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2009 Softball Preview: Guess Who's Back

The 2009 CSUDH softball team is focused on a return appearance to the NCAA West Region after making five trips in the past six seasons
The 2009 Cal State Dominguez Hills softball season marks a return to familiar territory for head coach Jim Maier as he embarks on his 9th season at the helm of the Toros softball program.

After bidding a fond farewell to eight seniors who took the Toros to their deepest run in the 2006 NCAA postseason by advancing to the West Region Championship Round, CSUDH missed the 2007 playoffs after rebuilding its team with nine freshmen and four transfers, but regained its place in the 2008 NCAA postseason and took two games before being eliminated by eventual National Champion Humboldt State, missing the West Region Championship Round by just one victory.

Thirteen players return for 2009, including two 1st-team All-CCAA selections, two 2nd-team honorees, and all three pitchers who helped the Toros claim their seventh 30-win season in the last eight years, as well as one who earned CSUDH's first ever NFCA National Pitcher of the Week award.

As always, Maier's sights remain focused on what has brought the Toros their success since he took over in 2001, and looks forward to CSUDH's sixth regional appearance in the last seven years.

“Our goal every year is to get into the regional,” Maier says as a matter-of-fact.  “Making it last year gives the returners confidence that they can reach that goal.  But I like this team's attitude, cooperation and work ethic, but most of all its experience.  This group is very attentive to the teachings of the program, and seem to fit very well into what we're trying to do as not only athletes, but also as students.  They represent themselves well both on and off the field.”

Here's a closer look at who will help get CSUDH to number six:
IN THE CIRCLE

Coach Maier again will have a number of pitchers at his disposal, led by senior right-hander Regina Farfan, who logged the most innings on last year's young squad.

Last season, the Chino native finished in the top 10 in six categories amongst the CCAA's pitching bests, posting an 17-11 record with 62 batters fanned in 183.0 innings pitched.  Farfan tossed two 2-hitters in a span of nine days, fanning at least 5 batters six times, including a season-best 6 batters vs. SFSU in CSUDH's season-opener (Feb. 1).

A double threat, Farfan enjoyed 6 multi-hit games and 4 multi-RBI contests, including a season-high 3 RBI vs. Grand Canyon (March 30), belting two home runs on the year, an asset Maier plans to utilize repeatedly this year.

“We expect leadership out of Regina, and to do very well on the rubber and at the plate,” Maier begins.  “She's been in the CCA and at the DI level, and she has the experience.  We hope she has the confidence, and if she does, she shouldn't have anything to worry about.”

Sophomore Kristin Tanaka enters 2009 after making history last year as a true freshman by earning CSUDH's first-ever National Fastpitch Coaches Association's (NFCA) National Pitcher of the Week award.  In winning three games in three appearances against eventual D-II NCAA National Champion Humboldt State in mid-March, the North HS alum boasted a 1.17 ERA in 6.0 innings pitched, allowing 6 hits and just 1 earned run while limiting HSU to a .240 batting average.

Also earning a 2nd-team All-CCAA nod, Tanaka compiled a 9-5 record and 2.61 ERA in her first college season, tying for 2nd in the CCAA in saves.  This season, Maier looks for Tanaka to again be consistent, and make strides befitting her sophomore status.

“Kristin is coming off a great freshman year,” he says.  “She consistently gets the job done by keeping batters off balance and we look for that type of progression to continue.  She's also an excellent hitter; she's just great with the bat.”

Fellow sophomore Kaci Carroll also makes her return to the Toro rotation after posting a 3-9 record as a true freshman with 38 batters fanned and 100.1 innings pitched.  With one year of experience under her belt, Maier expects Carroll to realize how good she can be, which inevitably will showcase her talents to the rest of the league.

“She has the potential to be one of the top pitchers in the CCAA and Dominguez Hills, which is saying a lot,” Maier begins.  “Her ability to move the ball is great.  If she just gains the confidence to compete at this level, she's gonna be fantastic.”

 
INFIELD

Coach Maier's infield remains basically intact from last season, as three of the four project starters started nearly all of last season at her respective position, while the other saw a significant amount of time at hers.

Two-time All-CCAA selection Jennifer Frazier makes her return to shortstop after starting all 51 games played and finishing 10th in the CCAA in on-base percentage en route to 2nd-team All-CCAA honors.  The Buena Park native enjoyed 11 multi-hit contests, including season-best 3-hit efforts at CS Bakersfield (March 7) and vs. W. Oregon (March 29), while boasting a 12-game hitting streak from March 21-April 5, during which she hit .429 (18-for-42). 

A dazzling fielder who also makes the routine play, Frazier turned many would-be hits into outs, using her extensive range, rifle arm and quick release to gun down batters who thought they reached base.

“Frazier is one of the most gifted players we've ever had,” says Maier about his smooth-fielding shortstop.  “She handles the bat excellently, and is a really steadying factor for us.  She's a quiet leader and should have no problem again being one of the top shortstops in the league.”

Senior Liz Vazquez returns to the hot corner after solidifying the 3B position last year.  The Carson native started all 53 games played in 2008, finishing second on the team in hits, home runs and slugging percentage, third in runs and doubles, and fourth in RBI.

Vazquez enjoyed 13 multi-hit games, 5 multi-RBI contests and an 8-game hit streak, a season-best 3-hit effort against Notre Dame de Namur (Feb 2) and season-best 3 RBI outings coming against San Francisco State (Feb 29) and Humboldt State (March 15).  A stellar fielder in her own right, she made just 6 errors in 210 chances.

“Liz is fundamentally one of the best players in the league, and one of the most sound players I've ever coached,” says Maier about one of his 3 seniors.  “She can play with anyone and on anybody's team.  She's rock solid, and one of our captains who leads by example.”

Fellow senior Christine Bathauer returns for her fourth and final year in Cardinal & Gold as the only Toro with three years of experience under her belt.  Used primarily as a pinch-hitter in her first two years, the Torrance native platooned at first base last year, starting 19 of 34 games played. 



Given that opportunity, she connected for 15 hits, including 2 doubles and a monstrous home run against CS Stanislaus (April 5).  Bathauer also enjoyed three multi-hit games, including a 3-for-3 with an intentional walk effort against eventual NCAA Champion Humboldt State (March 15), helping the Toros sweep the 'Jacks in the regular season CCAA series.

“Bathy has the ability to hit and has really learned how to play first base,” says Maier.  “She understands what we're trying to do and if she can stay steady with the bat and provide steady defense, she should get a lot more playing time than she's gotten in the past.”

Sophomore Ammanda Bush emerged as the starting second baseman last year, making 13 starts in 24 games played as a true freshman, including 9 of the final 11 games she played at the end of the season.  Her first career start came vs. San Francisco State (Feb. 1), and she collected her first collegiate hit one day later vs. UC San Diego.

“Bush has come a long way since last year,” says Maier with a smile.  “She always has been a great fielder, but really stepped up when we needed her last year.   She's a real ballplayer, and one of our top fielders.”
OUTFIELD

The two “Katies” outfield has stayed intact, and again will be a force with which to be reckoned this year. 

Junior Katie Garcia, who earned 1st-team All-CCAA honors after finishing 7th in the CCAA in BA, on-base percentage and triples, and 10th in slugging percentage, solidified her position in the outfield with her stellar defense and rifle arm, and surprising pop at the plate from her 5-1 frame.

The Riverside native led the team in BA, RBI and triples, finishing 2nd in doubles, and 3rd in HR, runs and stolen bases.  Aside from enjoying 9 multi-hit contests and driving in at least 2 runs five times, including a season-best 4RBI performance in an NCAA playoff game against UCSD (May 7), Garcia also committed just two errors in 67 chances, good for the best fielding percentage amongst Toro regular position players.

“Katie leads by example and by communicating, and is an excellent role model for our entire team,” begins Maier.  “She's really grown up from her freshman year, and the girls listen to her.  She's the complete package.”


Named to 1st-team All-CCAA for second-consecutive year, Katie Jordan finished fifth in the CCAA in stolen bases, and T10th in runs scored.  The Huntington Beach native led the team in stolen bases, was 2nd in runs, and 4th in hits and doubles as one of just two Toros to play all 55 games

Enjoying 12 multi-hit games and a season-best 10-game hit streak, Jordan hit .471 (8-for-17) in the four-game sweep over eventual NCAA Champion Humboldt State (March 14-15), and began the season with 13-consecutive stolen bases.

“Katie is probably our most fit girl,” Maier says.  “She's fast, she's strong, she's a pure slapper, and she will be in the outfield.”

Sophomore Khryssi Steele makes her return to the Toros as the best athlete on the team.  The Los Angeles native started 44 of 53 games played as true freshman, and collected her first college hit, RBI and run scored in the first game of career vs. Seattle (Feb 1), also notching 2 multi-hit efforts vs. Notre Dame de Namur (Feb 2) and at UC San Diego (Feb 23).

“She's the most athletic girl on the team, and she can do it all,” says Maier about his speedster.  “She's equally as good in the outfield as she is in the infield, and although she is young and struggles at times, she's getting better at handling the pressure.”

Junior Jessica Marlow will vie for playing time in all three outfield spots.  She tied for 10th in the CCAA in sacrifice flies while coming on strong during the tail end of  her sophomore year, making 11 starts in team's final 13 games in which the Toros went 8-5.

“Jess is very versatile, and will play in all 3 positions in the outfield,” Maier says.  “A co-captain, she's a great communicator who can slap, hit for power and play all three positions.”

BEHIND THE PLATE

The battle behind the dish will continue between two equally gifted players who split time at the catcher's spot last year.

Junior Michelle Miranda looks to have a hold on the starting spot in 2009 after two years of growth.  Despite not being stat-heavy in her 27 starts in 37 games played as a sophomore, Miranda's experience, defense and ownership of the position have all developed to Maier's liking, giving her the early nod.

"Michelle's grown the most out of all the players on our roster," Maier says.  "When she came here as a freshman, she was understandably wide-eyed, but in her two years and through the fall of 08-09, she's really taken to being one of the leaders on the team, and I'm looking forward to seeing more growth this year."

Sophomore Jennifer Tellez, meanwhile, made 29 starts in 38 games played as a true freshman, tying for third on the team in doubles.  She stroked her first college hit vs. BYU-Hawai'i, also driving home first RBI (Feb 11), and collected 2 multi-hit efforts while throwing out 2 would-be base stealers on the year.

“Both Michelle and Jennifer are doing well thus far, and again will both see time behind the plate once the season starts,” Maier says.  “Jennifer has a pretty good arm and is learning our system."
NEWCOMERS

The Toros welcome a junior, redshirt freshman and true freshman into the mix, all of whom Maier feels will all make an impact this season.

Amber Angel, who is expected to see time at 1B and in the designated player role, was named team MVP, 1st-team All-South Coast Conference and 1st-team All-Southern California after boasting .495 batting and .833 slugging averages with 4 home runs and 30 RBI in her first year at El Camino College, following that campaign with another 30 RBI and a .481 BA, leading to team MVP Offense, and repeat appearances on All-Conference and All-Southern California teams.

“Amber has tremendous power and strength, and if she gets the confidence to compete at this level, she's going to do some damage,” says Maier with a smile.  “She will play 1B and DP, and we'll bat her 3, 4 or 5.  When she believes it, she will hit.”

Redshirt freshman Wendy Espindola returns after a valuable redshirt year, ready and poised to contribute to the already talented pitching staff.  As a prep at Banning High School, Espindola earned 1st-team All-Marine League honors en route to 2nd-place finish, while being voted "Pitcher of the Week" three times.  She fanned 108 batters against just 41 walks in 158 innings pitched, and boasted a prep best 1.32 ERA as a senior.

“Wendy throws the ball well, but we'll find out real quick who she is and what we have in her,” says Maier as a matter of fact.  “She'll get her chance early and we'll know.”

The third newcomer, Emiley McEwen, begins her first season as a Toro after leading her El Modena HS to consecutive state titles as a junior and senior, finishing with a 28-8 record in her final year.  McEwen's prep highs include a .458 batting average, .733 slugging percentage, 4 home runs and 26 RBI en route to earning All-County, All-League and team MVP defensive honors.

“Emiley's one of the finest recruits we've ever had, who will probably be one of the top freshmen in the league,” begins Maier.  “She had a great high school career, and can do it all.  We can't keep her out of the lineup, and she'll most likely see action at first, third or shortstop.”
COACHING STAFF

Maier's coaching staff is one of the reasons he's so optimistic about the 2009 campaign. Gil Garcia, who returns for his ninth year on staff, “believes in the same things that I believe in, and both plays and teaches the game the right way,” while Maier calls Valerie Long, who holds three CSUDH pitching records after a stellar four-year career in the circle, the “heart of the team, who is responsible for the great chemistry of the squad.  She really cares about them and the players understand that.”

Aside from the on-the-field tutelage, Maier and his coaches are just as proud of the team for the job they do in the classroom. 

“We've gotten to a point where our kids are good students,” he begins.  “They're in school for the right reason and they understand that they're students first.  Our kids do really do a great job academically.”
FINAL THOUGHTS

With the season just two days and a long drive to Turlock away, Maier remains optimistic that this 2009 team can accomplish something special.

“We are very much a team, and if 16 people pull in the right direction, we're going to be fine and able to compete,” he begins.  “Our whole goal is to play the best defense possible and to compete every day, whether in the class room or in the field.  We take it day by day, and hope for the best.

“But at the end of the day, it's not all about wins and losses.  It's about the development of people,” Maier continues.  “The memories they hold onto forever are what they did on the road, and the friendships they made.  

“The ultimate thing is they get their degree and go on to become good citizens.  There are so many life lessons in practice, and all those things translate into the real world.  For our kids, their power is in what they do after this and not what they do now.

“Just competing and having the confidence that we can compete with anyone is huge,” he concludes.  “We tell them we get one impression per team to show them who we are, and teaching people to compete is something they're really gonna need because we're in a world that's unlike what we've known in the past.

“We want to do our very best with everything we do, every single day.”
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