PREVIEW: Deeper Pitching Staff Fuels Bruins’ Hopes for Successful Softball Season

NEWBERG, Ore. – After progressing from five wins in coach Jessica Hollen’s first season in 2009 to 13 last year, the George Fox University Bruins are setting their sights on a winning softball record in 2011, with a nucleus of five returning starters and the deepest pitching staff in years fueling that optimistic outlook.

“I know it has been 10 years since this program has had a winning season,” admits Hollen, pointing to the Bruins’ 16-14-2 record in 2001 as the last time the team finished over .500, “but we believe this could be the season to get us back to that level as the next step in our program’s progress.  We have a good group of returnees, with only one senior, and three quality starting pitchers for the first time in a long while.”

The Bruins are coming off a 13-27 campaign and a seventh-place finish in the Northwest Conference at 7-21.  There were some impressive victories along the way, including a shutout of NAIA nationally-ranked College of Idaho, wins over strong NCAA Division III teams Whittier and North Central, an upset of NWC power Willamette, and a four-game sweep of Lewis & Clark to end the season on a high note.

Pitching

The key to the Bruins’ improvement this spring rests on the rubber, where returnee Taylor Whitmore (So., Myrtle Creek, Ore. / South Umpqua HS) and newcomers Erin Hento (Fr., Keizer, Ore. / McNary HS) and Allyssa DenDekker (Fr., Upland, Calif. / St. Lucy’s Priory HS), all right-handers, are expected to give the Bruins a legitimate chance to win each time out.  Whitmore went 4-15 with a 5.73 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 121.0 innings as a freshman.

“With only two pitchers last year (Whitmore and Erin Lee, who graduated), they had to work every time out, and we just didn’t have anyone who could relieve them whenever they were tired,” recalls Hollen.  “With three good pitchers, we won’t have to overwork each day’s starters, and we can bring in some effective relief.  That alone should help bring Taylor’s numbers be more in line with what she is capable of achieving.

“Taylor has worked hard during the off-season, particularly on her change-up and location, and has come back much improved.  Erin and Allyssa are both hard workers with good stuff, and provide us with both talent and leadership.”

Catching

The Bruins lost a good one behind the plate when Shelby Klein, a Second Team All-NWC selection who hit .a team-leading .364 with nine doubles, two home runs, and 20 RBIs as a freshman, transferred to a junior college in Texas.  However, Hollen is high on new catcher Hilary Broadus (Fr., Dallas, Ore. / Dallas HS), noting that “she has come in and developed a lot in the fall, so we should be fine behind the plate despite losing Shelby.”

Relieving Broadus at times will be Kelsi Buswell (Fr., Albany, Ore. / Santiam Christian HS), and versatile Kerrianne Davidson (So., Puyallup, Wash. / Emerlad Ridge HS) may occasionally fill in as well.

Infield

Davidson, primarily a first baseman last year, hit .236 with a grand slam home run and 15 RBIs.  Other returning infielders include Bethany Chriss (So., Bend, Ore. / Summit HS), who received honorable mention All-NWC after hitting .327 with team highs of seven home runs and 33 RBIs, and second baseman Becka Doyle (Jr., Portland, Ore. / David Douglas HS), a .258 hitter with four home runs and 10 RBIs. 

“Bethany did a good job for us at third last year, but she will move over to shortstop because of the loss of Serena Lee,” says Hollen.  Lee, whose career has been plagued with injuries, hit .262 and led the team with 16 stolen bases in ’09, but suffered another knee injury early in spring practice and is done for the season, necessitating a shuffling of the infield. 

“Bethany has made some adjustments to her swing at the plate and should be even more effective offensively this season,” observes Hollen.  “Becka has also made tremendous strides and it will be exciting to see the improvement in her offensive game this year.”

With Chriss now at short, Davidson will see some time at third.  Hollen is also excited about Kayla Ward (Fr., Newcastle, Calif. / Del Oro HS), who sat out last season with an injury, at third, and newcomer Kahlee Barrio (Fr., Stanwood, Wash. / Lakewood HS) at second.

“There is all sorts of competition going on for infield positions,” notes Hollen, “and we will try several combinations on our season-opening trip to southern California.  Our flexibility with several players will be a benefit for us this year.”

Outfield

The Bruins’ lone senior, right fielder Shelby Briske (Sr., Spanaway, Wash. / Bethel HS), who hit .286 with six home runs and 25 RBIs in ’09, is called by Hollen “a steady player.  She has made some adjustments in her swing to put more balls into fair territory and not pull everything so much, and should be ready for a great senior season. A true team player, she is happy to do whatever we ask to make the team successful; we can even use her in the infield at first if necessary.”

Rookies Kris Trindle (Fr., Portland, Ore. / Sunset HS) and Taviah Jenkins (Fr., Castle Rock, Wash. / Castle Rock HS) are expected to take over in left field and center field. 

“Kris has good speed and will probably be our lead-off hitter,” says Hollen.  “Taviah is a multi-tooled player who will likely hit third and produce a lot of runs for us.”

Nicole Renteria (So., Oceanside, Calif. / Vista HS), who split time between the outfield and the designated player spot, will likely do the same this year after batting .274 with nine RBIs last year.  Felicia Chavez (Fr., California City, Calif. / King-Drew Magnet HS) will compete for outfield and designated player time as well.

“Nicole is a slap hitter who does a decent job of getting on base for us,” notes Hollen.  “Felicia is more of a middle-of-the-order hitter whom we will rely on driving in runs.”

Summary

“Despite all the shifting in the infield, we will be improved defensively,” says Hollen.  “However, there’s no question our biggest improvement will be on the mound, and the depth of our staff should allow us to be competitive in every game.  We won’t be suffering too many of the blowouts we’ve had in the past.  We might even be able to challenge for one off the playoff spots in the new conference tournament.”

Schedule

The Northwest Conference Tournament is indeed a new feature of the schedule this year, making its debut on April 22-23, with the regular season champion hosting a four-team playoff to determine the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III National Tournament.  Linfield is the odds-on favorite to host the first NWC Tournament, since the powerful Wildcats are the pre-season No. 1 team in the nation.

George Fox opens its season with three doubleheaders in southern California Feb. 11-13, visiting Pomona-Pitzer Colleges Friday at 1:00 p.m., Whittier College Saturday at 12:00 noon, and California Lutheran University Sunday at noon.  The Bruins’ home opener is a twinbill on Saturday, Feb. 19, vs. Eastern Oregon University at noon, and their first NWC games are at Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, Feb. 26, at noon.