USD Softball 2004

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2004 TORERO SOFTBALL OUTLOOK

TOREROS ENTER 2004 CAMPAIGN WITH OPTIMISM With the return of 13 letterwinners from last year's ball club, including six position starters and four pitchers, 3rd-year head coach Melissa McElvain believes the Torero softball program has established a foundation for success. The team 's positive atttitude, team chemistry, hard work, enthusiasm and determination will result in a successful and exciting softball season. This year's squad has united to form a strong, talented, cohesive team that is ready for the challenges that lie ahead. The senior class will provide leadership, experience and determination to this year's squad. For the second straight year Cindy McGee (Burbank, CA) has been tabbed the team captain by her teammates. Jennifer Delpit (Palos Verdes, CA), a clutch hitter who is projected to hit in the clean-up spot, is the returning leader in RBI (16) from a year ago. Rounding out the seniors is infielder Ashley Miller (Salinas, CA) along with pitchers Anna Russell (Granada Hills, CA) and Allison Williams (Danville, CA). The junior class will be led by Kim Delpit (Palos Verdes, CA) who will start at second. Last year's co-Defensive Player of the Year, along with Ashlee Nunes, Delpit is a

Captain Cindy McGee third-year player who is actually a redshirt sophomore. She is a strong hitter who has the ability to get on base and drive in runs. Additionally, she is a good contact hitter who can also hit for power. Junior outfielder Francesca Ramos (San Diego, CA) and outfielder Taryn Nagata (Honolulu, HI) will also be competing for playing time in the Torero line-up. USD's sophomore class gained valuable experience a year ago that should pay dividends in 2004. Gina McFarland (Santa Rosa, CA), the team's MVP and Rookie of the Year in 2003, is the club's top returning hitter and pitcher. A 2nd Team All-PCSC selection, she batted .29 1 with 7 doubles and 7 RBI. She also pitched 133.0 innings, finishing with a team-best 2.42 ERA and 9 complete games. Sara Mason (Santa Rosa, CA), last year's Offensive Player of the Year and Coaches Award recipient, will start at catcher and also see action at third base. She started 45 of 47 games while batting .258 with 11 runs, 8 doubles, 2 homers and 9 RBI. Ashlee Nunes (Roseville, CA), co-Defensive Player of the Year, returns at shortstop where she has great range. Nunes and Kim Delpit will give the Toreros a solid defense up the middle. She' ll also hit at the top of the line-up and supply excellent speed on the base paths. Additonal sophomores include pitchers Erin Harmonson (San Diego, CA) and Kari Lohse (Orland, CA), along with Marissa Merchain (La Mirada, CA) who will see action at both catcher and third base. Last year Harmonson was second on the team in innings pitched (] 10.0) and complete games (7), but first in strikeouts (55) . For the second straight year McElvain has brought in a solid freshman class that will add strength and depth to the line-up,

both offensively and defensively. The four newcomers include - Alicia Massei, from Chino Hills, CA (Ayala HS), will provide offensive power to the line-up and also contribute defensively at first base and third base; Christina Haake, from Goleta, CA (Dos Pueblos HS), will provide offense with her bat and will also strengthen the pitching staff and outfield defensively ; Rebekah Bradord , from Turlock, CA (Turlock HS), adds speed and versatility to the team along with hitting from both sides of the plate; and Danielle Treiber, from Villa Park, CA (Mater Dei HS) , is a "true" utility player who can play every infield position as well as outfield and catcher. She is a very raw hitter with tremendous potential. This year 's schedule, once again , will be very challenging. It features contests with Oregon State, Syracuse, San Diego State, Colorado State, Princeton and Dartmouth. The Toreros will also play an exhibition game against the Canadian Olympic Team (Feb. 12th) as Canada prepares for the 2004 games in Athens, Greece. USO hopes to take advantage of the fact that they will be playing a lot more home games in 2004. The Toreros will also host two tournaments (see brackets on page 13) in late February and March. The Toreros enter their second year as a member of the Pacific Coast Softball Conference. Thi s year's league is much stronger from top to bottom than a year ago. The PCSC championship is wide open and the Toreros hope to make a run at the title. The PCSC expects to receive an automatic bid to a post-season Regional Tournament beginning in the 2005 season.

2004 University of San Diego Torero Softball