On paper, the 2003 Hollister High softball team could be the
school’s best ever. Now it’s time to prove it on the field.
On paper, the 2003 Hollister High softball team could be the school’s best ever. Now it’s time to prove it on the field.
The Balers, 2-1 after last Saturday’s stint in the Watsonville Tournament, strut their stuff in front of the home folks for the first time this season when they battle Westmont of San Jose in a preseason game Thursday with a 3:45 p.m. start time.
This weekend’s appearance by the Balers at the Circle of Champions at Twin Creeks in Sunnyvale is in jeopardy for the second year in a row due to a projected storm. Next Tuesday, Hollister hosts Burlingame in its last non-league game before a road date March 20 at Live Oak to open the arduous Tri-County Athletic League.
From top to bottom, the T-CAL could be the best six-team league in the state. Certainly the consensus top three teams –Â North Salinas, ranked eighth in the state, Notre Dame, ranked 17th, and the Balers, ranked sixth in the CCS and awaiting the opportunity to make a state statement, if you will, with three games against Junior Olympic hurler Monica Abbott of North Salinas and three games against the Spirits, who will still be a force even though remarkable pitcher Erin Sigala has graduated.
The Spirits have won the Central Coast Section Division III championship five straight years. The Vikings have taken the CCS Division I championship two out of the past three years.
If there ever was a Hollister softball team that is up to this “play with the big girls” challenge, this is it – especially with three seniors who have started since they were freshmen.
The challenge
“It will be a challenge,” said Hollister first-year coach Scott Smith. “The girls have accepted it. They’re looking forward to it. If we can beat North Salinas and Notre Dame two out of the three times we play them, we have a chance to win league because they should be knocking each other off. Talent-wise, this is as much talent as there has been at the school.”
Talent, as well as experience, could prove vital for the ’03 Balers. With the exception of two or three players on a roster of 15, each girl plays about 80 games per year on travel ball, many with Smith and the Salinas Storm.
Another strength for the Balers is versatility. Smith has the luxury of having several players who can play several positions. And with the current injury to starting third baseman/designated hitter Hillary Williams, having players to plug in is a neccesity. Williams suffered partial ligament damage in the first game of the Watsonville Tournament and will be out indefinitely. Williams, a junior, will undergo an MRI on Thursday.
“I can’t tell you how the loss of Hillary has hurt us,” said Smith. “She’s one of my two most consistent hitters.”
Last season, the Balers found out first-hand how injuries can affect a team, especially in regards to pitching. Dani Hernandez, who was to get the bulk of the work last season, tore some tissue in her right knee at the Watsonville Tournament and missed most of the season. Alyssa Baker, Hernandez’ replacement, had an injured wrist on her throwing arm and was out the final weeks of the year.
This is a different season and Hernandez (1-1), just a sophomore, and the senior Baker (1-0, save) are rested and ready. Smith plans to pitch one three innings and the other four, just as he did in all three games in Watsonville.
“It depends on who we play,” said Smith. “I like pitching both of them because of their contrasting styles. Baker is effectively wild. She’s very effective against aggressive teams like North Salinas. Dani is better against the more disciplined teams, like Notre Dame or Gilroy. Dani comes in and just paints the corner. This is a great 1-2 combination to have.”
Baker looks to be improved this season, while Hernandez pitched all the games for Smith’s Salinas Storm team at the national’s last summer. That team took 17th out of 118th. Hernandez should be even more effective with the addition of a screwball. She now has six pitches at her disposal.
And confidence isn’t an issue, a key ingredient when the late innings beckon against the likes of the Vikings or Spirits.
“We should win league,” said Hernandez calmly.
Here is a look at the rest of the Baler roster with comments from Smith:
C – Amy Baxter (Jr.). Baxter, a co-captain, is still not 100 per cent as far as running after her late-Dec. surgery, which kept her out of most of the soccer season. Baxter had three doubles at the Watsonville Tournament. She’ll bat third or fifth in the order. “Amy’s a smart baserunner, but we’ll probably pinch-run for her this year. She’s the best catcher in the league, bar none. She’s tough. She reads me like a book. I called some wrong pitches last Saturday and she knew what I wanted and changed it. I expect big things from her this year.”
1B – Nashia Alvarez (Sr.) Alvarez, a co-captain, has spent her prep career as a right fielder and has been starting as a freshman. She can also DH. Alvarez could bat third or fifth, possibly sixth. Will enter the army in September. “She takes control on the field. She’s are hardest worker. She’s a solid bunter. I expect her to have a great year at the plate. Versatile player.”
2B – Jenny Maheu (Jr.) Maheu is a speedburner on the basepaths. She’s a major threat at the plate because of her ability to bunt and slash. She’ll bat leadoff. Along with Notre Dame’s Lindsay Schutzler, Maheu could be the best leadoff hitter in the CCS. “Jenny’s a pure softball player. She could be the purest hitter on the team. If she gets on base two out of three times a game, we’re going to win a lot of games. A tremendous defensive player. She could play anywhere. I want her to learn second base because that will help her if she plays at a college and has to back up at shortstop.”
3B – Megan Smith (So.) Smith, daughter of Scott Smith, will get some playing time with the loss of Williams. Smith is the current backup catcher to Baxter. “She’s a smart baserunner. She can play a lot of positions. We’re working on her swing.”
SS – Kim Dabo (Sr.) Will bat fourth in the lineup. Another player who can play most any position. One of the best baserunners on the team and a dazzling player defensively who can make the spectacular play. And, oh, what an arm. “She has a god-given arm. She has as good as arm as I’ve ever seen. We’re asking her to widen her stance and supply us with some power. She might strike out more often, but she’ll hit more triples and doubles for us this year. She’s accepted that and has been an outstanding leader in practice so far.”
LF – Rachelle Barrientos (So.) A raw talent who will only get better. “She’s worked hard and isn’t afraid to dive for balls. She’s very focused, has an accurate arm and is a great hitter. She might eventually move up in the order as the year goes on.”
CF – J.T. Temperino (Fr.) The only freshman on the team. “She’s a phenomenal athlete with good speed. Great hand-eye coordination. I expect her to come up with some big hits for us this year.”
RF – Shelbi Dillon (Sr.) Has started most of her career at third, DH or right field. Is contracted to play with Humboldt State in the fall, joining her sister, Jordan, who already transferred from Mesa State. Will most likely bat second in the order. A tough strikeout. “Shelbi’s a good bunter and can hit the ball to the right side. If Jenny gets on and steals second, Shelbi has the ability to get Jenny to third base.”
Reserves – Liz Stewart (Jr.) Started at first base last season and could work her way back into the starting lineup very shortly. Has some power. “She has a strong arm. A great kid.”
-Cortney Almaguer (So.) A good athlete who can play third and first base, as well as, in the outfield. Can also catch. “I need Cortney up here with all the injuries and other situations I’ve had. The trouble is she plays the positions we’re deep in. She has a strong arm and bat.”
-Johni Kiesewetter (So.) Currently battling tonsilitis and sitting out. Another of the fine athletes in the sophomore class. Plays in the outfield and will pinch-run. Had two hits in the Watsonville Tournament while filling in for Wiliams, an encouraging sign. “Johni has become more aggressive at the plate. She fouled off six or seven pitches on one at bat. That shows me she’s gaining confidence at the plate.”
-Julie Broyer (So.) Plays right field. “She gets a tremendous jump on the ball and has a quick release. She can throw out runners at first. Versatile.”
-Amber Cooper (Jr.) “She’s a great kid who is a lot of fun at practice. She’s a fearless hitter and a good baserunner.”
“This team has more depth than we’ve ever had,” said Maheu. “We have two players at each position. We’re looking good.”
“Everyone knows each other,” said Alvarez. “There’s so many young players.”
And four seniors who will have a lot to do with the success of the 2003 Balers, in regards to leadership on and off the field.
2003 softball schedule
March 13 – Westmont, 3:45 p.m.
March 14 – vs. Harbor at Circle of Champions Tournament, 6 p.m. (Twin Creeks, Sunnyvale)
March 16 – Circle of Champions, opponent TBA
March 18 – Burlingame
March 20 – at Live Oak*
March 22 – Circle of Champions, TBA
March 25 – North Salinas*
March 26 – Gilroy*
April 1 – at Salinas*
April 3 – Notre Dame*
April 9 – Live Oak,* 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Park
April 11 – at Gilroy*
April 15 – at North Salinas*
April 19 – at Watsonville Tourney
April 25 – Salinas*
April 26 – at Watsonville Tourney
April 28 – at Notre Dame*
April 30 – at Live Oak*
May 1 – Leland
May 6 – Gilroy*
May 8 – North Salinas*
May 13 – at Salinas*
May 15 – Notre Dame*
*T-CAL games
Note: T-CAL games start at 3:45 p.m. before April 11, 4 p.m. thereafter.
