Glendale Community College softball moves into new season with new expectations

Thirteen will not only have to be a lucky number for the Glendale Community College softball team this season, but a durable one at that.

A Vaqueros squad bogged down by injuries and inexperience last season numbers 13 players this season with the group hoping to move beyond the frustration of a down 2014 campaign and pining to revisit recent success, which included a postseason trip in 2012.

“Injuries, youthfulness and pitching were our downfall last season,” Glendale second-year Coach Sal Pizzo said. “I feel like last season would have gone differently if we didn’t have as many injuries. That’s why I’m optimistic about this year because we’re in a much better spot than last year.”

Last season, Glendale finished seventh in the eight-team Western State Conference Blue Division with an overall mark of 15-24 and a conference record of 5-16, which kept the Vaqueros out of the postseason for a second straight season.

Glendale was relatively young with 10 freshmen in 2014, in comparison to this year’s squad of eight sophomores and five freshmen.

Because of injuries, freshman pitcher Myrna Gonzalez was thrust into the circle in 2014 and compiled an 8-13 record with a 5.06 earned-run average.

Gonzalez’ status for this season is in question as the sophomore is “dealing with shoulder problems,” according to Pizzo.

In a bit of irony, Gonzalez’ spot will be taken over by red-shirt sophomore Katie Bakshian, a Western State Conference Blue Division second-team pitcher in 2013 who missed last season because of a wrist injury, who was replaced in the lineup by Gonzalez.

“I feel great, had a full recovery from wrist surgery and everything is back to normal,” Bakshian said. “It feels great to be back in the circle. I really missed it and I feel like I’m coming back stronger.”

Bakshian went 9-11 in 2013 for the Vaqueros, posted a 3.97 ERA and fanned 121 batters over 143 innings, while walking 51.

“I have a quick fastball, but I would describe myself more as a movement pitcher,” Bakshian said. “I rely most on my off-speed pitches and I think I’m going to make a good combo with [sophomore Donna Lara].”

Bakshian will share time in the circle with Lara, a Morgan State bounce-back, a power pitcher and Lincoln High graduate.

Glendale also returns perhaps its two most heralded players in sophomore infielder Jocelyn Zavala and sophomore outfielder Rebecca Hernandez.

Zavala, a shortstop, was her squad’s lone Blue Division first-team selection last year and posted team-highs in batting average (.491), on-base percentage (.530), slugging percentage (.698), hits (57) and doubles (14), along with posting 30 runs batted in, 30 runs and 11 stolen bases.

“We’re expecting big things from Jocelyn this year,” Pizzo said. “You put her and Rebecca at the top of the lineup and you have a solid duo.”

Hernandez, a left-handed slap-hitter, will likely play center field and is coming off a second-team selection after she batted .412 with 42 hits, a team-leading 33 runs and 11 stolen bases.

“I think last year, because of injuries, there were a lot of freshmen who had to play and we didn’t do as well as we could have,” Hernandez said. “The good thing about that is that we have experience now for this year.”

The Vaqueros also welcome back sophomore Cassidy Clark, the team’s catcher last season, who scored 19 runs.

Where Clark will play is still up in the air as the Vaqueros open the season at powerhouse Cerritos College on Jan. 27.

“Even though Cassidy was our starting catcher last year, we have some openings in the outfield where she might play,” Pizzo said. “We’re still looking.”

Sophomore second baseman Jasmine Hernandez, who smacked in a team-best 32 RBI last season, and third baseman Kaily Cobian (12 runs) are also back.

As for newcomers, Pizzo is excited about a trio of freshmen in right fielder Camille Ochoa, Burroughs product Jessica Little and catcher Haylee Grace.

“This season, we’re expecting to have quite a few contributors on the team,” Pizzo said. “We’re going to be more well-rounded.”

That well-roundedness extends off the field for Pizzo, who said his biggest goal this season is to help his players advance past Glendale.

“I want all our sophomores to have a high enough academic standard that when they get offers from four-year schools, they’ll be able to transfer,” Pizzo said. “That’s what’s important to me, putting these ladies in a position where their academics will help find them a university.”