, we’re in any game, we know that,” Padilla said. “Lexi brought it against El Rancho and we got Pricilla going next. Our girls know we can win one-run games with those two throwing for us. We had some issues with our defense early on, but hopefully we have that figured out and can keep playing well.”

LOS ALTOS FRESHMAN OFF TO STRONG START

Everyone knows about Los Altos’ senior shorstop Brianah Alejandre, a UCLA commit who is arguably the area’s best player.

Alejandre batted .513 with seven home runs, 10 doubles and 19 RBIs as a junior, and has wowed fans during San Gabriel Valley underclassmen all-star games.

But there’s only so far a great glove and hot bat can take you.

The arrival of freshman pitcher Kaylahni Duenas gives the Conquerors that “it” factor in the circle, a player that all softball teams with league title and playoff ambitions hope to have.

And it doesn’t hurt that Duenas can swing the bat too.

Los Altos advanced to the championship of the Torrance National tournament on Monday night, losing to El Segundo, 5-2. However, advancing to the championship and running its record to 7-2 after an 11-0 victory over Nogales on Tuesday is a good sign that they may have what it takes for another successful season.

After all, Los Altos beat out South Hills for the Hacienda League crown a year ago.

And it looks like they may be the favorites again.

Duenas has thrown three nine-strikeout games in wins over Muir, Mira Costa and in a 4-2 victory over Simi Valley in the semifinals of the Torrance National tournament. She only has alowed 12 hits in 26 innings with 38 strikeouts. She has been far from perfect, roughed up in a 12-1 loss to Carson where she gave up four earned runs.

But she makes up for it at the plate where she is batting .440 with five doubles and 10 RBIs.

And of course there is Alejandre, who is doing her thing again. The senior is batting .458 with two home runs, three doubles and six RBIs.