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2010 Softball Preview: Unfinished Business
2/3/2010 2:30:23 PM
Six seniors look to lead Toros back to NCAA postseason
CARSON, Calif. -- Two-thousand nine had all the makings of a return to postseason glory with the Cal State Dominguez Hills softball team seemingly entrenched as the NCAA’s West Region No. 7 seed, and needing just one win in its final four games to clinch a berth in the CCAA postseason tournament.
All that promise took a sharp turn downhill, however, as host Cal State Stanislaus swept all four games from the Toros, eliminating them from CCAA postseason contention and, as it turns out, the NCAA West Region playoffs.
The 2009 campaign wasn’t all lost, however, as senior hurler Regina Farfan was named to both the Daktronics All-Region and All-CCAA 1st-teams, while senior second baseman Liz Vasquez joined Farfan as a 1st-team All-CCAA selection. Then juniors and returning players Katie Jordan and Katie Garcia both picked up 2nd-team All-CCAA awards, each marking her third All-CCAA honor in three years, while freshman sensation Emiley McEwen garnered both 2nd-team All-CCAA and CCAA Freshman of the Year honors in a record-breaking debut season.
Additionally, head coach Jim Maier, who in 2010 enters his 10th season as skipper of the Toro ship, notched his 300th career win in a 12-0 rout over Cal State San Bernardino on March 17, 2009, further cementing his place as the winningest head coach in CSUDH softball history.
With the Toros graduating three players last season that included two All-CCAA 1st-teamers, this year’s squad returns seven letter-winners, including four 4-year seniors who between them have started in 84% of their games played, or 516 of 611 in Cardinal & Gold, as well as McEwen, the sophomore sensation who was amongst the CCAA’s best in eight different offensive categories and just missed batting .400 for the season, and Amber Angel, who challenged the CSUDH single-season home run record with 8 bombs on the year, including 3 in a span of four games in late March. Throw in two freshmen pitchers and a talented and versatile crew of position players, and this season again has all the makings of one that will extend beyond the regular season.
“We have a lot of seniors, a lot of experience in the outfield and a solid infield,” Maier begins, “but usually where you need the most experience is on the pitching mound, and we’re young there.
“But they’re good players and they’ll be able to compete. They just haven’t been through a season at this level yet, but I think they’ll do a good job.”
Here’s a closer look at who else will be getting the job done this year:
PITCHING
With just one returning player and two freshmen newcomers looking to fill the void from Farfan’s graduation, time in the circle will be up for grabs this season, a novelty for a program that always passed the proverbial pitching baton seamlessly.
Sophomore returnee Wendy Espindola is the only Toro pitcher with experience, seeing two starts in 17 total appearances as a freshman, including first career win in a 7-1 decision against Davis & Elkins after allowing just one earned run with 4 Ks. She tossed a total of 37.0 innings, while combining on one shutout and fanning 15 batters on the year. At Banning HS, she earned 1st-team All-Marine league honors, was voted “Pitcher of the Week” three times, and fanned 108 batters against just 41 walks with a 1.32 ERA as a senior.
“Wendy is doing a good job, is continuing to battle, and will get her innings in this year,” says Maier of his only pitcher with experience. “She’s got the experience, so we’re looking for her to help lead those freshmen and help them understand how we do it around here.”
Freshman and San Diego native Lauren Harper, who prepped at Patrick Henry HS, led her Patriots to the CIF Championship as a freshman en route to being named the team’s MVP, one of two such selections, and will look to provide immediate results in her first year as a Toro. Tabbed the Most Improved Player as a sophomore, she has the skill and confidence to solidify her role as a go-to on the team, and will get her first opportunity at the CS Stanislaus-hosted “Best of the West” tournament this weekend.
Fellow freshman and Norwalk native Stephanie Jimenez earned four varsity letters at Norwalk HS, leading the Lancers to the league title as a senior.
“Lauren is just about perfect all the way around, and has really good stuff for a freshman” begins Maier. “She’s bought into the program and listens well to her pitching coach, and is gonna be really good when it’s all said and done. She has everything she needs, and she has confidence, which is the key thing at that age and is going to be a real plus. We’re looking for really great things from her.
“Stephanie has all the stuff as well, but hasn’t turned the corner yet,” Maier continues. “But as soon as she turns that corner, which she’s doing now, she and Lauren are going to be a good 1-2 punch.
“The downside to having two freshmen pitchers is that there’s going to be some growing pains, where the upside would be for them two to stay together as long as they can stay together, there would be a lot of upside for our program.”
OUTFIELD
Led by the two Katies, Garcia and Jordan, and Jessica Marlow, who established herself as a fixture during last year’s campaign, the outfield positions are as solid as they come for Maier and his staff.
Named a 2nd-team All-CCAA selection for third-consecutive league honor, Katie Jordan finished 7th in the CCAA in batting average while leading the team in stolen bases, finishing 2nd in BA and hits, and 5th in runs scored. She enjoyed 15 multi-hit contests, including season-best 4-hit performance at CSUSB (3/29), and scored at least 2 runs in four games, with a season-best 3 runs scored against the Coyotes (3/29). In addition, the speedster stole the final six bases of the year without being caught, and boasted season-best 6 game hitting streak in mid-February. In the field, Jordan made just one error with seven assists in 56 chances, good for a .982 fielding percentage, the second-highest amongst all starting position players.
A two-year team captain, Katie Garcia also was named a 2nd-team All-CCAA selection for her third-consecutive league honor, finishing T15th in doubles in the CCAA. The Riverside native led the Toros in at-bats and doubles, was 2nd in runs scored and 4th in hits as one of three players to start all 58 games. She enjoyed 17 games with at least two hits, 5 games with at least two runs scored, and 4 games with at least two RBI, while boasting a season-best 7-game hit streak in late March-early April and fanning just 11 times in 198 at-bats. Additionally, Garcia continued her stellar defense, assisting on two put-outs in 56 total chances, and preventing countless more runners from advancing with her rifle arm and uncanny range.
Also a two-year team captain, Marlow started the last 51 games of season, leading the team in HBP, finishing 2nd in stolen bases and T3rd in walks. She enjoyed 5 multi-hit contests, 3 multi-run games, and 2 multi-RBI efforts, including a season-best 4 RBI after belting a grand slam against SSU on Valentine’s Day, one of three home runs hit on the year. The Edison HS alum also swiped the first four bases of the season before being caught, and drew at least 2 walks in 3 contests. Defensively, Marlow committed just two errors on the year, while assisting on four put-outs in 71 total chances, and may see some chances at 2B as well in her farewell season.
Team captains Jessica Marlow (L) and Katie Garcia
INFIELD
Senior Angel and sophomore McEwen anchor the 1B and SS positions of an infield that combined for 16 home runs and 108 RBI, with the duo accounting for 15 bombs (94%) and 72 runners driven in (67%).
Emiley McEwen, whom Maier considers “one of the top players in the league,” made a huge impact as a true freshman, claiming 2nd-team All-CCAA honors and the CCAA Freshman of the Year award. She earned one CCAA Player of the Week honor en route to finishing amongst the league’s best in 8 offensive categories, including on-base percentage (3rd), walks (4th), batting average (5th), triples (T7th), slugging percentage (8th), hits (T8th), total bases (10th) and RBI (T10th). Just shy of batting .400 for the season, the Anaheim native was one of three Toros to start all 58 games while setting the CSUDH single-season record for walks, including two free passes, en route to boasting a superb walk-to-strikeout ratio of 4.6:1. In addition, she led the team in hits, RBI, batting average, slugging & on-base percentages, walks and triples, was second in home runs, and 4th in runs scored and doubles.
The El Modena HS alum also enjoyed 14 multi-hit games, including 1 4-hit effort vs CSUSB (3/28) and 3 3-hit games, driving in at least two runs in 10 games, including 1 4RBI effort in the same contest against the ‘Yotes. She belted 5 home runs over first 13 games of college career, enjoyed a team-best 10-game hitting streak in early April, and drew at least 2 walks in eight games, with a 3-walk effort versus CSUMB (2/27).
Amber Angel, meanwhile, started all 50 games played in first year in Carson, finishing 8th in the CCAA in RBI and 10th in home runs. She led the team in home runs and RBI, and was 2nd in doubles and slugging percentage while fanning just seven times in 156 at-bats. The Los Angeles native also enjoyed 9 multi-hit games, including two 3-hit contests (vs. CSUC, 3/21 & @ CSUSB, 3/29), and drove in at least 2 runs in eight games, with a career-best 6 RBI vs. U of South Dakota (4/6), in which she clubbed 2 home runs. Batting clean-up in 28 games last year in which the Toros went 17-11, Angel scored at least 2 runs in three contests, with a season-high 3 runs scored against CSUSB (3/29). In the field, she made just seven errors in 478 chances, giving her the best fielding percentage amongst position players at .986.
BEHIND THE DISH
A defensive specialist, fourth-year senior Michelle Miranda will conclude her Toro career behind the plate, starting this season with 145 games and 135 starts under her belt. The La Mesa native threw out 9 would-be base stealers in 2009 after starting all 57 games in which she played. At the plate, she collected the first hit of her college career vs. Davis & Elkins (2/8), and followed that with her second hit vs. Chico State (3/21). At times re-inserted as the flex, she scored 7 runs last season, including 5 as a pinch-runner.
Miranda, the “seasoned veteran who really knows what’s going on,” will be pushed by junior ELAC transfer Cassandra Snodgrass in her first year in Carson. At ELAC, she earned both MVP of the Month and MVP of the Game honors for the Huskies, after earning two letters at Azusa HS where she twice was named MVP and team captain. A two-time all-league selection, Snodgrass also was named the Best Offensive Player her junior and senior seasons.
SENIORS
Coach Maier will bid a fond farewell to six seniors this season, including four who will conclude their fourth and final regular season in Cardinal and Gold on Saturday, April 24, 2010, against San Francisco State, CSUDH’s arch-rival during the record-setting 2005 and 2006 seasons.
Sure to be an emotional farewell, Maier reflects fondly on who they’ve become as people with the start of their final year of competition just a day away, and takes great pride in their development.
“Everything they do on and off the field is perfect line with what we do,” he begins. “They are role models to the program, both on and off the field, with community service, in the classroom, who carry the torch perfectly. You don’t want to have four captains, but you could have four captains easily.
“They’re perfect examples of people who have bought into the program, who have stuck with it for the right reasons. They’re great leaders and great student-athletes with great futures ahead of them.
“And for them to have been here all four years, from a coach’s standpoint, it’s the greatest feeling in the world. Those girls have stuck with it through the good and tough times, and it’s worked out great for them. It’s a great feeling, and reconfirms to me that we’re doing the right thing.”
CSUDH's four 4-year seniors (L-R): Jessica Marlow, Michelle Miranda, Katie Garcia, Katie Jordan
NEWCOMERS
“We have a lot of versatility with our newcomers this year, and they all will be impact players this year, or they wouldn’t be on the team,” Maier states with a smile, enjoying the fact that this year’s squad is at least two-deep in every position.
Freshman Jessica Hall will look to shore up the hot corner after earning four letters at Edison HS and leading the Chargers to a league title as a senior en route to being named a 1st-team all-league selection. A scholar-athlete, Hall is “the type you could see being here four years from now and assume one of those leadership roles.”
Long Beach City College transfer Rose Vargas is another candidate to fill the 3B hole, and whose versatility can also land her time in the outfield. A two-time 2nd-team all-league selection for the Vikings, she earned Most Inspirational and Best Defensive Awards in 2008.
“Both have great upsides,” says Maier as a matter-of-fact.
A late addition, Krista Gould will vie for the starting 2B position after playing two years at the University of Maryland. As a Terp, she appeared in 43 games with nine starts, and entered a team-high 30 games as a substitute, serving as one of Maryland's key pinch runners as a freshman. Gould notched a hit and two RBIs verses Coastal Carolina on Feb. 17, and tallied season-high three putouts at second base against Fordham on March 9 (2008).
“Krista is doing a great job anchoring down 2B, so she’ll play there and will fill in at shortstop if we needed that as well,” says Maier.
Two others who are looking to get past pre-season bumps and bruises, Jessica Duarte and Jackie Reyes are versatile and talented players who will see playing time in their first seasons in Carson.
"JD is phenomenal," begins Maier. "She's probably our most enthusiastic girl, she's a good hitter, and will compete heavily for 3B, as well as play a little shortstop," while "Jackie is a born leader who can flat-out play."
Senior Caitlin McGrath will spend her final year of eligibility in Carson, after two seasons at Cypress College and one at the University of Idaho. Prior to this season, she was named an honorable mention all-league selection at Idaho after batting .400, while establishing the stolen base record at Cypress with her .560 batting average en route to earning All-America honors. “Caitlin has a lot of experience at the JC and Division I levels, and will play right field along with Marlow,” Maier says.
Outfielder Daisy Beltran will make her collegiate debut after attending Cal State Long Beach last year. Full of energy with a great attitude, “she’ll play everywhere,” says Maier.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Before bidding farewell to six seniors including four of the 4-year variety, the Cal State Dominguez Hills softball team has unfinished business to attend to. After enjoying a four-consecutive year run in the NCAA postseason, one that saw CSUDH host one regional in 2005 and come within two wins from qualifying for the NCAA Championships in 2006, the Toros have qualified for postseason play just once in the past three seasons, a sour pill for these four 4-year seniors who inherited the program in 2007 after eight senior bid farewell in 2006.
Knowing this is the final opportunity for the senior class, this Toro squad is enthused about the journey that lies ahead, with the postseason destination straight ahead.
“This team has a lot of enthusiasm and energy, and they love the game and that’s all you can ask for,” Maier says, with the “Best of the West” tournament beginning on Friday.
“We’re trying to get them to bring all that out, just play for the love of the game. We try to create a lively, fun atmosphere down here, because the game is hard enough as it is to play at this level without any undue stress. We come out here everyday and play hard and have fun, and that’s what has to translate out on the field on game day. And it will.
“We’re not nearly as stacked as we were in September when we first arrived this season, but we are a team, and we're doing all the right things," Maier concludes.
“It has nothing to do with winning or losing, but we’re doing all the right things for the program and the players’ full development, so when they graduate or finish their careers here, they’re going to be better prepared than if they had never experienced being a part of this team and program, no doubt about it.”
An enthusiastic Toro team looks to enjoy the moment that will be the 2010 season
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