‘Yote Notes – Feb. 8,
2006
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Mike Safford Jr. – Sports
Info. Director
msafford@collegeofidaho.edu
SWIMMING: Savell earns NAIA time in 50-free,
‘Yotes now wait for NAIA Championships
LAST WEEK: at Caldwell Invitational.
COMING UP: Off until NAIA Championships, St.
Charles, Mo., March 1-4.
SAVELL GETS HER 50-FREE TIME: Freshman Alphonsina
Savell (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) will compete in three
individual events at the NAIA Championships next month, as she met the NAIA
automatic qualifying time in the 50-freestyle at the Caldwell
Invitational. Savell set a school
record in a time of 26.20 seconds, 15-hundredths of a second faster than the
automatic mark. She also set school
records in the 100-free (59.00) and 200-IM (2:25.53) in the meet.
NAIA QUALIFIERS: The following are the Coyote
automatic qualifiers for the NAIA Swim Meet, to be held in St. Charles, Mo. in
March – Individuals: John Green (Pleasanton, Calif. / Foothill HS) –
50-free, 100-free; Matt Barclay (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) –
50-free; Alphonsina Savell – 50-free, 100-breast, 200-breast. Relays: Men’s 200-free, Men’s 200-medley,
Women’s 200-free, Women’s 200-medley.
MORE ON THE COYOTE SWIM TEAM: For more
information on the Albertson swim team, including meet results and top times,
head to their official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/swim.htm.
INDOOR TRACK: Men’s distance medley relay meets
automatic qualifying time for Indoor Nationals
LAST WEEK: at Hampton Inn Invitational, Nampa
COMING UP: Idle until University of Idaho
Invite, Moscow, Feb. 17-19.
DISTANCE MEDLEY RELAY AUTOMATIC TO NATIONALS: The
Albertson College men's indoor medley relay team placed third at the United
Heritage Invitational at the Jackson's Indoor Track on Friday night, beating
then NAIA national automatic qualifying time in the process. The relay (legs of 1,200, 400, 800, and 1,600
meters) of David Fluckiger (Herisou, Switz. / Va. Commonwealth U.),
Dustin Wanders (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS), Tyler Hopper (Caldwell,
Idaho / Caldwell HS), and Sam Hardy (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) finished
in 10:23.87 - defeating all non-NCAA Division competition. The time was
five seconds faster than the NAIA "A" mark and was the
seventh-fastest time in the NAIA this year.
WOMEN EARN PROVISIONAL MARK: The
women's distance medley relay placed fifth in their race, but earned an NAIA
"B" time (provisional) with a 12:56.56. Their mark was the
11th-fastest in the NAIA this season.
DISTANCE GURUS RUN WELL: Jacob Haas (Portland,
Ore. / Eastern Oregon U.) took home the crown in the men's 3,000-meter
race, his first-ever individual victory. The senior ran a personal-best
8:54.98, good enough for his second NAIA "B" time of the year (other
was in the 5,000), just six seconds of the automatic qualifier. Teammate Jesse
Chlebeck (Eagan, Minn. / Eagan HS) finished third (8:59.02), also
good enough for an NAIA "B" mark.
Both also have provisional times in the indoor 5,000-meters.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE COYOTES: For up-to-date statistics, stories, and information about the Albertson track team, head to the official website for the Coyotes – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/track.htm.
ALPINE SKIING: ‘Yotes battle elements for key win
at Silver Mountain
LAST WEEK: at Northwest Collegiate Ski
Conference Qualifier #3 at Silver Mountain Resort – Saturday’s races cancelled
due to high winds; Sunday – Men 1st, Women 1st.
COMING UP: at Northwest Collegiate Ski
Conference Qualifier #4 at Mission Ridge, Saturday and Sunday.
SATURDAY’S RACES CANCELLED: The eight
men’s and six women’s teams at Silver Mountain were unable to compete on
Saturday, due to extremely high winds that forced the resort to shut down all
gondolas and ski lifts. The giant
slalom races that were scheduled will not be made up.
WOMEN BLOW PAST FIELD: The Albertson College
women’s alpine ski team showed this weekend why they are ranked No. 3 in the
USCSA national poll, as the Lady ‘Yotes dominated the team giant slalom race
Sunday at Silver Mountain. ACI had a 39-second
win over Puget Sound, thanks to a first-place finish from Cassie Marcial (Whitefish,
Mont. / Whitefish HS), a second-place finish from Molly Bullard (Boring,
Ore. / Sandy HS), a fourth-place finish from Kelly Farmin (Newport,
Wash. / Newport HS) and a fifth-place finish from Nicki Maxwell (Belfry,
Mont. / Red Lodge HS).
WOMEN’S NWCSC STANDINGS: Team – Albertson College 480,
U. of British Columbia 340, U. of Puget Sound 310, Washington State U. 270, U.
of Idaho 220, U. of Washington 202, U. of Oregon 193, Oregon State U. 36,
Seattle U. 0. Individual – Molly
Bullard (ACI) 370, Andrea Lustenberger (UBC) 310, Cassie Marcial (ACI) 256, Kaylie
Rozen (UPS) 254, Kristen Wick (UI) 251, Nicki Maxwell (ACI) 214.
MEN TAKE TOP FOUR SPOTS: The men’s team won their
third-consecutive team race, hanging a 22-second win on the University of
Oregon at Silver Mountain. Matt
Sylvester (Missoula, Mont. / Sentinel HS) had his first win of the
2006 season and was joined in the top-four by William Moss (Bountiful,
Utah / Western State Coll.), Kevin Makinson (Richland, Wash. /
Richland HS), and Ben Houston (Waterbury Center, Vt. / Green
Mountain Valley HS).
MEN’S STANDINGS: Team – Albertson College 416, U.
of British Columbia 360, U. of Oregon 280, U. of Puget Sound 267, U. of
Washington 255, Washington State U. 220, U. of Idaho 213, Seattle U. 162, Central
Oregon CC 158. Individual – Jaime
Finlayson (UBC) 330, Matt Sylvester (ACI) 295, Trevor Bruce (UBC) 205, Robbie
Davidson (UBC) 192, Justin Rackley (ACI) 189, Kevin Makinson (ACI) 188, Aaron
Flynn (ACI) 160.
FINAL QUALIFIER HAS REGIONAL FLARE: The
Coyotes will compete in their final Northwest Collegiate Ski Conference
qualifier this weekend at Mission Ridge, outside of Wenatchee, Wash. Rival British Columbia will be there along
with defending national champion, Rocky Mountain of Montana. It should be an outstanding preview of the
Western Region Championships, to be held in Colorado, later in the month. The resort has 66 inches at the base, with
92 inches of snow at the top of the hill.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE COYOTES: For
up-to-date statistics, stories, and information about the Albertson alpine ski
team, head to the official website for the Coyotes – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/skiing.htm.
BASEBALL: Coyote hardballers set to open 2006 season this
weekend against Lewis & Clark
COMING UP: vs. Lewis & Clark (DH),
Saturday, 11 a.m.; vs. Lewis & Clark, Sunday, Noon.
LAST
SEASON: The Coyotes dropped an 8-3
decision to British Columbia in the NAIA Region I championship game, the
19th-consecutive season that the Albertson College baseball program advanced to
the postseason. The 2005 squad opened
the season with ten consecutive wins at home and earned their first Cascade
Conference championship since the 2002 season.
SEASON
OPENER THIS WEEKEND: Saturday marks the season opener
for the ‘Yotes, commemorating the 20th-season since baseball returned to
Albertson College. During the first 19
seasons, the Coyotes have compiled a 695-359-4 overall record – a .659 winning percentage. In records that date back to the 1952 season,
the ACI baseball program has won 1,006 games.
OTHER
OPENERS THIS WEEKEND: Two other NAIA Region I
schools make their 2006 debuts this weekend – as British Columbia begins a
two-week exodus to Southern California, while Lewis-Clark State hosts Vanguard of
California in a three-game series in Lewiston.
THE OTHER
L.C. COMING TO TOWN: Many fans saw the 2006
Coyote schedule and couldn’t believe that Lewis & Clark was coming to Caldwell to
open the season – thinking it was 13-time NAIA champ, Lewis-Clark State. It is not the ‘Yotes Idaho rival, but their
former Northwest Conference rival from yesteryear. The Pioneers (1-2) are a member of the NCAA Division III and were
conference mates with ACI from the 20s until the ‘Yotes dropped the baseball
program in 1978. L&C has a new head
coach in Justin Baughman – trying to erase a tough 9-28 season (including a
1-23 conference record). The Pios
return All-NWC infielder Jordan Shibata (.403 3 HR 29 RBI), slugger Greg
Williams (.357 4 HR 23 RBI), and their top pitcher Eric Maroncelli (4-3 6.75
ERA). A total of 19 returners are among
the 26 players on the current roster.
ALBERTSON
VS. LEWIS & CLARK: Saturday will mark the 72nd meeting between the two schools since 1952,
with the Pioneers holding a 27-44 edge.
However, in the past 20 years, Albertson has won 5-of-7 contests,
including the last four in a row. The
two teams last met during the 1993 season when the ‘Yotes defeated L&C,
18-6, in the District II playoffs.
PITCHING
ROTATION: Head coach Shawn Humberger hopes to
utilize his four top-end starters during the series – RHP Charlie Strandlund,
LHP Jason Roach, RHP Joe Balbas, and RHP James
Porter – although each will be on a
strict pitch count. Lewis & Clark
is expected to use a three-man rotation of RHP Eric Maroncelli (1-0, 1.80 ERA), RHP Jordon Smiley (0-1, 21.21 ERA), and RHP Eric Muraoka (0-1, 21.21 ERA).
NEXT
WEEK: Albertson
continues their Gem State opening month of the season by hosting the University
of Puget Sound in a three-game series at Simplot Stadium. The two teams will play a doubleheader on
Saturday, followed by a single game on Sunday.
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.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:
Strunk named CCC Player
of the Week, ‘Yotes open up three-game homestand Friday
LAST WEEK: at No. 20 Warner Pacific (L
61-59), at Cascade (W 71-52)
COMING UP: vs. Oregon Tech, Friday, 5:30
p.m.; vs. Southern Oregon, Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
RADIO AND INTERNET: All home Albertson College women’s
basketball games will be broadcast live on the internet, via the ACI athletic
website (www.collegeofidaho.edu/media/audio/YoteSports.asx). Mike Safford Jr. will have the play-by-play
on Friday night, student broadcast Jake McClean will call the action on
Saturday. In addition, all nine women’s
CCC road games and road playoff games will be broadcast live this season on
1490 KCID-AM. Friday’s game will also
be carried live in the Klamath Basin on 1150 KAGO-AM with Bobby Thompson
calling the action, while Saturday’s game will be called in Medford on 580 KTMT-AM
with Brian Grieg and Dustin Harrah.
STRUNK NAMED CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: An
outstanding week for Lady ‘Yote wing Kim Strunk (Twin Falls, Idaho /
Twin Falls HS) netted her this week’s Cascade Conference Player of the Week
honor. The senior tied or broke three
school-records in ACI’s three games and helped the Coyotes to a 2-1
record. Strunk averaged 18 points and
12 rebounds per game, including a career-high 16 rebounds against
Concordia. She tied a single-game
record with 11 offensive rebounds at Warner Pacific and broke the ‘Yotes school
record for career free throws made and attempted. Strunk is just the fourth player in school history to record 900
points and 600 rebounds in a career.
MORE ON THE CAREER RECORDS: Strunk
continues to move up the charts on the ACI career record book. By converting 13-of-17 free throws on the
road trip, Strunk is now 329-for-412 all-time at the line (.798 percent),
surpassing current Borah head coach Alyson Pincock in both categories. She ranks No. 3 in blocked shots (53), is
fifth in games played (110), sixth in points scored (934) and field goal
attempts (694), eighth in steals (121), rebounds (603), and field goals made (287).
Also on the chart is senior Angie Gribble (Boise, Idaho / Bishop
Kelly HS), as she ranks fourth on the all-time steals list with (146), is fifth
on the all-time three-point field goals made (67) and assists (248) list, while
ranking seventh in three-point attempts (235).
CCC AND NATIONAL POLL: The Cascade Conference
women’s basketball coaches’ poll was released on Monday and was identical to
the past week. Warner Pacific remained
No. 1 in the league, despite a loss to Eastern Oregon, while Corban remained at
No. 2, despite a loss to Evergreen State.
Eastern Oregon remained at No. 3, followed by OIT and Albertson.
LADY ‘YOTES CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT: With a win
on Jan. 30, the Albertson women’s basketball team became one of five Cascade
Conference clubs to clinch a berth into the CCC postseason tournament. Beginning February 21, the eight-team
tournament will have the top four seeds host first-round playoff games, with
the semifinals set for Feb. 24, and the championship to be played on Feb.
27. The regular-season champion, along
with the tournament champion, will receive automatic bids to the NAIA Division
II national tournament in Sioux City, Iowa.
A STAPLE IN THE PLAYOFFS: Albertson has now advanced to the CCC Tournament in ten of the 11
seasons since women’s basketball was reinstated at the College in 1995. The Coyotes have advanced to three NAIA
Division II tournaments (1998 – first round, 2000 – quarterfinals, 2001 –
championship game), but have never won a Cascade Conference postseason tournament
(advanced to the finals in 2000, 2002, and 2005).
HOME IS WHERE THE WINS ARE: The J.A.
Albertson Activities Center has been the tonic for the ACI women’s basketball
team during the last ten years. This
seasons 7-2 home mark has added to the dominance the Lady ‘Yotes have had on
their own floor – as Albertson has posted a 91-37 all-time mark in
Caldwell. In fact, the Coyotes have
never recorded a losing home record in program history.
LADY ‘YOTES TURN UP THE “D”: Defense
has been the key for the Lady ‘Yotes, as Albertson has held each of their last eight
opponents under 61 points and 40-percent shooting from the floor. Opponents are averaging just 52.8 points per
game during the streak, while converting just 32-percent of their field goal
attempts. The number is even more
disheartening for opponents outside the arc, as the Coyotes have held clubs to
just 24-percent shooting from long range in upping their overall mark to 15-11.
65 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER: Looking throughout the 26
games this season, the number 65 stands out for the Lady ‘Yotes. When Albertson scores 65 or more points in a
game, they have posted a 12-1 record.
When the club fails to score 65 points, they are just 3-10.
FINAL SIX MINUTES DOOMS LADY ‘YOTES: Silver Pierce hit two free throws
with eight seconds remaining capping a furious Warner Pacific rally, as the No.
20 ranked Knights survived an upset bid by Albertson College, topping the Lady
'Yotes, 61-59, in C.C. Perry Gym on Friday night. Albertson
held a 59-48 lead with six minutes remaining, but would not convert a field
goal the rest of the contest. The Knights closed the contest on a 13-0
run, fueled by 9-of-10 shooting at the free throw line. The winning
points were WPC's only lead of the game.
The Coyotes
opened up a 47-30 cushion on two Merilee Caldwell (Pocatello, Idaho /
Boise State U.) free throws with 12 minutes left, but could not hold
on. Kim Strunk led all scorers with 20 points and 14 rebounds
WIRE TO WIRE AT CASCADE: Jori Grady (Roseburg, Ore. / Umpqua CC) had
a monster night, scoring 29 points and grabbing 11 rebounds as the Albertson
College women's basketball team ended the road portion of their Cascade
Conference season with a 71-52 victory at Cascade College on Saturday night. The junior transfer scored 17 first half points as the
Coyotes opened a 28-11 edge and led by ten at the break. After Cascade
closed within 50-42 with 11:17 remaining, ACI responded, scoring the next 12
points to put the game away.
GRADY’S SEASON: The 29-point evening by Grady was
the eighth time this season that she has scored 20-or-more points. She currently ranks second in the CCC in
scoring average at 16.1 points per game.
The eight 20-plus games for Grady is among the Top-5 all-time in Coyote
history, however, it is nowhere near the record of 20 20-plus scoring games that
Alyson Pincock had during the 2000-01 season.
OREGON
TECH COMES TO TOWN: Friday
night sees Oregon Tech make their annual appearance in Caldwell. The Owls (19-6, 10-4 CCC) have
been playing outstanding basketball over the past two months, winning 16 of
their last 18 games (with both of their losses to first-place Warner
Pacific). Leading the charge for OIT is
post Ashley DuBrey (11.2 ppg, 9.2 rpg), who leads the conference in rebounds
per game. The guardline of Kelsi
Haylett (12.1 ppg), Samantha Gilbert (11.9 ppg), Amanda Doherty (10.8 ppg),
Laura Ivancie (10.8 ppg), and Lindsey Carmichael (9.4 ppg) averages 7.8
three-pointers made per game – No. 6 in the NAIA Division II. The Owls hung on for a 57-56 victory over
Albertson in mid-January and holds a 6-3 edge in the season series – but have
dropped two-straight games to the Lady ‘Yotes in Caldwell.
SOUTHERN
LOOKS TO END SKID VS. ‘YOTES: Saturday is a must win evening for the Southern Oregon women’s
basketball team. The
Raiders (11-14, 4-10) are in a battle with three others teams for the final
three playoff spots in the CCC.
Southern has nearly tripled their win total from last season, however,
none of their 11 wins this season have been to an opponent with a record above
the .500 mark. Two players average in
double figures for SOU – Andi Peterson (12.1 ppg) and Chelsey Zimmerman
(10.7). The Raiders hold a 13-11
all-time series edge, but have lost four of their last five to Albertson.
CASCADE CONFERENCE STAT LEADERS: Scoring
Average – Emilee Eisinger (NW) 17.0, Jori Grady (ACI) 16.1, Heidi Horobiowski
(EOU) 13.7, Jenny Olson (ESC) 13.4, Kristin Woller (CAS) 13.4; Rebound Average
– Ashley DuBrey (OIT) 9.2, Kim Strunk (ACI) 8.5, Adria Layne (EOU) 8.2, Olson
8.1, Becky VanTine (WPC) 8.1; Field Goal Percentage – Layne .548, Sheena
Henderson (EOU) .529, Jubilee Cristel (CAS) .516, Eisinger .502, Joyce Oniah
(CU) .500; Assist Average – Tosha Wilson (COR) 5.3, Chelsey Zimmerman (SOU) 4.7,
Kelsey Haylett (OIT) 4.3, Silver Pierce (WPC) 4.2, Samantha Gilbert (OIT) 4.1.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LADY ‘YOTES: For
up-to-date statistics, stories, and information about the Albertson women’s
basketball team, head to the official website for the Lady ‘Yotes – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmensbasketball.htm.
MEN’S BASKETBALL:
Coyotes playoff hopes
hinge on final three-game homestand beginning Friday vs. O.I.T.
LAST WEEK: at No. 3 Warner Pacific (L 80-76),
at Cascade (W 71-63)
COMING UP: vs. No. 14 Oregon Tech, Friday,
7:30 p.m.; vs. No. 10 Southern Oregon, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
RADIO AND INTERNET: All 27 regular-season men’s
basketball games will be broadcast live in the Treasure Valley on 1490 KCID-AM,
the “Home of the Coyotes.” Mike Safford
Jr. begins his fifth season as the play-by-play man for Albertson basketball,
with the pregame show beginning 20 minutes prior to every game. All games can also be heard live on the
Albertson Athletic Website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/media/audio/YoteSports.asx. Friday’s game will also be carried
live in the Klamath Basin on 1150 KAGO-AM with Bobby Thompson calling the
action, while Saturday’s game will be called in Medford on 580 KTMT-AM with
Brian Grieg and Dustin Harrah.
CCC AND NAIA POLL: With home wins over Albertson and
Eastern Oregon, Warner Pacific remained in the top spot in the CCC coaches’
poll. They were followed closely by
Southern Oregon and Oregon Tech, with Eastern Oregon, Northwest, and Corban
rounding out the top-six. Warner
Pacific earned one first-place vote in this week’s NAIA Division II Top-25 and
moved to No. 3, with Southern sitting at No. 10 and OIT at No. 14. Both Eastern and Northwest received votes in
the poll.
PLAYOFF SCENARIO: With just two weeks remaining in
the regular season, only three teams (Warner Pacific, Southern Oregon, Oregon
Tech) have clinched spots in the eight-team Cascade Conference postseason
tournament. The strangeness of the
2005-06 season has six teams in a logjam between a home playoff game and
missing the playoffs entirely – separated by two and a half games. Currently, both Eastern Oregon and Northwest
sit at 8-7, a half game up on Corban (who just swept the Northwest-Evergreen
road trip). The ‘Yotes are just a game
behind EOU and NW for that coveted home playoff game, while Concordia is in
eighth, just a half game behind ACI.
Just out of the playoff race is Evergreen State, who at 5-10 and winners
of three of their last four, lurking to make a move. Only Cascade has been eliminated from contention.
CHANGES TO THE TOURNAMENT: This year,
the Cascade Conference postseason tournament will not be a straight-bracketed
event. Following the first-round of the
tourney, the top remaining seed will host the lowest remaining seed, while the
second-highest remaining seed will host the second-lowest remaining seed. Criteria for breaking of ties in the final
CCC standings have also changed – with head-to-head meetings taking
preference. That is followed by record
vs. teams .500 or better, record vs. opponents in descending order, usage of
the Sempert System, and if needed, the flip of a coin.
‘YOTES TAKE NO. 3 RANKED TEAM TO THE BRINK: A Donny
Woods three-pointer with 1:27 left was the backbreaker, as No. 3 ranked Warner
Pacific handed Albertson College their third three-game losing streak of the
2005-06 season by virtue of a 80-76 defeat in C.C. Perry Gym on Friday night. The loss dropped the Coyotes five-games
below .500 for the first time since the 1978-79 season. After Ike Stafford (Auburn, Wash.
/ Salt Lake CC) missed two free throws that could have tied the score,
Woods took a feed from Nate Menefee and drilled the 23-footer, giving the
Knights a 71-66 edge. The 'Yotes would close to 78-76 with eight seconds
left, but Scott Gallagher closed the game with two free throws. Josh Owen (Caldwell, Idaho /
Vallivue HS) had a career-high 26 points in the loss, with Brandon
Nielsen (Twin Falls, Idaho / Big Bend CC) adding 19. Dan
McFaul (Moses Lake, Wash. / Big Bend CC) scored 14 points and had a
game-high 13 rebounds. Menefee and
Garland Perry each had 19 for Warner, who won their seventh straight.
STREAK ENDED WITH WIN AT CASCADE: Ike
Stafford scored 14 of his game-high 22 points in the second half, as the
Albertson College men's basketball team ended a three-game losing streak with a
71-63 victory at Cascade College on Saturday night. The Coyotes led just 33-30 early in the second half when Stafford
took over, knocking home 4-of-5 three-point baskets in a five-minute stretch,
as Albertson built a 54-38 edge. The T-Birds would rally within five, but
solid free throw shooting by the visitors kept Cascade at bay. Craig McGee (Boise, Idaho /
Centennial HS) had a career-high for the 'Yotes, scoring 19 points and
eight rebounds, making 7-of-8 shots from the foul line. Dan McFaul added
eight points and eight rebounds, with Kurt Nielson (Rexburg, Idaho /
Eastern Utah CC) contributing seven points and four boards as the Albertson
posts outscored the T-Birds big men 34-6.
THREE-POINT BARRAGE: The Coyotes currently lead the
Cascade Conference in three-point field goals made per game, converting over 9.4
per game. This mark ranks No. 4 in the
NAIA Division II – with Josh Owen and Brandon Nielsen both in the national
Top-50 in the individual three-pointers per game category. The squad is also atop the CCC list for
three-point percentage as a team at .378 percent, with Ike Stafford ranking
tenth in the NAIA in three-point percentage.
BATTLE OF FORMER NATIONAL CHAMPS: It is
always a fun match-up when the only two Cascade Conference men’s basketball
teams to win NAIA Championships meet in Caldwell. Oregon Tech opened the 2005-06 season as the No. 1 ranked
team in the nation, withstood a rough early season stretch to win 13 games in a
row. After dropping three-straight
(including a home loss to Cascade), the Owls (21-6, 9-5 CCC) righted the ship
with their third win over Southern Oregon this season on Saturday night. OIT is led by All-American point-guard
Levell Hesia (16.9 ppg, 5.2 apg), transfer Ryan Fiegi (16.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg), and
mini-post Andre Lawrence (15.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg).
The Owls hung on for an 80-76 win over ACI in January, but the Coyotes
hold the all-time series lead at 37-23
A COACHING LEGEND IN TOWN: It is safe to mention the
work legend next to Oregon Tech head coach Dan Miles name. The 35th-year head coach of the Owls has
compiled a 783-348 record during his tenure in Klamath Falls and currently sits
among the Top-15 for career wins at any collegiate level, any collegiate
division.
FRIDAY NIGHT IS POSTER NIGHT: Following
Friday night’s game with Oregon Tech, 1,000 fans will go home with a poster
commemorating the 1995-96 NAIA Division II national championship won by the
Coyotes. The full-color poster,
courtesy of Intermountain Community Bank, is a must-have for all Coyote fans.
HERE COMES THE RAIDER NATION: Southern Oregon comes to
town with a swagger, knowing they have dominated ACI over the past three
seasons. The Raiders (21-5, 10-4), who
spent two weeks as the No. 1 team in the nation, have won six-straight over the
Coyotes and ten of the last 13 meetings.
All-American Shea Washington (19.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg) is the SOU all-time
leading scorer and has never lost to the ‘Yotes. The key could be post Jeff Williams (8.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg), who had
15 points in the Raiders 71-60 win in January – as Williams has been hobbled by
an ankle injury. It is the 49th meeting
between the teams, with Albertson holding a 32-16 edge.
LEAGUE LEADERS: Scoring Average – Eric Fiegi (COR)
29.5, Joshua Garrett (CAS) 19.7, Shea Washington (SOU) 19.4, Michael Lay (CU) 18.3,
Nate Menefee (WPC) 17.3; Rebound Average – Fiegi 12.5, Washington 8.5, Jeff
Williams (SOU) 8.4, Aaron Sawyer (NW) 7.9, Donny Woods (WPC) 7.6; Field Goal
Percentage – Washington .605, Thomas Cook (ESC) .604, Derek Brown (EOU) .597, Kyle
Janke (EOU) .568, Feigi .568; Assist Average – Lay 6.8, Woods 6.1, Levell Hesia
(OIT) 5.3, Steve Farley (SOU) 5.0, Andre Lawrence (OIT) 4.4.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE COYOTES: For game stories, statistics, and information regarding the Albertson men’s basketball program, head to the official site Coyote Basketball: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/mensbasketball.htm.
SOFTBALL: Lady ‘Yotes to open 2006 season on Saturday at Utah
Valley State
COMING UP: at Utah Valley State (DH),
Saturday, Noon.
LAST SEASON: The 2005 Albertson College
softball season was a tale of two completely different halves of the
season. The Lady ‘Yotes opened the
season with a 3-3 trip to Arizona, including an upset of nationally-ranked
Concordia (Calif.), then opened Cascade Conference play by winning four of
their first five games to sit in first place (with an overall record of
14-12). However the squad struggled the
rest of the way to a 18-35 mark. The
club did tie a school-record for wins in a season and set single-season marks
for hits, RBI, doubles, walks, and runs scored.
NEW HEAD COACH: In June of last year, Al
Mendiola became the second head softball coach in program history. A 1994 graduate of ACI, Mendiola had served
the past five years as an assistant coach with the Coyote baseball
program. In addition, he has been the
head coach of the Caldwell Silver Streaks American Legion baseball program
since 1997. Mendiola also served as an
assistant coach with the Boise Clippers men’s fastpitch team that competed in
the NAFA AA World Championships this summer in Minnesota.
RETURNING: The Lady ‘Yotes will return 12
letterwinners from last season, including six players with considerable time in
the starting line-up. Albertson returns
two of their three starting outfielders, two of their three starting
infielders, along with a pitcher from the 2005 season
LOST: Albertson must replace a strong group of seniors that
helped start the softball program in 2002.
Among that group were three-time All-Cascade Conference catcher Tiffany
Mathews, four-year starting first-baseman Kira Leaton, four-year starting
leftfielder Heather McClure, and pitcher Lindzi Wasko, who led the staff last
season in wins. The ‘Yotes will also be
without sophomore pitcher Ashley Bowman (Parma, Idaho / Parma HS),
who led the team in strikeouts, as she will redshirt the ‘06 season.
NOT A JUCO ANYMORE: Albertson opens up the 2006 season
at Utah Valley State, a second-year NCAA Division I independent. The Wolverines (13-35 in 2005) expect to be
much improved this season, according to head coach Todd Fairbourne, as they
return slugger Rachel Hartgrove (.395 10 HR 34 RBI) and speedy Chris Jimenez
(.301 16 RBI). UVSC also returns their
top pitcher in Jackie Roberts (8-15 3.92 ERA).
Games against ACI and Eastern Oregon are small morsels on the Valley
schedule, as the Wolverines will meet NCAA juggernauts Washington, Oklahoma,
and Long Beach State.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: The two teams met four times last
season, with the Wolverines winning all four contests. However, the Lady ‘Yotes held a 3-2 lead
going into the sixth inning in the series opener in Caldwell before falling
4-3.
THE SCHEDULE: After opening the 2006 season with
an early February doubleheader at Utah Valley State, the Coyotes will play in a
pair of tournaments. ACI heads first to
Northern California for five games in late February – including games against
NAIA Region II clubs Patten, Notre Dame de Namur, Bethany, and
Concordia-Irvine. The squad then opens
March in the Columbia River Basin at the Central Washington Invitational –
meeting defending NAIA national champion Simon Fraser and Eastern Oregon. The ‘Yotes will also have home-and-home
series with Simon Fraser, Northwest Christian, and Canyon County rival
Northwest Nazarene, a home twinbill against Utah Valley State, and the 20-game
Cascade Conference slate.
COYOTES ALREADY IN THE PLAYOFFS: Albertson
will get to play a postseason game this year – regardless of how they finish in
the standings. The Cascade Conference
coaches did away with the CCC Preseason Tournament – which was held in 2002,
2004, and 2005, and established a CCC Postseason Tournament in Portland. All six teams will compete – determining the
league’s berths into the NAIA Region I Tournament.
PITCHING: The Coyotes pitching staff was
helped around Christmas time, as Katie Zillner (Emmett, Idaho /
Chicago State U.) decided to transfer to ACI. The hard-throwing sophomore played basketball and pitched at
Northwest Nazarene in 2004, then transferred to Chicago State to play
volleyball. She will be joined by
fifth-year senior Kerri Russell (Melba, Idaho / Melba HS), who
went 4-9 last year, but tossed a no-hitter against Concordia (Ore.). True freshman A.J. Cavanaugh (Covington,
Wash. / Kentwood HS) has impressed in early season workouts and will be
joined by fellow freshman Megan Kautz (Weiser, Idaho / Weiser HS).
CATCHING: With both Tiffany Mathews and
Tiffany Kerns, the two Coyote catchers who had caught all 179 games in school
history, having moved on, a youth movement will work this year with the Albertson
pitchers. Leading the way are a pair of
freshmen – Nicole Illias (Beaverton, Ore. / Valley Catholic HS)
and Stacy Smith (Draper, Utah / Juan Diego Catholic HS). Illias, a slap-hitting speedster, was a
member of the Oregon 3A All-State team, while Smith was a two-time Utah 2A
All-State player.
INFIELD: Coach Mendiola has multiple
options around the infield in 2006 – including a mix of veterans and
newcomers. The Coyotes have worked
out last season’s third-baseman, Lisa
Stout (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS), at first base during
Fall Ball after losing four-year starter Kira Leaton to graduation. Stout hit .268 in Cascade Conference play in
2005 and has hit the ball well in preseason practice. Also vying for a spot at first is transfer Johnna Bice (Middleton,
Idaho / North Idaho CC), junior Katie Pond (Boise, Idaho /
Centennial HS), and sophomore Nicole Becvar (Caldwell, Idaho /
Caldwell HS). All four players are
your prototypical first-baseman, standing 5-9 or taller. Anna Schroeder (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle
HS) returns at second base after back-to-back All-CCC seasons. Schroeder hit .322 with 22 runs scored and
24 stolen bases in 2005. Also in the
running at second are sophomore Kelsi Murdock (Kuna, Idaho /Kuna HS)
and senior Nikki Stevenson (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS). Three-year starter Angie Gribble (Boise,
Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) returns at shortstop, but look to see freshman
A.J. Cavanaugh get plenty of playing time while Gribble, the starting
point-guard on the ‘Yotes basketball team, is away. Sophomore Jen Ward (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS) will
also vie for playing time at short.
Freshman Haley Butcher (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS), an Idaho
5A All-State selection, has the inside track at the third-base job. Also in the mix is sophomore Christine Fancher
(Scappoose, Ore. / Scappoose HS) and senior Lisa Stout.
OUTFIELD: Two-time All-NAIA Region I
selection Katie Theisen (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) anchors a
speedy Coyote outfield. Theisen set school
records with 12 doubles and 29 RBI last season, while hitting .408 in
conference play. She’ll be joined by
junior slapper Heather Kirtley (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS), who set
a school-mark with 29 runs scored in 2005.
Newcomers Stephanie Stover (Caldwell, Idaho / U. of Nevada)
and Joelle Cote (Great Falls, Mont. / Great Falls HS) have great
speed, while transfer Johnna Bice has power from the left side of the
plate. Add Nikki Stevenson and Nicole
Becvar into the group of contenders in the outfield.
A LOOK AT THE CASCADE CONFERENCE: The battle
atop the Cascade Conference seems wide open this year after Southern Oregon
(39-19) lost a trio of All-Region selections who had helped the Raiders to
three-straight CCC titles. Southern
returns a pair of pitchers with experience, along with All-Region outfielder,
Leann Foster. Oregon Tech (33-16) will
look to return to the top this season, thanks to a solid recruiting class. The Owls have one of the top pitchers in the
Northwest in Jenni Bittle, while they return two-time All-Star Amanda
Doherty. Eastern Oregon (30-15) has a
new head coach in Missy Wheeler – and will have to replace a group of All-CCC
players. Both Corban (17-25) and
Concordia (19-28) hope to crack the Region I tournament this year after disappointing
2005 seasons.
MORE
INFORMATION:
Updated information and statistics on the 2006 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 -