PREVIEW: New Coach Hollen Begins Job of Rebuilding Bruins

NEWBERG, Ore. – When Jessica Hollen first accepted the job of coaching the George Fox University softball team, she did not do so with blinders on.  She and her players are well aware of the Bruins’ recent history of struggling to be competitive in the rugged Northwest Conference.

“We know all that team stuff, how it’s been a long time since we’ve had a winning season and things like that,” the Bruins’ first-year coach admitted, “but these girls don’t seem to care about the past.  They’re excited to be here, they’re enthusiastic, they’re working hard, and they’re probably the most wonderful group I’ve ever worked with.  We know we have a long way to go, but we’re looking forward to what the new season will bring.”

The Bruins literally have almost nowhere to go but up after they finished 2008 with a 3-27-1 overall record and a 3-25 mark in the conference that landed them in seventh place in the eight-team league. 

Five letterwinners are back from last year’s team, but none of them are pitchers, as staff ace Natalie White joined the Air Force between semesters this year and No. 2 hurler Torey Weatherman did not return to school.  The Bruins have only one pitcher listed on the roster, but she is a good one in left-hander Chelsea Bradely (Jr., Salem, Ore. / West Salem HS), a transfer from Chemeketa Community College.

“I coached Chelsea when she was a freshman at Chemeketa, and I know she’ll do the job for us,” says Hollen.  “She’s crafty and smart, keeps the ball low and keeps the hitters off-balance.  She pitched almost all the innings at Chemeketa last year, so I know she can do it for us.  She is mentally tough and won’t fall apart on the mound when the situation gets tough.”

If the Bruins do need a relief pitcher, Hollen just smiles and says, “We’ll try everybody!  But I know Chelsea is going to give us quality innings every time out.”

Moving from the infield to catcher, where she played two years ago, is the Bruins’ only senior, Kerstyn Tsuruda (Sr., Waimanalo, Hawai’i / Kalaheo HS), who hit .181 last year with 7 RBIs.   “Kerstyn has some real toughness behind the plate,” Hollen observes.  “She has learned a lot very quickly in the time we’ve worked with her – footwork, a quick release, calling a game – and is a real team leader.”

If the Bruins need to spell Tsuruda a bit, the backstop duties will probably fall to Kristen Griffith (So., Walla Walla, Wash. / Walla Walla HS), the usual starter at first base.  Griffith batted .233 with a team-leading 10 RBIs last year. 

“Kristen was the offensive leader of this team and should have an improved season this year,” says Hollen.  “She’s the leader on the infield, a real talker who keeps everyone relaxed and in an upbeat mood.”

Katie Hughes (Fr., Sisters, Ore. / Sisters HS) is ticketed for second base, but was slowed by back problems earlier in the year.  “We are looking to learn a lot about what Katie can do for us,” notes Hollen, ”but we believe she’ll do a fine job for us over there.”

The Bruin infield took a big hit recently when incumbent shortstop Serena Lee (So., Rogue River, Ore. / Rogue River HS) suffered a torn meniscus in a knee during an evening workout in the George Fox gym.  Lee, who batted .208 with three RBIs and four steals as a freshman, is probably done for the season.

“We hated to lose Serena, who is an all-around infielder,” says Hollen, “but we will move Becka Doyle (Fr., Portland, Ore. / David Douglas HS) from second base to shortstop.  She is a George Fox soccer player, a real competitor who knows what it takes to play at the college level.”

Shelby Briske (So., Spanaway, Wash. / Bethel HS) shifts from the outfield to third base, bringing with her the team’s best power numbers.  She hit .203 with eight RBIs and a team-leading three home runs and 13 runs scored.  “Shelby is a good athlete who will be solid for us at third,” predicts Hollen.  “She is hitting the ball well, and we are expecting a lot of her both defensively and offensively.”

Stepping into Briske’s spot in center field is Amy Peterson (Fr., Corvallis, Ore. / Santiam Christian HS), who will provide the team’s only left-handed bat as a switch-hitter.  “Amy adds diversity to our lineup,” says Hollen.  “She is quick, with very good fundamentals, and covers a lot of ground in the outfield.”

Flanking Peterson will be veteran Erin Lee (Jr., Edmonds, Wash. / Edmonds-Woodway HS) in right and newcomer Audrey Dove (Fr., Hammond, Ore. / Warrenton HS).  Lee batted .111 with three RBIs last season, while Dove attended Pacific University but did not play softball.

“Erin is perhaps our best all-around outfielder who can play anywhere,” Hollen comments.  “She handles the bat well and we are looking for a boost from her in the middle of the offense.  Audrey is the kind of player everyone loves to coach; she is very teachable, and should give us some right-handed punch.”

Missi Bourgo (Fr., Oregon City, Ore. / Oregon City HS) gives the Bruins depth at just about any position, though she is primarily competing for time as an outfielder.  “Missi is a fine athlete with good skills who is working hard and is very coachable,” Hollen points out.

With a limited roster, one key to the Bruins’ season will be simply staying healthy.  Another will be  defensive improvement; the Bruins averaged two errors and over two unearned runs allowed per game last year.  “Defense is the area we have been concentrating on both last fall and this spring,” says Hollen, “and it is definitely going to be a whole lot better.  When the defense is solid, that gives confidence to the pitcher.”

Hollen, who coached at Stayton (Ore.) High School and Chemeketa Community College for two seasons each, is excited about her new challenge, admitting that “the biggest thing for me is learning about the league.  I know we’re in a tough conference, and this first year should enable me to assess where we stand and where we need to go.  We expect to be more competitive right away, although we know it will take time to rebuild, but the players and I are excited and ready to go.”

The Bruins will open the 2009 season at home, hosting Eastern Oregon University Friday, Feb. 20, in a twinbill at 1:30 p.m.