‘Yote Notes –
Mar. 25, 2004
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Mike Safford Jr.
– Sports Info. Director
msafford@albertson.edu
BASEBALL (15-13): Burrow
wins Player-of-the-Week as ‘Yotes take 3-of-4 from Eastern, off on nine-game
road trip
LAST WEEK: won 3-of-4 vs. Eastern Oregon (W 5-3, W 7-4, W
14-12, L 7-4)
COMING UP: at Oregon Tech (DH), Saturday, Noon; at Oregon
Tech (DH), Sunday, Noon; at Utah Valley State (DH), Tuesday, Noon.
ON THE AIR: The Coyotes and Sporting News Radio have nearly
finalized a radio package to air Albertson baseball on KIOV 1450-AM this
spring. Look for games to be aired
beginning the second week of April.
BURROW EARNS REGIONAL HONOR: A pair of solid outing last week helped Coyote
hurler Brad Burrow (Taylorsville, Utah / College of So. Idaho) Cascade
Conference and NAIA Region I Pitcher-of-the-Week honors. The senior won both of his outings last
week, throwing 12 innings without allowing an earned run. The right-hander gave up just seven hits,
walking one, and striking out seven as he improved his mark to 4-1 on the
season – and dropping his ERA to 2.85, second-best in the CCC.
NAIA POLL: The second NAIA baseball poll of the
regular-season was released on Wednesday, with Embry-Riddle (Fla.) holding the
top spot and earning 20 of the 25 first-place votes. Oklahoma City is No. 2, followed by NAIA Region I rival,
Lewis-Clark State. The only other
regional team to receive votes this week was British Columbia, earning 44
votes, good enough for No. 26 in the poll.
COYOTES SWEEP EASTERN ON ROAD:
Struggling on the road throughout the 2004
season, Albertson got just enough offense and pitching to sweep a twinbill from
Eastern Oregon last Saturday. It was
the first road sweep of the season and just the third road sweep by the ‘Yotes
since the start of the 2003 campaign.
Game 1 was dominated by Brad Burrow – tossing a complete game
five-hitter. The Coyote offense scored
three times in the fifth to open a 4-0 lead and cruised to the win. Game 2 was a bit tighter, as Eastern
first-baseman Jeff Frost hit two homers off starter Matt Zachary (Bellevue,
Idaho / Treasure Valley CC) in his seven solid innings of work. However, the ‘Yotes broke a 4-4 tie in the
ninth, thanks to RBI singles from Sage Kendall (Parma, Idaho /
National American Univ.) and Billy Arko (Mountain Home, Idaho /
Mountain Home HS) – and Mike Moser (Arlington, Wash. / Bellevue
CC) fanned five batters in two innings of relief to get the win.
‘YOTES CAN’T FINISH JOB AT
HOME: The bats woke up early on
Sunday for Albertson, but fell asleep at the wheel for the final 12 innings of
the return doubleheader with Eastern, as the Coyotes split two games with the
Mounties. The ‘Yotes jumped out to a
9-1 lead in Game 1, thanks to two-run homers from Josh Orr (Winnemucca,
Nev. / Lowery HS) and Josh Przybos (Boise, Idaho / Cochise CC). However EOU scored eight unanswered runs
late to cut the lead to 14-12, before Andrew Hall (Eagle, Idaho /
Eagle HS) struck out the final batter to earn a save. Game 2 lulled the ‘Yotes to sleep, as
Eastern opened a 5-0 lead and took the win – stranding Albertson with the
bases-loaded on two occasions, including with the winning run at the plate in
the ninth.
INFIELD WOES: Problems with the glove have been a major concern
in the mind of skipper, Shawn Humberger. On the season, the Coyotes have committed a total of 69 errors
and boast a fielding percentage of just .937 – the lowest total in 15
years. Factoring out first base, the ‘Yote
infield has struggled to the tune of 41 errors in 395 chances – just a .896
fielding percentage.
SPREADING OUT THE RBI’S: There hasn’t been just one bat that has come
through for the Coyotes this season with runners in scoring position. Not one but nine players currently have at
least ten RBI through the first 28 games this season. Greg Stalling (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) leads the
team with 20 – but many others are right on his heels. Eight of the nine everyday players for
Albertson also boast a batting average of .300 or higher – as the team
maintains an average of .316.
ORR BREAKS THROUGH VS.
EASTERN: After struggling with the bat
for the first part of the season, Josh Orr found his stroke against Eastern –
ripping two home runs to go along with a double, a triple and six RBI. Orr raised his batting average to .294 over
the weekend and now has 17 RBI.
OFF TO TECH: Just three weeks ago, Albertson and Oregon Tech
flip-flopped Region I series due to inclement weather in Klamath
Falls. The return match takes place
this weekend – four games at Kiger Stadium down South, as the Coyotes begin a
nine-game road trip. The Owls (5-18, 3-6)
lost 3-of-4 games to the ‘Yotes during the first meeting and suffered the same
fate against British Columbia over the weekend. Kellen Stevens (.359 3 HR 13 RBI) leads the OIT charge.
FIRST TWO OF SIX GAMES VS.
NCAA I’S: Next Tuesday, Albertson plays
its first NCAA Division I opponent of the season – Utah Valley State. It will be the first two of six games
against upper-division teams, beginning with the Wolverines (5-9), in their
first-year out of the junior college ranks.
Valley is led on the mound by Jason Ward (2-2 6.67 ERA) and at the plate
by slugger Trent Parry (.241 4 HR 11 RBI).
MORE INFORMATION ON THE
COYOTES: For game stories, statistics,
and information regarding the Albertson baseball program, head to the official
site Coyote baseball: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/baseball.htm. Up to date regional scores and standings can
also be found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/baseball/stats/standings.htm.
SOFTBALL (4-8): Coyotes
host CCC Preseason Tournament with three-game win streak on the line
LAST WEEK: vs. Walla Walla (W 8-0, W 8-0)
COMING UP: Host Cascade Conference Preseason Tournament –
vs. Oregon Tech, Friday, 11:30 a.m.; vs. Western Baptist, Friday, 5:15 p.m.;
vs. Southern Oregon, Saturday, 9 a.m.; vs. Concordia, Saturday, 2:15 p.m.; vs.
Eastern Oregon, Saturday, 8 p.m.
INTERNET AND RADIO BROADCASTS: The
‘Yotes and Sporting News Radio have just about sealed a package that will air
four softball doubleheaders in April on KIOV 1450-AM and www.kiov.com – stay tuned for more information.
NO ‘YOTE NOTES NEXT WEEK: SID
Mike Safford will be out of town from March 26 through April 4 – the next
edition of ‘Yote Notes will be released on April 7.
COYOTES TO HOST CCC TOURNAMENT: Softball
City U.S.A. will be Caldwell, Idaho this weekend, as Albertson College will
host the 2004 Cascade Conference Preseason Tournament. All six CCC softball teams will converge on
Symms Field for wall-to-wall softball, 15 games in two days – beginning at 8
a.m. on Friday, with the final game scheduled for 8 p.m. on Saturday night.
TOURNEY INFORMATION: Each
of the six teams in the “tournament” will play one game against every CCC squad
– with all of the results counting in the conference standings. Teams have been preassigned dugouts, but a
coin flip prior to each game will designate home or visiting team. Cost for fans is $5 per person per day,
which is a bargain, considering one can watch seven or eight games per day.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE: Friday – Eastern Oregon vs. Western Baptist (8
a.m.), Southern Oregon vs. Concordia (9:45 a.m.), Albertson vs. Oregon Tech
(11:30 a.m.), Southern Oregon vs. Eastern Oregon (1:15 p.m.), Concordia vs.
Oregon Tech (3:30 p.m.), Albertson vs. Western Baptist (5:15 p.m.), Concordia
vs. Eastern Oregon (7 p.m.), Oregon Tech vs. Western Baptist (8:45 p.m.). Saturday – Albertson vs. Southern Oregon (9
a.m.), Eastern Oregon vs. Oregon Tech (10:45 a.m.), Western Baptist vs.
Southern Oregon (12:30 p.m.); Albertson vs. Concordia (2:15 p.m.); Oregon Tech
vs. Southern Oregon (4:30 p.m.); Concordia vs. Western Baptist (6:15 p.m.);
Albertson vs. Eastern Oregon (8 p.m.).
HISTORY OF TOURNAMENT: With
six teams in the Cascade Conference (most softball teams in league history),
the 2004 tournament will have five more games than the first venture in 2002
(hosted by Southern Oregon). During
that tournament, it was Oregon Tech going a perfect 4-0, with Eastern at 3-1,
Southern at 2-2, Concordia at 1-3, and the Lady ‘Yotes going 0-for-4.
LOOKING
AT THE TEAMS COMING TO TOWN: Leading the pack so far this season is Southern Oregon,
ranked No. 25 in the latest NAIA poll.
The Raiders (11-4) are the defending CCC champs and knocked off the Lady
‘Yotes, 3-0, at the Central Washington Invitational. Southern has won five games in a row, including doubleheader
sweeps of Bethany and Patten in California.
Right-handers Amanda Cregan (5-1) and Miranda Gillespie (4-2) are the
top throwers for Larry Binney’s club, while shortstop Kara Ray has 18 hits in
her last 26 at bats. Albertson holds a
3-7 record against the Raiders. Surprising
Concordia has already surpassed their 2003 win total – thanks to new head
coach Cara Kosderka-Farrell. The
Cavaliers (11-7) have a similar club to the one that qualified for the 2001
NAIA Women’s College World Series – led by new pitcher Anelle Huckins (4-1 1.52
ERA). Concordia has had no problem
swinging the bat, hitting .341 as a team – led by All-CCC players Alicia
McConkey (.375 5 HR 13 RBI) and Julie Pitman (.500 2 HR 10 RBI). Albertson has had success against the Cavs –
having won 6-of-9 previous meetings and all four in Caldwell. Softball rival Eastern Oregon has started
the 2004 season on a good note, having won 3-of-4 games at the Tucson
Invitational in Arizona. The
Mountaineers (6-4) have owned the Coyotes during the last two seasons – and made
it 10-for-11 against Albertson with a 5-0 blanking at the Central Washington
Invite. First-baseman Beth Hull (.381 1
HR 6 RBI) has owned the ‘Yotes over the last two seasons, racking up 18 RBI
against Albertson alone. Pitchers Shannon
Rasmussen and Kalli McGilley have combined for a 5-2 record and a 1.32 ERA so
far this season. Year after year, Oregon
Tech is one of the top softball teams in the league, but have struggled so
far this season. The Owls (6-7) won
just one game over the weekend at the Hayward Invitational – despite getting a
solid performance from Homedale native, Kelsi Haylett (.513 average). Mary Bradford has finally received some help
from co-head coach Dan Miles – after Miles’ successful basketball run to the
NAIA championship. OIT has won 8-of-9
games against Albertson – with both series in Caldwell played under the threat
of thunderstorms. Rounding out the
combatants is Western Baptist, the rookie program in the loop. The Warriors (8-6) are not playing like
rookies, already knocking off NCAA Division II Western Oregon, stopping OIT
twice, and taking a victory from No. 20 ranked Notre Dame de Namur. Todd Bradley is happy with the offensive
output of his team (.297 batting average) – led by Kristen Meeker (.410 1 HR 14
RBI) and Sabra Gamel (.351 4 HR 18 RBI).
Rachel Hiatt (5-2 4.48 ERA) is the top pitcher for Western.
‘YOTES TUNE UP WITH SWEEP OF WALLA WALLA:
Albertson extended its win streak to three games with identical 8-0 victories
over Walla Walla. The Coyotes scored in
seven of the ten innings played under the lights at Symms Field, recorded 20
hits – including seven doubles. Lindzi
Wasko (Lakenheath, England / Lakenheath American HS) tossed a
three-hitter in Game 1 for her second career shutout, while Laura Milne (Woodburn,
Ore. / Blanchet Catholic HS) and Katie Pond (Boise, Idaho /
Centennial HS) combined on the Coyotes first one-hitter in school history
in Game 2 (Albertson has had one no-hitter and two two-hitters in the two-plus
years of softball).
COLD BATS AWAKEN: Two bats
that had been struggling all season had success against Walla Walla. Sophomore catcher Tiffany Kerns (Boise,
Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) jumpstarted the Coyote offense, going 4-for-6 with
four doubles and four RBI in the twinbill – tying a school record with two
doubles in each game. Also hitting the
ball well was junior Heather McClure (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS),
going 4-for-5 with four runs scored and two doubles.
BEGINNING OF A HUGE HOMESTAND: Albertson
will get to know the cozy confines of Symms Field over the next month, as the
‘Yotes will play 19 of their next 25 games on their home field. After the five games this weekend, the ‘Yotes
will play six games in the Willamette Valley, the Coyotes return home to play
14 games in Caldwell over a three-week stretch. Albertson has accumulated a 16-18 all-time record at Symms Field.
MORE INFORMATION:
Updated information and statistics on the 2004 softball team can be found on
Albertson softball official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/fastpitch.htm. Up-to-date NAIA Region I standings can be
found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/softball/stats/standings.htm.
WOMEN’S
TENNIS: Lady 'Yotes off to Hawaii after dropping home matches
LAST WEEK: Lost to Willamette, 8-1; lost to
Southern Oregon, 5-4.
COMING UP: at Hawaii-Hilo, Thursday, 9 a.m.
(HST); at Chaminade, Friday, 2:30 p.m. (HST)
COYOTES DROP HOME MATCHES: Consistent play was the problem
for the Albertson women's tennis team on Monday, as the Lady 'Yotes dropped
consecutive duals to Willamette and Southern Oregon at the River City Racquet
Club. The early morning match with Willamette was particularly difficult,
as the Bearcats swept the three doubles matches, and the 'Yotes could only
muster a win at No. 2 singles by Anna Moylan. Later in the day,
Albertson had a better chance against Southern, but dropped 2-of-3 doubles
points - which was the killer. Moylan, along with Whitney Gibbon,
and Katie Webster notched singles victories.
FROM HAWAII WITH LOVE: For the first time in a few
seasons, Albertson will make the pilgrimage to head coach Cisco Limbago's homeland
of Hawaii. The 'Yotes will spend a week in the sun, playing matches
against NCAA Division II foes Hawaii-Hilo and Chaminade.
GOLF: Coyotes
to open up play after Spring Break
COMING UP: at Lewis-Clark State Invitational,
Lewiston, Idaho - April 12-13.
COYOTES RETURNING TO THE LINKS: After the long winter, the
Albertson golf team is set to start its spring season in two weeks. The
'Yotes return three of their top players on the men's side - Travis Gibbens,
Aaron Vick, and Jeff Masingill, while the ladies return two
players with NAIA Tournament experience in sophomores Sarah Gallant and Roslyn
Folk.
- ALBERTSON -