Reaching Playoffs Is Top Priority for Softball Team

Judi Garman says the atmosphere surrounding the Cal State Fullerton softball program is different this season.

“There’s a hunger,” said Garman, who begins her 20th season at Fullerton as the nation’s winningest NCAA Division I softball coach. “We were all frustrated last season about not getting to the level we felt we should.”

The Titans barely finished above .500 last season at 32-29, and were 16-16 in the Big West Conference. Even worse, they were left out of the regional tournament field for the second year in a row after 17 consecutive appearances.

“We’ve all made a commitment to making this season different,” Garman said. “This year, we’re going to drive the train ourselves.”

It’s Garman’s way of saying she wants this team to be more focused.

“We’re already more goal-oriented,” Garman said. “As coaches, we’re doing some things differently. We’ve made a point to talk with the players a lot more, and the players have come up with a program of goals they’ve developed. This team is more together than in the last few years.”

Nikki Hart, an All-Big West second baseman for the Titans the last two seasons, said she believes the team chemistry will be good.

“Everyone seems to be getting along a lot better this year, and that has an effect on everyone,” Hart said. “I think everyone really wants to go to a regional, and that’s the most important thing, especially for me, since I’m a senior.”

Hart, who played at El Dorado High, will be one of the leaders of that bid. Hart batted .329 last season and was second in the Big West in runs batted in with 34, with 23 of them coming with two outs.

But the Titans have several other solid hitters back. That group includes Brenda Iglesias, who led the team in home runs with seven. She batted .333 and finished second on the team in RBIs with 30. Infielders Kristy Osborne, who led the team in batting at .373, and Stacy Pierson (.308) also return.

The Titans’ hitting received a boost with the return to top form of catcher Stephenie Little. Little, an all-conference selection for two seasons at Oklahoma State before transferring, didn’t join the team until January of last season, and struggled much of the year.

Garman says Little has been a different player in the preseason. “She’s been hitting the cover off the ball,” Garman said. Little could share time with two-year regular Dara Marzolo at catcher or be a designated hitter. Infielders Christy Sears and Kate Degener transferred to San Diego State, and pitcher Donna Coombes (12-8, 2.44 ERA) completed her eligibility.

Garman is confident the pitching staff will be sound after adding freshman Christy Robitaille, who had an 86-16 record in four years for Woodbridge High. Jana Oetgen (11-13, 2.81) and Chrissy Hartman (9-8, 3,03) return.

“Robitaille has had success at the travel-ball level our other pitchers haven’t had,” Garman said. “She throws hard and has an excellent changeup. She has the potential to be an outstanding pitcher.”

The pitching will be the key, but the Titans appear to have the talent and experience to get back into the national picture.

“I think this team is capable of getting the respect back that we might have lost the last couple of years,” Garman said.

IMPRESSIVE START

Rod Perry Jr., who transferred to Fullerton from USC after giving up football after knee surgery, began his Titan baseball career with a good series against Stanford last weekend.

Perry was three for four with two runs batted in Sunday’s game and was six for 12 in the series.

There has never been any question about Perry’s talent as an outfielder or his threat as a baserunner, but there was some doubt about how well he would hit. He batted .248 with one home run last season as a freshman at USC.

“The first thing on my agenda is how well the team does, and everyone is disappointed with the outcome of the series,” Perry said, referring to the Titans losing two of three games.

“But, as a hitter, you want to get off to a good start. It gives you something to build on, and you don’t feel as though you’re starting out behind. I’m feeling more comfortable in my stance now.”

GYMNASTICS TURNAROUND

The Titan women’s gymnastics team won its first dual meet of the season last weekend against UC Davis, and has made a big improvement since its first meet in early January.

The Titans scored only 179 points in the opener against UCLA. That was the lowest score for the program in 10 years, but Fullerton scored 190 points Friday.

“I’m really proud of the team for making that kind of progress,” associate head coach Julie Knight said. “And we’ve done it even though some of our top people are still out.”

Gracie Millard is out for the season after breaking an ankle in practice two weeks ago. Then at Boise State a week ago, Katie Antolin fell off the edge of the elevated basketball court while helping to move gymnastics mats, breaking a bone in her foot. Knight said Antolin might be back in time for the Big West Conference meet March 27.

The Titans have had some good news. Knight said Marianne Griffen is nearing 100% in her recovery from a foot injury, and Elizabeth Schneider is back after elbow problems.