Ex-Rebels Hailed as Heroes of Pirate Softball : They Almost Quit 2 Years Ago but Find Honors, Hits

It’s a good thing for the San Pedro High School girls softball team that seniors Sharon Oreb and Stephanie Freitas, this year’s Harbor League co-MVPs, decided not to quit the team two seasons ago.

Both were seriously considering it after their sophomore year because they were unhappy with former Coach Sue Watson, claiming she was too much of a disciplinarian and didn’t get along well with players.

“I know for sure I wouldn’t have played here if she was still the coach,” said Freitas, who plays first base and pitches for the Pirates.

Oreb, a shortstop, agrees with her friend of nine years.

“We were seriously going to quit,” she said. “And we said, ‘If we quit, we’ll never, never play here again.’ ”

Athletic Director Michael Teora says players were having difficulty adjusting to a new coach with different ideas from the previous one.

“The whole thing was a personality clash, as I see it,” Teora said. “Those things happen in coaching.”

Watson left after the 1985-86 season and so the pair of 17-year-olds stayed. The Pirates got a new coach, Tony Dobra, who led them to the semifinal of the City playoffs last year, and both players were named to the all-City team. Oreb was chosen for the second team as a shortstop and Freitas was named to the first team as a utility player.

This year their talent has made a big difference for San Pedro’s Harbor League champions (17-4). It helped lead the Pirates to their second consecutive appearance in the playoff semifinal, which will take place today at 2:30 p.m. at South Gate Park.

Without Oreb and Freitas the Pirates would have been eliminated last week in the quarterfinal against San Fernando High School.

San Fernando led, 1-0, in the sixth inning when Oreb led off with a line single to center field and stole second. Alison Gillmore got on base on an error, and with runners on first and second, Freitas laid down a sacrifice bunt toward third base and all runners scored on a throwing error.

“I just laughed when I got the bunt signal,” said Freitas, who bats third, “because I never bunt. I thought, ‘What are you doing to me?’ It was kind of funny. I started giggling afterward.”

When it comes to softball, Dobra knows he can ask Freitas to do anything.

She can play practically any position, which is what impressed Cal State Dominguez Hills softball Coach Janis Ruetz, who is recruiting the 5-foot-5 athlete.

“She’s not a real big, tall, strong or powerful player,” said Ruetz, “But she’s an all-around player with great speed.”

San Fernando softball Coach Bill Rielly was equally impressed with Freitas after the 3-1 defeat.

“I’d want her on my team,” Rielly said. “I would put her on immediately. She’s a very smart and very quick player.”

Freitas has played the outfield, third base and first, and she’s quite a spectacle on the mound. She’s undefeated in league this season and has a 7-1 overall record. Her batting percentage is .254.

“She just has lots of natural ability,” Dobra said. “She has the strongest throwing arm on the team and she’s definitely one of our strongest hitters.”

Oreb, who bats left-handed and throws with her right, falls into the same category. As the leadoff hitter, she has a .350 average and an impressive .461 in league.

“She’s the table setter,” said Dobra, who led Mary Star of the Sea to four league softball titles before coming to San Pedro. “She gets on base a lot and makes some great plays. Sharon knows the game.”

Regardless of strong hitting and outstanding defense, Oreb didn’t expect to share MVP honors.

“I thought for sure Steph would get it,” Oreb said. “She’s such an intense player and she’s so good all the way around. She can blow people away when she’s on the mound.”

Freitas, who has been overlooked by every four-year college except Division II Dominguez Hills, also praises the talent of her teammate and friend.

“Sharon is so quick,” Freitas said. “She’s got an incredible glove. And the best thing about her is her attitude. She always does what she’s told and she never has an attitude problem. Never.”

With the league’s two best players and other talented all-league selections like junior pitcher Meagan Moore and junior catcher Ronnie Krill, the Pirates should be in good shape for today’s game against Chatsworth.

San Pedro also has second team all-league selections in junior right fielder Gillmore, senior designated hitter Kim Tedesco and sophomore left fielder Chelle Bennett (cq).

“What do we do best?” Freitas said, looking toward the baseball field where boyfriend Rodney Garcia, who is one of San Pedro’s top hitters, was practicing. “Everything! I feel confident that we’re going to win this one.”

So do Dobra and the rest of his Pirates.