GALVESTON, Texas (Feb. 24, 2026) – The Galveston College softball team is riding
the wave of a 12-game winning streak to start the season, earning them a No. 13
ranking in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association Division I softball
rankings.
The Whitecaps opened the season with an overwhelming 23-3 victory over Howard
College on Jan. 30 and have not let up since. During the first three weeks of the
season, GC swept Howard College, Ranger College, Cisco College and Kilgore College
en route to a perfect 12-0 record.
“The team has been playing great, fundamental softball,” said Whitecaps Head Softball
Coach, Kelly Raines. “They’ve really come together and we’re proud of what they’ve
accomplished so early in the season. Our players are hitting the ball well and our
pitching and defense has been stellar. It’s a long season and it’s very early yet, but we
like what we see.”
Offensively, the Whitecaps have outscored opponents 145-21 and are averaging 12
runs per game. As a team, GC boasts a .433 batting average with 24 home runs. In the
circle, the Whitecaps’ pitching corps has limited opponents to 1.75 runs per game while
tossing four shutouts.
Freshman right-handers Jadyn Struxness and Daphne Utajara have led the charge
defensively. Struxness is 4-0 in seven appearances, allowing just four runs in 13 innings
while striking out 37 batters for a 1.01 ERA. Utajara is 4-0 in four appearances,
surrendering only five runs in 19 innings with 14 strikeouts and a 1.11 ERA.
At the plate, Whitecaps freshman Andrea Tagovailoa has smashed seven homers,
scored 24 runs with 22 RBIs in 12 games while batting .543. Fellow freshman Gabriella
Zulfekar has added four dingers, scored 20 runs and tallied 22 RBIs with a .459
average.
After a nine-day hiatus, the Whitecaps return to action Feb. 27-28 with a four-game
homestand against Monroe University. Games on Feb. 27 are scheduled for 1 and 3:30
p.m., with the series concluding on Feb. 28 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. All GC home games are
played at the Lassie League Complex’s Carter Field, located at 2506 83rd St. in
Galveston. Admission is free and open to the public.
For more information about the Galveston College Whitecaps softball program,
including rosters and the full season schedule, visit
https://www.gcwhitecaps.com/landing/index.
ABOUT GALVESTON COLLEGE
Galveston College was founded in 1967 and is a comprehensive community college
providing the residents of Galveston Island and the surrounding region with academic,
workforce development, continuing education and community service programs.
