Lady Bulldog softball team believes this could be the year
Nyssa’s goal is to finish in the top three
By Ray Rodriguez
Argus Observer
Wednesday, March 5, 2008 10:51 AM PST
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| Argus Observer file Photo
Nyssa hurler Becky Hernandez (front) winds up for a pitch while teammate Belinda Escobedo sets up defensively in this Argus Observer File Photo taken last year. Both players return along with 12 players off last year’s squad. |
Nyssa — Whatever you say, do not call the 2008 Nyssa Bulldog softball team a rebuilding project.
Head coach Tracy Cleaver believes her squad has a chance to compete among the elite of the Eastern Oregon League.
Entering her sixth year as head coach, Cleaver has a squad of 22 players ready to make a surge at a league crown and a state playoff berth.
“Definitely our goal is to finish in the top three,” Cleaver said. “Three teams make it to state this year and there is no district playoffs. The girls realize in order to make it, we have 12 league games to prove it. I wouldn’t say we’re rebuilding, I see it as we are in the hunt to finish in the top three.”
Among the 22, three seniors led by Alisha Hittle, Belinda Escobedo and Jesse Martin headline a group that will look to improve on last season’s 9-13 overall record. Hittle and Escobedo are the two veterans who hold the most responsibility as leaders both on and off the diamond.
Hittle is the team’s leadoff hitter and shortstop, while Escobedo provides some pop with the bat and brings with her a steady glove at first base.
Jasmine Gomez, Becky Hernandez, Tiffany Wentz, Kim Pett and Noelle Burtlow also bring some experience to the table and take to the diamond with six newcomers.
Burtlow, Hernandez and freshman Tori Armenta provide something Cleaver has not had the luxury of in the past few years — Pitching.
All three are expected to log some innings and give the defense an opportunity to make plays. Hernandez and Armenta can also contribute on the field.
“It’s the first time in a while that we have had some pitching depth,” Cleaver said. “We have a good lineup of pitchers, so we won’t have to ride one pitcher all season. Becky plays the field, Armenta brings some competitive experience and she plays summer ball. She has played ball for a number of years. She will be a great asset for us this year. We have had more girls that have played competitive ball this year then we have ever had.”
The one spot Cleaver will have to fill is catcher, as late in the basketball season, senior Crystal Contreras blew out her knee and will miss the season.
Looking at the batting order, Cleaver feels her first six hitters are one of the strongest in the league.
Hittle provides speed at the top and Pett is another player that can use her speed via the bunt or a few slap hits. Wentz is slated for third in the order and Gomez will bat cleanup. Hernandez and Escobedo round out the top six, which could possibly put runs up in bunches and improve on last year’s total of 131 runs scored.
The 2008 season also marks a bit of a change on the assistant coach front. Gone is Luke Cleaver and Rollie Marshall returns for his third year with the program. Volunteer assistants Naomi Castro and Swede Mason bring plenty of knowledge to the table in their first season with the club that finished in fifth place last year.
With the good numbers, a deep pitching staff, a potent offense and solid leadership in Escobedo and Hittle, Cleaver is happy with the direction the team is headed as they try to open some eyes across the state.
“I feel real good about the future of the program,” the veteran coach said. “We have eight more (players) than I thought we would have had. With those eight, we have players that are used to us and know what we look for. We put in a lot of time, from January and February through August and that’s starting to show. We get people that are excited about the sport and love to practice and it has been a good three weeks so far. I’m excited, that’s for sure.”
The Bulldogs kick off the season Tuesday for non-league action at Parma.
