‘Yote Notes – February 18, 2002

(To subscribe to ‘Yote Notes, contact Mike Safford Jr. at msafford@albertson.edu or by phone at (208) 459-5681)

GENERAL ATHLETICS NEWS:

PLAYOFF TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY AND TUESDAY: Tickets for the Feb. 20 men’s basketball playoff game vs. Southern Oregon will go on sale in the Sports Information Office at 10 a.m. Monday.  The office will be open from 10-7 both Monday and Tuesday for fans to purchase tickets.  No free passes will be issued – ticket prices are $6.00 for reserved seating, $5.00 for general admission, and $3.00 for seniors and students.  Season ticket holders will have until 7 p.m. on Tuesday to purchase or reserve their seats for the game, with all remaining seats going on sale at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.  For more information, contact the Albertson ticket office at 459-5681.

CAA BOOSTER DINNER: The next Booster Club dinner should by firmed up by Tuesday, but the target date is the first week of March, prior to the NAIA National Basketball Tournaments.  Part of the dinner will be an opportunity to honor Marty Holly and his upcoming induction into the NAIA Hall-of-Fame.  A mailer will be sent out next week, and other information will be included in next week’s ‘Yote Notes.

MEN’S BASKETBALL:   21-11 (11-7 in CCC, T-3rd)

LAST WEEK: Defeated Eastern Oregon, 90-80.

THIS WEEK: Cascade Conference post-season tournament – host Southern Oregon, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.; Semifinals, Saturday, site to be determined

‘YOTES VAULT INTO THIRD-PLACE: With a season-ending three-game win streak, the Coyotes, who were alone in fifth-place just two weeks ago, finished the regular-season campaign in a tie for third in the Cascade Conference race.  No. 22 Oregon Tech dropped its final three games of the regular-season, falling into the tie with Albertson, but Albertson received the No. 3 seed when common non-conference opponents were considered.  The Coyotes defeated Lewis-Clark State at the Golden Rule Shoot-Out, but OIT dropped its match-up with LC-State.

TOYING WITH EASTERN: The horse race on “Senior Night” was a wire-to-wire affair as the squad in chute No. 4 dominated Eastern Oregon, 90-80.  Albertson sprinted out to an 11-2 lead and Eastern never got closer than six points the rest of the night.  All 14 players in uniform saw action, as the backcourt happy ‘Yotes forced 26 Mountaineer turnovers.  Mike Homik (Hamilton, N.Z. / West Valley College) led four players in double figures with 15 points and six rebounds.

ROBERTSON MOVES INTO EIGHTH-PLACE: Neal Robertson (Richland, Wash. / Columbia Basin CC) scored all 14 of his points Saturday in the first half, moving himself into eighth-place on the all-time scoring list.  The senior surpassed 1999 graduate Rob Smith, and now has 1,069 points in his career.  Next up for Robertson is Bill Perkins, who scored 1,143 points during the early 1990s.

THOMAS BENEFITING FROM FAST PACE: The past five games have showcased the services of Treasure Valley native Jon Thomas (Nampa, Idaho / Gem State Academy).  “The Pastor,” as he is known by his teammates, has scored in double-figures in each of those games, averaging 14 points a night over that stretch.

LEADING THE NATION?: The free throw shooting machine that is Tennison Tripple (Pocatello, Idaho / Lane CC) has now made 62-of-66 attempts this season, or .939 percent, which would top all NAIA Division II players.  However, the senior must make 2.5 free throws a game to qualify – so with quick math thinking, the qualification standard would be 62.5 made free throws (Tripple has played in 25 of the Coyotes 32 games).  If they round up, “Tripp” is short, if they round down, he is the new leader in the clubhouse.

SHAW HAS SURGERY: All-America forward Ty Shaw (Nampa, Idaho / Columbia Basin CC) had successful surgery on his injured left knee last Monday afternoon.  The procedure reconstructed his ACL and LCL in the knee, and the senior should have a full recovery.

GAME NUMBER FOUR VS. SOUTHERN: It will be old hat for Southern Oregon and Albertson to meet on Wednesday night, as the two squads have already hooked up three times this season.  The Raiders (12-16, 8-10) stopped the Coyotes twice on the road – a 71-59 decision at the Bud Presley Classic in December, and by a 75-67 margin in Ashland in January.  Albertson ran away to a 103-82 win over Southern just two weeks ago, the debut game of the run-and-gun style of play.  SOU responded from an 0-4 start in conference play to finish in sixth-place, as forward Jeff Tachney (16.2 ppg in CCC play) has help spark the SOU resurgence.  The key to the game will be the tempo, as the Raiders have scored over 80 points in a game just three times all season, and Albertson is averaging 97 points a game over the last three games.

OTHER TOURNAMENT MATCH-UPS: No. 8 Concordia at No. 1 Evergreen – Two of the hottest teams in the CCC meet in Olympia on Wednesday.  Evergreen, who sewed up its first-ever national berth two weeks ago, has won 19 games in a row.  Concordia has won 3-of-4, all against playoff-bound teams, and led the Geoducks on the road by four inside of a minute to play in their last meeting.  No. 7 Cascade at No. 2 Western Baptist – This should be one of the more interesting first-round games.  Western won the earlier two meetings with Cascade, but by a total of seven points, and one of the games was in overtime.  It is the first-ever playoff appearance for the Thunderbirds.  No. 5 Warner Pacific at No. 4 Oregon Tech – The two teams split earlier meetings this season, each winning on their own home court.  The Owls have dropped three-straight, the first time that has happened since 1995.  Warner dropped a controversial 93-92 decision to Evergreen on Saturday, after a basket at the buzzer was disallowed – and should have counted after watching the videotape.

AFTER WEDNESDAY: Following the quarterfinal action, the highest remaining seed will host the lowest remaining seed on Saturday night.  The second highest remaining seed, will host the second lowest remaining seed as well.  The winners will meet next Tuesday for the CCC Championship and the second berth to the NAIA National Tournament.  If Evergreen wins the post-season championship, the team it plays in the championship game will earn the second berth.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Team - Scoring Average (82.2 3rd in CCC), Scoring Defense (77.0 – 7th), Field Goal Percentage (.459 - 6th), Three-Point Percentage (.367 – 4th), Free Throw Percentage (.758 – 1st), Rebounds (35.2 – 4th), Rebound Margin –2.9 – 9th), Turnovers (13.0 – 1st).  Individual: Scoring Average (Neal Robertson– 17.4), Field Goal Percentage (Mike Homik - .598), Three-Point Percentage (Jon Thomas - .408), Free Throw Percentage (Tennison Tripple – .939), Rebound Average (Eric Hare (San Miguel de Alleude, Mexico / West Valley College)  – 7.0), Assists (Kris Cox (Provo, Utah / BYU-Idaho) - 102), Steals (Kris Cox - 49), Blocked Shots (Mike Homik - 39).

FINAL CONFERENCE STANDINGS:

BROADCAST INFORMATION: All Albertson post-season games will be carried live on 1490 KCID-AM, the “Home of the Coyotes.”  Mike Safford Jr. will call the play-by-play Wednesday night, beginning at 7:15 p.m.  You can also listen to the broadcast on the internet, by logging on to the Albertson Athletic Website (www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/default.asp).

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/mensbasketball.htm

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:     18-10 (11-5 in CCC, 5th)

LAST WEEK: Defeated Cascade, 86-71; lost to Concordia, 64-60.

THIS WEEK: Cascade Conference post-season tournament – quarterfinal at Concordia, Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. (MST); semifinal at Eastern Oregon or Western Baptist, Friday, 8:30 p.m. (MST)

LADY ‘YOTES FALL JUST SHORT OF THE SUMMIT: With a tough loss to Concordia on Saturday night, the Albertson women’s basketball team dropped into fifth-place in the final Cascade Conference standings, and must trudge on a three-game road exodus if the squad wants to return to the NAIA National Tournament for the fourth time in five years.  The Lady ‘Yotes will meet the same Concordia squad on Tuesday in Portland, with Northwest traveling to Southern Oregon, as Eastern Oregon and Western Baptist await the winners.

ABOUT THE TOUGH LOSS: Knowing that with a win they would clinch the No. 2 seed and a first-round playoff bye, Albertson hung tough for 40 minutes.  Concordia jumped out to a 6-0 lead, only to see the Lady ‘Yotes respond, to take their biggest lead at 28-22.  Following a 30-30 halftime deadlock, Albertson led the majority of the second half, before a Korey Beeler baseline jumper with just under five minutes remaining gave the Cavs the lead for good, and the regular-season sweep of the Coyotes.

CASCADE NO MATCH FOR TWIN TOWERS: Behind 30 points and 15 rebounds from posts Kristen Bailey (Fountain Green, Utah / Snow CC) and senior Jan Marchiano (Martinez, Calif. / College Park HS), Albertson withstood the best shooting night of the season by Cascade College, and beat the much-maligned T-Birds, 86-71.  The Lady ‘Yotes led by as many as 21 on the night, and forced 23 turnovers.

THOMPSON GETS TO 1,000: With 25 points scored over the weekend, guard Jeannie Thompson (Everett, Wash. / Everett HS) became the fourth player in Albertson College women’s basketball history to score 1,000 points.  The senior joins Michelle Westcott (1996-98), Alyson Pincock (1999-01), and Linsi Sloan (1996-01) as the only players in school history to reach the coveted mark.  She needs just 13 points to move past Sloan into third-place on the list.  Thompson, who already has set career benchmarks in assists, steals, and games started, is just four rebounds shy of passing Pincock for the top spot on the career list.

“STAR SPANGLED” SINGER: Anyone who came to Saturday’s game with Concordia was treated to a rousing rendition of the National Anthem, performed by none other than women’s basketball standout Kristen Bailey.  Her vocal abilities was just one of the positives over the weekend for the 6-4 juggernaut, as she recorded double-doubles in both games, giving her 12 on the season.  The junior finished the regular-season with 270 rebounds, third on the single-season list, and leads the Cascade Conference with a 9.6 average, which is among the top-twenty in the NAIA.  Bailey also has recorded 77 blocks this season, far and away the top mark in school history, and also the top mark this season in the CCC.

GOICOECHEA FINDING HER STROKE AT THE RIGHT TIME: After struggling from her home outside the three-point line for the majority of the 2001-02 season, guard Heidi Goicoechea (Burley, Idaho / Burley HS) has found her form when it counts.  The sophomore has hit nine of her past 19 treys (.474 percent) in the last three games, upping her shooting percentage to .316 percent on the season, ranking her amongst the Top-15 in the CCC.

REMATCH IS THE WORD: When the conference post-season tournament begins Tuesday, it will be exactly three days since Albertson and Concordia have met, although this meeting will take place in the Cavalier Dome.  The Cavaliers (20-9, 12-4) pulled into a tie for second in the final conference standings, by virtue of winning their last six games.  However, since Western Baptist and Southern Oregon each swept the season series with the Cavs, Concordia had to settle for the No. 4 seed.  Miriam Jenkins squad definitely has the momentum against the Lady ‘Yotes, winning a pair of games against Albertson, each by less than five points.  The Coyotes must first stop post Amanda Tweedy (14.2 ppg, 9.0 rpg), who scored 24 points in the Cavs win in Portland, but was held to just 3-of-17 shooting on Saturday night.  The other cog in the Concordia line-up is Third-Team All-American Niecee Madrigal (12.7 ppg, 4.0 apg), who averaged 16 points a game in the two wins over Albertson.  This is the first-ever playoff match-up between the schools, as Albertson has defeated the Cavs in ten of the previous 14 meetings.

OTHER PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS: The second quarterfinal game Tuesday pits No. 6 Northwest at No. 3 Southern Oregon.  Southern clinched the third-seed with a surprisingly difficult 69-68 win over Warner Pacific.  Northwest is the only team in the tourney with a losing record, the Eagles won all six games against the cellar-dwellers (Warner Pacific, Evergreen, Cascade), but lost all ten meetings to the top-five teams in the conference.  Both No. 1 Eastern Oregon and No. 2 Western Baptist sit at home and wait for the winners on Friday.  Eastern will face the lowest remaining seed (likely the winner of the Albertson-Concordia game), with Western meeting the second-lowest seed.  The conference championship game will be held next Monday on the home court of the highest remaining seed.  Only the tournament champion is guaranteed a berth in the NAIA Division II National Tournament, to be held March 6-12 in Sioux City, Iowa.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Team - Scoring Average (67.8 - 5th in CCC), Scoring Defense (61.2 –1st), Field Goal Percentage (.401 – 3rd), Three-Point Percentage (.277 - 8th), Free Throw Percentage (.685 – 3rd), Rebounds (45.7 - 1st), Rebound Margin (+7.0 - 1st), Blocked Shots (120 - 1st), Turnovers (20.6 – 3rd).  Individual: Scoring Average (Jeannie Thompson – 14.1), Field Goal Percentage (Kristen Bailey - .518), Three-Point Percentage (Heidi Goicoechea - .316), Free Throw Percentage (Krystal Thacker (Elko, Nev. / BYU-Idaho) - .756), Rebound Average (Kristen Bailey - 9.6), Assists (Jeannie Thompson - 60), Steals (Jeannie Thompson - 42), Blocked Shots (Kristen Bailey - 77).

FINAL CONFERENCE STANDINGS:

INTERNET BROADCASTS: Due to technical difficulties on Friday and Saturday, neither women’s basketball game was carried live on the internet.  Friday’s game vs. Cascade, however, has been archived, and can be access 24-hours-a-day on the women’s basketball website.  Tuesday’s game at Concordia will not be broadcast, however, if the Lady ‘Yotes travel to Eastern Oregon on Friday, the game will be on the internet at www.eou.edu/athletics, and click on the live broadcast link.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmensbasketball.htm

ALPINE SKIING: (Men – 2nd in NWCSC, Women – 3rd)

THIS WEEK: Host West Regional Championships, Thursday-Saturday, Bogus Basin Resort

COYOTES TO HOST REGIONAL: Teams from across the west will head to Boise this weekend for the West Regional Championships on the Coyotes home hill, Bogus Basin.  The event, which combines a giant slalom run and slalom run, determines which teams will advance to nationals.  Last year, the Albertson men placed fifth and the women second in the event, held in Park City, Utah, the host of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

BERTH TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS ON THE LINE: The rough and tumble 2002 ski season comes to a head this weekend as Albertson looks to advance to the USCSA National Championships in Waterville Valley, N.H.  Despite multiple injuries on both the men’s and women’s squad, the Coyotes have a solid shot of placing in the top-five, which would guarantee a spot in the elusive championships.

CONDITIONS AT BOGUS: With the lack of precipitation in the Valley lately, conditions are poor for the average skier.  However, hard, icy conditions are perfect for the racing the Coyotes must do this weekend.  Bogus Basin currently has a base of 58 inches with no new snow in the forecast this week.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/ski/Default.htm

BASEBALL:           2-0-1

LAST WEEK: Won 6-3, Tied 4-4 at Westmont, Won 10-1 at Occidental, Rained out vs. Sonoma State

THIS WEEK: at Point Loma Nazarene, Monday, 2 p.m.; at Lewis-Clark State Tournament – vs. Eastern Oregon, Friday, 11 a.m.; vs. Lewis-Clark State, Friday, 4 p.m.; vs. Linfield, Saturday, 11 a.m.; Championship Round, Sunday, TBA

COYOTES OPEN WITH SUCCESS: After spending the first two months of training confined for the most part to the Activities Center and the batting cage, the Coyote baseball team headed south for some sun, and games.  The first three games went off without a hitch, under partly cloudy skies, but Sunday’s scheduled affair with Sonoma State was cancelled due to poor field conditions at the University of LaVerne, after a late evening rainstorm played fits with the field.

VICTORY IN SEASON OPENER: Senior Nick Williams pitched six strong innings in his first start of the 2002 season, and freshman Andrew Hall slammed the door with two and two thirds innings of scoreless relief as the Albertson baseball team stopped Westmont College, 6-3. The Coyotes (1-0) plated four in the first inning and were never headed.  Transfer Dustin Garcia (Reno, Nev. / Feather River CC) led off with a walk, stole second, and scored on a base hit by All-American Scott Skeen (Bend, Ore. / Oregon State).  Albertson then loaded the bases with two outs of Warrior starter Jeremiah Kelly, and transfer Rob Reid (Boise, Idaho / Cochise CC) plated two with a clutch single.  Albertson, ranked No. 13 in the NAIA, made it 6-0 in the fourth inning, as Garcia lined a two-run double down the right field line.  Williams gave up three earned runs in six innings in his first start of the year.  After being lifted in the top of the seventh for reaching his pitch count, reliever Ben Frank (Paul, Idaho / North Idaho CC) loaded the bases with one out, before the freshman Hall ended the Westmont (2-7) threat with a one-pitch double play.  Hall gave up just one hit and struck out two to pick up the save in his first collegiate game.  Garcia went 2-for-3 with two walks and two RBI, with Cory Acklus (Everett, Wash. / Alabama-Birmingham) going 2-for-4 with a run scored for the Coyotes.

WIN, NO LOSE, AND DRAW ON SATURDAY: Time constraints limited the Albertson baseball doubleheader to just a pair of seven inning games, as the Coyotes tied Westmont, 4-4, and pounded out a 10-1 win over Occidental, Saturday afternoon.  In the opener, the Coyotes manufactured a run in the first as Scott Skeen singled, stole second, and scored on a Cory Acklus base hit.  The Warriors chased Albertson starter Chris Rennaker (Darby, Mont. / Lewis-Clark State) in the third, scoring all four runs.  However, senior Eric Jensen (Mountain Home, Idaho / Mountain Home HS) shut the door on the Westmont rally.  The 'Yotes tied the score in the fifth on a run scoring single by Dustin Garcia, and a two-run double by Skeen.  However, the game was halted after seven innings due to a time-limit on the game.  The nightcap saw Albertson (2-0-1) score in each of the first four innings to benefit starter Chris Empio (Medford, Ore. / South Medford HS).  Scott Freeman (Boise, Idaho / Victor Valley CC) went 3-for-4 with two doubles, freshman Trey Reid (Boise, Idaho / Capital HS) went 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI.  Occidental had nine hits, but left eight runners in scoring position.

SKEEN TIES OWN RECORD: The king of triples at Albertson was at it again on Saturday, as Scott Skeen rapped two triples in the win over Occidental, the third time he has done so in his career.  The senior 16 career three-baggers, six more than any other Coyote in school history.

R-E-L-I-E-F: How is this for a great stat to start the year – the Albertson bullpen has not given up a run in 11 2/3 innings to start the season.  The crew has given up just ten hits over that stretch, and walked only two batters.

THE HIGHS AND LOWS: On a positive note, new leadoff hitter Dustin Garcia has started the 2002 campaign with a .600 on base percentage and .444 batting average – and knocked in a team-high five runs.  On the flip side, junior Darren Uranga (Homedale, Idaho / Homedale HS) has struggled out of the gate, going 1-for-13 last week.

GONZALEZ MISSES TRIP: Albertson was without the services of their everyday shortstop Patrick Gonzalez (Ontario, Calif. / Riverside CC) during the trip to Southern California.  The senior missed the trip for a violation of team rules, but will be in uniform when the ‘Yotes head to the Lewis-Clark State tournament this weekend.

END OF CALIFORNIA SWING, OFF TO LEWISTON: The Coyotes, who will play 39 of their first 41 games away from Simplot Stadium, finish up their Southern California trip today, meeting Point Loma Nazarene in San Diego.  The Crusaders (7-3-1) have split their last six games and are coming off a 17-27 season.  Point Loma Nazarene has one of the most picturesque baseball fields in the nation, right on the Pacific Ocean shoreline.  After flying back to the Valley, Albertson will make the first of hopefully four trips to Lewiston, Idaho for the Paffile Trucking Tournament.  The Coyotes will play in the Banana Belt Tournament up north in March, have a two-game set in April, and LCSC is the host school for the NAIA College World Series in May.  Albertson will open up play Friday morning against Cascade Conference rival Eastern Oregon.  The Mountaineers (0-0) struggled to an 8-30 mark last season – a team that featured just one player with a batting average over .300, and no pitcher with an ERA under 4.00.  The Coyotes swept all five meetings with Eastern last year.  The day-night doubleheader on Friday will conclude with juggernaut Lewis-Clark State, the top-ranked team in the NAIA preseason poll, and 11-time national champion.  The Warriors (4-2) are coming off a three-game set with Central Washington in which they scored 60 runs in three games.  LCSC has pounded out 30 home runs in its first six games, with Louisiana State transfer Zeph Zinsman and First-Team All-American Gabe Stadjuhar each clubbing four.  Albertson won 2-of-5 meetings with the Warriors last season, and will meet LC-State at least seven times in 2002.  Saturday, it’s Linfield on the docket in a single nine-inning affair.  The Wildcats (0-0), a former NAIA school that moved to the NCAA Division III in 1999, is the odds-on favorite to win the Northwest Conference title, according to the coaches’ poll.  Linfield finished second in the conference last year, posting a 28-12 record, the most wins by the program since 1989.  The Coyotes defeated the Wildcats 7-6 in the only meeting between the two schools last season.  The tournament championship and consolation games will take place on Sunday.

INTERNET BROADCASTS: Friday’s game with Lewis-Clark State will be broadcast live on the internet via the KOZE website (www.koze.com), part of the LCSC radio network.  If the Coyotes meet the Warriors in the championship or consolation game on Sunday, that game will also be carried live.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/baseball.htm

SOFTBALL:           0-0

THIS WEEK: at Point Loma Nazarene (DH), Tuesday, 2:30 p.m.; at Biola (DH), Wednesday, 2:30 p.m.; at Vanguard (DH), Thursday, 2:30 p.m.; at Azusa Pacific (DH), Friday, 6 p.m.; at Biola (DH), Saturday, 11 a.m.

THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: Change has come to the campus of Albertson College this spring, as the 111-year old institution welcomes fastpitch softball as the seventh intercollegiate sport for women.  For new fans of the game, this isn’t baseball – its fast paced chaos inside 60-foot base paths with pitchers throwing at speeds equivalent to those in the major leagues.  Coyote head coach Kelly Gibbons is no stranger to the collegiate game.  As head coach at Washburn University in Kansas, Gibbons led her team to four district titles and two trips to the NAIA National Tournament.  During her eight-year tenure, she compiled a 268-126 overall record.

SMALL BALL: The key to her success has been “small ball” – utilizing the ability to get runners into scoring position and across home plate, with speed on the bases, bunts, and timely hits.  With no seniors and 14 of the 17 players on the squad freshmen, the style will be easy to adapt to.  “Initially, we are looking for the quick attack,” Gibbons said.  “We are working toward being an aggressive offensive team that is backed up with solid defense.”

YOUNG THROWERS: The success of the 2002 Lady ‘Yotes will begin in the pitching circle, where four players are battling for innings.  Junior college transfer Nicole Glenn (Nyssa, Ore. / BYU-Idaho) looks to be the No. 1 starter.  The junior has good velocity and movement on her fastball, and can locate her spots well.  Three others, all true freshmen, have impressed Gibbons during preseason training.  Kira Leaton (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS), Lindzi Wasko (Lakenheath, England / American HS) and Melissa Finlayson (Boise, Idaho / Capital HS) will get a look when Albertson opens the season on a ten-game tour of California.  “We are extremely versatile in our pitching staff, said the former head coach at Nyssa (Ore.) and Bishop Kelly (Idaho) High Schools.  “We are looking for great strides with our freshman class.

AROUND THE HORN: The quartet will be throwing to another freshman, Tiffany Mathews (Las Vegas, Nev. / El Dorado HS), who according to the coaching staff, is a good contact hitter, with an above-average throwing arm.  Backing up Mathews is Finlayson, who may also see time as the team’s designated player.  Some questions arise in the Lady ‘Yotes infield, as a group of six players battle for the four positions around the horn.  The left side of the infield looks to be stable, with Andrea Nicolosi (Mountain Home, Idaho / Mountain Home HS) playing third, and Arizona native Heather Keepers (Apache Junction, Ariz. / Apache Junction HS) at shortstop.  The development of the freshman Nicolosi at the hot corner will be key, as third-base is arguably the most difficult position in fastpitch softball.  Keepers gives Albertson a double-threat at the plate – a left-handed slap hitter, that can also swing for power.  “Our left side will be strong – even though both Nicolosi and Keepers played second-base during their high school careers,” said Gibbons.  “Our communication will be the key early with so many new positions and plays.”  Gibbons hopes the California trip will help iron out a second-baseman.  Local product Danielle Landa (Homedale, Idaho), along with many others – including the versatile Finlayson, may inherit the position.  First-base will see sophomore Amy Chase (Bishop, Calif. / Bishop Union HS) and Leaton platooning during the preseason.  “We have just so many versatile athletes that the line-up could change several times before the season ends,” said Gibbons.  “We have some great talent, now we need to get the best combination.”

IN THE PASTURE: The outfield is the big strength for the Coyotes, as a trio of speedy and aggressive players look to cause problems on offense and defense.  Both Victoria DeLaRosa (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) and Katie Hansen (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS) have good gloves and above-average wheels.  Look for DeLaRosa to be the Lady ‘Yotes lead-off hitter, utilizing her slap-hitting abilities to put pressure on the defense.  Heather McClure (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) is the third member of the young group.  She is a good contact hitter, with a solid outfield arm.  Also in the mix are Tara Brigham (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS) and Jacqui Hall (Grangeville, Idaho / Grangeville HS), who were moved from their natural infield positions by Gibbons to the outfield to add depth.  “We are solid in the outfield with a great deal of experience in our freshmen,” remarked Gibbons.  “They have all played very competitive ASA schedules in the past.”

TOUGH SCHEDULE FOR ROOKIES: The youngsters will embark on a 52-game regular-season schedule, which includes this week’s five-day, ten-game trip to California, and an appearance at the Central Washington Invitational, where 12 of the top teams in the Northwest meet, in early March.  The trip to California will be a baptism of sorts for Albertson, as all four team the Coyotes meet are ranked in the NAIA Preseason national poll, including two games with No. 5 Point Loma Nazarene, who placed fifth at the 2001 National Tournament, and four games with No. 6 ranked Biola.  “We want an early benchmark for what standards we need to set for our team,” said Gibbons.  “Strong competition will surely give us quick indications of where we are and what we need to work on.”  With the addition of the Lady ‘Yotes, the Cascade Conference now has five teams, three of which have national tournament experience in the last five years.  Oregon Tech, ranked No. 11 in the preseason poll, has been a mainstay in the Top-25 for five years, which included a trip to nationals in 1997.  Last year’s surprise, Concordia, who upset OIT in the regional final en route to their first trip to the Women’s College World Series, is ranked No. 23.  Eastern Oregon, which placed fourth in the 1999 CWS, returns its top pitcher from a year layoff, and should be improved.  “The Cascade Conference is a tough conference,” replied Gibbons.  “Our goal is to be playing our best ball at the beginning of the conference schedule and improve with each contest.”

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S OPPONENTS: The road for the first-year program begins in the hot-bed of softball, Southern California, as four opponents await the young Coyotes.  The historic first-ever softball game will take place in San Diego on Tuesday, as Albertson meets fifth-ranked Point Loma Nazarene.  The Crusaders (9-1) placed eighth at last year’s NAIA Women’s College World Series, and have 5-of-6 games this season against the top three teams in the California Athletic Association, one of the top NCAA Division II conferences.  PLNU returns three All-Americans, including Cheryl Bolding, the reigning NAIA National Player-of-the-Year.  The Lady ‘Yotes will face Biola on two separate occasions this week, with twinbills on Wednesday and Saturday.  The Eagles (7-5), ranked No. 6 in the NAIA, have lost three straight, but don’t let that fool you.  All five losses have come to NCAA Division II opponents.  Thursday, Vanguard gets its shot at Albertson, as the Lions (10-5-1) are the only team not ranked in the Top-25 on the Coyotes slate this week.  However, Vanguard (who is second on the list of teams receiving votes in the national poll) is coming off 17-0 and 8-0 shutouts of Redlands, an NCAA Division III school on Saturday.  By the time Albertson meets Azusa Pacific on Friday, the squad will not be rookies anymore.  The 13th-ranked Cougars (7-3) have won four consecutive games, and have given up more than three runs in a game just once this season.

INTERNET BROADCASTS: The Albertson athletic department is planning on broadcasting all softball home games on the internet.  Sports information director Mike Safford Jr., who has called action at the 1997 NAIA Women’s College World Series, and games at the NCAA Division III West Regional tournament the past three years, will handle the play-by-play.  The first broadcast is scheduled for March 23.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/softball/index.htm