Sherman Primes Northridge for Overhaul

Considering the number of calls and e-mails she’s getting about fall softball tryouts, Coach Janet Sherman of Cal State Northridge might soon resort to a service deli approach.

“I’ll be telling them all to take a number,” she quipped.

Sherman said she has received about 30 inquiries this summer from women who say they have enrolled at Northridge for the fall semester and are interested in playing softball for the Matadors.

The interest from non-recruited athletes is unprecedented in Sherman’s nine years with the Northridge program.

“They’re just kind of showing up,” said Sherman, who became head coach in 1995.

While Sherman is welcoming the wannabe walk-ons with open arms, this much is clear: With 10 returning players and perhaps as many as 10 new recruits, it will be difficult to make the 2001 squad.

Sherman wasted no time planning for the future after the Matadors lost their two regional playoff games in May and finished 26-26-1, their worst Division I record.

Unhappy with the attitudes of several players, Sherman released first baseman Elizabeth Pierce, outfielder Jill Passafiume and utility player Barbara Alaniz from their scholarships.

“We needed to make a change and improve chemistry,” Sherman said.

It was the first time she had initiated the release of a player.

“It wasn’t easy and I don’t foresee it ever happening again,” Sherman said.

With four seniors exiting as well, Northridge is all but starting over.

By design.

“We want people who believe in what we’re doing and listen to what we’re teaching,” Sherman said. “That’s why were spending a lot of time recruiting.”

Sherman has signed eight players to letters of intent, including Colleen Spencer and Shawna Lane of Thousand Oaks High and Courtney Whale of Chaminade. Sherman said she is awaiting commitments from two other players.

Never has Sherman welcomed so many new faces in one season. She’s excited about their talent as well as their disposition.

“They’ve all got good attitudes,” Sherman said. “These kids want to be here. I didn’t have to convince them.”

These days, she is more interested in a recruit’s willingness to learn than in their ability to hit the long ball.

“She’s starting over,” said Spencer, who played 1 1/2 seasons for nationally-ranked Southern Mississippi before transferring to Northridge. “She wants fresh, positive attitudes and I think that’s what you need.

“I’m excited that that’s what she’s looking for, because when you have a few [bad attitudes] it just brings the team down.”