Slaten Scheduled for Overtime as CSUN Prepares to Defend Title

The four teams taking part in the NCAA Division II softball World Series were guests Thursday at a pre-tournament banquet where all protocol was observed. Dignitaries welcomed everyone to the occasion, speeches were made and lunch was served.

And Kathy Slaten was named All-American.

It was the fourth time in as many years that Slaten has enjoyed that particular all-American dessert.

Her team, Cal State Northridge, is in turn hoping to feast on its fourth straight national championship this weekend. The Lady Matadors (49-10-1) take the first step today at 3:30 p.m. when they play Stephen F. Austin of Texas (35-15) in the first round of the double-elimination tournament. Northeast Missouri (35-12) and Bloomsburg (Pa.) State open the competition at 1:30 p.m.

“It feels great to be honored this way again,” said Slaten, who was joined on the All-American team for a second time by CSUN center fielder Barbara Jordan. “I wasn’t really expecting it because I didn’t have the kinds of numbers I’ve had in the past.”

CSUN Coach Gary Torgeson thinks the numbers are fine. He will rely almost exclusively this weekend on Slaten, who is 21-4-1 with a 0.33 earned-run average. In the past three seasons, Slaten is 20-2 in postseason competition and, barring injury, will start every game in the nationals.

“She really wants to do it,” Torgeson said. “I hope we hit and get ahead so that Lisa Martin and Delanee Anderson can pitch.”

Martin, a sophomore, is 13-2 with an 0.33 ERA. Anderson, also a sophomore, is 14-3 with an ERA of 0.38.

Jordan leads the Lady Matadors’ offense with a .392 average. Left fielder Beth Onestinghel is batting .320 with 31 RBIs.

“Austin plays a lot of Division I schools, so based on their schedule, I know they’re going to be tough,” Torgeson said. “The teams from Texas are similar to California teams. They like to do a lot of bunting and running.”

Austin figures to counter Slaten with Pam Clay, a junior who is 22-7 with an ERA of 0.73. Clay, an All-American, has one perfect game and 15 shutouts.

Sophomore Stella Castro, a two-time All-American center fielder, is the Ladyjacks’ leading hitter with a .273 average. Holly Nuber, a junior right fielder, is batting .263 with four home runs and 31 RBIs.

Bloomsburg, which has won 36 straight, has reached the tournament for the first time largely because of senior pitcher Susan Kocher, who is 16-0 with an 0.25 ERA. Kocher, an All-American, has struck out 151 batters in 111 innings.

First baseman Jean Millen is batting .342 for the Lady Huskies, with seven home runs and 33 RBIs. Outfielder Kate Benneny is batting .375 with three home runs and 21 RBIs, and second baseman Karen Hertzler is batting .319.

Northeast Missouri will rely on pitcher Trish Kongable, who is 20-5 with a 0.23 ERA.

“I’m sure Northeast is going to be a contender in the tournament,” Torgeson said. “But they’re probably not as strong as some of the teams out here in California.”

Deb Weno is the leading hitter for the Bulldogs, with a .339 batting average and 19 RBIs.

KCSN (88.5 FM) will broadcast the CSUN game live beginning at 12:20 p.m. PST.