With a team-best batting average of .406, Acunto is one of five freshmen who have led the way for the Lions this season. Even more impressive is that she is having such outstanding results as a starting shortstop -- a position she's never played in her life.
"It's been an honor for me, I came in not expecting playing time at all," Acunto said. "Playing shortstop was a challenge at first, but I love it."
Acunto was thrown into the position when another freshman, Holly Jackson, tore her ACL. And her teammates have certainly noticed the impact Acunto has had.
"It's fun to watch," sophomore outfielder Jen Williams said. "I was in those shoes last year. As a freshman, you're setting your own bar of expectations, not much is expected right away. It's awesome that she's doing as well as she is."
The rest of the fab five freshmen include pitchers Ashley Esparza and Jenn Reynolds, catcher Hollee Haines and second baseman Rebecca Bautista.
Esparza and Reynolds have helped the Lions as double threats -- lethal both on the mound and at the plate. With batting averages of .391 and .349, respectively, the two are right behind Acunto at the top of the stat sheet. Add in the fact that the two aces average around only two runs per game from the mound, and their impact is pretty clear.
One of the other young guns, Haines, has also been a presence at the plate, hitting .319.
However, the catcher has played sparingly in practice due to a leg injury and the team has been working on potential replacements in case she is unable to play.
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