THE RIFLE CLUB : Cal State Northridge’s Softball Team Is Packing a Loaded Pitching Rotation

Gary Torgeson, Cal State Northridge softball coach, thought he had problems when Kathy Slaten announced her retirement from college softball last April. Torgeson had no one to replace the three-time All-American with the sizzling strikeout pitch, who said that she no longer wanted the pressure associated with the job.

So Torgeson hit the road in search of another power pitcher who could lead the Lady Matadors to a fourth consecutive Division II championship. He found one at Arizona State, where Lisa Martin was unhappy playing for the Sun Devils, and that’s when his real problems began.

Martin signed with CSUN, but Slaten announced in September that she had reconsidered her decision to retire and would compete in her senior season. That left Torgeson with two power pitchers in Slaten and Martin, and two control pitchers in Delanee Anderson and Desiree Molnar.

Problems? In a game where the rule has always been that you can never have too much pitching, Torgeson may have just that.

“We’ve never had a staff as deep as this,” said Torgeson, who usually has three pitchers he can count on and a freshman to throw batting practice. “Let’s just say there’s some competitive rivalry. A lot of people look at our staff and they think it’s great. But it’s hard to keep them all happy in terms of game situations.”

Torgeson won’t have any problems keeping his pitchers occupied this weekend. They all figure to get plenty of work during the 13-team Tournament of Champions, which begins this morning and runs through Sunday at Northridge. A total of 18 games a day will be played on three different fields.

“We’re going to see how our team and the pitchers perform under tournament stress,” said Torgeson, whose team is ranked third in Division II. “Next Monday, we’re going to have a good idea about where we stand.”

There is no doubt, however, that the Lady Matadors have enough pitching depth to win the tournament, the league, the regionals and another national championship.

It all starts and ends with Slaten, who had 533 strikeouts last season to set an NCAA record for all divisions. Slaten holds a handful of CSUN season records: most wins (41), shutouts (32), no-hitters (11), lowest earned-run average (0.20.) and consecutive shutout innings (72).

“Kat is a unique individual,” Torgeson said. “She struggles at times because she’s a perfectionist. But every time we have been in a must-win situation, she’s come through. That’s her real claim to fame. She’s gotten tough.”

Slaten (6-3), a senior, hasn’t been quite as dominant this season because of a chronic injury to her pitching hand. She has still managed to throw two no-hitters and has given up just one earned run in 60 innings of work. She is the only pitcher on the staff who calls her own game.

“Sometimes she asks me if I think that the other team is picking up the little signs she uses to tell me what she’s going to throw,” CSUN catcher Jaime Gray said. “But, honestly, I think she could tell the hitters what was coming and where she was going to throw the ball. They still wouldn’t hit it.”

Equally important to the Lady Matadors’ success is Slaten’s influence on the

other pitchers.

“She’s mom. She’s been there,” said Molnar, who was Slaten’s catcher at La Reina High for three years before becoming a pitcher herself. “When she says something, we listen.”

Anderson has been listening intently.

“Kat used to tell me, ‘You’ve got to think you’re the best. You are the best,’ ” Anderson said. “This season, when I go out to pitch, I believe it.”

So do opponents.

Anderson (7-1) has been the Lady Matadors most consistent pitcher this season. The sophomore from Montclair won 16 games in 1985, and has not allowed an earned run in 56 consecutive innings.

“Delanee is a great control pitcher and fielder,” Torgeson said. “She’s going to give up hits, but not a lot of them in bunches.

“Last season, I probably could have used her more. But sometimes, as a coach, you hesitate and go with the people you know will get the job done. This season, there isn’t any doubt that she can do it.”

One of the keys for Anderson this season has been an improvement in her velocity. When Torgeson signed Martin, Anderson got the message.

“When Lisa came into the program, it made me want to work and throw harder,” Anderson said. “I took the attitude that no one was going to come in and take my position.

“My drop ball is still my main pitch. I’m out there to throw ground balls. I don’t think I’ll ever be a real strikeout pitcher.”

That distinction is left to Martin (4-1), a sophomore who is averaging better than one strikeout an inning.

“I think she was a little burned out at Arizona State,” Torgeson said. “These girls started playing softball when they were 7 and 8 years old, and sometimes it happens.

“She’s getting back into the swing of what it takes to play college softball. It may be easier for her when the staff isn’t as big.”

Things would be a lot easier for Molnar if she could shake the injuries that have plagued her for two seasons. Last season, a neck injury kept her out of action and she is recovering from tendinitis in her right shoulder this season.

“Desiree has matured a lot,” Torgeson said. “She used to get down when things weren’t going her way. She’s shown spurts of greatness. She’s another one. It’s up to her.”

Molnar (1-1), a junior, said that she recognizes her role on the Lady Matadors’ pitching staff. She isn’t bucking to be the ace. She sees herself as the team’s insurance policy.

“If Kat blows it, if Del blows it or if Lisa blows it,” Molnar said, “I’m here to pick up the pieces.”

Following the tournament this weekend, the Lady Matadors will finally begin their rain-delayed California Collegiate Athletic Assn. schedule.

Torgeson is hoping that enough work can be spread around so all of his pitchers will be ready for what has become a traditional April run toward the national title.

“You have to have the people who have been there,” Torgeson said. “That’s the key.”