‘Yote Notes – May 5, 2005

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

 

 

 

 

 

BASEBALL: ‘Yotes clinch Region I Tournament berth, finish regular-season with four games in Portland

 

LAST WEEK: vs. No. 25 British Columbia (W 7-4, L 12-3, W 16-12, L 9-7, L 14-10), at Northwest Nazarene (L 4-3)

 

COMING UP: at Concordia (DH), Saturday, Noon (PDT); at Concordia, Sunday, 1 p.m. (PDT); vs. Western Baptist (at Concordia), Sunday, 4 p.m. (PDT)

 

ON THE AIR: Saturday and Sunday’s first game will be broadcast live on Sporting News Radio 1450 KIOV-AM and on the internet at www.kiov.com, with Mike Safford Jr. calling the play-by-play.  All playoff games will be carried as well on radio and internet.

 

PLAYOFF SPOT TO BRITISH COLUMBIA: Despite the Coyotes winning 2-of-3 games originally scheduled for last weekend in Caldwell, the University of British Columbia earned the host site of the 2005 NAIA Region I Tournament.  The Thunderbirds were victories in two games on Sunday over the ‘Yotes – one a suspended game from March 19, the other a game rained out from March 20, to claim a five-game lead in the standings with just three games remaining.  It will be the second time that UBC has hosted the tournament – they played host to the regional in 2003.

 

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE HOST ROLE?: Since the NAIA switch to regional and super-regional tournaments following the 1999 season, hosting the NAIA Region I Tournament has proven to be the key.  During the previous five years, the host institution has advanced to the super-regional round (Albertson in 2000 and 2002, Western Oregon in 2001, UBC in 2003, Concordia in 2004). 

 

19-YEARS AND RUNNING: With two victories and a loss by Concordia, Albertson College clinched a spot in the NAIA Region I Tournament –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.

 

STRANDLUND NAMED PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Albertson College right-hander Charlie Strandlund (Victoria, B.C. / College of Southern Idaho) was named Cascade Conference and NAIA Region I Pitcher of the Week after a solid performance against Eastern Oregon.  The junior went seven innings of one run ball, allowing just one walk and five strikeouts.  He picked up his CCC-leading seventh win, and continues to lead the league in earned run average at 2.79.

 

MORE ON STRANDLUND: A bid for Cascade Conference Player of the Year status is also being made by Strandlund.  The transfer ranks in the top-five in nine different hitting categories in the loop – including leading the CCC in batting average (.388), slugging percentage (.651), hits (59), doubles (21), and total bases (99).  Strandlund is also among the league leaders in home runs, RBI, stolen bases, and fielding percentage.

 

BURKE NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK: The Coyotes made it a clean sweep of the weekly awards, as Pat Burke (Sisters, Ore. / Sisters HS) was named Cascade Conference and NAIA Region I Player of the Week.  The sophomore hit an even .500 on the week (12-for-24) with five doubles, a triple, and nine RBI.  Burke raised his batting average 50 points during the seven day span, helping the ‘Yotes to four wins.

 

TRYING TO BREAK THE HEX AT CONCORDIA: The toughest place for Albertson College to play over the last few years as been Cavalier Field on the campus of Concordia University.  The Coyotes, who travel to Portland this week to conclude the regular-season with a three-game series against the Cavaliers (20-26, 10-15 Region I), have dropped their last seven games against Concordia in their on-campus facility, dating back to May 6, 2001.  The ballpark, with a very-very short porch in left and just 345 to the left-center power-alley, has been kind to the Cavs, who have a 32-16 home mark over the past three seasons.  The 2005 Concordia bunch is led by All-America catcher Adam Hackstedt (.300 8 HR 36 RBI) and infielder Josh Brandt (.336 7 HR 37 RBI), along with pitchers Charlie Moore (3-6 3.68 ERA) and Mike Allen (4-3 4.48 ERA).  Concordia began the season ranked No. 20 in the preseason NAIA poll, after advancing to the NAIA World Series for the first time in school history in 2004.  The two teams have met 68 times since 1987, with Albertson holding a 53-15 edge, including sweeping a three-game series in Caldwell in March.

 

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: Russell makes CCC history with no-no, Coyotes look to break win record vs. Eastern Oregon
 
LAST WEEK: vs. Western Baptist (L 5-1, L 5-3), vs. No. 5 Simon Fraser (L 9-1, L 12-0) vs. Concordia (W 8-7, W 8-0)
 
COMING UP: vs. Eastern Oregon (DH), Thursday, 2 p.m. (concludes season)
 
RUSSELL TOSSES NO-NO: Monday afternoon, Albertson College senior Kerri Russell (Melba, Idaho / Melba HS) tossed a five-inning no-hitter as the Coyotes beat Concordia, 8-0.  The right-hander faced just one batter above the minimum in notching the victory, walking two batters, and striking out one.  Russell retired the last nine batters in a row to recorded her 13th complete game and her second shutout of her career.
 
SECOND NO-HITTER IN PROGRAM HISTORY: Russell joined pitching coach Nicole Glenn as the only pitchers to toss no-hitters in Albertson College history.  Glenn tossed a seven-inning perfect game on March 21, 2003 in a 6-0 win over Walla Walla College.
 
RARITY IN CASCADE CONFERENCE PLAY: The no-no by Russell ended a six-year drought in Cascade Conference play for no-hitters.  The feat had not happened in league play since 1999, when Eastern Oregon pitcher Robyn Lisak tossed a no-hitter against Concordia.  At that time, only three teams (Concordia, Eastern, Oregpn Tech) in the league offered fastpitch softball.  Since the addition of Southern Oregon, Albertson, and Western Baptist to the league in softball – Monday’s no-hitter was the first in the “new” CCC.
 
MEDIA COVERAGE: Russell became a name in the media on Monday night and in Tuesday’s morning’s newspapers.  KBCI-TV, KIVI-TV, and KTVB-TV all gave recognition to the senior during their 10 o’clock newscasts on Monday night, while both the Idaho Press Tribune and the Idaho Statesman each had stories on the front page of their sports section on the record setting performance.
 
‘YOTES TIE WIN RECORD WITH SWEEP: Lost in the excitement of the no-hitter was the fact that the Lady ‘Yotes tied the school record for wins in a season with the 8-7 and 8-0 sweep of Concordia.  In the opener, the Coyotes rallied from 3-0, 5-2, and 7-6 deficits to claim the win in Game 1.  Senior Kira Leaton (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) had a two-run single in the third inning for Albertson – part of a four-run inning.  Albertson won the game in the sixth, thanks to a Tiffany Mathews (Las Vegas, Nev. / Eldorado HS) single through the middle to tie the score, and a Katie Theisen (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) sacrifice fly.  Senior Lindzi Wasko (Lakenheath, England / Lakenheath American HS) pitched five innings of relief, allowing just two runs to pick up her team-high seventh win of the season.
 

FRESHMEN STEP UP BIG: A big part of the Coyote sweep was the play of freshmen infielders Christine Fancher (Scappoose, Ore. / Scappoose HS) and Jen Ward (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS).  Fancher had an RBI single in the opener, and cleared the bases with a double in the nightcap, part of a 3-for-6 doubleheader.  Ward went 3-for-5 in the twinbill, including a pair of RBI in the Game 2 victory.

 

FINAL I-84 CUP EVENT OF THE SEASON: The Coyotes conclude the regular-season on Thursday afternoon hosting rival Eastern Oregon in a doubleheader at Symms Field.  The Mountaineers (28-13, 14-9 CCC) need a win in one of the two games to clinch a spot in next weekend’s NAIA Region I Tournament.  EOU had a similar weekend as the ‘Yotes did – sweeping a doubleheader from Concordia, but being swept by Western Baptist by scores of 16-8 and 10-1.  All-America nominees Vanessa Shelton (.426 7 HR 24 RBI) and Beth Hull (.333 10 HR 45 RBI) lead Eastern at the plate, where the Mountaineers lead the CCC in team batting average.  EOU has dominated the season and all-time series with the Coyotes, winning six of the seven games this season, and holds a 21-2 all-time edge.

 

I-84 CUP STANDINGS: Although the true I-84 Cup between Albertson College and Eastern Oregon University is a traveling trophy for men’s basketball – Thursday’s doubleheader would loom large if the Cup was to go to the institution that won the season series for all sports.  Eastern holds a 12-11 edge against Coyote athletic teams this season, thanks in part to their domination in women’s athletics (2-0 in women’s basketball, 3-0 in women’s soccer, 6-1 in softball).  Albertson holds the edge in three sports (6-1 in baseball, 2-0 in men’s basketball, and 2-0 in volleyball).

 

FINAL DAY FOR THE SENIORS: Thursday marks the final home games for six seniors in the Albertson softball program.  All six are four-year members of the team and were a part of the inaugural Lady ‘Yote fastpitch team in 2002.  Nicole Rollins (Heyburn, Idaho / Burley HS), Heather McClure (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS), Kerri Russell, Lindzi Wasko, Tiffany Mathews, and Kira Leaton will play at Symms Field for the final time.

 

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.

 

 

TRACK & FIELD: Men and Women finish sixth at Cascade Conference Championships

 

LAST WEEK: at Cascade Conference Championships – Men finish in 6th-place, Women finish in 6th-place

 

COMING UP: at Ken Foreman Invitational, Seattle – May 14.

 

COYOTES ROOKIE CAMPAIGN SOLID: Both the Albertson College men’s and women’s track teams finished sixth in the nine-team field at the Cascade Conference Championships in Portland over the weekend.  The ‘Yotes had three top-three finishes at the event – with a pair of them coming on the women’s side.

 

WOMEN PLACE WELL: Junior Shannon Edwards placed second in the 1,500-meters at the CCC’s, breaking the five minute mark for the first time this season.  Freshman Katie Ball placed third in the 800-meters, while Melissa Dilley was fifth in the 1,500.  The Lady ‘Yotes scored 16 points, well behind eventual winner, Oregon Tech.

 

FLUCKIGER ADDS ANOTHER JEWEL: All-America candidate David Fluckiger continued his outstanding outdoor season, winning the 3,000-meter steeplechase in a CCC Meet record time.  It was the fifth-fastest steeple in the NAIA this season and easily was a national championships automatic qualifier.  Also scoring for the ‘Yotes was Tyler Hopper in the 1,500-meters and Derek Brown in the 400-meters, who both finished fifth. 

 

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information on the 2005 track and field team, including meet-by-meet results and top times, can be found on the Albertson track and field official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/track.htm. 

 

 

WOMEN’S TENNIS: Coyotes win mythical CCC Tennis Championship, finish No. 28 in NAIA poll

 

LAST WEEK: at NAIA Region I Tournament – vs. Alberta (W 6-3), vs. No. 11 Lewis-Clark State (L 7-2), vs. Southern Oregon (W 7-2).

 

‘YOTES FINISH SECOND AT REGIONALS: With wins over both Alberta and Southern Oregon, the Albertson College tennis team finished second at the NAIA Region I Tennis Tournament.  It was the highest finish for the Coyotes since the 2001 season.

 

WESTERBERG TAKES CROWN AT NO. 1 SINGLES: Sophomore Kyla Westerberg finished the 2005 season on a tear, winning her final six matches at No. 1 singles, including a perfect 3-0 mark in the regional.  Westerberg knocked off SOU’s Annie Chaney in straight sets for the singles title, handing Chaney her first loss at No. 1 this season.

 

MYTHICAL CONFERENCE TITLE: With the dominating performance against Southern Oregon, the Lady ‘Yotes captured the mythical Cascade Conference title.  Women’s tennis is not a sanctioned sport by the CCC because only two teams sponsor the sport.

 

VOTES IN NATIONAL POLL: In the final NAIA national poll of the 2005 season, the Lady ‘Yotes received one vote, placing them No. 28 in the nation.

 

FINAL NUMBERS: The Coyotes finished the season 41-25 in singles play and 20-13 in doubles action.  Both Kyla Westerberg and Anna Moylan finished the season with an 18-4 overall record.

 

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information on the 2005 women’s tennis team, including game-by-game results and stats, can be found on the Albertson women’s tennis official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wtennis.htm. 

 

 

- ALBERTSON -