Change will be the operative word for the 2007 Toros' softball team.

With just three returning players from a team that made it to the 2006 NCAA Far West Regional Championship Series, this year's squad welcomes eight freshman and seven transfers, hoping to continue the legacy left by eight departed seniors and two underclassmen hurlers who helped CSUDH forge its deepest post-season run in the program's history.

Gone from last year's team is Cindy Perry-Brown, whose name became synonymous with Toros softball after setting or equaling 17 CSUDH game, single season and career records in her spectacular four-year career in Cardinal & Gold. And Jackie Miller, who boasted a 20-4 record as a senior and tallied all four wins in CSUDH's postseason run. The Toros also bade farewell to seniors Kate Groden, Pebbel Prestwood, Natalie Greco, Jennifer Wilson, Lori Moreno and Linda Reyes, who were instrumental in helping CSUDH establish 24 and tie two records as the Toros advanced to the 2006 NCAA Far West Regional Championship Series, eventually falling to host Cal State Bakersfield.

“The season will be a lot different in that all the new kids we have will have to learn our system,” begins CSUDH softball head coach Jim Maier. “Going through that process in the fall got a little frustrating since the last two years were so easy because of the experience that we had. But on the other hand, with the newcomers, it's fun because you can get back to teaching your system again. And from the time we hit the Christmas break until now, we've seen great improvement in their knowledge of the system and what we're trying to do. So we're on a pretty good timetable as far as that's concerned.

“But the bottom line is that it's the same thing for us, just to take it one game at a time. If we do things the right way and the way we want to do it, we'll be super-competitive and teams won't enjoy playing us. I don't know that we can expect the success we've had the past two years, but we certainly hope for it.”

In making history last year, the Toros advanced to the Region Championship Series by exorcising demons in Seattle University, which knocked CSUDH out of the 2004 NCAA Playoffs, and Humboldt State, which gave the Toros their first loss in the 2006 postseason.

The right arm of 2nd-team All-Region selection Jackie Miller and the bat of Araceli Martinez proved potent as Miller notched two of her four postseason victories against Seattle and Humboldt State, while Martinez accounted for the game-winning hit against the Redhawks and the game-winning home run against the Lumberjacks, with both Toro wins sending SU and HSU home.

“The biggest thing we'll battle is inexperience,” Maier continues. “And while we brought a lot of girls in and the talent looks to be there, it'll only be able to be proven once you get on the field, and once the season's over. But I couldn't be happier. This is a great group of people and we'll play them all and we'll see what we get. And then at the end of the season, we'll sit down and figure out who came through and who was able to play at the college level and we'll fix those holes. But certainly, it'll be a much easier process as we move forward.”

With the experience earned and stability developed over her three years in Cardinal & Gold, Martinez will be Maier's primary foundation upon which this team will be built. But she won't be alone as Maier gears towards his fifth-consecutive trip to the NCAA postseason and seventh-consecutive season with 30 or more wins as a college head coach after averaging 38.3 wins over his past six seasons, turning CSUDH softball into a nationally recognized program that reached a No. 2 ranking on March 8, 2006, the highest in its history.

“Araceli is our leader, our captain, and we expect good things from her,” says Maier. “I think it's a little more difficult on her because a lot of her friends and the people she played with are all gone, and she's left holding the torch with all these transfers and freshmen. But she's doing a great job with it, and is really embracing it. She's like a coach on the field.”

Here's a closer look at who “coach” Martinez will take into battle with her in 2007:

IN THE CIRCLE
Normally equipped with an arsenal of three or more hurlers at his disposal, this year's duties will ride predominantly on the sturdy right arm of Long Beach State transfer Jennifer Martinez. A La Habra native, the junior compiled a 2-10 record and 5.56 ERA as a sophomore for the Big West Champion 49ers in 2006, tossing three complete games in 15 starts while fanning 44 batters in 74.1 innings pitched. As a freshman, Martinez threw a three-hit shutout at UC Riverside for her first collegiate win, striking out 11 batters and boasting a 2.45 ERA in limited action, one year after completing a prep career that saw her lead La Habra HS to the CIF quarterfinals as a senior and garner three all-league selections at LHHS.

“Jennifer's our main pitcher,” Maier begins of his CSULB transfer. “She's in great physical shape, is very strong, and has power and good movement behind what she does. Also, with her very good work ethic, us leaning on her is not going to be a problem because that's what she wants. We'll have other people who will pitch in spots, but Jen will be our main gun.”

FIRST BASE
Returning sophomore Christine Bathauer will be one candidate vying for the vacant 1B slot. Appearing in 30 games off the bench and tallying 5 hits in 16 at-bats, 7 RBI and 7 runs scored as a true freshman, Bathauer clubbed her first collegiate home run in a 15-0 rout over Adams State on February 16, as part of a two-hit, two-RBI performance. Additionally, the lanky lefty stole her only base of the year against Grand Canyon one month later, and will be looked upon for more contributions this season.

“Christine is a tall target, and when she's hitting the ball, she really hits it well,” says Maier of his 5'9” Torrance native. “She is always working hard to improve her game.”

Freshman Jodi Nakawatase, however, looks to have earned the starting 1B spot, and will fill in at 2B as well. A Long Beach product, Nakawatase was a four-year letter-winner at Millikan High School where, along with current teammate Akemi Fleming, she helped the Rams to the CIF Championship as a junior. Named a 1st-team all-league selection and team MVP, the 5'3” newcomer won “Best Defensive Player” honors three-consecutive years, and claimed the Coach's Award as a junior.

“Jodi was recruited as a middle infielder, but picked up on the system really quickly,” says Maier. “She's a really good athlete.”

SECOND BASE
As the lone senior, Araceli Martinez will lead the 2007 team. A soon-to-be-four-year starter, the Downey native had a coming out power party of sorts last season, belting the first two home runs of her career against the then No. 2- and No. 1-ranked teams in the nation, with the latter knocking top-ranked Humboldt State out of the NCAA Far West Region and propelling the Toros to the Regional Championship Series against host Cal State Bakersfield.

Batting .389 (7-for-18) with 6 RBI, 2 runs scored, 2 extra base hits, 1 walk, a stolen base and two game-winning hits in the playoffs, including the home run heard 'round the world against Humboldt, Martinez earned her way onto the NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team as one of three Toros to receive the honor.

During the postseason, in fact, Martinez notched at least one hit in five of the six games, eventually going hitless in what proved to be the final game of the season as CSUDH was no-hit by Cal State Bakersfield in the Championship Series, ousting the Toros from the playoffs.

In the regular season, the 5'1” sparkplug was just one of only two Toros to start all 57 games where she notched seven multi-hit contests, including a career-best 3-hit performance at Cal State Stanislaus on May 5. Martinez came alive at the plate as a junior collecting 37 hits, 19 RBIs, 6 doubles, a triple and 2 home runs after a total of 9 hits, 5 runs batted in and 1 double in her first two years as a Toro.

On February 18, Martinez connected for the first home run of her career in a 16-1 thrashing of then No. 2-ranked Angelo State, a prelude to Martinez's big-game heroics.

Defensively, Martinez was solid at 2B, making just 6 errors in 171 chances, good for a .965 fielding percentage.

“Araceli's gotten better every year, which is good for the program saying that we're able to take players and every year they get a little bit better,” says Maier. “She's got nothing more to prove. Just go out and play her game and try to lead us to some good things.”

SHORTSTOP
Newcomer Jennifer Frazier is the favorite to start at shortstop, hoping to fill the shoes of former 1st-team all-region selection Kate Groden, who last season established Toro records for RBIs in both a single season and a career. Frazier, a Buena Park native, led John F. Kennedy HS to three-consecutive league titles as a prep, earning four letters at the “6” spot. At 5'5”, Frazier was named “Best Defensive Player” as well as to the 1st-team as a junior, and won “Best Offensive Player” honors the year before.

“Jen Frazier ended up winning the spot outright at shortstop,” says Maier with a smile. “She hits left-handed and can do a lot on the left side. She has a good, quick release and ended up being the best girl there.”

THIRD BASE
After a four-year career that included two All-Americans, three All-Regions, four All-CCAAs, the 2005 CCAA Player of the Year honor and the 2005 CCAA Championship, this year's squad will be hard-pressed to fill the shoes of Cindy Perry-Brown, arguably the greatest Toro of all-time with 17 records under her belt.

Looking to do so, however, will be a contingent of players led by incoming freshmen Jessica Marlow and Michelle Medina.

Marlow, a two-sport athlete at Edison High School, was a four-year starter for the Chargers who earned 1st-team all-league, Golden Glove and Hall of Fame inductee accolades as a prep. Additionally, the Huntington Beach native, who received a perfect 4.0 GPA in her first semester at CSUDH during fall 2006, was nominated for the prestigious “Scholar With Expertise” award.

The daughter of current Toros assistant coach Bobby Medina, freshman Michelle will compete for 3B duties after a stellar prep career at St. Joseph's HS in Lakewood. As a Jester, Medina played both 3B and SS and was named a 1st-team all-league selection, as well as team MVP. Playing 3B for her travel ball team, the Artesia Punishers won the Amateur Softball Association's (ASA) state title and the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) World Championship, both in 2006.

“Michelle is very smart, and knows the game and our system very well, and hits with power,” Maier begins, while “Jessica is quick, hits from the left side, and bounces the ball well. Both have good skills and will help us.”

CATCHER
Losing seniors Natalie Greco and Pebbel Prestwood to graduation, newcomers Homa Shafii and Michelle Miranda and returning sophomore Akemi Fleming will compete for time behind the plate.

Shafii, a junior transfer from West Valley College, led the Vikings to a 48-2 record and the league title, boasting a solid .396 batting average. Named a 2nd-team all-conference selection, Shafii was instrumental in helping WVC to the No. 1 ranking amongst northern California schools.

“We brought in Homa to the catcher position, and she's someone who can do just about everything pretty well,” Maier says of his San Jose native. “We worked her along and she's really made the most improvement of anyone from start to finish.”

Miranda was a four-year letter-winner at Grossmont High School, leading the Foothillers to a 20-7 mark as a senior. The La Mesa native was named MVP and team captain in her final year, and twice was named a 1st-team all-league selection. Batting .386 as a senior, she led the league in doubles, and in triples as a junior.

“There's a slight nod going for Michelle because of her experience, but both are really inexperienced as far as what we do in our system,” Maier begins. “However, Michelle has emerged as the starter and will get the nod on opening day.”

Additionally, Fleming also will vie for time behind the dish, as well as see some time at 3B, a position she entered last year as a freshman.

Last season, the 5'2” Long Beach native made 7 starts while seeing action in 24 games after enjoying a stellar career at Millikan HS, where she helped lead the Rams to the 2005 CIF Championship as a senior. In those 24 contests, Fleming tallied 5 hits, 4 runs scored and 2 RBI, earning 6 base on balls compared to just a single strikeout in limited appearances.

“Akemi came in as a 3B, but she was a catcher in high school so that position is familiar to her,” begins Maier. “She's a really good hitter, aggressive, and her game really takes off when she's behind the plate. She's going to be a real inspiration for us.”

OUTFIELD
The outfield will be contested by a handful of newcomers, led by three junior college transfers, one sophomore, and three freshmen.

Junior Bri Mahr, who led Cypress JC to a 53-5 record and a state title in 2006, most likely will be the mainstay in right field. The Fullerton native was named to the 1st-team all-conference and 2nd-team all-state teams as a Charger, while playing two sports as a Fullerton HS prep.

Fellow junior Mayra Oliden played two years at Cerritos College, leading the team to a runner-up league finish, and looks to have emerged as the starting center fielder while Fullerton JC transfer Jessica Foerster, who batted .337 and swiped 22 bases last year, will see time in all three outfield positions.

“Bri is a big left handed bat and can really hit the ball while Mayra, who's really quick, fast and batted .604 in high school, broke all kinds of records in high school including stolen bases,” begins Maier. “Jessica, who's also quick and fast, will be a real offensive weapon for us.”

Like Foerster, sophomore Jamie Portillo, who has all four years of eligibility remaining, will see time in all three outfield positions after playing shortstop at St. Paul High School, head coach Maier's old stomping grounds, where she was named a 1st-team all-league selection.

“Jamie is a slapper and can bounce the ball really well,” begins Maier. “She has a great desire to play college softball, and fits right in perfectly with our program.”

Also vying for time along the fences will be Erika Gonzalez, Katie Garcia and Katie Jordan, who make their debuts in Cardinal and Gold as true freshmen.

Gonzalez, who was named a 1st-team all-league selection as a senior at Bishop Amat, led the Lancers to a 3rd-place league finish as an outfielder, while Garcia twice was selected team MVP as well as to the 1st-team all-league. From Riverside, the La Sierra High School alum boasted a .975 fielding percentage, a .325 batting average and a .650 on-base percentage as a prep.

Jordan, who was deemed the Toros' super-utility player at the beginning of the year, fought her way into the outfield after her stellar offensive efforts during fall practice. The Huntington Beach native led Marina High School to a league title and was named both Athlete and Scholar-Athlete of the Year as a senior, establishing the record for most stolen bases in a 3-year span.

“Erika is looking like one of our top left fielders and could be a really good ball player once she gets going, while Katie, who's been slowed by a slight injury, has a great work ethic, is really strong and just loves to play, will always be in and out of the lineup,” begins Maier. “Katie Jordan, who moved into the outfield because her offense was so strong, will get some time in the outfield and all around as well.

“A lot of these girls will always be in our lineup. It's just a matter of how to work them in. They're all real aggressive.”

FINAL THOUGHTS

“We'll bring a lot of excitement to what we do,” Maier predicts of his 2007 squad. “We're going to be very aggressive offensively and play it as tight to the vest as we can defensively. But again, we haven't changed anything. It's the same system, just different faces.

“There's going to be an on-going amount of competition. With us being so young, we have to throw everybody out there to see what they can do. By next year, we'll have a pretty good idea of who can do what. Outside of a few positions, we're working through that process. The one unique thing about our team this year more than any other years is that they all can play, and they all will play. They'll all get that opportunity, and every time they've done so, they've done real well.

“There are a lot of people who may be in doubt of what we can do, and I'm not quite sure what we can do either, but the enthusiasm is there and a lot of the intangible things we always try to stress are there, and probably even more this year than any other year only because of the 'newness' of the players and the eagerness to do what the coach wants them to do.

“And the future's really bright because we'll have a lot of young kids who'll be in the system for four years and our recruiting has never been that difficult. We've always been able to bring in quality players, which we will again next year.

“But I'm really excited. This team has great chemistry. They're all buying into what we're doing, and as long as I've been coaching, if we've been able to do that, then we've been pretty successful.”