‘Yote Notes – Mar. 17, 2005

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

SKIING: Snowboarders win National Title, Alpine team struggles

SNOWBOARDERS WIN NATIONAL TITLE: Albertson College notched its 27^th and 28^th national championship in skiing on Friday at the USCSA National Championships at Brundage Mountain, as the men’s snowboard team claimed an individual and team title in the Slopestyle event (freestyle snowboarding). Evan Williams claimed the individual crown for the Coyotes, the first championship for Albertson since 1993.

ALPINE TEAMS STRUGGLE: It was not the best of weekends for the alpine teams – skiing at Brundage Mountain for the third consecutive event. The women’s team, expected to contend for a title, faltered – finishing ninth in the giant slalom and eighth in the slalom events. Molly Bullard placed 25^th overall, with 2004 All-American Cassie Marcial finishing 44^th. On the men’s side, Albertson struggled to stay upright during the giant slalom event, logging a disappointing 15^th-place finish. They picked it up a bit in the slalom, coming in eighth.

BASEBALL (12-5, 6-1): ‘Yotes head north of the border for key Region I series at British Columbia

LAST WEEK: at Eastern Oregon (W 12-6, L 3-2 (10)), vs. Eastern Oregon (W 15-0, W 15-7), vs. Northwest Nazarene (W 4-2).

COMING UP: at British Columbia (DH), Saturday, 11 a.m.; at British Columbia (DH), Sunday, 11 a.m.

ON THE AIR: A total of 21 Albertson College baseball games will be broadcast live on Sporting News Radio 1450 KIOV-AM with Mike Safford Jr. calling the action.  The next broadcast is set for March 25, with the Coyotes meeting Western Baptist.  The games can also be heard on the internet at www.kiov.com. 

COYOTES MAKE IT 3-FOR-3 VS. NNU: Albertson College jumped out to a 3-0 lead and made it stand up, as the Coyotes won their third-consecutive game against rival Northwest Nazarene this season, topping the Crusaders, 4-2. The ‘Yotes took a 2-0 lead in the third inning, using a Jake McGrady (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) sacrifice fly to score Zach Park (Ontario, Ore. / Ontario HS) from third, then saw Greg Stalling (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) scamper home from third on a passed ball. The ‘Yotes would tack on a run in the sixth and seventh, then use great relief work from utility-man Nate Freese (Vancouver, Wash. / Skyview HS), who recorded the final five outs for his first save.

ZACHARY MAKES MOST OF START: The key to the victory on Tuesday was a solid start by senior Matt Zachary (Hailey, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC). The righty, who had missed the majority of the first month of the 2005 season with a ribcage injury, tossed six shutout innings – allowing just two hits, walking three, and fanning seven. He has yet to give up a run in his eight innings of work this year.

STRANDLUND HAS HUGE WEEK: Leading the way for the Coyotes last week was transfer Charlie Strandlund (Victoria, B.C. / College of Southern Idaho), who was dominant at the plate and on the mound. The junior went 13-for-21 (.619 average) at the plate, with five doubles and a triple, along with eight RBI in the four games vs. Eastern Oregon and the doubleheader at Utah. Strandlund also picked up his fourth victory of the season on the mound, tossing six shutout innings in the 15-0 win over Eastern on Sunday.

STALLING HEATING UP: After seeing his batting average dip to .242 after the first month of the season, All-America candidate Greg Stalling has heated up. The junior shortstop is hitting .448 over his last seven games, with 12 runs scored, four doubles, a home run, and eight RBI. Stalling has moved into tenth place all-time with 164 hits and is 11^th in runs scored with 125.

BIG INNING VS. EASTERN: The Coyotes scored ten runs in the eighth inning of Game 2 vs. Eastern Oregon on Sunday, part of the 15-7 win. It was the most runs the Coyotes had scored in a frame since April 13, 2002, when Albertson scored 12 runs in the eighth inning of a 24-6 win over Eastern. The ‘Yotes have scored ten-or-more runs in an inning seven times since the start of the 2000 season, including 13 runs in a frame vs. Eastern on April 14, 2000.

HOME SWEET HOME: With two wins against both Northwest Nazarene and Eastern Oregon, along with a four-game sweep of Oregon Tech – the Coyotes and Simplot Stadium have worked well together in 2005. The 8-0 record out of the gate for Albertson equals their third-best start to a season at home. The 2002 club opened up 8-0 at Simplot Stadium, while the 1997 team began 9-0. The top mark belongs to the National Championship team of 1998, which won its first ten games in C-Town. Of those three clubs, two of them advanced to the NAIA College World Series.

BLAIR RETURNING TO FORM: After struggling to find the form that led him to All-Cascade Conference honors in 2002 and 2003, senior Taylor Blair (Sacramento, Calif. / American River CC) has found a groove during his last two starts. The right-hander went seven innings against Oregon Tech on March 5 – allowing just two runs on six hits, while striking out seven. Last Saturday, Blair was even better, going eight innings at Eastern Oregon, giving up an unearned run on four hits, while fanning a career-high ten batters. His ERA has dropped from 9.00 after his first two appearances, to 3.68.

SPEAKING OF THE BULLPEN: One thing that will help the Coyotes as the season rolls along is an ever-improving bullpen. So far this season, relievers have combined for a 4.91 ERA in 51.1 innings of work and have saved three of six chances. However, this compares to a 5.02 ERA in 2003 and a 5.76 ERA last year. With a solid three-man rotation of Taylor Blair, Charlie Strandlund, and Matt Bergstrom (Hermiston, Ore. / Hermiston HS) – the Coyotes have good arms behind them. Matt Zachary (who would be used to start Game 4 of series’), Paul Erickson (Burlington, Wash. / Everett CC), and lefty Joey Zubizarreta (Boise, Idaho / Cochise CC) would be key for the ‘Yotes – along with the foursome of Andrew Hall (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS), Lars Alsager (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS), Dominic De La Paz (Nampa, Idaho / Nampa HS), and south-paw Carson Taysom (Pocatello, Idaho / Century HS). Nate Freese has been used in the past two closer situations.

BIG SERIES AT BRITISH COLUMBIA: The top-two teams so far this season in the NAIA Region I battle at Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver on Saturday and Sunday, as the ‘Yotes tangle with British Columbia. The T-Birds (11-8-1, 6-0 Region I) opened league play with three wins over No. 20 ranked Concordia, then followed it up with a four-game sweep at Oregon Tech. UBC is led by left-hander Brad Ashman (2-2 3.27 ERA) and transfer Joe Forrest (3-1 5.28 ERA) on the mound, while All-American second-baseman Mark Capone (.406 1 HR 15 RBI) and shortstop Davey Wallace (.520 7 RBI) pace the club at the plate. The two teams met earlier in the season in Lewiston, with the T-Birds rallying for a 5-2 victory. Albertson has lost the last four meetings, but holds a 22-19 all-time edge.

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 (7-10): Coyotes to host Walla Walla College in rare Saturday night doubleheader at Symms Field
 
LAST WEEK: at Utah Valley State (L 7-2, L 11-3)
 
COMING UP: vs. Walla Walla (DH), Saturday, 7:45 p.m. 
 
ON THE INTERNET: Saturday’s game (weather permitting) will be broadcast live on the Albertson Athletic Website (www.collegeofidaho.edu/webcam/Athletics.asx) with Mike Safford Jr. calling the action. 
 
TOUGH TIMES VS. NCAA DIVISION I: Of the ten losses by the Albertson College softball team this year, four have been to NCAA Division I Utah Valley State, which swept a doubleheader from the Coyotes, 7-2 and 11-3 in Orem on Saturday. The Wolverines, who have played the likes of Kansas, Utah, Purdue, and Arkansas – used 12 extra-base hits in the victories. Jackie Roberts hit a three-run homer in the second inning of Game 1 to give UVSC a 6-0 lead. Albertson did score single runs in the sixth and seventh – the first on a Kira Leaton (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) RBI single, the second on an Anna Schroeder (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) slap single. Game 2 saw the Lady ‘Yotes close the gap to 5-3 in the fourth on a two-run Nicole Rollins (Heyburn, Idaho / Burley HS) single, but a five-run fourth and a single run in the fifth sent Albertson down by the mercy rule for only the second time this season.
 
GIBBONS-MCDONALD ON UTAH VALLEY: “We competed very well for the most part against an up-and-coming NCAA Division I team,” said head coach Kelly Gibbons-McDonald. “Coach Fairbourne has done a nice job in recruiting NCAA Division I talent to UVSC – I would stack up the first four hitters in their line-up against anyone. Although the losses hurt, we scored five earned runs against a very good opponent, which bodes well for us heading into Cascade Conference play.”
 
MORE ON UTAH VALLEY: The Lady ‘Yotes did struggle with the top four hitters in the Utah Valley order. Those batters combined to record nine of the 14 hits in Game 1 and seven of the 11 hits in Game 2.
 
HITTING THE BALL WELL: A big key to the improvement of the Lady ‘Yotes this season has been the ability to hit the ball. Through the first 17 games of 2005, the Coyotes have a team batting average of .269, averaging just over three runs per ball game. In comparing the previous three seasons to 2005, the strides are obvious:
 
2002 .183 average 2.2 runs per game 4-14 record
2003 .232 average 4.1 runs per game 8-7 record
2004 .186 average 1.9 runs per game 2-8 record
2005 .269 average 3.1 runs per game 7-10 record
 
STRIDES IN THE CIRCLE: In the same sense, the Lady ‘Yotes have received a solid effort from the quartet of pitchers in the circle. With freshmen Ashley Bowman (Parma, Idaho / Parma HS), who has earned two NAIA Region I Pitcher of the Week honors so far, and Tiana Siddoway (Rexburg, Idaho / Madison HS) leading the way, Albertson has dropped their team ERA to 3.81 this season. The Coyotes have also thrown strikes, logging 39 walks, compared to 60 strikeouts – after a 2004 season where Albertson had 34 more walks than K’s
 
2002 5.82 ERA .896 fielding percentage 4-14 record
2003 2.64 ERA .933 fielding percentage 8-7 record
2004 4.97 ERA .925 fielding percentage 2-8 record
2005 3.81 ERA .933 fielding percentage 7-10 record
 
PRODUCTION FROM THE SENIORS: Leadership is a key role on the 2005 Coyote club, as a trio of four-year players are off to fast starts. Leading the group is Kira Leaton, who has put a difficult 2004 behind her. A career .263 hitter, Leaton registered a .197 average as a junior, but has rebounded this year, hitting at a .356 clip through 17 games. She leads the club in doubles with four and RBI with nine, committing just three errors in 121 chances, and leads the team with a .463 on base percentage. Also hitting well is catcher Tiffany Mathews (Las Vegas, Nev. / Eldorado HS), who boasts a .311 average, while swiping a perfect 6-for-6 on stolen base attempts. Leaton and Mathews have combined to walk 17 times. Also showing marked improvement at the plate is Nicole Rollins, who had just one hit in 37 at bats last season, is 8-for-35 this season – along with four RBI.
 
STEALING FANCY: The Coyotes lead the Cascade Conference in stolen bases with 33, and have successfully swiped 89 percent of their stolen base chances. Katie Theisen (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) is a perfect 10-for-10 in steal attempts, while Heather Kirtley (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) had stolen seven bags in eight attempts. On the flip side, Coyote catchers have thrown out 40-percent of would-be base stealers.
 
GAME VS. IDAHO STATE SCRAPPED: Friday afternoon, the Coyotes were to have played an exhibition doubleheader against Idaho State. However, due to a shortage of players and a lack of coach, Idaho State has pulled out of the twinbill.
 
ABOUT WALLA WALLA: The Coyotes will meet NCCAA member Walla Walla College on Saturday night, under the lights at Symms Field. It will be the second consecutive year that the Wolves (4-0 in exhibition games) and Coyotes will play a night game – as WWC is a Seventh Day Adventist school – and cannot play competition from sundown on Friday till sundown on Saturday. Last season, the Lady ‘Yotes swept Walla Walla by identical 8-0 scores, thanks to a 3-for-5 doubleheader from Lisa Stout (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) and a 4-for-6, four RBI performance from Tiffany Kerns (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS). Albertson is 7-1 all-time against the Wolves.

ABOUT THE COACH: Albertson softball head coach Kelly Gibbons-McDonald is in her fourth season with the Coyotes. Building the Lady ‘Yote program from scratch, the University of Idaho graduate saw her team post a winning record in just their sophomore season. During her ten years at the collegiate level, she has compiled a 247-228-1 all-time record. While at Washburn University in Kansas, she led the squad to NAIA Women’s College World Series berths in both 1988 and 1989, winning four district titles, and helping the college move in 1991 from the NAIA to the NCAA Division II. Gibbons earned District 10 Coach of the Year honors in 1988, 1989, and 1990. She also served as the Washburn head volleyball coach from 1987-97. Since moving to the Treasure Valley, the Idaho Falls native coached two seasons at Nyssa (Ore.) High, along with one year at Bishop Kelly High in Boise – with all three teams advancing to their respective state tournaments.

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2005 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: Coyotes open season with solid efforts in Portland

LAST WEEK: at Willamette (L 7-2), at Southern Oregon (W 5-4), at Pacific (W 9-0)

COMING UP: Idle

LADY ‘YOTES BLANK PACIFIC: The Albertson College women's tennis team completed its first weekend of competition with a winning record, thanks to a 9-0 victory over Pacific University on Sunday. The Coyotes dominated the doubles flights, allowing just five games to be taken, including an 8-0 win by Kyla Westerberg and Anna Moylan at No. 2. Albertson swept the singles flights as well, as both Mariah Armstrong at No. 4 and Ashley Blevins at No. 5 each took their match 6-0, 6-0.

SOLID WEEKEND: Leading the way for the Coyotes was Anna Moylan, who was a perfect 3-0 in her singles matches, losing just 12 games along the way. She teamed with Kyla Westerberg at No. 2 doubles to post a 2-1 mark, losing just one game in their two victories.

GOLF: Coyotes preparing for 2005 spring season

COMING UP: Dual with Northwest Nazarene at Ridgecrest GC, March 29, 2 p.m.

SPRING IS NEARLY HERE: With the sounds of spring at Albertson College, the 2005 golf season is nearing. The Coyotes will play a pair of dual matches in the Treasure Valley this year, along with two-day tournaments at Lewis-Clark State and Westminster. The season culminates with the NAIA Region I Tournament, set for April 25-26, at the University of Idaho.

TRACK: Outdoor season to open on Saturday at Dusty Lane Invitational

COMING UP: Dusty Lane Invitational, Spokane, Wash., Saturday, all day

FINAL COMPONENT OF TRACK BEGINS SATURDAY: The resurgence of track and field on the Albertson campus marks completion, as following the cross country and indoor track campaigns, the outdoor schedule begins on Saturday. A group of 11 Coyote athletes will head to Spokane, Wash. for the Dusty Lane Invitational, hosted by the Community Colleges of Spokane. The meet will feature Whitworth College, Eastern Oregon University, Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, Lewis-Clark State, and the University of Montana. At this first meet, Coyote runners will focus on the 800 and 1,500-meter distances.

BASKETBALL: Awards abound for Coyote hoopsters

LAST WEEK: Men lost 82-70 to Flagler (Fla.) at NAIA Division II national tournament; Women lost 60-57 to Western Baptist in Cascade Conference championship game.

ACCOLADES COMING IN FOR LADY ‘YOTES: Following the conclusion of the NAIA Division II women’s basketball tournament, the Albertson women’s basketball team was well represented on the awards table in Sioux City, Iowa. Senior Kasey Hooter was named Third-Team All-America by the NAIA, the second women’s basketball player in school history to earn such a distinction (Alyson Pincock was a first-team selection in 2001). Hooter led the Coyotes with a 13.5 points per game average, while setting a school record by grabbing 12.5 rebounds per game (the 426 season rebounds was tops in school history). Also honored were a trio of scholars – Kim Strunk, Desirae Boudreaux, and Angie Gribble, who were named NAIA All-America Scholar-Athletes.

GREEN ADDS TO HIS HARDWARE: Point-guard Joe Green ended his Coyote career with his third appearance at the NAIA Division II national tournament. Following the tourney, Green earned a pair of awards – he was named to the All-America team for the second-straight season as an honorable mention selection, while earning the Champions of Character award from the NAIA for the second year in a row. Green set a new school record with 116 steals (he holds the career mark in steals with 304), while ranking second all-time with 498 assists.

- ALBERTSON -