Yote Notes – February 17,
2009
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Mike Safford Jr. – Sports
Info. Director
msafford@collegeofidaho.edu
ATHLETIC NEWS:
COYOTE GOLF SIGNS THREE:
SOFTBALL
DINNER/AUCTION: The
sixth-annual College of Idaho softball dinner-auction is set for Saturday,
March 7, in the Simplot Dining Hall on The C of I campus. The event will
begin with a no-host bar and bidding on silent auction and dessert items from
6-7 p.m., with dinner and the auction to follow. Tickets for the event
are $25.00 per person and going fast. To reserve your spot, contact Al
Mendiola at 459-5113.
TRACK TEAM TO HOST ANNUAL
DASH-4-CASH: The C
of I cross country and track team will be hosting their annual Dash-4-Cash
fundraiser on Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. on the
ST.
PATRICK’S DAY MILE SET FOR MARCH 15: The C of I track team will be hosting the first-annual
Stuenenberg St. Patrick’s Day Mile road race though the historic Stuenenberg
District of Caldwell, near The C of I campus. The race, which is a flat,
fast, one mile course, is open to runners, joggers, walkers, strollers, and
wagon-pullers – and begins Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m. Entry fee’s are
just $10 per person, or $5 for C of I students. For more information,
including a brochure, contact Pat McCurry at pmccurry@collegeofidaho.edu or by
phone at 459-5085.
BUY YOUR
COYOTE GEAR ONLINE:
Fans of the Yotes can now purchase official C of I athletic apparel and gear
online at the Yotes new e-store at http://www.estoresbyzome.com/college_idaho.php
- with a portion of every sale supporting Coyote Athletics. Hats,
sweatshirts, jackets, and t-shirts are just the tip of the iceberg on the Yotes
e-store. This weekend, basketball fans will receive a 15-percent off
coupon for your first online purchase as part of their game-day program.
DONATE TO
THE
MEN’S BASKETBALL (16-13, 12-7 CCC): Yotes need win over Northwest
Christian or Evergreen loss to host first-round playoff game
LAST WEEK: vs.
COMING UP: at Northwest Christian, Friday, 7:30
p.m. (PT)
ON THE RADIO: All C of I games will be carried live in the Treasure Valley
on 1490 KCID-AM with Mike Safford calling the action. Friday, the
LIVE VIDEO ON THE WEB: All C of I home men’s basketball playoff
games will be available for pay-per-view viewing via the Internet, thanks to
Penn Atlantic. To access the games, head
to http://www.pennatlantic.com/main.php,
click
LIVE STATS AVAILABLE: Live stats of all C of I home games
are available online at http://yotestats.i8.com/basketball/xlive.htm.
YOTES CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT: The Coyotes are one of six teams that
have secured a spot in the eight-team Cascade Conference Tournament, beginning
Feb. 25. It marks the 12th-straight
playoff appearance for the Yotes and their 27th postseason
appearance in the last 28 years. Under
head coach Mark Owen, The C of I has
a 12-5 record in CCC Tournament games, including the 2001, 2003, and 2004
tourney titles.
A STAPLE IN THE PLAYOFFS: 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 (nine NAIA and eight NAIA
Division II), the most trips to the Big Dance than any other CCC school –
including the 1996 NAIA Division II national championship.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS: The Coyotes hold their own destiny in
terms of hosting a CCC Tournament first-round game – needing a win Friday night
at Northwest Christian to secure the No. 4 spot in the league. However, if the Coyotes were to lose to NCU,
they could still host the playoff game if
TWO NEARING 1,000: Friday night in
MORE ON MCGEE: Craig McGee continued to put up gaudy
numbers this week, notching two more double-doubles, pushing his season total
to 13. In fact, McGee has recorded a
double-double in 11 of his last 13 games, and has notched six rebounds or more
in every CCC game this year.
MORE ON CHAMP: Brian Champ did see one of his
longstanding streaks fall by the wayside on Tuesday night, as he failed to
record a steal in the loss to
THOMAS PROVIDING SPARK OFF THE BENCH:
Redshirt freshman Terriel Thomas (Chicago, Ill. / Borah HS) has been a key substitute for the
Coyotes during CCC play, including a career-high 12 points against Northwest on
Saturday night. Over his last ten games,
Thomas is averaging six points and five rebounds per night, including three
games with eight rebounds, while hitting 23-of-39 field goal attempts.
MCINTOSH HAS SOLID WEEK: It was an all-around quality week for
Jabari McIntosh (
SINGLE-SEASON RECORD BOOK: Three Coyotes have etched their names
in the single-season record book during the 2008-09 season. Craig McGee ranks fourth on the free throw
attempts list (215), while he is tenth in both free throws made (126) and rebounds
(270). Jabari McIntosh finds himself No.
5 in single-season blocks (47), with Bryan Champ ninth in steals (71).
CAREER RECORD BOOK: Four Yotes have cracked the career
record book this year – with Craig McGee leading the way in four different
categories – No. 2 in free throw attempts (453), No. 4 in blocked shots (74),
No. 6 in rebounds (549), and No. 8 in free throws made (277). Bryan Champ is second all-time in steals
(254) and is tenth in both assists (230) and games played (111), with Jabari
McIntosh ninth in blocked shots (47), and Kurt
Nielson (Rexburg, Idaho / Madison HS)
ninth in games played (113).
YOTES RECEIVE VOTES IN LATEST NAIA
POLL: The ninth
regular-season NAIA Top-25 Poll was released Monday, with Oklahoma Wesleyan remaining
in the top spot, followed by Cedarville (
COYOTES IN THE CCC STATS: As a team, the Yotes are second in
the CCC in defensive field goal percentage (.424) and blocked shots per game
(4.0), fourth in scoring defense (72.2) and rebound margin (+1.2), fifth in
opponents rebounds (35.7), sixth in field goal percentage (.461), scoring
margin (+1.6), and steals per game (+7.3), seventh in three-point percentage
(.333) and rebounds per game (36.8), eighth in scoring average (73.9), and
ninth in free throw percentage (.652), defensive three-point percentage (.359),
and assists per game (12.9). Individually, Craig McGee is in the top-ten in
the league in four different categories – No. 3 in rebounds per game (9.3), fourth
in both blocks per game (1.1), and eighth in both scoring average (16.2) and
field goal percentage (.553). Bryan
Champ leads the league in three-point percentage (.434), while ranking second
in steals per game (2.5) and eighth in free throw percentage (.810), with Kelvin Potts (Oakland, Calif. / Chabot CC) sixth in the loop in assists per game (3.8)
and eighth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.4).
Jabari McIntosh rounds out the Coyote contingent, ranking second in the
league in blocked shots per game (1.6).
CCC LEADERS: Scoring Average – Nate Menefee (ESC) 24.0,
Adam Moore (WP) 20.8, Steven Vaughan (CU) 18.3, Jguwon Hogges (OIT) 18.1, Alex
Tiefenthaler (CU) 16.9; Rebound Average – Kaylone Riley (WP) 10.8, Paul Carollo
(EOU) 9.3, Craig McGee (CI) 9.3, Josh Wetzler (OIT) 9.1, Erving Adams (CAS) 8.2;
Field Goal Percentage – Wetzler .676, Christian Cavanaugh (OIT) .668, Steve Trotter
(ESC) .597, Nick Moore (ESC) .581, Jared Mace (CAS) .563; Assists Average – Justin
Parnell (OIT) 5.2, Jeremy Templeton (EOU) 4.7, Humphrey Jackson (SOU) 4.2, Paul
Martin (CRB) 4.0, Kao Saelee (CAS) 3.9.
OFF TO NORTHWEST CHRISITIAN: The Yotes close out the
regular-season on Friday night in
GAME RECAP: C OF I 79, EVERGREEN STATE 78: Brian
Bergerson (Modesto, Calif. / Modesto
CC) hit a three-pointer with six seconds remaining, capping a wild final
minute comeback, as The C of I rallied for a 79-78 victory over Evergreen
State, Friday in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center. The visiting Geoducks took their biggest lead
of the night on a Michael Ward lay-up at 76-70 with 42 seconds remaining.
However, the Yotes would not quit, as Bryan Champ drove the length of the
floor, getting fouled on a made lay-up and converting the freebie to cut the
margin to 76-73. After Ward split a pair of free throws, Kurt Nielson
banked in a three-pointer with 17 seconds left, to cut Evergreen's lead to
77-76. Nick Moore was then fouled,
splitting a pair of free throws to set the stage for Bergerson, who got Julio
Feliciano in the air with a pump-fake, then hit the triple in the right corner
to send the crowd of 1,600 in a frenzy. The Geoducks would get two final
chances, as Ward's driving lay-up hit back iron, with Nate Menefee's put back
at the buzzer rimming out. The first
half was a see-saw affair, seeing nine lead changes and eight ties, with the
Geoducks leading 41-39 at the break. After the Coyotes took a 49-46
second half lead, Evergreen used a 10-2 run to take the lead - which they would
not relinquish until the waning seconds.
Five Yotes scored in double-figures, led by 14 each from Bergerson and Steffen Spinks. Craig McGee had
12 points and 12 rebounds, with Bryan Champ adding 11. Menefee led all
scorers with 21, with
GAME RECAP: C OF I 76, NORTHWEST 66: A season-high six players scored in
double figures, as The C of I moved into sole possession of fourth-place in the
CCC with a 76-66 victory over
GAME RECAP: EASTERN OREGON 94, C OF I
67: Eastern Oregon
drained 15 three-point baskets, including six in a row during a second half
run, as the No. 9 ranked Mountaineers ran past The C of I, 94-67, Tuesday in La
Grande, Ore. Kris Groce hit his first
five shots of the evening, including four three-pointers, as EOU jumped out to
a 16-7 first half lead. However, the Coyotes battled back, with a
Bryan Bergerson triple with 1:31 remaining in the period tied the score at
39-39. The Mounties would get momentum heading to half, as Dan Stafford
canned a trey and a Jeremy Templeton three-point play pushed the margin to six
at the break. The Yotes would close
within 51-49 on a Bryan Champ three, but Eastern would get a pair of Thomas
McCarthy treys, sandwiched around a Jordan Gregg bucket to push the margin to
ten, EOU would then score on nine-straight possessions - including two
treys each from McCarthy and Gregg, extending the lead to 83-59 with six
minutes left. Groce led Eastern with 26
points, with
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more on The C of I men’s
basketball program, head to the homepage of the
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (26-3, 17-2 CCC):
No. 11 Lady Yotes
look to set win record Friday at Northwest Christian
LAST WEEK: vs.
COMING UP: at Northwest Christian, Friday, 5:30
p.m. (PT)
ON THE RADIO: All C of I women’s road CCC games
will be carried on the radio in the Treasure Valley on 1490 KCID-AM with Mike
Safford calling the action. The
LIVE VIDEO ON THE WEB: All C of I home women’s basketball
playoff games will be available for pay-per-view viewing via the Internet,
thanks to Penn Atlantic. To access the
games, head to http://www.pennatlantic.com/main.php,
click
LIVE STATS/INTERNET BROADCAST
AVAILABLE: Live
stats of all C of I home games are available online at http://yotestats.i8.com/basketball/xlive.htm.
LADY YOTES SECURE HOME PLAYOFF SPOT: With their win at Corban on Feb. 6,
the Lady Yotes secured a home game in the Cascade Conference Tournament, set to
begin Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. The C of I
has now advanced to the postseason in 13 of the 14 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, 2005, and 2008).
AT HOME IN THE PLAYOFFS: The Lady Yotes will host a playoff
game in the CCC Tournament for the fourth time in the last five seasons. In program history, the squad has a 7-1
record in postseason games in
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS: Trailing Concordia by a half game
with one game remaining, the Lady Yotes will need some help if they are to win
their second CCC championship in program history. First off, it is imperative that The C of I
defeats Northwest Christian on Friday night.
A Concordia loss would secure a co-championship, two CU losses would
give the Yotes the outright title.
However, tiebreakers are quirky – if CU loses Friday to Oregon Tech but
defeats Southern Oregon, the Cavaliers would earn the No. 1 spot due to the
second tiebreaker (record vs. teams in the CCC .500 or better, as CU would be
5-1 and C of I 4-2), while if CU tops OIT, but loses to SOU, both teams would
be deadlocked in every tiebreak scenario, needing a coin-flip to determine the No.
1 spot and automatic berth to Nationals.
YOTES CLIMB TO NO. 11 IN NAIA POLL: The C of I climbed one spot to No.
11 in the latest NAIA Division II Top-25 Coaches Poll, released Monday
afternoon by the national office in
BEST START EVER: The 26-3 start pushes the Lady Yotes
into elite status, as The C of I has recorded their best ten, 15, 20, and
25-game starts to a season. The 1997-98
team had held the school record for best 25-game start, recording a 20-5
record, with this season’s squad upping that to 23-2. The Yotes have tied the
school record for wins – 26, set during the 2000-01 campaign, going 26-8,
concluding with a run at the NAIA Tournament.
VANDER ESCH HITS THE 1,000 POINT
MARK: Forward Christon Vander Esch (Riggins,
SINGLE-SEASON RECORD BOOK: Three Lady Yotes have already etched
their name in the single-season record book – with at least two games remaining
in the season. Christon Vander Esch
ranks No. 1 in free throw attempts (211), second in steals (95), third in
blocked shots (62), fifth in points scored (455) and free throws made (130, and
eighth in rebounds (256), while Nicole
Bruce (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly
HS) is sixth in blocked shots (45).
The third is Nicole Gall (Boise, Idaho / Santa Clara U.), who is
third on the single-season list for three-pointers made (84), fourth on the
list for three-pointers attempted (208), fifth in steals (83) and field goal
attempts (404), and ninth in field goals made (158), and tenth in points scored
(436). As a team, the Lady Yotes have
already set a single-season record for steals (504).
CAREER RECORD BOOK: Five Lady Yotes have found themselves
among the pages of the career record book during the 2008-09 season. Leading the way is Christon Vander Esch, who
is No. 1 on The C of I career steals list (245), is second on the all-time
blocked shots list (153) and free throw attempts (423), is third in rebounds
(662), fourth in free throws made (274), sixth in field goal attempts (893) and
points scored (1,030), seventh in field goals made (347), eighth in assists
(198) – while closing in on the list in three-pointers made (56) and
three-pointers attempted (175). Whitney Owen (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) ranks ninth all-time in free throws
made (172) and tenth in free throw attempts (248), sitting just outside of the
Top-10 in steals (119). Nicole Gall
ranks sixth in a career for three-pointers made (84) and ninth in three-pointers
attempted (208), Nicole Bruce is sixth all-time in blocked shots (52), and Kayla Brewer (
LADY YOTES IN THE CCC STATS: As a team, the Lady Yotes lead the CCC in scoring average
(78.8), defensive three-point percentage (.267), blocked shots per game (6.0),
steals per game (17.4), rebounds per game (46.4), and turnover margin (+7.2) –
leading the nation in steals per game, second in rebounds per game, and third
in blocks per game. The team is second
in the CCC in scoring margin (+13.4) and defensive field goal percentage
(.360), third in assists per game (15.9), fifth in rebound margin (+1.1) and in
scoring defense (65.3), sixth in three-point percentage (.347), seventh in field
goal percentage (.397), eighth in free throw percentage (.667), and 11th
in opponents rebound average (45.4).
Individually, Christon Vander Esch is second in the league in steals per
game (3.2), blocks per game (2.1), and rebounds per game (8.8), and is fifth in
scoring average (15.8). Nicole Bruce is
fifth in blocked shots per game (1.6), while Nicole Gall ranks second in
three-pointers per game (2.9), third in steals per game (2.8), sixth in
three-point percentage (.404), is seventh in scoring average (15.0), and ninth
in blocks per game (0.9). One other is
on the list, as Whitney Owen leads the league in three-point percentage (.472)
and fourth in field goal percentage (.520).
CCC LEADERS: Scoring Average – Kristina Schumacher
(CAS) 19.5, Robin Swain (CAS) 18.4, Katie Steigleman (CRB) 16.7, Jacki Speer (SOU) 15.9, Christon Vander Esch
(CI) 15.8; Rebound Average – Speer (SOU) 11.0, Christon Vander Esch (CI) 8.8, Gray 8.7, Maya Gross (CAS) 8.5, Ashley
Baker (SOU) 8.3; Field Goal Percentage –Ann Snodderly (CU) .549, Danielle
Clauson (.CU) .536, Tana Stickney (EOU) .528, Whitney Owen (CI) .520, Amanda
Johnston (OIT) .502; Assist Average – Meagan Miyasaka (OIT) 6.0, Kailey
Bostwick (CRB) 4.8, Jenny Fiso (EOU) 4.4, Rebecca Gimeno (CU) 4.3, Whitney
Scott (SOU) 4.2.
LONG TRIP TO
GAME RECAP – C OF I 82, EVERGREEN
STATE 65: Nicole
Gall led four C of I players in double figures with 23 points, as the Lady
Yotes defeated Evergreen, 82-65, tonight in the J.A. Albertson Activities
Center. After the visiting Geoducks took
an early 11-4 lead on a Keisha McDonald lay-up, the hosts would battle back,
with a Gall trey in the corner capping a 9-0 run to give The C of I their first
lead at 16-13, while her three and two made free throws late in the period
pushed the margin to 43-31. Evergreen
would close within 50-42 in the second half on a Kristi Auckland lay-up, but
the Yotes would not falter, as Meghan
Hughes (Eagle, Idaho / Bishop Kelly
HS) and Whitney Owen came off the bench to combine for 23 second half
points in the win. Owen had 17 points
and seven boards, with Hughes adding 15 on the night. Christon Vander
Esch had 14 points, eight rebounds, and five blocked shots.
GAME RECAP – C OF I 68, NORTHWEST 44:
An 18-0 second half
run broke open a tight game, as The C of I picked up their 25th win of the
season, sprinting past Northwest University, 68-44, Saturday in the J.A.
Albertson Activities Center. In the
Coyotes' victory, senior Christon Vander Esch scored 13 points and had 15
rebounds - becoming the seventh player in school history to score 1,000 points
in a career. After McKenzie McKean's lay-up with 17 minutes left pulled
the Eagles within 37-30, the Lady Yotes picked up the intensity on both ends -
forcing six turnovers and watching NU miss eight-straight shots, while both
Whitney Owen and Vander Esch each had six points in the run. Nicole Gall led the Yotes with 15 points and
nine rebounds, with Owen chipping in with 14 points and seven boards. NU got 13 points from Brittany Bowsher, but
struggled from outside, making just 1-of-23 three's.
GAME RECAP – C OF I 69, EASTERN
OREGON 68: Christon
Vander Esch scored a game-high 25 points, as The C of I won their first
regular-season game in Quinn Coliseum since the 2000-01 season, knocking off
Eastern Oregon Tuesday, 69-58. With the
victory, the Lady Yotes tied the school record for victories in a season and
kept their Cascade Conference title hopes alive. The Mountaineers stayed close, tying the
score at 35-35 early in the second half on a pair of Ashlee Michelson free
throws, but the No. 11 ranked Coyotes would respond, as Kayla Brewer hit
back-to-back three-pointers, starting a 22-7 run that put the game away. Whitney Owen had ten points and nine
rebounds, with Nicole Gall adding nine points for the Lady Yotes - who won at
EOU for the first time since a 92-71 victory over the Mounties in the 2002 CCC
Tournament. Eastern held a commanding
55-32 edge on the glass, including 30 offensive rebounds, but could not
produce, connecting on just 27-percent of their field goal attempts - including
1-of-14 from outside the arc in the second half. Tana Stickney had a
monster game for EOU, scoring 21 points with 18 rebounds in the loss.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more on The C of I women’s
basketball program, head to the homepage of the Lady Yotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmensbasketball.htm.
BASEBALL (0-4): Coyotes look to get into win column
as NAIA West schedule opens at Corban
LAST WEEK: at Regence/Blue Shield of
COMING UP: at Corban (DH), Friday,
10 a.m. (PT); at Corban (DH), Saturday, 10 a.m. (PT)
TOUGH OPENING TOURNEY FOR
COYOTES: Facing
opposition for the first time this season, The College of Idaho baseball team
had their ups and downs at the Regence/Blue Shield of Idaho Tournament in
COULDN’T HANG ONTO LEADS:
The
Yotes grabbed early leads in their final three games of the tournament, but
were unable to keep them. Their
opponents were able to do damage with two outs, hitting .459 collectively after
the Coyotes were one out away from getting out of an inning. The opposition hit .429 for the weekend with
runners in scoring position, while the Yotes hit at a .259 clip.
NEW ARMS THROW WELL: Head coach Shawn Humberger had to be pleased with
the outings of newcomers Ben Rosen (Eagle River, Alaska / Lower Columbia CC) and
Chad Yeggy (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS), who did their part in their Coyote
debuts. Rosen tossed eight solid innings
against Concordia, allowing just two earned runs on nine hits, one walk, and
seven strikeouts, while Yeggy, a true freshman, went six innings against Patten,
surrendering just one earned run – but was hurt by fielding woes behind him.
NEW LINE-UPS GALORE: The Yotes experimented
with their line-up throughout the weekend, as 17 different players saw time on
the opening line-up card. Senior Luke Howarth (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) had the best weekend on the club,
going 8-for-12, with three doubles, a triple, two stolen bases, and five
RBI. Transfer Kyle Douglas (Post Falls,
Idaho / Lewis-Clark State) went 4-for-8 at the plate, while senior Brad Carlsen (Reno, Nev. / Western Nevada CC) led the squad with six RBI,
including the Yotes lone home run of the tournament.
LAST TIME THE YOTES
OPENED 0-4: It is only the second time since baseball came back to The C of I
in 1987 that the Coyotes opened 0-3 (the 1989 squad dropped an opening
three-game series at Sacramento State), but it has been 31 years since the
Yotes were 0-4. The 1978 team – the last
before the nine-year hiatus of the sport, opened the year 0-8.
NEW NAME (AGAIN) TO
SCHEDULING ALLIANCE: The nine teams combining for the scheduling alliance from the
western states in the NAIA have adopted the name NAIA West for the league –
instead of West Coast Baseball Group, as it was called during the months
heading into the season.
YOTES PICKED TO WIN NAIA WEST: The four-time defending Cascade
Conference champion C of I will begin the first year in the NAIA West as the
team to beat, as the nine-team alliance released their preseason coaches’ poll
last week. The Coyotes received five of
the eight first-place votes in the North Division, out-pointing second-place
HOPING IT DOESN’T RAIN AT
CORBAN: The
Yotes continue their 12-game season-opening road trip this weekend, opening
NAIA West play against North Division foe, Corban. Weather concerns are the biggest issue for
the Warriors (2-2), who topped the Coyotes, 18-16, in
CHANGES IN NAIA WEST
DOUBLEHEADER FORMAT: All home C of I doubleheaders (and games against North Division
teams) will begin with a nine inning game, followed by a seven inning
game. Games at South Division teams will
be the opposite – a seven inning game followed by a nine inning game.
PRESEASON NATIONAL POLL: The Coyotes received 83
voter points in the NAIA Preseason Top-25 Coaches Poll, released Nov. 11 by the
national office in
GAME RECAP – CORBAN 18, C OF I 16: Late inning heroics were not enough,
as The C of I lost their season opener Friday to
GAME RECAP – PATTEN 8, C OF I 5: Three C of I errors led to five
Patten University runs, as the Lions picked up their first win of the 2009
season, stopping the Coyotes, 8-5, on Saturday.
The Yotes jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, as Camron Hammond (
GAME RECAP – CONCORDIA 5, C OF I 1: Despite a solid eight inning start
from transfer Ben Rosen, The C of I could not muster an offensive attack,
dropping a 5-1 decision to Concordia, Sunday morning. Rosen allowed nine hits in his outing,
walking just one and striking out seven, but did not get any offensive support,
as Ross Conway and Myles Stratton combined to allow just five C of I hits. The Yotes took an early 1-0 lead in the
second, as Cody Brubaker walked with one out, stole second, then came home on
an Alex O'Brien RBI single. However, the Cavaliers would come right back
and take the lead, as a bases loaded fielders choice allowed the tying run to
score, but a dropped ball at first base on the double-play attempt allowed the
eventual winning run to score. CU would
add to their lead in the sixth, as a pair of Coyote errors and a Brett Byrd RBI
single helped push the margin to 4-1.
GAME RECAP – NO. 1
A FIELD OF DREAMS: The 2009 season will
debut the new home of C of I baseball – Wolfe Field. Built in conjunction with the City of
ABOUT THE COACH: The
2009 season marks the 22nd year in C of I baseball for head coach Shawn
Humberger, his ninth year as Coyote skipper.
During his tenure, Humberger has compiled a 266-187-1 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. 2007, and 2008, 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
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on
The C of I baseball program, head to the official homepage of the Coyotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/baseball.htm.
SKIING: Coyotes win sixth-straight NWCSC
titles, head to
LAST WEEK: Hosted NWCSC Qualifier #4 at Bogus
Basin (Saturday – Men 1st, Women 1st), Sunday (Men 1st,
Women 1st)
COMING UP: at USCSA Western Regionals, Steamboat
Springs,
YOTES CLAIM SIXTH-STRAIGHT NWCSC
CHAMPIONSHIP: With
team victories in both sets of slalom races this weekend, The College of Idaho
men’s and women’s alpine ski teams each secured their sixth-straight Northwest
Collegiate Ski Conference championship.
DOMINATING BOGUS: In their only home event of the
season, the Coyotes did not disappoint on their home hill. Saturday, the Coyote men had a quality
afternoon in their two slalom runs, defeating rival
FINAL STANDINGS: Men – C of I 600, Idaho 460, Oregon
370, Washington 365, British Columbia 335, Washington State 260, Puget Sound
238, Oregon State 204; Women – C of I 600, Oregon 410, Washington 385, British
Columbia 370, Idaho 310, Puget Sound 295, Washington State 244.
ALL-NWCSC TEAMS: The top-ten men’s and women’s
finishers, based on the points from their top-six finishes, are named to the
All-NWCSC Team. Four Coyote men and six
Lady Yotes are among those honored by the conference. Men – Erik Anderson (UI) 540, Holden Sapp
(UPS) 375, Dewey Moss (CI) 349, Mats Boehnke (CI) 320, Eric Ostrand (CI) 204,
Craig Macfie (UO) 176, Yannick Berther (UW) 170, Alexander Matheson (UBC) 168,
Travis Morris (CI) 162, Tomas Sadilek (UW) 157; Women – Allison Howe (UW) 530,
Kelley Fitzpatrick (CI) 430, Katie Sawaya (CI) 380, Gabrielle Gould (CI) 362,
Taylor Cudahy (UO) 268, Jessica Stewart (UI) 235, Nicki Maxwell (CI) 224, Kari
Geier (UBC) 201, Jessica Wise (CI) 184, Katie Kernan (CI) 166.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE REGIONAL: The Coyotes will be in a stiff battle
this weekend, as 15 teams will converge on Steamboat Springs Resort in
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For
more information on The C of I ski teams, head to the official home page of the
Coyotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/skiing.htm.
TRACK: Yotes wrap up indoor regular-season
with Helm setting school record, three NAIA “B” marks
LAST WEEK: at
COMING UP: at NAIA Indoor National
Championships,
HELM SHATTERS 3,000-METER RECORD IN
MCCUTCHAN HAS STELLAR PENTATHLON: Competing in the indoor multi-events
for the first time, Emily McCutchan (
THREE LADY YOTES NOTCH NAIA “B”
MARKS: In both
OTHERS AT THE BSU MEET: A pair of Coyote men ran well at the
BSU Team Meet on Saturday, as Paul
Sartin (Meridian, Idaho / Bishop
Kelly HS) placed second in the 3,000-meters with a time of 8:59.48, while J.J. Burk (Bliss, Idaho / Bliss HS) finished fifth in the mile in 4:34.88.
NATIONAL MARKS: NAIA “A” – Stephanie Helm (Mile,
3,000), Tegan Troutner (Mile), Women’s DMR.
NAIA “B” – Ashley Miller (800), Troutner (3,000), Molli Lee-Painter
(3,000).
LOOKING AHEAD TO OUTDOORS: The outdoor track season will begin on
March 13-14 at the Northwest Nazarene Multi-Events meet. The Coyotes look to compete in seven
regular-season meets, before the Cascade Conference Championships in early May.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on The C of I
track team, head to the official homepage of the Coyotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/track.htm.
SOFTBALL: Season Preview
COMING UP: at Concordia-Irvine
(DH), Wednesday, 1 p.m. (PT); at Ringor SoCal Smash, Riverside, Calif. –
Thursday vs. No. 21 Cal State-San Marcos, 11 a.m. (PT); vs. Simpson, 3 p.m.
(PT); Friday vs. No. 21 Cal State-San Marcos, 11 a.m. (PT); vs. No. 3 Cal
Baptist, 3 p.m. (PT); Saturday – Bracket Play (two games).
LAST SEASON: The Lady Yotes opened
the season ranked No. 14 in the NAIA Preseason Poll, but did not meet the
expectations over the first two months of the season, sitting at 15-16 in
mid-April. However, the squad flipped
the switch after a home doubleheader sweep of Great Falls, winning
nine-straight games to earn a spot in the NAIA Region I Tournament, where they
defeated top-seeded Simon Fraser in the opener, then upended rival Oregon Tech
twice to win the title, earning an automatic berth to the NAIA Women’s World
Series. In Decatur, Ala., the Lady Yotes
battled hard in Pool Play, going 1-2 in one-run games, and losing a decision to
eventual national champion, Lubbock Christian.
As a team, the Coyotes set a school record with 35 home runs on the
season, pitchers held opponents to a 2.38 ERA, while striking out a record 318
batters.
PLAYERS TO REPLACE: The Coyotes will have to
replace the first All-American in program history, as three-year starter, Katie
Zillner, has graduated. The two-time
NAIA Region I Player of the Year had a remarkable senior season, going 17-8 in
the circle, with a 1.53 ERA, fanning a record 239 batters in 159 innings. Zillner also holds the school record for
career batting average, along with the most hits and RBI of any other
player. The team will also need to
replace two everyday players as well, as second-baseman Kelsi Murdock has
graduated, while outfielder Nicole Antonoplos decided not to play softball this
season.
ABOUT THE COACH: Al Mendiola is in his fourth year as head coach of The C of I softball
program, having compiled an 83-57 career record – having won more games than
any other softball coach in Coyote history.
The native of
COYOTES
PICKED THIRD IN CCC POLL: The
top-three teams in the CCC remained in the same place they ended 2008, as the
league announced its Preseason Coaches’ Poll on Jan. 26. Oregon Tech, which won the regular-season
title last year, earned three first-place votes and tallied 44 points in the
balloting. Concordia, which placed
second last year and advanced to the regional tournament, received two
first-place votes and 43 points, with the Lady Yotes receiving the final two
first-place votes and 39 points. Corban,
Southern Oregon,
PRESEASON
NAIA TOP-25 POLL: For the second-straight
season, the Lady Yotes earned votes in the Preseason NAIA Top-25 Coaches’ Poll,
however, unlike last season, the squad did not crack the Top-25. The Coyotes received 21 rater points, the
eleventh team listed in the Others Receiving Votes column. Oregon Tech was ranked No. 17 in the poll, while
Concordia received 73 rater points and was the second team listed in the Others
Receiving Votes category. Two other C of
I opponents were in the Top-25 – No. 3 Cal Baptist and No. 21 Cal State-San
Marcos.
CHANGE
IN THE PLAYOFF STRUCTURE: With the move
from a regional alignment to a direct-conference qualification for postseason
play across the NAIA, the Cascade Conference has been awarded an automatic
berth to the NAIA Women’s World Series for the first time. However, unlike in the past, there will be no
postseason tournament – the winner of the 24-game double round-robin schedule
will be awarded the berth from the CCC.
Changes have also been made at the World Series itself, as the field has
been expanded from 20 teams to 32 teams – eight pools of four teams, with the
winner of each pool advancing to national championship bracket play.
POSITION
BY POSITION – PITCHERS: The Coyotes
did not have to go far to replace their No. 1 starter from the past three
seasons, as transfer Jody Zillner (Emmett, Idaho / College of Southern Idaho)
will step into the role in 2009.
Zillner, the younger sister of C of I All-American, Katie Zillner, had a
fabulous two-year stint at CSI, earning back-to-back All-Region 18 honors,
including MVP of the 2008 Region 18 tournament, helping her team to the NJCAA
World Series. Three returners will also
eat up innings this year – Brooke Judy (
POSITION
BY POSITION – CATCHERS: The Yotes
have more depth at the catcher position than at any time in the program’s
history – as four players will battle for time during the season. Returning starter, Kalie Kurdy (Boise, Idaho / Bishop
Kelly HS), her back-up Sammy Dodge (Mountain Home, Idaho /
Mountain Home HS), along with newcomers Jenna Volgamore (Meridian, Idaho / Boise
State U.) and Kaitlyn Roberts (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) are all
in the mix. Kurdy (.267 4 HR 20 RBI) had
a quality freshman season offensively and has a rocket for an arm behind the
plate, while Dodge (.245 4 HR 12 RBI) is a true power threat, with nearly half
of her hits last year going for extra bases.
Volgamore played one season at CSI after a stellar prep career at
Mountain View High, with Roberts earning All-SIC honors last season in high
school.
POSITION
BY POSITION – INFIELDERS: Mendiola has
a potent offensive and defensive attack around the infield, possibly the best
in program history. The hot corner will
be manned by four-year starter Haley Butcher (Eagle,
POSITION
BY POSITION – OUTFIELDERS: A mix of
speed and power will help the Coyotes in the outfield this season, as the squad
returns a pair of starters. Four-year
starter Stacy
Smith (Draper,
A
TOUGH SCHEDULE: The Lady Yotes will be battle
tested before they open up the 24-game CCC schedule – beginning in February
with eight games in
FOR
MORE INFORMATION: For more information on The C
of I softball team, head to the official home page of the Coyotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/fastpitch.htm.