‘Yote Notes – April 28, 2005

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

 

 

 

 

 

RECRUITING: New Coyotes begin to dot map

FIRST IN A SERIES: This week, the focus is on women’s basketball, volleyball, cross country, and track.  Next week, softball, men’s basketball, men’s soccer, swimming, and women’s soccer.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: The Lady 'Yotes, fresh off a run to the Cascade Conference tournament title game, have signed two transfers thus far for the 2005-06 season.  Incoming junior Krystn Patterson of Wells, Nev. is coming off a national runner-up finish as a part-time starter at the College of Southern Idaho.  Patterson, a 5-10 forward, averaged four points and four rebounds a game for the Golden Eagles.  Incoming sophomore Whitney Clark of Jerome led Northwest Nazarene last season in three-point field goals made.  Clark, the 2004 4A Player of the Year at Jerome High, averaged 3.3 points a game at NNU last year.

VOLLEYBALL: The Lady 'Yotes have signed three freshmen thus far for the upcoming season.  Kathryn Ely of La Grande, Ore. was a member of the 3A All-State team.  Ely, a 6-0 outside hitter, was the Greater Oregon Conference Player of the Year at La Grande High.  Stephanie Pledger of Sisters, Ore., was a member of the 3A All-State team.  Pledger, a 5-7 setter, was the Capital Conference Player of the Year at Sisters High.  Whitney Godsill of Middleton, was a starting defensive specialist at Middleton High and plays for the Boise River Volleyball Club.

CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK: The Coyotes have signed three male and one female runners for the 2005-06 season.  On the men's side, twin brothers Oliver Rosales and Alejandro Rosales will run for the Coyotes.  The Rosales', from Vallivue High, helped the Falcons to a fifth-place finish in the 2004 4A cross country championships.  They will be joined by Corey Kniep of Shoshone, who finished sixth in the 2004 2A cross country championships.  On the women's side, the Lady 'Yotes have signed Jayne Saunders to run track, while playing soccer during the fall.  Saunders finished second in the 2004 4A 300-meter intermediate hurdles at the state championships.

GOLF: Gallant finishes tenth at NAIA Regional

STILL WITH A SHOT AT NATIONALS: With a tenth-place finish at the NAIA Region I Championships, junior golfer Sarah Gallant put herself in contention for an at-large berth to the NAIA Championships in South Bend, Ind.  Gallant fired a final round 80 to move into the top-ten.  She was an at-large qualifier to the national tournament in 2003.

MEN STRUGGLE IN MOSCOW: The Albertson men's golfers struggled at Regionals, their final tournament of the season.  Drew Villastrigo finished in 47th-place, the top finisher for the 'Yotes.  The squad finished with a tenth-place finish in the region.

 

WOMEN’S TENNIS: Lady ‘Yotes to host NAIA Region I Tournament at River City Racquet Club

 

LAST WEEK: vs. Treasure Valley CC (W 9-0).

 

COMING UP: Host NAIA Region I Championships, River City Racquet Club – Friday vs. Alberta, 9 a.m.; vs. Lewis-Clark State, 3:30 p.m.; Saturday vs. Southern Oregon, 9 a.m.

 

REGIONAL IN NAMPA: The Albertson College women’s tennis team will host the 2005 NAIA Region I Championships at the River City Racquet Club in Nampa, beginning Friday morning.  Four women’s teams and two men’s teams will vie for berths to the NAIA Championships in May.  Admission to the event is free.

 

WOMEN’S BRACKET: The four teams (No. 1 Lewis-Clark State, No. 2 Alberta, No. 3 Albertson, and No. 4 Southern Oregon) will play round-robin matches against each other, with the team with the best overall record earning the national berth.  LC-State has been ranked in the NAIA’s Top-20 all season, while Alberta has played a limited schedule, including matches against NCAA Division I teams.  Southern Oregon is 8-4 on the season, but lost a 5-4 decision to Albertson in their only regional match of the season.

 

MEN’S BRACKET: Lewis-Clark State and Alberta will play a best-of-three series to determine the men’s automatic berth.

 

TRACK & FIELD: ‘Yotes add three more NAIA qualifying times, set for CCC Championships

 

LAST WEEK: at University of Oregon Invitational (no team scores)

 

COMING UP: at Cascade Conference Championships, Portland, Ore., 10 a.m.

 

THREE MORE QUALIFY FOR NAIA CHAMPIONSHIPS: At the prestigious Oregon Invitational, three Albertson College competitors met NAIA Championship automatic qualifying times.  Leading the way was David Fluckiger, who places second out of 40 runners in the 1,500-meters in a time of 3:51.54.  He had previously qualified for nationals in the 5,000-meters.  Shannon Edwards also earned an automatic qualifier in the 10,000-meters in a time of 38:04.37.  Rounding out the bunch was Jacob Haas, who ran the 25-laps of the 10,000 in 31:56.82, earning the spot in the national meet.

 

TOP-FIVE IN THE CCC: Albertson College runners are ranked in the Cascade Conference’s top-five in seven different events.  David Fluckiger has the top time in the 5,000-meters, and the No. 2 time in the 1,500.  Tyler Hopper has the CCC’s fastest 3,000-steeplechase, with Jacob Haas ranking No. 2 in the 10,000.  Shannon Edwards ranks No. 2 in both the 5,000 and 10,000-meters, with Katie Ball ranking No. 5 in the 800-meters.

 

CONFERENCE MEET: Albertson is set to compete in this weekend’s Cascade Conference Championships – against teams from Cascade, Eastern Oregon, Evergreen, Northwest, Oregon Tech, Southern Oregon, Western Baptist, and Warner Pacific.  The men will compete in the 400, 800, 1,500, 3,000-steeple, and 5,000-meters, while the women will compete in the 200, 800, 1,500, and 5,000-meters.

 

BASEBALL: Chance at hosting Regional Tournament hinges on five-game series vs. No. 23 British Columbia

 

LAST WEEK: at No. 1 Lewis-Clark State (L 8-1, L 12-6), vs. No. 1 Lewis-Clark State (L 4-0, L 12-2), vs. Eastern Oregon (W 3-0, W 6-4)

 

COMING UP: vs. No. 23 British Columbia, Friday, 4 p.m.; vs. No. 23 British Columbia (DH), Saturday, Noon; vs. No. 23 British Columbia (DH), Sunday, 11 a.m.; at Northwest Nazarene, Tuesday, 4 p.m.

 

ON THE AIR: Saturday’s first game and Sunday’s full nine-inning game will be broadcast live on Sporting News Radio 1450 KIOV-AM and on the internet at www.kiov.com.  Tuesday’s game at Northwest Nazarene will be broadcast live on 1140 KGEM-AM and on the internet at www.nnusports.com and click on the “Live Broadcast” link.  Coyote play-by-play man Mike Safford Jr. will cover all of the action. 

 

SCHEDULE FOR WEEKEND SERIES: The crucial five-game series this weekend between the Coyotes and British Columbia has an interesting schedule.  The two teams will play a single game on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m., followed by the originally scheduled doubleheader on Saturday at Noon.  Sunday, the two teams will make-up the contests rained out from the series in Vancouver – with the suspended game from March 19 (with UBC leading 5-4 in the Top of the 6th) starting things out, followed by a make-up game from March 20 (with UBC serving as the designated home team).

 

PLAYOFF DESTINY IN COYOTE HANDS:  With two wins against Eastern Oregon on Tuesday afternoon, Albertson to within four and a half games of first-place British Columbia – with nine games remaining.  With five of those games against UBC, the ‘Yotes could move into first-place with a sweep of the T-Birds.  In fact, if the Coyotes were to win the final nine regional games, Albertson would earn the right to host the NAIA Region I Tournament from May 12-14.

 

GUNNING FOR LUCKY 19: With three wins (and a loss from Concordia), Albertson College would clinch a spot in the NAIA Region I Tournament – which would be the 19th consecutive postseason appearance by the Coyotes.  The ‘Yotes have qualified for the playoffs every season since baseball was reinstated at the college in 1987 (after an eight-year hiatus).  During that time, Albertson has recorded 20-or-more wins in each of the seasons.

 

T-BIRDS COME CALLING: This weekend’s series with British Columbia will not be easy, as the T-Birds (26-14-1, 19-3 Region I) have been ranked in each of the last three NAIA national polls.  Manager Terry McKaig, who played for the Coyotes in 1994, has his team in the hunt for their first regional title since 2003.  UBC’s offense, which boasts a .326 team batting average, is led by second-baseman Mark Capone (.399 1 HR 27 RBI) and outfielder Adam Campbell (.299 8 HR 38 RBI).  The pitching staff, which is second only to Lewis-Clark State in the regional ERA standings, is paced by right-hander Mark Grant (4-1 1.65 ERA) and left-hander Brad Ashman (8-1 3.51 ERA), while closer Dave Pasquali (1-0 1.90 ERA, 5 saves) is a potential All-Region selection.  The Thunderbirds have won both games played so far this season, winning 5-2 in Lewiston at the Guardian Heating and Plumbing Tournament in February, and 14-7 in the only full-game completed in Vancouver.  Albertson holds a 22-20 series edge.

 

BURKE WARMS UP VS. EASTERN: After recovering from off-season knee surgery, catcher Pat Burke (Sisters, Ore. / Sisters HS) had struggled at the plate throughout most of the 2005 season.  However, the sophomore broke out of his shell in the doubleheader Tuesday against Eastern Oregon, clubbing three doubles, his first collegiate triple, and drove in four runs in the 3-0 and 6-4 wins.  Burke is 6-for-11 in his last three games, raising his batting average 33-points to .275.

 

BERGSTROM HITTING HIS STRIDE: After a rocky midseason stretch, two-time All-Conference selection Matt Bergstrom (Hermiston, Ore. / Hermiston HS) has returned to form.  After three-straight appearances in which the senior compiled a 12.78 ERA, the right-hander tossed six innings of two-hit ball at Lewis-Clark State, followed by seven shutout innings against Eastern Oregon.  Over those two outings, Begstrom has a 0.69 ERA.  He has also moved into the career top-ten in six statistical categories – No. 2 in innings pitched (245.2), No. 3 in starts (30), No. 4 in strikeouts (154) and appearances (60), No. 6 in wins (17) and No. 9 in saves (5).

 

SET-UP MEN AND CLOSER: As the ‘Yotes get closer to the postseason, the bullpen has given players certain roles to fill.  Albertson has a righty-lefty combination as set-up men, utilizing right-hander Lars Alsager (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS) and left-hander Joey Zubizarreta (Boise, Idaho / Cochise CC).  Alsager has allowed just one earned run in his last 11 appearances, lowering his ERA to 1.47, while Zubizarreta has a 2.45 ERA in NAIA Region I games.  The Coyotes will use utility player Nate Freese (Vancouver, Wash. / Skyview HS), who notched saves in both games vs. Eastern Oregon, as the closer.  Against non-NCAA Division I opponents, Freese has a 1.63 ERA in eight appearances and now leads the CCC in saves with four.

 

STRANDLUND CONTINUING MONSTER SEASON: A bid for Cascade Conference player of the year status is being made by Coyote hitter/pitcher Charlie Strandlund (Victoria, B.C. / College of Southern Idaho).  The junior transfer ranks in the top-five in nine different hitting categories in the loop – including leading the CCC in batting average (.407), slugging percentage (.699), hits (50), doubles (20), and total bases (86).  He also is among the top-five in six different pitching categories – including leading the league in earned run average (2.79) and wins (6).

 

SINGLE-GAME WITH NNU: The Coyotes have already clinched the season series with Northwest Nazarene, but the two Canyon County rivals will finish their four-game series next Tuesday at Nampa’s Vail Field.  The Crusaders (16-21) have lost seven of their last eight games, giving up ten-or-more runs in five of the losses.  NNU is led by first-baseman Kevin McCarthy (.376 6 HR 25 RBI) and second-baseman Tim Andra (.336 5 HR 22 RBI), who have both hit well this season against the ‘Yotes.  Roger Evenson (5-5 4.19 ERA) is by far the Crusaders top pitcher, having logged 81 innings already this season – but has seen his team lose 6-4, 10-8, and 4-2 to Albertson this season, with each of them his starts.  It will be the 150th game between the teams since 1964, with Albertson holding a decisive 114-35 advantage.

 

SCHEDULE FOR THE FINAL WEEKEND: Albertson will play four games in Portland during the final weekend of the NAIA Region I season (May 7-8).  The Coyotes will play a doubleheader at Cavalier Field against Concordia on Saturday, then play a second doubleheader on Sunday at Cavalier Field – with the first game against Concordia, and the second against Western Baptist (a make-up from April 16 when the teams were rained out in Salem).

 

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: Lady ‘Yotes end losing streak with win over NNU, play six home games in four day stretch
 
LAST WEEK: at No. 25 Southern Oregon (L 8-2, L 1-0), at Oregon Tech (L 8-0, L 5-1), vs. Northwest Nazarene (L 11-6, W 3-2)
 
COMING UP: vs. Western Baptist (DH), Friday, 2 p.m.; vs. No. 5 Simon Fraser (DH), Sunday, 1 p.m.; vs. Concordia (DH), Monday, 2 p.m.
 
COYOTES ELIMINATED FROM POSTSEASON: By virtue of being swept by both Southern Oregon and Oregon Tech over the weekend, the Albertson College softball team was eliminated from postseason play for the fourth consecutive season.  Southern, OIT, and Eastern Oregon are in the drivers seat for the three spots into the regional tournament, along with independent, Simon Fraser.  The winner of the Cascade Conference regular-season title will host the regional on May 12 and 13.
 
WIN OVER NNU ENDS LOSING SKID: A throwing error on a double-steal attempt allowed Heather Kirtley (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) to score the winning run from third base, as Albertson College ended a ten-game losing streak with an 11-inning 3-2 victory over Northwest Nazarene at Symms Field.  Despite committing four errors in the game, the ‘Yotes gunned out three runners at home plate in the contest, including a double-play to end the eighth inning.  Seniors Heather McClure (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) and Kira Leaton (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) each had two hits for the Lady ‘Yotes in the win.
 
WASKO FINISHES WITH A BANG: If the Coyotes defeat Northwest Nazarene, they know that Lindzi Wasko (Lakenheath, England / Lakenheath American HS) was probably involved.  The senior pitched three scoreless innings of relief in the Game 2 victory on Tuesday, running her all-time record against NNU to 7-1.  In ten career appearances against the rivals, Wasko has a 1.59 ERA.  In five innings of work on the day, she did not allow an earned run, walking just one batter, and striking out six.
 
FOUR YEARS, FOUR SERIES WINS: The Lady ‘Yotes have dominated NNU during the four years both schools have offered fastpitch softball as an intercollegiate sport.  The victory on Tuesday clinched the season series for the fourth-straight year for the Caldwell bunch, running their all-time record to 18-6 against the Crusaders.
 
EXTRA INNING MONKEY OFF THEIR BACK: Not only was the win the longest game ever played at Symms Field, but the Coyotes ended a long drought in extra innings.  Albertson was 0-3 in extra inning games this season (games of eight innings, ten innings, and 15 innings) and had just one win in lengthy games since the 2002 season.  The Lady ‘Yotes had previously played two ten inning games at Symms Field.
 
THEISEN SETS TWO SCHOOL RECORDS: With three hits and three RBI in the NNU doubleheader, Coyote outfielder Katie Theisen (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) established a pair of single-season school records.  The junior now has 42 hits on the season – two more than the previous school record, and saw her RBI count jump to 24, one more than the old school record – with eight games remaining in the season.
 

TWO CONFERENCE GAMES OVER THE WEEKEND: Just as Southern Oregon and Oregon Tech ended the dreams of a Lady ‘Yote playoff spot in 2005, Albertson can do the same to a pair of teams over the weekend.  Friday afternoon, an up-and-down Western Baptist team heads to Caldwell, hoping to stay in the playoff chase.  The Warriors (13-21-1, 6-11 CCC) have been very good and very bad at times – having defeated defending national runner-up Simon Fraser and No. 25 SOU – but have lost twice to Northwest Christian and three times to Concordia.  Pitching is the key to success for Western, allowing four or less runs in 12 of their 13 wins (Albertson scored six runs in a 14-6 loss at WB), but have allowed seven runs or more in ten of their 21 losses (including 17 runs in a shutout loss at Southern).  Rachel Hiatt (6-11 3.25 ERA) has been the pitcher of choice lately for first-year head coach Tarrah Brown, while the bats of Beth Franke (.360 1 HR 12 RBI) and Ashley Bellum (.287 7 HR 22 RBI) have been solid all season.  Western, which will change its name to Corban College following the 2004-05 season, has won 2-of-3 this season against the Coyotes, and holds a 6-4 all-time advantage.  In a rare Monday afternoon doubleheader, the Lady ‘Yotes host Concordia, with fifth-place in the Cascade Conference standings on the line.  The Cavaliers (15-22, 5-12) have played better of late, after a stretch where the team lost 13-of-14 games.  Speedy Denise Benedict (.331 10 RBI 18 SB) and Kelly Mannion (.316 1 HR 29 RBI) are the top offensive threats for the Cavs, while pitcher Annelle Huckins (9-10 2.68 ERA) has been their top pitcher in 2005.  Concordia has won 2-of-3 meetings between the teams this season, but Albertson holds the all-time series edge, 9-8.

 

THE CANADIAN NATIONAL TEAM?: Softball fans will get to watch one of the top NAIA teams play this Sunday, as No. 5 ranked Simon Fraser makes their annual trip to Caldwell.  The Clan (23-7), who won the 2003 NAIA Championship and finished as runners-up last season, are again the class of Northwest collegiate softball.  Led by Team Canada coach Mike Renney, SFU has one of the top pitchers in the entire NAIA in Ashley Lenz (15-5 1.03 ERA) – who has struck out 188 batters this season, along with all-star outfielder Rachel Schill (.510 21 RBI).  The visitors from Burnaby, B.C. are a perfect 12-0 all-time against the Lady ‘Yotes.

 

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 256-247-1 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.

 

 

- ALBERTSON –