CLU Seeks District 3 Softball Title

Members of the Cal Lutheran softball team are aware that Coach Wendy Olson-Beckemeyer’s resignation becomes official at the end of the season and they would like to send her packing with another NAIA District 3 title.

The Regals will get their chance when they begin defense of their district title today in a double-elimination tournament at Cal Lutheran. The Regals will play at 1 p.m. against the winner of a 10 a.m. game between Christ College and Azusa Pacific.

Olson-Beckemeyer, a second-year coach who also works in the Cal Lutheran admissions office, is resigning in order to comply with a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rule that prohibits a coach from working in admissions. Cal Lutheran voted last October to become a member of the NCAA Division III SCIAC in all sports in three years.

Olson-Beckemeyer’s resignation coincides with Cal Lutheran’s departure from the Golden State Athletic Conference. The Regals will play as a District 3 independent next season before moving to the SCIAC.

Before Olson-Beckemeyer departs, however, she would like to win a second district title.

“It’s kind of emotional for me because everyone teases me and asks, ‘Is this your swan song?’ ” Olson-Beckemeyer said.

Cal Lutheran (31-16, 15-1 in conference play) won eight of its final 10 games to clinch its third consecutive GSAC title. If the Regals win today, they will play at noon Saturday for the district title. The district champion will play host to District 7 champion Mesa State of Grand Junction, Colo., May 12-13 for the right to advance to the NAIA nationals in Midland, Mich., May 18-20.

Junior right-hander DeeAndra Pilkington has a 15-4 record and a .415 batting average to lead the Regals. Pilkington, who is expected to start today, has thrown shutouts in three of her past four games.

Cal Lutheran is 9-1 against Christ College and Azusa Pacific.