It Takes the Best to Guide the Best

No question about it, Foothill High had the best softball team in Orange County.

The Knights clearly had more talent than anyone else.

They had the quickest team, the most depth, and one of the best pitchers.

They also had the best coach, Joe Gonzalez.

With such talent, it would have been easy for Foothill to underachieve. Instead, the Knights played to their potential against a schedule that was probably the toughest in county history, went 33-2, and won the Southern Section Division I championship.

Because Foothill turned in the almost-perfect season--the Knights lost two 1-0 games to the same pitcher, Fountain Valley’s Natalie King, who they later defeated in the playoffs--Gonzalez is The Times’ Orange County Softball Coach of the Year.

It is Foothill’s first title since 1992, when Gonzalez last won this award. A Division III school by enrollment size, Foothill probably could have won more titles if it had not played in Division I since 1993.

“The problem with being so successful is that coaching gets overlooked,” said Rosary Coach Tom Tice, himself a worthy candidate after directing the Royals to a No. 5 ranking with victories over powerhouses Mater Dei and Moreno Valley Valley View. “Foothill’s the best around, [but] it’s the first time they’ve won a section title in eight years. It’s not easy.”

Any discussion of Gonzalez as coach must include his assistants, Joe Brunansky, who handles the pitchers and catchers, and Gonzalez’s son, Mike, who is in charge of speed, baserunning and outfield play.

Remarkably, they have been together for nine seasons. This was Joe Gonzalez’s 11th season, during which time he has compiled a 279-59 record.

“They’re the best-prepared and they’re the friendliest,” Tice said. “For the last five years, [assistant coach] Jim Fruth and I have picked their brains, and they’ve shared. They’re not selfish at all.”

Gonzalez, who is in charge of the infield and defense and whose strength is in organization, makes sure every practice is planned, calls every pitch and makes sure every pitch is charted and logged for future reference. In early-season games, even big ones, nobody gets lost on the bench. From star player to substitute, no team is better prepared.

In the championship game against Mater Dei, Gonzalez removed his all-county pitcher, Courtney Fossatti, who had a 0.04 ERA, after the leadoff batter in the seventh inning got the Monarchs’ second hit of the game.

Before Gonzalez returned to the dugout, he had made five defensive changes in the scoreless game.

Pressure? No problem. His relief pitcher, Elizabeth Bendig, retired six in a row, and Foothill won the title in the eighth inning, claiming a No. 1 national ranking in the process.

Talent wins championships. Great coaching doesn’t hurt.