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2008 Softball Preview: A Return to Glory
1/30/2008 3:25:16 PM
A “pitcher” is worth a thousand words. And a lot more wins.
These words ne’er rang truer for the 2007 softball team, which was as atypical as they came for head coach Jim Maier, who begins his 8th year at the helm of the CSUDH softball program in 2008. Not only did the Toros suffer through a 22-30 overall and 10-22 CCAA record, it was the first time in Maier’s college coaching career that a team under his charge failed to reach the 30-win plateau.
In his team’s defense, the Toros welcomed eight freshmen and seven transfers with its one returning starter after eight seniors graduated after the 2006 season, the year CSUDH made it to the NCAA Division II Far West Region Championship Series. The biggest reason for the sub-par results, however, stemmed from seeing a four-pitcher rotation in the fall become a literal “arm”y of one once the season began, as one pitcher was forced to shoulder the season’s entire load.
“Pitching is the name of the game, and it’s what controls the game completely,” states Maier as a matter-of-fact, reflecting on having to rely on one pitcher last season. “If an opponent’s pitcher is harder to hit than our pitcher is, then that team will have the advantage.”
This year, however, CSUDH returns eight starters and 11 letter-winners (12 including last year's lone redshirt) to its squad (pictured below), including sophomore Katie Jordan, who claimed both Daktronics 1st-team All-Region and 1st-team All-CCAA, sophomore Jodi Nakawatase, who was named the team MVP, as well as five freshmen, one junior transfer and a redshirt junior to the mix.
More importantly, however, the Toros have reloaded with three quality pitchers, including two freshmen, as they set their sights on bringing CSUDH back to where it has become accustomed to being under Maier’s direction – atop the CCAA.
“This team has good leadership, and good knowledge about how to play the game,” Maier says about the team’s strengths, which includes just two seniors on the team (below, left) and five fantastic freshmen (below, right). “We’re hitting the ball well right now, and we will play better defense because we’re stronger in that area and more experienced. And our pitching is much better. If our pitchers just stay in the framework of what we try to do and if they just execute their pitches and throw to the spots and location with the movement that we want and not try to do too much, we’re going to do very well.
 
“But it comes down to how our pitchers execute. If they execute, with our offense and our defense, we’ll be in games a lot more than we were last year.”
Here’s a position-by-position look at the 2008 Toros at who will look to keep them in those games:
IN THE CIRCLE
Time in the circle will be split amongst three pitchers, including one who has good knowledge of the Toro system and the CCAA Conference after redshirting last season and competing for Cal State San Bernardino in 2005.
Junior Regina Farfan will make her debut in Cardinal and Gold as the most experience collegiate hurler, two seasons removed from helping lead Division I San Jose State to a runner-up league finish in 2006. Then a sophomore for the Spartans, Farfan posted a 4-2 record and 3.45 ERA in 60.2 innings pitched, fanning 27 batters against just 11 walks (2.5:1 ratio). One season earlier as a freshman for the Coyotes, the Chino native started 36 of 45 games, tallying a 10-27 record and 3.75 ERA. In addition to pitching 255.2 innings for CSUSB, she batted .308 with two doubles, a triple and one HR in 13 trips to the plate.
“Gina knows the game inside and out and is like a coach on the field for us,” says Maier of his most experienced pitcher. “She is going to be a very good pitcher who can hit, and hit with power. She has all the tools.”
Two local freshmen round out the trio in the circle make their college debuts this season, each planning to tally both experience and time on the field. Kaci Carroll, who played with Nakawatase at Long Beach’s Millikan HS, helped lead the Rams to three league titles and a state championship in 2005, while Torrance native and North HS alum Kristin Tanaka led her Saxons to back-to-back league titles with 76 strikeouts against just 10 walks in the circle as a prep.
FIRST BASE
One of the elder stateswomen on this year’s Toro squad, junior Christine Bathauer will look to earn a starting spot at the “3” position after two years of action off the bench. Last season, Bathauer made seven starts in 28 total games played, tallying five doubles in just 29 at-bats, nearly a two-bagger for every 5.8 trips to the plate. Equipped with power, the Torrance native has two home runs in her Toro career, hitting her blasts exactly 358 days apart (2/9/07 vs. CSUMB, 2/16/06 vs. Adams State).
“Bathy is getting better every year,” says Maier of his only three year Toro, “and she’ll get more opportunities this year.”
A third baseman-turned-starting pitcher last year, sophomore Michelle Medina will make her trip to the other side of the field in 2008 as she competes for the starting 1B assignment. In 2007, the Artesia native led the team in doubles and finished 2nd in home runs while also enjoying 5 multi-hit contests and 4 games with at least two RBI, including a 5-RBI effort in a 13-8 win over Cameron University in which she belted a grand slam. The versatile right-hander also is expected to see action at 3B as well as the designated player.
“Michelle’s made a little bit of a position change but has accepted it really well,” says Maier. “She has a great understanding of the game, and should really be a good leader.”
SECOND BASE
Sophomore Jodi Nakawatase moves a few steps to her right to compete for the starting 2B nod after establishing herself as a vocal leader at 1B last season. The Long Beach native led the team in hits, home runs and slugging percentage, and finished 2nd in runs scored and doubles. Nakawatase, who should see action at 3B during the course of the year, also tallied 15 multi-hit efforts in 2007, including a 3-hit performance vs. CS Bakersfield (March 23). As one of the team’s most potent hitters, she enjoyed five multi-RBI games while boasting two 6-game hit streaks. Turned to for spot pitching appearances, Nakawatase made 9 appearances in the circle with 2 starts, allowing just 1 earned run while fanning 6 batters in her first college start on April 6 against Sonoma State.
“Jodi is the complete package, and is like another coach on the field as well,” begins Maier. “She knows the game, understands everything we’re doing, and she’s a step ahead of us as coaches sometimes in terms of taking the initiative to work with the younger girls who are new to the program.”
Freshmen Ammanda Bush and Khryssi Steele look to earn time at 2B as well this season, vacated after the 2007 campaign by departed senior Araceli Martinez. A 5’4 Hesperia native, Bush led the Scorpions to the CIF Title while boasting four all-league selections, with 1st-team honors coming in her final two years as a prep, and will see some action at shortstop as well during the year.
Steele, whose blazing speed makes her an asset at any position on the diamond, will vie for time at 2B and 3B, as well as spots in the outfield as the Toros look to utilize her overall athleticism. At Westchester HS, Steele led the Comets to a league title as a freshman, and boasted single-season highs of a .727 batting average, .941 slugging percentage, 6 home runs, 31 RBI and a whopping 42 stolen bases.
“Khryssi is super-talented and loves the game,” says Maier of perhaps his most athletic player. “Being a freshman, she needs to learn to slow things down a bit, but wherever we put her, she just shines.”
SHORTSTOP / THIRD BASE
The battle for the middle infield positions will center on two very skilled and capable players who should figure prominently in the Toros success this year.
Sophomore Jennifer Frazier, who earned a 3rd-team All-CCAA nod as a true freshman, is the first half of the shortstop /3B puzzle, who will see ample amounts of time at both positions. Last season, the Buena Park native started all 43 games she played as a true freshman, demonstrating the arm and range that turned many would-be hits into dazzling outs. At the plate, Frazier enjoyed 13 games with at least 2 hits, including three games with 3 hits, and drove in a season-best 3RBI as part of her 4 multi-RBI efforts. In addition to boasting two 4-game hit streaks, she belted her first collegiate home run against Chico State as part of her two long balls on the year.
“Jen is one of the most talented girls that we have, but is a little more quiet and unassuming about it,” Maier begins. “She’s not real boisterous, but certainly has ability. I would like to see her get to be more aggressive, but she’s more of a quiet type leader. But she’s got a tremendous amount of talent.”
The yin to Frazier’s yang, Carson native Liz Vazquez returns to her roots after spending two years at CSUDH-rival UC San Diego, and also will enjoy time at shortstop and third base. As a Triton, Vazquez was named the team’s Best Offensive Player and boasted .370 batting and .521 slugging percentages, with 3 homeruns and 18 RBI. In addition to 3B, the junior’s range and experience will give her time at the 2B and SS positions as well, enabling the CSUDH infield to utilize her plethora of skills around the horn.
“Liz is in that class of knowing the game, and is a steady player who will really help our program,” says Maier of his UC San Diego transfer.
OUTFIELD
The outfield will be a point of intense competition for the Toros as six players will compete for three positions. Katie Jordan, who was named to the Daktronics 1st-team All-Region and 1st-team All-CCAA squads, emerged as the team’s top offensive threat, finishing 2nd in the CCAA in batting average and 7th in on-base percentage. The Huntington Beach native led her team in hits and runs scored, and finished 2nd in stolen bases while seeing the majority of her action as the Designated Player. Jordan enjoyed 12 multi-hit contests, including seven games with 3 base-knocks, and boasted the year’s longest hit streak, an 11-game stretch during which she hit .528.
“Katie is a complete player,” says Maier of his lone All-Region selection. “She fits right into the program perfectly, and is a very good player who has very good character, the right attitude, and ability.”
Senior Bri Mahr returns for her second and final campaign after claiming 2nd-team All-CCAA honors last year. In 2007, the Fullerton native made 49 starts with the majority in right field, and led the team in RBI, finished 2nd in batting average, 3rd in hits and slugging percentage and 4th in home runs. Mahr also enjoyed 10 multi-hit contests, 9 multi-RBI games, and boasted two six-game hit streaks.
“Bri has really come on strong in the fall, and has stepped up her game,” begins Maier of one of his two seniors on the squad. “She had a good year last year but she’s really determined to have a better one this year. She’s probably our hottest player right now during the month of January. She’s totally ready to go.”
Leading the Toros with two triples last year, returning sophomore Katie Garcia claimed 3rd-team All-CCAA honors in 2007. The speedster, who clubbed a monstrous home run against Sonoma State on April 6 for her lone long ball of the season, established her defensive wizardry as last year’s starting centerfielder with five assists and a sparking .954 fielding percentage, keeping opposing runners at bay and turning would-be hits into outs with her speed and glove. Offensively, the Riverside native enjoyed four multi-hit contests and 3 multi-RBI games, and finished second on the team in walks.
As another returning sophomore who claimed 3rd-team All-CCAA honors, Erika Gonzalez will look to improve on her team-leading 13 stolen bases, 2nd-best on-base percentage and 3rd-best batting average. The Los Angeles native made 35 starts in 47 games and enjoyed 4 multi-hit games, including a 3-hit performance at CS San Bernardino (Apr. 28), while driving in at least 2 runs twice, including a 3-RBI game vs. CS Bakersfield (March 24).
Senior Mayra Oliden, who displayed power often times during 2007, made 19 starts in 42 games played last year, and again will look to solidify her position at one of the outfield slots. The Los Angeles native swiped 4 of 6 bases on the season in limited action, garnering 2 multi-hit contests and one contest in which she scored twice.
Sophomore Jessica Marlow will transition from the infield dirt to the outfield grass this year after making 19 starts in 49 games in 2007. The Huntington Beach native made 17 starts at 3B, and tallied her first collegiate hit against CS Monterey Bay on February 9. Marlow also enjoyed 2 multi-hit games, and scored two runs each in 3 separate contests.
“Jessica has probably been our biggest improvement, someone who has really stepped up from last year to this year so far,” Maier says with a smile. “She’s gone from the left side to the right side. She’s really made a lot of ground from last year, and she’s really fired up to play.”
CATCHER
Sophomore Michelle Miranda makes her return to the Cardinal and Gold after starting all 51 games behind the dish. The La Mesa native threw out 7 would-be base stealers on the season, and earned one walk in 4 at-bats on the year.
This year, however, she will be pushed by freshman Jennifer Tellez (TAY-ez), a two-time 1st-team All-League selection at Upland High School who led the Scotts to three-league championships as a prep en route to earning MVP honors as a senior.
FINAL THOUGHTS
“Our goal is to always get to regionals, and it’s going to be up to the three phases of the game we constantly preach – executing our pitches, taking care of the ball on defense, and fighting to get on base,” begins Maier, with the season just days away. “If we can do that, we will be in every game and have a chance to win a lot of them.
“We should be better than we were last year, and should get back to more wins than losses,” he continues. “But then again, we have five freshmen and all the sophomores are back, so we’re still extremely young. But if they execute the fundamentals as best as they can, they’ll be really successful because there’s a lot of talent. And if we can continue to recruit like we’ve been doing, when these guys get to be juniors and seniors, then they’ll really take off.
“We have a good team concept and we know what we’re doing offensively and defensively, but again, I can’t emphasize enough that it’s gonna come down to those three phases,” Maier concludes. “We’re tying to make it as simple as possible: if we execute, just do the little things and don’t try to do too much, we’re gonna be in pretty good shape.”
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