COA Spotlight: South #1

MT. SAC HUNGRY FOR REDEMTION

Not much has changed for the Mt. San Antonio softball program. That's great news for Coach Kelly Ford. And, it's bad news for teams in their path.

Another 40-win season . another top seed in the playoffs. It's business as usual. The only thing missing is state title No. 3. The crowning achievement almost happened again last season, but the Mounties fell short in the final game to South rival Cypress.

This year's Mt. SAC battle cry has been "Let It Burn," says Ford. "There's definitely a fire in the belly, especially for our sophomores coming back from last year. Every team works hard, no doubt, but we've had a really special effort from our kids that started in the offseason."

Ford returns eight players from that state runner-up club including All- Southern California 1B Danielle Linke (.398, 4 HR, 27 RBI). But several newcomers have stepped-up big for the top-seeded Mounties.

Namely, freshman infielder Francesca Gonzales, the South's State Player of the Year. Pick a category and Gonzales is at the top of the state rankings, including average (.527), home runs (13), RBI (53), and slugging percentage (.932).

"Francesca is by far one of the most talented players I've coached," Ford said. "She's very consistent. She's resilient in that she can hit her way out of a mini slump. She's just mentally tough. The way she approaches the game brings up the level of everyone around her."

The Mounties have gaudy team stats like a .404 batting average, 57 homers, 98 stolen bases, and they average more than seven runs a game.

Freshmen Kadie Baldwin (.479, 11 triples, 2 HR, 46 RBI) and Mandy Pongs (.408, 43 runs, 22-for-23 steal attempts) both earned First Team All-State honors. Pongs also leads a deep, talented pitching staff. In the circle, Pongs is 19-2 (0.57 ERA), with 10 complete games and 106 strikeouts (just 24 walks) in 122 innings. Desiree Biolley (9-0, 2 saves, 0.46 ERA) and Shelair Rowell (8-1, 3 saves, 0.42 ERA) are also expected to see action in the postseason. "Our strength is our pitching staff," Ford said. "Everyone has contributed. Those three can be considered a No. 1 pitcher on any the team."

The Mounties (45-4 overall) were 14-1 in the South Coast Conference, winning the title by two games over Cerritos. They ride an 11-game winning streak into Saturday night's opening-round game against No. 16 Cuesta (26-17). During the stretch, Mt. SAC has dominated its opponents by a whopping 128 to 7. Seven of the 11 wins were shutouts. Being at home, where the Mounties are 28-3 this year, and with the State Final Eight in their own backyard (Chino Hills), Ford has high hopes to continue the momentum.

"I still think we're playing to about 75 percent of our capabilities," said Ford, who coached Mt. SAC to state crowns in 2003 and 2005. "We seem to play our best under pressure. I really admire the way we respond to the challenge."

QUICK HITS: Mt. San Antonio won 17 straight games (from Feb. 10 - March 17), beating playoff qualifiers such as Ventura, Antelope Valley, Bakersfield, Canyons, Cypress, Cerritos, and Riverside; the steak ended to North No. 1-seed Sacramento, a team they defeated twice two weeks later . In addition to Gonzales, the Mounties had seven players earn First Team All-SCC honors including Pongs, Boilly, Link, Kadie Baldwin, catcher Nicole Whaley, 3B Ursula Lopez, OF Randie Baldwin . Ford and Cerritos' Kodee Murray shared Coach of the Year honors . Mt. SAC beat Cuesta twice during the regular season by scores of 10-1 and 13-4 . The Mounties team ERA is 0.72 on the year.

- Compiled by Softball State Championship Publicist Eric Mendoza