‘Yote Notes – Mar. 23,
2006
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Mike Safford Jr. – Sports
Info. Director
msafford@collegeofidaho.edu
ATHLETIC NEWS:
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LUNCHEON: The
Albertson College women’s basketball team will be holding their 2nd-Annual Steak
Dinner Team Fundraiser on April 5th.
The event will occur once again at the Outback Steakhouse on Karcher
Road in Nampa from 11:30-2 p.m. For
$15.00, each person receives an all-you-can-eat lunch of steak, chicken, mashed
potatoes, caesar salad, and bread – with all of the proceeds benefiting the ACI
women’s basketball program. For more
information or to purchase a ticket, contact head coach Reagan Rossi at
459-5855.
SKIERS EARN HIGH ACADEMIC HONORS: The
Albertson College ski and snowboard program not only had an outstanding season
on the slopes, they had an outstanding season in the classroom. The Coyotes had four women (Kaylie Aaker,
Molly Bullard, Nicki Maxwell, Alli Straubhar) and three
men (Kevin Makinson, William Moss, Justin Rackley) named
to the USCSA All-America Scholar-Athlete team.
TRACK OPENS OUTDOOR SEASON AT EASTERN OPEN: After a
highly successful indoor track season, the Coyotes shift their focus outdoors,
with the first meet of the 2006 season set for Saturday at Eastern Oregon. ACI looks to qualify runners for the NAIA
Championships in three relays (men’s 4x400 relay, men’s and women’s 4x800
relay), while the distance specialists work at the 1,500 meters this weekend.
TENNIS GOES 1-2 IN OREGON: The Albertson College
women's tennis team had highs and lows during their weekend trip to the
Willamette Valley, defeating George Fox, but dropping tight matches to
Willamette and Southern Oregon. Sophomore
Kyla Westerberg had an outstanding weekend, compiling a 5-1 overall
record, including a 3-0 mark in No. 1 singles. Her 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over
Katie Ross was the 'Yotes lone singles' point in a 7-2 loss to Region I foe,
Southern Oregon. ACI took four of the
six singles points in a 5-4 win over George Fox - as Westerberg, Anna Moylan,
Katie Webster, and Mariah Armstrong each posted straight set
victories. Willamette spoiled a winning
trip by topping the Coyotes, 5-4. The Bearcats took 2-of-3 doubles points
to earn the victory. Westerberg, Moylan, and Karin Hayashida took
home singles victories for the 'Yotes. Albertson
returns to action on Friday afternoon at Treasure Valley CC.
BASEBALL (17-6): Surging Coyotes nearly crack NAIA poll, host Oregon
Tech in key four-game series
LAST WEEK: vs. Corban (W 17-7, W 9-1, W 2-0),
at Northwest Nazarene (W 16-3)
COMING UP: vs. Oregon Tech (DH), Saturday,
Noon; vs. Oregon Tech (DH), Sunday, 11 a.m.
NATIONAL
RANKING?: Albertson continued their slow
climb in the second NAIA national poll of the 2006 season, earning the No. 26
position in the nation – the first team listed in the others receiving votes
category. It is the highest mark for
the ‘Yotes since April 2, 2003 – when ACI was ranked No. 25. LC-State is ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, with
British Columbia ranked No. 16. The national
poll will be released weekly through May 17.
PITCHING CONTINUES TO BE THE KEY: With the
Coyotes off to their best start since the 2002 season, the key to the success
starts on the mound. Through 23 games,
Albertson has a team ERA of 3.24 – having already tossed five shutouts, with eight
different pitchers having ERA’s under 4.00.
Looking back to last season, the ‘Yotes had a 4.70 ERA as a team at this
point of the season last year, with just five pitchers below 4.00. It was even worse two years ago, when ACI
had a 5.53 ERA at the same point of the season. This year, opponents are hitting just .242 against Coyote
pitching, the staff has allowed just eight home runs, while having a better
than a 1-to-2 walks-to-strikeouts ratio.
TRANSFER HAS BEEN “A+” AT SHORTSTOP: Another
key for the ‘Yotes has been the stellar play of new shortstop Casey Oliver (Pocatello,
Idaho / College of So. Idaho). The
junior has stepped into his role remarkably, ranking second on the team with a
.400 batting average, is tied for the team lead in doubles with eight, ranks
second in RBI (18) and stolen bases (11), while recording just six errors in
103 chances. In 51 games last season,
Coyote shortstops combined to commit 34 errors.
TEN BATTERS, NO OUTS: Many fans were excited for
Tuesday’s match-up at Vail Field in Nampa between Albertson and Northwest
Nazarene, thinking the previous 18-6 Coyote victory might have been a fluke. After 15 minutes, they knew it wasn’t a
fluke. Ten batters went to the plate
for the ‘Yotes, ten batters reached base – five singles, three hit batsmen, and
two walks – as ACI jumped out to a 7-0 lead without an out being recorded. The visitors went on to top NNU, 16-3,
taking the first two games of the season-long six-game series.
DOMINATING THE NNU SERIES, SO FAR: How
lopsided has the ACI-NNU series been this season – it starts in the run column,
where the ‘Yotes have outscored the Crusaders 34-8. ACI has out hit their Canyon County rival 35-15, while NNU holds
the edge in errors by a 11-2 margin.
The two teams will conclude the series next weekend – with two games in
Nampa and two games in Caldwell.
‘YOTES RECEIVE A PULASKI: Prior to the game Tuesday
at NNU, Coyote head coach Shawn Humberger was presented a Pulaski, a
combination axe and mattock that is used to fight forest fires, donated by the
U.S. Forest Service. The Pulaski will
serve as the traveling trophy for the winning team in the yearly ACI-NNU
baseball rivalry – with the Coyotes receiving the unique trophy first, for
their series victory in 2005.
CORBAN CAN’T MATCH COYOTE ATTACK: When your
opponent allows just one earned run in three games, you know your chances are
not that good. Corban College found
that out last weekend, as the Coyotes swept a three-game series from the
Warriors. Albertson opened up a 17-0
lead in Friday’s opener and coasted to a win, then allowed a combined 11 hits
in the two wins on Saturday. Ren
Lombardo (Boise, Idaho / Oregon State U.) had a solid weekend, going
3-for-6 with five runs scored during the series, while Casey Oliver went
4-for-10 with seven RBI.
TALE OF TWO DAYS FOR McGRADY: It was a
strange series for outfielder Jake McGrady (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS),
with Friday and Saturday showing completely different sides of the spectrum. In the 17-7 win on Friday afternoon, the
senior was the lone starter not to record a hit, going 0-for-6 – and grounded
into a pair of inning-ending double plays.
McGrady put that behind him on Saturday and responded, going 3-for-6,
including a key two-run double in the 9-1 win in Game 1, and followed that up
with three more hits on Tuesday at NNU.
MORE ON THE OUTFIELD: The combination of everyday
outfielders for the ‘Yotes – Stalling, Lombardo, McGrady, and Nic Florence (Boise,
Idaho / Cochise CC) have recorded 121 chances this season in the 23 games
played – with four outfield assists and no errors.
‘YOTES AMONG THE CAREER RECORD BOOK: Four
Coyotes have joined the top-ten career list so far this season. Greg Stalling ranks among the top-ten
all-time in seven categories – holding the record for career walks (128), is
second in stolen bases (80 – needing just six to tie the all-time record), is
third in hits (237) runs (195 – needing just 11 to tie the all-time record), at
bats (671), and hit by pitches (38), and is seventh in doubles (39). Jake McGrady ranks fourth all-time in stolen
bases (61), is sixth in sacrifice bunts (16), and is seventh in both at bats (601)
and hits (189). Nate Freese (Vancouver,
Wash. / Skyview HS) sits in fourth-place in all-time saves (9) and in
doubles (42), is seventh in hit-by-pitches (25), eighth in at bats (553), and
is 12th in hits (164), while Lars Alsager ranks third all-time in appearances
by a pitcher (69).
OREGON TECH
HEADS TO CALDWELL: This weekend, Oregon Tech makes
their second long trip in a row, searching for their first victory in three
weeks. The Owls (5-9, 2-4 Region I)
have had problems with weather all season, losing six games in the Willamette
Valley to rain, then dealing with the wet stuff again last weekend at British
Columbia as they dropped all four games to the T-Birds. OIT has qualified for each of the last two
NAIA Region I tournaments and is poised for another run behind No. 1 starter
Corey Merritt (1-2 3.86 ERA), an All-CCC selection last year. Dan Mecum (.450 2 HR 7 RBI) has been the
most consistent hitter of the Owl bunch, but the team is only hitting at a .239
clip, while pitchers are allowing nearly seven runs a game. ACI won 8-of-11 meetings with OIT last
season, including all four in Caldwell, and holds a 39-9 all-time series 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 (7-8): Lady ‘Yotes excited to open Cascade Conference schedule
Friday at Eastern Oregon
LAST WEEK: vs. Northwest Christian (W 8-3, L
5-2)
COMING UP: at Eastern Oregon (DH), Friday, 2
p.m. PST
COYOTES SET TO OPEN LEAGUE PLAY: After
playing 15 non-conference games to start the 2006 season, the Albertson College
softball team opens up Cascade Conference play on Friday afternoon, traveling
to Pioneer Park in La Grande for a twinbill against Eastern Oregon. The two games will be the first of 20
contests that make up the CCC schedule – a home-and-home doubleheader against
each of the five other teams. Unlike
years past, the season will conclude with a postseason tournament – with the
top-three clubs advancing to the NAIA Region I tournament.
LEAGUE NUMBERS FROM THE PAST: The Lady ‘Yotes have not fared well in league play since ACI
began its softball program in 2002.
Overall, the Coyotes have a 22-64 record in Cascade Conference action –
finishing no higher than fourth in the standings. In fact, the team has never won more than seven league games in a
season and has never finished above the .500 in CCC play.
TRYING TO KEEP THE HAMMER ON EASTERN: One of the
problems that ACI has had in the past is defeating their I-84 rival, Eastern
Oregon. Coming into the 2006 season,
the Mountaineers (3-12) had won 22-of-24 meetings between the teams. However, the Lady ‘Yotes have already
equaled that win total with 4-1 and 3-2 victories over Eastern at the Red Lion
Hotel Invitational at the beginning of the month. Eastern has fallen on hard times this season, having lost ten of
their last 11 games, including five games where their opponent has scored nine
or more runs. The offensive attack is
led by Leanne Foster (.317 4 HR 15 RBI) and All-CCC infielder Heather Tandberg
(.311 3 HR 5 RBI) – however, pitching has been the Mounties problem. Their staff has compiled a 6.09 ERA, with
opponents recording a .321 batting average.
OTHER GAMES THIS WEEK: Besides the
Albertson-Eastern doubleheader, Corban and Concordia will make the trek south
to face Oregon Tech and Southern Oregon.
Corban has dropped 7-of-8 games to start the season, while Concordia has
dropped 10-of-11. OIT has been
snake-bit by weather, but has managed to open the season 7-1, while Southern
Oregon’s 10-7 mark is a bit deceiving – as the Raiders have defeated three
nationally ranked teams (including 2004 NAIA champ, Thomas (Ga.)), while five
of their seven losses have come to nationally-ranked teams.
‘YOTES SPLIT WITH NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN: After a
two-week layoff, the Albertson College softball team shook off the rust,
splitting a Saturday doubleheader with
Northwest Christian College, winning the opener, 8-3, but losing Game 2, 5-2,
at Symms Field. After spotting the
Beacons a 2-0 first inning lead, the Coyotes rallied in Game 1. A two-run
single by junior Anna Schroeder (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) tied
the game in the fourth and A.J. Cavanaugh (Covington, Wash. /
Kentwood HS) gave the 'Yotes the lead for good an out later with a two-run
double. Stacy Smith (Draper, Utah / Juan Diego Catholic HS) capped
the scoring in the sixth with a mammoth three-run homer to left, her third
round-tripper of the season. Kerri
Russell (Melba, Idaho / Melba HS) went four innings of four-hit ball
to get the win, while Cavanaugh allowed just one hit in three innings of relief
to notch her second save of the year. Game
2 saw Darci Byrne take a no-hitter into the sixth inning for the Beacons, as
the junior recorded a complete game victory. Kathy Richard went 2-for-3
with an RBI in the win. The Coyotes broke
up the no-hitter in a big way, as Heather Kirtley (Eagle, Idaho /
Eagle HS) slapped an inside-the-park home run to center. ACI brought
the winning run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, but Cavanaugh
grounded out with the bases loaded to end the threat.
PITCHERS THROWING STRIKES: One of the
reasons the Albertson College softball team struggled to a 58-121 record during
the first four years of the program was the fact that pitchers consistently allowed
too many free passes. In fact, the walks-to-strikeout
ratio over the previous four seasons was 1:1.12 – which results in far too many
unwarranted base-runners. This season,
the Lady ‘Yotes have walked just 32 batters in 15 contests, while fanning 83,
with the walks-to-strikeout ratio at a solid 1:2.59.
NEW HOME RUN RECORD: With her home run into The Village
apartment complex on Saturday, Stacy Smith set a new school record for home
runs in a season with three. As a team,
ACI has now connected on seven round-trippers this season, with nearly equaling
the mark of 11 home runs that had been hit in program history coming into 2006.
NO SHUTOUTS: Through the first 15 games this
season, the ACI softball team has scored at least one run in every
contest. Dating back to last season,
the Lady ‘Yotes have run their consecutive game streak without being shutout to
19 – a school record. The previous mark
was 15 games, set during the 2004 season.
INSIDE THE LEAGUE NUMBERS: As a team,
the Lady ‘Yotes rank No. 3 in team ERA (3.44), and rank No. 3 in batting
average (.273) and No. 4 in fielding percentage (.948).
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.
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