Yote Notes – Feb. 12, 2008

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Yotes clinch postseason berth, head out on road to meet Evergreen State and Northwest

COMING UP: at Evergreen State, Friday, 7:30 p.m. (PST); at Northwest, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. (PST)

LAST WEEK: vs. Corban (L 75-68), vs. Concordia (W 59-57)

RADIO/INTERNET: All 30 regular-season games will be broadcast live in the Treasure Valley on 1490 KCID-AM, the Home of the Coyotes. Sports information director Mike Safford returns for his seventh-year as Voice of the Coyotes, with the pregame show begining 20-minutes prior to tip-off each night. Saturday’s game at Northwest will also be carried on the internet, via the Northwest athletic website at www.northwestu.edu/athletics with Dan Hickman calling the play-by-play.

CLOSING IN ON A PLAYOFF SPOT: With the win on Saturday night over Concordia, the Yotes secured their 11th-striaght postseason berth in the Cascade Conference Tournament and their 26th playoff appearance in the last 27 years. Outside of the 1996-97 season, the Coyotes have played in the postseason every year in the Marty Holly-Mark Owen era. In the CCC Tourney, the Yotes have posted a 12-4 record under Owen, including tourney titles in 2001, 2003, and 2004.

YOTES POSTSEASON HISTORY: The Yotes have a rich history of playoff success in the last quarter century, winning six NAIA District titles (1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991) and three CCC titles (1993, 1996, 2004). In program history, The C of I has appeared in the NAIA Tournament on 17 occasions, including last season, the most trips to the Big Dance than any other CCC school – including the 1996 NAIA Division II national championship.

GETTING DEFENSIVE: Allowing just 57 points in the win Saturday against Concordia, The C of I has held opponents under 60 points in three of their last four games. The Coyotes lead the CCC in conference-counters in scoring defense, holding opponents to just 66 points a night – with opponents on the season managing just 69.3 points a game against The C of I, also tops in the league. The Yotes have kept opponents under the 70-point mark on a season just once under Mark Owen – that occurring during the 2004-05 season, when teams failed to reach 60 points against the Yotes eight times (this season, the Yotes have held teams under 60 six times).

CHAMP IS TOPS IN THE NATION: With nine combined steals in the Coyotes two weekend games, Bryan Champ (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) remained in the No. 1 spot among all NAIA Division II players in steals per game (3.3) and overall steals (86) for the third-straight week. The junior also climbed to No. 4 on the all-time steals list with 169 (passing his current head coach, Mark Owen), while his 86 steals this season ranks No. 4 on the season record list – just behind the 88 steals by current assistant coach, Matt Muniz, who had 88 swipes in 1998. Former assistant, Joe Green, holds the top two spots on the list (116 and 107). Champ has recorded a steal in 24-straight games this season, while recording three or more steals in ten of his last 11 games.

OWEN ADDS TO HIS POINTS TOTAL: With a pair of double figure games, Josh Owen (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) continued to up his career points total, moving the mark to 1,454. The senior has some work to do to move higher on the ladder, sitting 183 points behind No. 3 Kade Wilson (1,637 points). Taft Jackson (2,336 points) and R.C. Owens (2,155 points) hold down the top two spots on the list. Owen has now hit 257 three’s in his career – 42 behind Kade Wilson’s school record.

SOPHOMORES HELP OUT AGAINST CONCORDIA: With a pair of sophomores in the starting line-up on Saturday night, both provided a spark in the two-point win over Concordia. Steffen Spinks (Manteca, Calif. / East Union HS) broke out of a recent slump to score a team-high 14 points, while Tucker Long (Pocatello, Idaho / Century HS) had ten points and five rebounds in the win.

HOT HANDED EVERGREEN READY FOR THE YOTES: The hottest team in the loop hosts the Yotes on Friday night, as Evergreen State brings a seven-game win streak to the table. The Geoducks (17-5, 12-4 CCC) are off to their best start since winning the CCC in 2001-02 – leading the loop in scoring average (87.2), field goal percentage (.511), and three-point percentage (.401). Nate Menefee (23.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg) is the CCC’s top scorer, recording 16 games of 20-or-more points, while Nick Moore (12.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Marcus Whittaker (10.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg) are good role players. The Yotes won the first meeting this year, 89-86 in overtime, the last loss by the Geoducks. It is the 19th all-time meeting, with The C of I holding a 14-4 series edge.

TRYING TO WIN AT NORTHWEST: The toughest gym for the Coyote men to play in recently is the Northwest Pavilion in Kirkland, Wash., where The C of I heads on Saturday to meet Northwest. The Eagles (12-13, 8-8) have held the upper hand on the Yotes in their home gym, winning the last four contests (last C of I win was in 2003-04) – with the largest margin of victory just seven points. The 2007-08 Northwest club has played well at home, going 7-3, but are not the same club that advanced to the national semifinals last season – as evident in their 67-48 setback at The C of I in early January. John Van Dyke’s bunch is led by transfer Eddie Coulson (14.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and CCC Freshman of the Year candidate Greg George (13.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg) – and hit 39-percent of their three-point attempts, despite going 5-for-26 in Caldwell. It is the 25th meeting between the teams, with the Yotes holding a 15-9 series edge.

CAREER RECORD BOOK: The Coyote career record book continues to shuffle each week, as a pair of Yotes continue their assault on history. Josh Owen ranks in the Top-10 in eleven categories – including No. 2 in career three-pointers made (257) and attempted (657). He is third in field goal attempts (1,130), fourth in points scored (1,454), fifth in free throw percentage (.852), sixth in steals (154) and in field goals made (474), is eighth in assists (281), games played (113), and in free throws made (259), and is tenth in free throw attempts (304). Also on the list is junior Bryan Champ, who is No. 4 in career steals (169).

CASCADE CONFERENCE TOP-SIX: The latest CCC Top-6 Coaches Poll was released on Monday – with the ranking having the least movement in over a month. Oregon Tech remained in the No. 1 spot, followed by Eastern Oregon, Evergreen State, and Warner Pacific. The Yotes were sitting in the No. 5 spot, with Concordia sixth. In last week’s NAIA Top-25 poll of 2008, Oregon Tech was ranked No. 6, Eastern Oregon at No. 13, and Warner Pacific at No. 24. Evergreen State was the only other CCC team to receive votes in the poll. The C of I has a streak of 15 consecutive years of Top-25 rankings on the line in 2007-08.

CASCADE CONFERENCE STATS: The Coyotes as a team continue to lead the CCC in turnover margin (+3.7), along with scoring defense (69.3) and scoring defense in CCC-only games (66.3). The team is No. 2 in steals per game (9.4), No. 3in three-pointers made per game (8.1), No. 5 in scoring margin (+0.0), No. 7 in free throw percentage (.705), No. 8 in assists (12.2), No. 9 in field goal percentage (.434) and three-point percentage (.336), No. 10 in rebound margin (-6.0) and blocked shots (2.0), and No. 11 in scoring offense (69.3). Individually, Bryan Champ leads the league and the NAIA in steals per game (3.3), with Josh Owen leading the league in minutes played per game (35.9), is second in three-pointers made per game (2.9), while ranking No. 6 in free throw percentage (.802) and No. 8 in scoring average (16.6).

CASCADE CONFERENCE LEADERS: Scoring Average – Nate Menefee (ESC) 23.4, Scott O’Gallagher (WP) 22.5, Ryan Fiegi (OIT) 20.4, Mark Carollo (EOU) 18.8, Josh Jarrett (NCC) 18.3; Rebound Average – Jalonta Martin (WP) 8.5, Jarrett 8.4, Joshua Wetzler (OIT) 8.4, Ryan Barker (CAS) 7.7, Paul Carollo (EOU) 7.5; Field Goal Percentage – Wetzler .714, Kyle Janke (EOU) .608, Matt Ochs (CU) .582, Christian Cavanaugh (OIT) .580, Michael Ward (ESC) .570; Assist Average – Fiegi 5.8, Jesse Alvarez (CU) 5.2, Jeremy Templeton (EOU) 4.6, Martin 4.3, O’Gallagher 4.0.

CORBAN UPSET COYOTES IN CALDWELL: Kyle Masten canned a three-pointer from the top of the key with 2:22 remaining, giving Corban College the lead for good, as the Warriors upset The C of I, 72-65, Friday in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center. After falling behind 60-55 with four minutes left, the Yotes got a three from Josh Owen and a trey from Bryan Champ to regain the lead, but Masten answered with his only field goal of the night. keying an 11-1 run that ended a Warrior three-game losing streak to The C of I. The game was tied 28-28 at the break, but Corban used back-to-back Ben Sisler three's, part of an 8-0 run early in the half to take a 40-35 lead.  A Champ three would give the Yotes the lead briefly at 41-40, but a deuce from Jason Braun and a pair of Wade Douglas lay-ups got the lead back for Corban - which they would hold until the final three minutes. Douglas led Corban with 19 points and 12 rebounds, with Clay Martin adding 17 and Braun 11 points and six rebounds - all in the second half. Champ had 19 points and four steals before fouling out late in the game.  Owen had 17 points and J.R. Maggard (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) logged a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

YOTES HANG ON AGAINST CONCORDIA: Cody Aker missed a game-tying lay-up with two seconds left as The C of I withstood offensive woes for the second straight night to post a 59-57 victory over Concordia in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center. Aker took an inbounds pass from half court with seven seconds left and went one-on-one with the Yotes Bryan Champ, who forced the senior to rush his attempt, which hit hard off the window and roll off the front iron.  Kurt Nielson (Rexburg, Idaho / Eastern Utah CC) secured the rebound as The C of I moved into sole possession of fifth-place and clinched a postseason berth for the 11th-straight year. A 15-4 run to end the first half gave the Coyotes a 36-29 halftime lead, but the Cavaliers would hold The C of I to just two made field goals and a free throw over the final ten minutes to climb back in.  CU closed within two on a pair of occasions, as Aker canned a trey with 44 seconds left to pull within 59-57, but could not get the equalizer. Steffen Spinks led four Coyotes in double figures with 14 points, with Josh Owen added 12, Champ adding 12 points, five rebounds, and five steals, and Tucker Long ten.  Steven Vaughan led CU with 20 points in the loss.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Coyotes, head to the official homepage of The C of I men’s basketball – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/mensbasketball.htm.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Lady Yotes clinch home playoff game, set for road trip at Evergreen and Northwest

COMING UP: at Evergreen State, Friday, 5:30 p.m. (PST); at Northwest, Saturday, 5:30 p.m. (PST)

LAST WEEK: vs. Corban (W 70-61), vs. Concordia (W 82-72)

INTERNET/RADIO BROADCASTS: All ten College of Idaho women’s basketball Cascade Conference road games will be carried live on radio in the Treasure Valley on 1490 KCID-AM with Mike Safford Jr. calling the action. Saturday’s women’s game at Northwest will also be carried on the internet, via the Northwest athletic website (www.northwestu.edu/athletics) with Dan Hickman calling the action. No live stats will be available for either game.

LADY YOTES CLINCH HOME PLAYOFF BERTH: With their win on Saturday night against Concordia, the Lady Yotes became one of three teams to clinch a home playoff game in the eight-team Cascade Conference Tournament at the end of the month. The C of I has now advanced to the postseason in 12 of the 13 seasons since women’s basketball was reinstated at the College in 1995. The Coyotes have advanced to three NAIA Division II national tournaments (1998 – first round, 2000 – quarterfinals, 2001 – championship game), but have never won a CCC Tournament title (advanced to the finals in 2000, 2002, and 2005). The Lady Yotes have hosted a postseason game three of the last four seasons and has a 5-1 all-time record at home during the payoffs.

HIGH SCORING EQUALS WINS: The Lady Yotes continued their scoring trends this week – as they remain undefeated when scoring over 80 points in a game this season. The C of I has an 8-0 mark when scoring 80-or-more points, has a 7-2 mark when scoring 70-79 points, but has a 1-5 record when failing to reach the 70 point plateau.

THINK PINK FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS: On Saturday night, the Lady Yotes participated in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Think Pink program in support of Breast Cancer Research. The C of I was one of over 900 teams nationally to participate in the program, which had teams from coast to coast donning various shades of pink. The entire coaching staff wore pink shirts, while players either had pink shoelaces or socks. Over 500 Coyote Crazy bandannas in pink were also handed out to fans in attendance to show their support for the Think Pink initiative.

VANDER ESCH NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Back to back solid weekends for Christon Vander Esch (Riggins, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC) has put the Cascade Conference on notice, as the junior was named league Player of the Week. Vander Esch scored 15 points and had a career-high 15 rebounds in the win over Corban, followed by an 18 point, nine board night against Concordia. In fact, over the past four games, she is averaging 18 points and ten rebounds a night. For the season, Vander Esch leads the CCC in both blocked shots and steals, and ranks No. 24 in the NAIA in blocks and No. 28 in the NAIA in steals.

CLARK STARTS A NEW STREAK After seeing her consecutive games scoring in double figures streak ended, Whitney Clark (Jerome, Idaho / Northwest Nazarene U.) started a new streak this weekend at home. The senior scored 14 points in the win over Corban, adding 17 more against Concordia. For her career, Clark has scored in double figures 60 times, including a career-high 31 points last season against Corban.

OWEN IN REBOUND MODE: Not only has wing Whitney Owen (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) scored at least three points in every game this season, she has complemented it with work on the glass. The sophomore has recorded four-or-more rebounds in 15-straight games, including six-or-more rebounds in 11 of her last 14 outings – upping her season average to five rebounds a game. She set new career highs for both scoring and rebounding against Corban, tallying 19 points and ten boards in the win Friday night.

FREE THROWS STARTING TO FALL: After a dismal free throw performance two weeks ago at Southern Oregon, the Lady Yotes have turned around their fortunes from the foul line. Over the last three games, The C of I has connected on 65-of-76 shots from the line, an 86-percent clip. This has helped the Coyotes move their season free throw average above the 70-percent for the first time this season.

EVERGREEN LOOKING FOR THE UPSET: Last season in Olympia, Wash., Evergreen State had the Lady Yotes by the ropes – leading by four with three seconds to play. However, The C of I made a free throw, then purposely missed the second, seeing the rebound tapped out to Whitney Clark, who canned a three at the buzzer to send the game to overtime, with the Yotes winning, 77-69. The season, the Geoducks (7-18, 6-10 CCC) are poised to return to the CCC playoffs – and are 4-4 at home in league play. Evergreen is led by Jennifer Solberg (15.0 ppg, 9.4 rpg), who did not play in the Yotes 82-60 win in Caldwell. Kristi Auckland (11.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and Rosiland Lee (9.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg) are also factors on both ends of the floor. It is the 22nd meeting between the teams, with the Yotes holding a 19-2 series edge.

NORTHWEST LOOKING TO BE THE SPOILER: Saturday night, the Lady Yotes head to Kirkland, Wash., and a match-up with last-place Northwest. The Eagle s (3-21, 2-14) had a 14-game losing streak snapped last week with a win at Evergreen State and look to try and stop a two-game losing streak to The C of I on their home floor. NU has the second-leading scorer in the CCC in Brittany Bowsher (17.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), but have played the majority of the season with just eight players. It is the 27^th meeting between the teams, with the Yotes leading the series, 21-5.

CAREER RECORD BOOK: Three players have found their way in The C of I career record book during the 2007-08 season. Whitney Clark is amongst the leaders in ten different categories – No. 3 in three-pointers made (134), free throws made (292) and three-pointers attempted (426), No. 4 in points scored (1,147) and free throw attempts (376), No. 5 in field goal attempts (933) and steals (135), No. 6 in field goals made (358), and No. 10 in assists (178) and in games started (62). Denise Hill (Eugene, Ore. / Boise State U.) is No. 8 in free throws made (158), No. 10 in free throw attempts (231), while ranking No. 5 in field goal percentage (.484). Rounding out the group is Christon Vander Esch who is No. 2 in blocked shots (76) and No. 8 in steals (128). Vander Esch also ranks No. 4 on the single-season blocks list (44) and No. 7 on the single-season steals list (65), while Clark is No. 12 in free throws made in a season (92).

CCC TOP-6: The latest CCC Top-6 Coaches Poll was released on Monday, with Southern Oregon staking claim to the top spot for the second straight week. Eastern Oregon remains at No. 2, followed by the Lady Yotes, Oregon Tech, Concordia, and Northwest Chrisitan. Southern Oregon jumped into last week’s NAIA poll at No. 20, with Eastern Oregon sitting in the No. 25 slot. The Lady Yotes continued to receive votes in the poll, earning one rater point. The next national poll will be released on Feb. 13 and will be released every Wednesday the rest of the season.

LEAGUE STATISTICS: With six games remaining in the regular season, the Lady Yotes continue to lead the CCC as a team in steals per game (15.4) and turnover margin (+7.9) – ranking No. 5 in steals and No. 6 in turnover margin in the NAIA Division II. The C of I is second in the loop in scoring offense (74.8), is No. 3 in free throw percentage (.703) and three-pointers made per game (6.7), No. 4 in scoring margin (+7.5), three-point percentage (.331), blocked shots (2.8), and assists per game (14.4), No. 6 in field goal percentage (.397), No. 7 in scoring defense (67.3), and No. 10 in rebound margin (-5.3). Individually, Christon Vander Esch leads the league in steals per game (2.8) and blocked shots (1.9), and is eighth in rebounding (7.4). Kayla Brewer (Arco, Idaho / Butte County HS) is No. 2 in the league in three-point percentage (.420) and No. 10 in three-pointers made per game (1.5). Whitney Owen ranks No. 3 in steals (2.3), with Whitney Clark at No. 3 in scoring average (16.0), No. 4 in free throw percentage (.800), and No. 10 in three’s per game (1.5) and steals (1.7).

CASCADE CONFERENCE INDIVIDUAL TOP-FIVE: Scoring Average - Jessica Steigleman (CRB) 17.7, Brittany Bowsher (NU) 17.5, Whitney Clark (CI) 16.0, Crystal Idrogo (OIT) 15.9, Jennifer Solberg (ESC) 15.0; Rebound Average – Te Awhina Aranui (CAS) 12.4, Solberg 9.4, Jackie Speer (SOU) 8.6, Cora McVey (OIT) 7.9, Emily Goette (CRB) 7.8; Field Goal Percentage – Tiffanie Ulmer (EOU) .551, Danielle Clauson (CU) .521, Ann Snodderly (CU) .506, Speer .506, Sheena Henderson (EOU) .500; Assist Average - Meagan Miyasaka (OIT) 5.2, Amy Croll (NCC) 4.8, Karissa Boyd (WP) 4.8, Kailey Bostwick (CRB) 4.8, Jenny Fiso (EOU) 3.7.

YOTES SWEEP SERIES FROM CORBAN: The Lady Yotes used a 12-2 run to overcome a six-point second half deficit to complete a season sweep of Corban College, topping the defending Cascade Conference champions, 70-61, in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center on Friday night. After the Yotes opened up a 42-33 lead four minutes into the second half, the well ran dry, as The C of I did not score a field goal for over eight minutes, missing 11 straight shots.  Corban scored 15-straight points to take a 48-42 lead on a Tami Lambrecht free throw with 10:31 left.  However, back-to-back triples from ShaNae Horner (West Jordan, Utah / Snow CC) and Whitney Owen gave the Yotes the lead for good, and the squad went 4-for-4 from the line down the stretch for the win. Owen had a career high 19 points and ten rebounds, with Christon Vander Esch adding 15 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in the Coyote win. 

LADY YOTES EARN KEY WIN OVER CONCORDIA: The Lady Yotes clinched a first-round Cascade Conference Tournament home game with an 82-72 victory over Concordia University at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center on Saturday night. The Coyotes never trailed in the game and led 46-29 at the break.  The lead would reach 60-41 on a pair of Christon Vander Esch free throws with 14:08 left, but the Cavaliers would hold the hosts to just two field goals and force five turnovers in the next seven minutes, outscoring the Yotes 22-7 to get within four.  CU would be within 69-65, but the Yotes would use an 8-0 run to put the game away, getting a pair of buckets off Cavalier turnovers to notch the win. Kayla Brewer equaled a career-high with 18 points, with Whitney Clark adding 17.  Christon Vander Esch continued her stellar play of late, scoring 18 points with nine boards, with Magen Dufurrena (Denio, Nev. / Lowry HS) scoring a career-high 13 points and eight rebounds.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Lady Yotes, head to the official homepage of The C of I women’s basketball – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmensbasketball.htm.

BASEBALL: Yotes split in season opening weekend, head back to Lewiston to meet No. 1 L-C and Mayville State, Season Preview

LAST WEEK: at Lewiston Three-Way – vs. No. 1 Lewis-Clark State (L 10-0, L 4-3), vs. Whitworth (W 27-4, W 15-6)

COMING UP: at Regence Blue Shield Tournament, Lewiston – Friday vs. Mayville State, 11 a.m. (PT), vs. No. 1 Lewis-Clark State, 2 p.m. (PT); Saturday vs. Mayville State, 10 a.m. (PT); Sunday vs. No. 1 Lewis-Clark State, 1 p.m. (PT)

ON THE INTERNET: Both the Friday and Sunday games vs. Lewis-Clark State will be broadcast live in the Lewis-Clark Valley on 950 KOZE-AM with Mike Tatko calling the action. The games will also be simulcast on the internet via www.koze-sports.com.

BACK TO LEWISTON: For the second-straight weekend, The College of Idaho will head north to the Banana Belt of the Gem State for dry fields and game action. The Yotes will compete in the Regence Blue Shield Tournament at Harris Field in Lewiston, hoping to get four more counters in the ledger. Along with the Coyotes, host Lewis-Clark State, Mayville State of North Dakota, and Whitworth will be in the tourney – with The C of I playing L-C twice and Mayville twice.

ABOUT MAYVILLE STATE: The Comets (25-17 in 2007) are in the same boat the Coyotes were in last week – looking for a field to play on, as MSU’s field in Mayville, N.D., is frozen with snow. Members of the Dakota Athletic Conference, Mayville finished fourth in the loop standings last season, but return a pair of quality pitchers in righty Brock Gnadt (4-0 3.41 ERA, 4 saves, the DAC Freshman of the Year, and lefty Dan Knox (4-2 1.83 ERA). Their offense is paced by returning outfielder Kyle Swenson (.340 3 HR 30 RBI) and catcher Mike McNally (.342 1 HR 22 RBI). The two teams have met twice in the past, with the Coyotes winning both meetings – including a 6-3 decision at the 2002 NAIA World Series.

ABOUT LEWIS-CLARK STATE: The Warriors (59-5 in 2007) are coming off their 15th NAIA national championship last season – from a group that had eight players drafted in the Top-20 rounds of the MLB First Year Players Draft. Ed Cheff’s bunch has reloaded, starting the season with a 3-1 record at last weekend’s Three-Way tourney. Leading the pitching staff is First-Team All-American Matt Fitts (10-1 2.08 ERA in 2007), who held the Yotes without a run in five innings last Saturday, along with hard-throwing righty Brad Schwarzenbach (7-0 2.54 ERA), who shut the Yotes out for five innings on Sunday. The offense is led by Brent Wyatt (.354 7 HR 52 RBI), while Paul Martin (.320 2 HR 48 RBI) and Ikaika Lester (.398 5 HR 28 RBI) each had big weekends – Martin going 8-for-15 and Lester 7-for-12 to open the season. L-C has won the past 17 meetings between the teams, dating back to the 2006 season, and holds a 114-39-1 series edge.

SERIES IN CALDWELL CANCELLED, MOVED NORTH: Due to the overabundance of snow in the Treasure Valley, the Coyotes were forced to cancel last weekend’s Best Western Caldwell Inn and Suites Icebreaker against Whitworth. Luckily for both teams, Lewis-Clark State had room on their schedule and a dry field, as the series shifted to Harris field as all four clubs were able to get four games played.

DAY 1 RECAP: Lewis-Clark State 10, C of I 0 - The day did not start out kind for the Yotes, as top-ranked L-C State defeated the Purple and Gold for the 16th-straight time.  First-Team All-American Matt Fitts scattered six hits and struck out five in five innings of work to get the win. The Warriors got all the runs they needed in the first, as a dropped fly ball by Jake Miller (Idaho Falls, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC) with two outs allowed a run to score.  It was followed by back-to-back RBI doubles from Ikaika Lester and Paul Martin, as L-C opened a 4-0 lead.  Lester went 4-for-4 in the win. Both Jacob Garsez (Caldwell, Idaho / Columbia Basin CC) and Cody Brubaker (Post Falls, Idaho / Spokane Falls CC) each had two hits for the Coyotes. C of I 27, Whitworth 4 – Game 2 started slowly for the Yotes, as Whitworth scratched out two runs in the first off starter Jake Bottari (Wells, Nev. /Western Nevada CC).  But the transfer settled down, going five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits to get the win. The C of I blew the game wide open with a six-run fourth inning, keyed by a two-run triple from Brad Carlsen (Reno, Nev. / Western Nevada CC) and a two-run homer to right-center by Miller.  The Yotes would add a nine-run sixth inning and a five-run seventh to stop the Pirates. Former Boise State football player Nick Harris (Kuna, Idaho / Boise State U.) went 4-for-5 with three runs scored in his Coyote debut, with Miller and Jordan Lanman (La Grande, Ore. / La Grande HS) each recording three hits.  Carlsen had four RBI and three runs scored in the win.

DAY 2 RECAP: C of I 15, Whitworth 6 - The early game was a defensive struggle, as the two teams combined for 15 errors in the back and forth affair.  The Yotes took control, using a two-run Gavin Gamboa (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) single in the fifth and a two-run Jake Miller double in the sixth to build an 8-1 lead, with Andrew Brock (Burnaby, B.C. / Douglas CC) tossing five quality innings.  The Pirates would come back in the seventh, taking advantage of four C of I errors to cut the margin to 8-6.  Luckily, the Yotes still had gas in the tank, getting a Brad Carlsen two-run single as part of a five-run eighth, then tacked on two more in the ninth for the win. Carlsen went 4-for-5 with three runs scored and four RBI, including his first home run of the season.  Jordan Lanman, Jacob Garsez, Luke Howarth (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS), and Miller all had two hits.  Lewis-Clark State 4, C of I 3 - A three-run seventh inning rally was not enough the Coyotes, as top-ranked Lewis-Clark State scratched across a run in the bottom of the frame to earn a 4-3 victory at Harris Field. Joey Zubizarreta (Boise, Idaho / Cochise CC) kept the Coyotes in the game with L-C with five solid innings of work, allowing just two runs on five hits with three strikeouts.  Trailing 3-0 after six innings., The C of I rallied, getting a Cody Brubaker two-run double, scoring himself on a rundown play with two outs to tie the score. The Warriors would come right back against reliever Tim Bourner (Buhl, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC), as Josh Ashenbrenner led off with a single and moved to third on a bunt single by Kyle Melton.  Ashenbrenner scored the game winner on a double play ball, then watched the L-C pen retire the final six batters in a row to close out the game. Brad Schwarzenbach was solid on the mound for L-C, tossing five shutout innings, striking out five.  The Yotes were led by Lanman, who went 2-for-5.

RUNS IN A GAME: The 27 runs scored by the Coyotes in the win over Whitworth on Saturday afternoon was tied for the fifth-highest total in C of I history, and the highest scoring game by the Yotes since the 1999 season. The Coyotes scored 27 runs against Boise State in 1957 and Concordia in 1999, but that total is well off the school record. The C of I tallied a 37-spot against Eastern Oregon in 1999, 34 runs against Puget Sound in 1995, 32 runs against Eastern Oregon in 1996, and 29 runs against Northwest Nazarene in 1993. In all, the Yotes have scored 25-or-more runs in a game ten times.

15 ERRORS IN A GAME?: The 15-6 win by the Yotes was not a pretty game, as the two teams combined for 15 errors – eight by The C of I. It marked the highest error total by a Coyote club since 1987, when they recorded nine errors in a game with Central Washington. The school record for errors in a game is 13, in a loss to Linfield in the 1950 season.

WORDS FROM THE COACH: “It was great to just get outside and play some games,” said skipper Shawn Humberger. “I thought our batting averages for the weekend were a bit skewed, as some of the players who had quality at bats did not have as good of numbers as players who had higher averages. Cody Brubaker hit the ball hard all weekend with runners in scoring position, but couldn’t buy a break. I really liked the way Jordan Lanman competed each at bat, especially against L-C. On the mound, I felt Jason Barry (Castlegar, B.C. / U. of Northern Iowa) had the best stuff of our staff – he was unlucky in the first inning against L-C and allowed the four unearned runs. It was good to evaluate as many players as we could – the team looks pretty much what we saw during fall ball.”

PRESEASON RANKINGS: The Yotes were picked by the CCC coaches to win the “league” title for the fourth-straight season – although the CCC crown has no bearing on postseason seeding. In the NAIA Top-25 preseason poll, The C of I received five voters points in the rankings, or No. 39 overall.

LAST SEASON: The College of Idaho baseball team is coming off a 31-17 season, recording their third consecutive Cascade Conference championship and played host to the 2007 NAIA Region I Tournament. The Coyotes rose as high at No. 12 in the NAIA national poll during the season, however, dropped the regional title game to eventual NAIA champion, Lewis-Clark State, 2-0, in 11 innings. Outside of games against L-C, the Yotes had an impressive 31-7 record against all other competition.

KEY PLAYERS LOST: Heading into the new season, the Coyote head coach Shawn Humberger will have to replace many key components from the 2007 season. Two of the top three starting pitchers have graduated – as lefties Jason Roach and Carson Taysom combined for 18 wins last season. Roach was a free agent signee of the Kansas City Royals and had a quality rookie season with the Idaho Falls Chukars. The Yotes will also have to find a new shortstop, as two-year starter and two-year All-Region selection Casey Oliver has graduated. Oliver hit .363 with a team high six home runs last season. Also gone is CCC Player of the Year, Pat Burke, who split time between first-base and catcher. Burke hit .363 with 38 RBI and was an honorable mention All-American. The C of I will also have to replace role players Kent Bradshaw, who played left field, Adam Roach, who played right field, and Camron Hammond, who played second base.

DEEP ROSTER: The 2008 Coyotes welcome back The C of I era with their biggest roster in program history, as 43 men will done the Purple and Gold. Of the bunch, 17 are returning players – including eight pitchers. The Yotes have 17 players who call the Treasure Valley home, with 23 players that hail from Idaho. Of the 26 newcomers, eight are true freshmen, with 18 players coming from two or four-year colleges.

STARTING PITCHING: The Yotes open the season with a four-man rotation that will make their debut at the two Lewis-Clark State Tournaments. Returners Andrew Brock and Joey Zubizarreta have experience within the NAIA Region I and look for solid seasons. Brock (4-5 3.66 ERA) was an All-CCC performer last year and uses his off-speed pitches to keep hitters off-balance, while Zubizarreta (4-0 2.62 ERA, 4 saves) moves from the closer’s role where he was an All-CCC selection last year. The senior pitched ten gutty innings of shutout ball against Lewis-Clark State in the regional final. Joining them are two newcomers – Jason Barry and Jake Bottari. Barry (2-2 3.25 ERA) got experience at the NCAA Division I level at Northern Iowa, while Bottari (3-2 2.84 ERA) helped his junior college team to the NJCAA World Series.

RELIEVERS: Humberger will have many options out of the bullpen this season, as 14 different players may see time on the mound. Two returners provide experience, as seniors Tim Bourner and Pat Lyon (Bonners Ferry, Idaho / Bonners Ferry HS) look to log innings in relief. Bourner (4-0 4.45 ERA) had a perfect record last season, but battled control issues at times, while Lyon (1-0 4.21 ERA, 1 save) will start the season in the closer role – and be asked to throw strikes in relief. From the left side, transfers Kyle Cefalo (Boise, Idaho / Oregon State U.), J.D. Shoemaker (Kuna, Idaho / Midland Lutheran Coll.), and Cody Brubaker should all log innings. Cefalo was an All-State pitcher at Bishop Kelly High, before transferring from Oregon State, while Shoemaker (5-3 4.71 ERA) returns to the Treasure Valley after spending last season in Nebraska. Brubaker may log innings as well, after going 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA in the Boise Summer League last summer. Other righties in the mix include Chris Larsen (Vancouver, Wash. / Everett CC), Matt Greely (Juneau, Alaska / U. of the Cumberlands), Justin Marsh-Quinlan (Seabeck, Wash. / Olympic CC), and Dustin Carlson (Bremerton, Wash. / Olympic CC). Larsen (7-1 1.67 in 2006) had a solid freshman season in junior college, with Greely (0-1 5.42 ERA), Marsh-Quinlan, and Carlson (2.35 ERA in 70 IP) each provide experience at the college level.

INFIELD: Heading into the February portion of the schedule, the Coyotes will look to find out who will play the four positions on the infield dirt. The biggest question mark will be at shortstop, where Casey Oliver roamed for two years. Transfer Alex O’Brien (Everett, Wash. / Everett CC) has the skills to excel at the NAIA level, as does last season’s back-up, Jacob Garsez. O’Brien has a strong arm, while Garsez (.281 1 HR 15 RBI) saw action last season at second-base – but consistency with the glove will be the key for the Yotes. A wild-card at the position is Dane McGrady (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS), who is expected to be the Yotes catcher, may return to the position he played as a prep. The other middle infield position looks to be manned by transfer Brad Carlsen, who moves from the outfield where he played in junior college. Carlsen (.246 2 HR 37 RBI, with 15 doubles and 8 triples) earned All-Region 18 honors last season, helping his team to the NJCAA World Series, but played the infield as a prep. Third-base will be a question mark in the early season, as starter Bryan Champ (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) will miss the first month of the season. Champ (.308 16 RBI) is a two-time All-CCC selection and was the league’s Gold Glove recipient, but is also a starting guard on The C of I basketball team. O'Brien may see some time there, as will transfer Nick Harris, who comes to the Yotes from the Boise State football program. Humberger has many options at first base, including returner Richie Snider (Sandpoint, Idaho / Porterville CC). Snider (.319 1 HR 26 RBI) served primarily as a designated hitter last year, earning honorable mention All-CCC honors. Also in the mix at first base are newcomers Gavin Gamboa, Perry Hamilton (Buhl, Idaho / Blue Mountain CC), and Ray Morrison (Cumming, Ga. / Chattahoochee Valley CC) – who each provide pop in the bat that the Yotes have not had at the position in years.

OUTFIELD: The Coyotes have a quality group of outfielders in 2008 who will be able to cover a lot of ground, while putting up numbers at the plate. Returning centerfielder Luke Howarth is coming off a banner year, after earning All-CCC honors and being named to the nine-man NAIA All-America Gold Glove Team. Howarth (.318 1 HR 23 RBI, 13 SB) was a stalwart in the field, recording 123 chances without an error. Three junior college transfers will be added to the mix in Jake Miller, Devin Weaver (Boise, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC), and Cody Brubaker. Both Miller (.305 7 HR 37 RBI) and Weaver (.303 4 HR 30 RBI) were an All-NWAACC selections last season, with Brubaker (.394 4 HR 38 RBI, 23 doubles) putting up monster numbers at the plate from the left side. All three players have above-average defensive tools and should give the Yotes more power in their line-up.

BEHIND THE PLATE: The Yotes top signal caller heading into the season is Dane McGrady, who platooned behind the plate with Pat Burke last season. The pitching staff is confident in McGrady (.288 11 RBI) calling a quality game and his defensive skills behind the plate have improved immensely. A trio of freshmen will also look to earn time at catcher – Jordan Lanman, Garrett Schultz (Belgrade, Mont. / Belgrade HS), and Gavin Gamboa. Both Lanman and Gamboa were All-State selections on their high school teams, while Schultz is recovering from an injury that forced him to miss the majority of last season.

IMPROVED REGION I: Last season, there was questions all season whether games against Lewis-Clark State in the NAIA Region I round-robin schedule would count or not – however, it is clarified in 2008, as games vs. L-C will not count towards the regional record. Despite the games not counting, L-C will play a home and home series with each of the other five teams in the Northwest, but will be eligible to host the Regional Tournament in May. The Warriors (59-5 in 2007) had eight players drafted in the Top-20 rounds of the Major League Baseball First Year Players Draft, but return key pitchers Matt Fitts and Brad Schwartzenbach, along with outfielder Brent Wyatt. British Columbia has a wealth of talent returning, with Concordia recording a very deep recruiting class. Expect both Oregon Tech and Corban to be improved – helping the parity within the region.

SOLID NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE: The Coyotes will play a diverse non-conference schedule – including early season games against NCAA Division III Whitworth University and NAIA opponent, Mayville State. The Yotes will make a trip to Northern California for games against Division II power Sonoma State and NAIA up-and-comer, Patten, have a home-and-home series with Central Washington, along with a midseason home set against Simpson of California. Missing from the schedule, strangely enough, is rival Northwest Nazarene.

ABOUT THE COACH: The 2008 season marks the 21st year in The College of Idaho baseball program for head coach Shawn Humberger, his eighth year as Coyote skipper. Last season, he led the squad to a 31-17 mark, their third-straight Cascade Conference championship, and a runner-up finish at the NAIA Region I Tournament. During his tenure, Humberger has compiled a 236-157-1 record, including a third-place finish at the 2002 NAIA College World Series. He has been named CCC Baseball Coach of the Year in 2002, 2005, 2006. and 2007, along with earning NAIA Region I Coach-of-the-Year and CCC Men's Coach-of-the-Year for all sports in 2002. A native of Twin Falls, Idaho, Humberger graduated from Twin Falls High, played for the College of Southern Idaho for two seasons, and played at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas for one year. In 1984, Humberger was part of the CSI national championship junior-college team. In addition, he was named to the 1985 Junior College All-America team. Humberger, a 1989 C of I graduate, also served as the facilities coordinator for the J.A. Albertson Activities Center for ten years, is a physical education instructor at the College, and coached Nampa's American Legion baseball program for eight seasons. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Coyote baseball program, head to the official homepage of the Yotes – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/baseball.htm.

SOFTBALL: Season Preview

COMING UP: at Priscella Benham Classic, Livermore, Calif. – Friday vs. Corban, 12:30 p.m. (PST), vs. Holy Names, 2:30 p.m. (PST); Saturday vs. Dominican, 2:30 p.m. (PST); Monday – Pool Play vs. either George Fox, Northwest Christian, Patten, or Bethany, TBA.

LAST SEASON: The Lady Yotes are coming off their best season in program history, winning 19 more games than any other previous season, finishing with a 37-12 mark. The C of I broke a total six single-game records and a staggering 21 single-season team records, as the Coyotes won their first-ever Cascade Conference championship. Advancing to their first-ever NAIA Region I Tournament, the Yotes won the winners bracket, but dropped the championship game to regional juggernaut, Simon Fraser. The Coyotes nearly earned the final at-large berth to the NAIA Women’s World Series, missing out on the national tournament by one spot in the final rankings.

KEY PLAYERS LOST: The Coyotes have five players from the regular rotation last season that will not be with the club in 2008. Four-year starting centerfielder, Heather Kirtley, is now a part of the coaching staff, while starting second-baseman Amy Rhoades (Eagle, Idaho / Dixie State Coll.) will miss the season due to illness. Three other players – outfielder Stefanie Gonsalves, catcher Nicole Illias, and shortstop A.J. Cavanaugh each decided to transfer.

PRESEASON RANKINGS: For the first time, the Lady Yotes were ranked in the NAIA Preseason Top-25 Coaches Poll, earning the No. 14 spot in the voting – the same spot The C of I ended the 2007 season. The squad was also the unanimous pick by the Cascade Conference coaches to win the league title in 2008.

TOUGH WINTER TRAINING: After a solid fall ball schedule, the Yotes have struggled with their preseason training in January and early February, thanks to the rough winter in the Treasure Valley. The Symms Field diamond has been covered by multiple inches of snow for over six weeks – forcing The C of I to hit whiffle balls in the indoor cages and take ground balls on the gym floor.

ROSTER MAKE-UP: The Coyotes have 24 members on their 2008 roster, including 15 returning players – but only two seniors. Of the nine new players, seven are true freshmen – with one junior college and one NCAA Division I transfer. Treasure Valley kids make up the majority of the roster, as 17 local players will play for the Yotes, with the remaining players hailing from five different Western states.

IN THE CIRCLE: Possibly the biggest strength for the Lady Yotes will be the group of pitchers head coach Al Mendiola will send out to the slab day in and day out. Anchoring the rotation is returning Cascade Conference Pitcher of the Year and NAIA Region I Player of the Year, Katie Zillner (Emmett, Idaho / Chicago State U.). Last season, Zillner (18-6 2.38 ERA) shattered nearly every pitching record in the Yote book – including tossing two no-hitters, logging the lowest ERA, and striking out 204 batters. She will be complemented by All-CCC pick Brooke Judy (Kuna, Idaho / Kuna HS), who had a rock-solid freshman campaign. Judy (15-3 2.78 ERA) served as the No. 2 pitcher all year, setting a school record by winning 13-consecutive decisions during the season. Also back is Chelsey Nokleby (Olympia, Wash. / River Ridge HS), who battled injury throughout the year. Nokleby (3-3 3.62 ERA) was limited to mostly relief work in 2007, but will via for a spot in the regular rotation this year. The ace in the hole is redshirt Donnae Carrell (Caldwell, Idaho / Middleton HS), who missed last season due to injury. Carrell was an All-State performer as a prep. Rounding out the group is sophomore Ashley Wolff (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS), who will be used out of the bullpen in spot assignments.

INFIELDERS: A question mark this season will be the infield, as the Yotes must replace both middle infield positions – coming off a season where the squad set a school record with a .953 fielding percentage. Anchoring the infield is two-year starter and All-Region third-baseman Haley Butcher (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS). Butcher (.347 3 HR 32 RBI) is a tough out at the plate and is one of the better defensive players at the hot corner in the league. Shortstop will be a question mark – as three players will battle for playing time. True freshmen Kalie Kurdy (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) and Chelsea Craig (Jerome, Idaho / Jerome HS) hope to start during their rookie season, as does Donnae Carrell, who will see time when she is not in the circle. Second-base is also up in the air, as senior Kelsi Murdock (Kuna, Idaho / Kuna HS) and sophomore Amaia Enrico (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) will platoon at the position. Murdock (.200 2 RBI) has three seasons of experience at the position as a back-up, while Enrico (.179 1 RBI) makes the move from first-base, where she platooned last season. At first, transfer Katy Luetke (Yreka, Calif. / Mendocino CC) and returner Dani Villyard (Kent, Wash. / Kentlake HS) have the early lead on the position. Luetke is coming off a banner sophomore season in junior college, where she hit .467, while Villyard (.243 1 HR 7 RBI) did not commit an error at the position last season. Players looking to earn playing time around in the infield include Caylin LePire (Boise, Idaho / Mountain View HS) and Christine Fancher (Scappoose, Ore. / Scappoose HS) at third-base, along with Nicole Becvar (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) and Irais Quintero (Caldwell, Idaho /Caldwell HS) at first. LePire could be a diamond in the rough, as Mendiola feels she may end up at a different position to get her potent bat in the line-up, as will Brooke Judy (.315 15 RBI), who served as the designated player when not in the circle last season.

OUTFIELDERS: The Yotes again will look for big production out of their outfield, which combined to knock in 112 runs last season. Right field will be manned by All-Region selection