Veterans, Young Talent Give Chapman High Hopes

Some softball programs can be content with reaching the NCAA tournament, but not Chapman. That’s understandable, considering the Panthers won the Division III national championship in 1995 and finished as runner-up in 1996.

But last season’s early exit from the regionals has made the Panthers hungry to return to the top. And they just might have the talent to do it.

Heading the list of returners is three-time All-American outfielder Jessamine Maiben, who started on the 1995 title team, and junior Stephanie Carew, an All-American first baseman who hit .547 and led the nation in home runs with 15.

“I think we have the potential to win it again,” Chapman co-Coach Janet Lloyd said. “But in ‘95, I knew we were going all the way, and I was saying that before the season began. This season, I don’t know.

“Our offense is back, our defense is better and our pitching is deeper than last season. I think we’re going to be fine.”

Here’s a look at Chapman and the rest of the Orange County small college softball teams:

CHAPMAN

1997 record: 34-9

The key to the Panthers’ season may be the development of their young pitchers. Although Maiben went 12-4 with a 2.06 earned-run average last season, Lloyd said she is more valuable in center field so the Panthers will rely on some young arms.

Freshman Catie Lacy, from Esperanza High, looks as if she will step into the No. 1 starter role. Katie Smithson, a sophomore from Troy High who went 6-1 with a 2.36 ERA in seven starts last season, freshman Linsey Buendia from Saddleback High and Maiben give Chapman depth at pitching.

The lineup gets a boost with the return of Lacee Rashi, a senior infielder who played on the ’95 title team but sat out the last two seasons. Rashi will start at third, across from Carew, who scorched Division III pitching last season.

Carew led the team with 59 runs batted in and had a slugging percentage of 1.125. She teams with Maiben for a potent one-two punch.

Maiben hit .435 with five home runs and 37 RBIs last season, and led the team with 44 runs and 11 stolen bases.

Other offensive standouts returning include infielder Amie Barnes, a sophomore from Foothill High who hit .390 with 40 runs, and junior catcher Jenni Bankus, who hit .367 with 24 RBIs.

CONCORDIA

1997 record: 23-23, 7-9 in the Golden State Athletic Conference

First-year Coach Alan Estoesta takes over a team that reached the Far West Regionals last season, but was outscored, 30-2, in two losses at the regionals.

The Eagles return four starters, including their top pitcher, Carrie Shankles, and their second and third-leading hitters, Crystal Rosenthal and Michelle Lara.

Shankles went 11-8 with a 3.08 ERA in 18 starts last season, and pitcher Alison Maya also returns after finishing 4-6 with a 3.78 ERA in 10 starts last season.

Rosenthal hit .344 with no home runs and eight RBIs and Lara hit .339 with no home runs and 10 RBIs last season. First baseman Cynthia Molleman also returns after starting 45 of 46 games last season, hitting .231 with 10 RBIs.

PACIFIC CHRISTIAN

1997 record: 13-20

The Royals won the National Christian College Athletic Assn. championship in 1994 and Pacific Christian could make another title run this year, its final season in the NCCAA before moving to the GSAC next season.

Sophomore catcher-shortstop Leslie Williams, an NCCAA All-American, hit .485 with one home run and 27 RBIs last season. Also returning are center fielder Dawn Fiddes and No. 2 hitter Kristin Phillips, an NCCAA Academic All-American last season.

Two transfer pitchers, junior Amanda Boswell from Sierra College, and senior Jennifer Moulden, from Kent Wesleyan, also should make an impact.

Said ninth-year Coach Steve Edgington: “This team could be better than the ’94 team.”

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COLLEGE

1997 record: 20-33-1, 7-9 GSAC

SCC is optimistic. Eight starters in the lineup return with the team’s top two pitchers, right-handers Jen Houston, a senior, and junior Gretchen Brandt.

Houston, who went 8-18 with a 2.71 ERA in 27 starts last season, and senior infielder Sarah Waters are the only players remaining from the last SCC team to qualify for the NAIA national tournament.

A big season from Brandt could be a key for SCC to return this season.

Shoulder surgery sidelined her in ’96 and SCC Coach Beth Renkoski said Brandt still wasn’t 100% last season when she went 8-7 with a 2.53 ERA, striking out 98 in 105 1/3 innings. Brandt also hit .294 and had 17 RBIs.

Other offensive standouts include Chrissy Vega, who will move to center field after hitting .353 last season at shortstop, and catcher Michelle Murie, who hit .316 and led the team with 19 RBIs.