2005 California Community Colleges
Commission on Athletics
Regional Softball Playoffs

NORTH PREVIEWS

A brief look at the region's top four teams ...

SAN JOAQUIN DELTA (STOCKTON) – SATURDAY, MAY 7

12 noon, #1 San Joaquin Delta (35-4) vs. #16 Sequoias (21-22)
2 pm, #8 Modesto (24-13-1) vs. #9 Sierra (28-14)

In just his second season, Delta Coach Peter Turner is guiding the Mustangs into the regional playoffs as the North’s top-ranked team.

Delta (35-4) returns only two starters from last season, when the school finished 28-13-1 as a No. 13 seed (bounced in the postseason by state-champion Sacramento).

Those two players – sophomore RHP Meghan Dyer and sophomore C Danielle Caldwell – have led the way, forming perhaps the best battery in the state.

Dyer enters Saturday with a 22-2 record (0.40 ERA), and is averaging about a dozen strikeouts per game. Caldwell is batting .500 with 5 homers.

As for Turner’s seven freshmen starters: “They don’t give up,” he said. “They play hard, and they don’t give up the unnecessary runs on defense.”

Among Delta’s nine all-conference players are CF Amanda Vickers (.407, leadoff batter) and 2B Jessica Gonzalez (.376, 9 doubles).

All four of the Mustangs’ losses came against playoff qualifiers (No. 5 Sacramento twice, No. 2 West Valley, and No. 12 Butte).

The good news for this weekend is a combined 6-0 record against Modesto and Sierra. Delta and Sequoias will meet for the first time this season.

“Our team has really adapted to our philosophy,” said Turner, who previously spent 10 seasons as Delta’s pitching coach.

“We run a baseball-type of program, in that we turn a lot of double plays on defense, and we are always running something when we get into first-and-third situations on offense. It’s pretty complex, but it has worked well for us.”

WEST VALLEY (SARATOGA) – SATURDAY, MAY 7

12 noon, #2 West Valley (37-8) vs. #15 Solano (29-13-1)
2 pm, #7 Ohlone (33-5-1) vs. #10 Taft (32-9)

West Valley, home of the 2002 state championship title, is back in familiar territory.

The Vikings are coming off another impressive conference record (22-1), and they hope to get hot at the right time.

“We’ve had stretches during the season where we haven’t done much offensively,” said West Valley Coach Les Hearn.

“But we’ve been hitting the ball lately. Hopefully that’s a good thing.”

Sophomore standouts include 2B Leah Glasgow (.440, 53 RBI), NorCal Pitcher of the Year Chelsey Barclay (20-5, 0.54 ERA), and pitcher Alyssa Baker (13-2, 0.60 ERA).

All-State freshmen SS Evie Alcantar (.487, 48 runs, 52 RBI, .735 slugging) and CF Liz Perez (.532, 81 SB, 61 runs) make the Vikings even more dangerous.

In 45 games, West Valley has outscored opponents 345 to 55.

Hearn expects a “tough series” at this weekend’s regional: “Solano and Taft almost won their conference title; and we know Ohlone is always good and well-coached.”

West Valley posted a 6-3 mark in nine games against 2005 conference champions.

SHASTA (REDDING) – SATURDAY, MAY 7

12 noon, #3 Shasta (35-10) vs. #14 San Jose (22-13-1)
2 pm, #6 San Mateo (24-5) vs. #11 Merced (26-12)

Shasta Coach Sonny Stupek has what every coach wants this weekend: homefield advantage, a pitcher of the year, a player of the year … three sophomore all-conference infielders, 189 stolen bases. And, a team clicking on all cylinders.

The Knights have won 19 of 22 games heading into postseason, with more than their share of victories over strong opponents during the stretch.

Sophomore ace Ashley Thatcher was voted NorCal Pitcher of the Year after compiling a 28-8 record (0.85 ERA), and 180 strikeouts in 214 innings. She also batted .360 with 8 homers and 33 RBI.

Thatcher gets plenty of run-support, thanks to a trio of sophomores: Player of the Year SS Christine Schuler (.447, 7 HR), 3B Angie Wright (.400, 38 RBI), and 2B Lee Robertson (conference-leading 37 steals).

“This group of sophomores has been great for us,” said Stupek. “Our team is 66-19 and 36-4 in conference during their careers here.”

“As a team, we do a little bit of everything,” he said. “Our 189 steals is a school record; we’ve got good hitters, we’re quick; we’re not one-dimensional at all.”

Stupek expects his regional to be up-for-grabs.

“All of these coaches do a great job for their programs,” he added. “Two of them also happen to be my best friends, so it’s always fun to coach against each other.”

“San Jose is better than a No. 14-seed; San Mateo is a conference champion with a great record; and Merced beat us in a tie-breaker. We know everyone here Saturday is good.”

SISKIYOUS (WEED) – SATURDAY, MAY 7

12 noon, #4 Siskiyous (31-12) vs. #13 Diablo Valley (30-14)
2 pm, #5 Sacramento (33-11) vs. #12 Butte (31-13)

Many state softball observers are pointing North, way North, to find this season’s dark horse – No. 4 Siskiyous.

The Eagles are enjoying their finest season in the school’s 46-year history, compiling a record 31 victories, and now preparing to host their first-ever regional.

“We are pleasantly surprised to be hosting this weekend,” said Doug Eastman, coaching his fifth season at Siskiyous.

“It’s a nice accomplishment for our players. They deserve it.”

The Eagles have been playing solid defense behind freshman RHP Angela Cabral (19-7, 0.99).

“Angela is a great competitor,” Eastman said. “She has three good pitches, fields her position better than anyone I’ve had, and she’s in great physical shape, so she can pitch all day if she needs to. She’s just an all-around grinder.”

Sophomore Wendi Makus, who went 5-0 in conference play, offers a change of pace, says Eastman, and will also see action this weekend.

Offensively, Siskiyous is powered by the middle of its lineup: sophomore 2B Brin Tamblin (.518), sophomore CF Kelsey Anhorn (.398, 6 HR), and freshman DP Ashley Coleman (.441, 7 HR).

Like most of the top seeds, Siskiyous has all the key ingredients to make a title run.

“It all started in the off-season for us,” said Eastman, who led the Eagles to a postseason berth in 2003.

“Our work ethic is great. We have an Olympic weightlifting program, where the players would start at 6:30 in the morning. When you arrive to practice and the players are already starting without the coach, you know you have a special group of players.”

The Eagles will need to continue their recent hot streak: 16-4 during the last two months. The Siskiyous regional is the only four-team bracket in the state where all teams have posted at least 30 wins.

Siskiyous has fared well against two of the qualifiers - beating Sacramento once, and knocking-off Butte in five out of six meetings this year.

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*Regionals will continue on Sunday, May 8 with elimination games at 10 am and 12 noon; championship games at 2 pm (and 4 pm if needed).

- Complied by State Softball Publicist Eric Mendoza for the CCCFCA.