Weather won't hold back top softball teams in state at CCCAA Championship tournament
Tournament Central
(live video, live stats, photos, recaps)
BAKERSFIELD - Despite the start date being pushed back a day, the weather in Bakersfield, CA won't keep the top California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) softball teams from diverging at the Dean and Ada Gay Sports Complex on the campus of Bakersfield College this weekend. The top four teams from the South and the top four teams from the North will take each other on in a double-elimination tournament set to begin on Friday, and end next Monday with one team being crowned the 41st CCCAA State Champion.
TEAM PREVIEWS
South #1 - Mt. San Antonio College (40-5)
Head Coach: Ruby Rojas (7th Season)
State Tournament History: The defending CCCAA Champions, Mt. SAC is making it's 13th overall appearance in the State Tournament. The Mounties have five state titles (2018, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2003) and are tied with Palomar College for second most state championships in CCCAA history.
The Path: The Mounties earned the #1 overall seed in the Southern California playoffs after winning the South Coast Conference North Division Championship. Mt. SAC opened up the Regional Round of the playoffs by taking two-of-three from conference rival Cerritos College. In the Super Regionals, Mt. SAC took on SoCal #8 Santiago Canyon College. In the first game, the Mounties gave up an opening inning run before shutting out the Hawks the rest of the way in a 2-1 victory. In the second, things were just as tight, until sophomore Candace Haliburton punched the Mounties' ticket to Bakersfield with a walk-off home run that made it 3-2.
The Players: Mt. SAC is led by sophomore hurler Briana Wheeler (24-1 | 0.86 ERA | 207 Ks), the 2019 California Community College Fastpitch Coaches Association (3CFCA) Pitcher of the Year. Wheeler is no stranger to the CCCAA State Championships, having helped lead the Mounties to the title last year, on her way to being named the Most Valuable Pitcher of the Tournament last season. Sophomores Ally Longtree (.430 AVG | 32 RBIs | 25 SBs) and Vicky Gutierrez (.403 AVG | 30 RBIs | 15 2Bs) were both named 3CFCA All-State selections.
North #1 - College of San Mateo (41-2)
Head Coach: Nicole Borg (13th Season)
State Tournament History: College of San Mateo is making it's 13th overall and seventh straight appearance in the CCCAA State Championships. The Bulldogs have been a mainstay on the final weekend, but have unfortunately come up short each time, with their best finish coming as runner-up in 2015. Last year, the Bulldogs finished fourth at the tournament, losing to Cypress College in the first elimination game on Day #3.
The Path: The Bulldogs were seeded as the #1 overall seed in the Northern California playoffs after cruising to a Coast Conference North Division Championship. In the Regional Round, San Mateo took care of business with a pair of wins of #16 Solano College 7-1 and 11-1. In the Super Regionals, the Bulldogs drew #10 College of the Sequoias. Both games were extremely close with San Mateo eeking out back-to-back 1-0 victories. In the opening game Ally Sarabia came up with the big play, with an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth. In the the final contest, Kaitlyn Grech played the hero with a RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Players: Sophomore Emily McAdams leads yet another stacked Bulldog squad. The 3CFCA Pitcher of the Year, McAdams (30-1 | 0.74 ERA | 202 Ks) leads the State in wins in 2019. McAdams has also been helpful with the bat, hitting .375. Grech (.385 AVG | 50 RBIs) and a pair of freshman in Riley Donovan (.378 | 35 RBIs | 14 2Bs) and Amanda Ubois-Weitenhagen (.472 AVG | 47 RBIs | 12 HRs) were named 3CFCA All-State selections.
South #2 - Cypress College (38-7)
Head Coach: Brad Pickler (32nd Season)
State Tournament History: Cypress College is making their 28th appearance at the CCCAA State Championships and have won nine CCCAA titles (2017, 2012, 2011, 2010, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1991). Both are CCCAA records. Last year the Chargers finished third, falling to Palomar in the final elimination game on Day #3.
The Path: The Chargers came into the post-season, seeded #2 in Southern California and had their hands full right away, dropping the opening game of the Regional Round 1-2 to #15 seed Southwestern College. Cypress would rally on the second day, winning game two 8-2. In the deciding game, the Chargers scored twice with RBI singles in the top of the first, and then held on for a 2-1 victory. In the Super Regionals, Cypress faced Orange Empire Conference rival Riverside City College. The Chargers handed out a pair of five-inning wins in that round, beating the Tigers 9-0 and 9-1.
The Players: Freshman Lesley Bojorquez and sophomore Gabrielle Munoz represented Cypress on the post-season awards list. Bojorquez, who hit .385 and scored 28 runs in her rookie campaign was a 3CFCA All-State selection. Arguably most impressive as the one error she committed in 106 opportunities as the starting short stop for the Chargers. Munoz (.350 AVG | 27 RBIs) meanwhile was named to the 3CFCA All-SoCal Team.
North #2 - San Jose City College (38-4)
Head Coach: Deborah Huntze-Rooney (28th Season)
State Tournament History: San Jose City College is making it's third overall appearance in the CCCAA State Championships, having previously qualified in 2007 and 2008. In their last appearance in 2008, the Jaguars would finish tied for fifth place.
The Path: On the heels of arguably the most successful season under Head Coach Deborah Huntze-Rooney (the 2019 3CFCA Coach of the Year), the Jaguars were seeded #2 in Northern California. San Jose City came out strong in the Regional Round taking care of business against #15 Feather River College 2-0 and 13-0. In the Super Regionals the Jaguars took on #9 Reedley College and kept their foot on the gas with a pair of 8-0, five-innings wins.
The Players: Sophomore Madison Gallagher is the highlight for the Jaguars after being named the 3CFCA State Player of the Year. Gallagher hit .582, with 63 RBIs, and 15 HRs. Gallagher also gave San Jose strong play in the circle, going 17-2 with a 3.09 ERA. Sophomore lefty Stefanie Troja was a 3CFCA All-State selection after going 21-2 on the rubber with a 1.63 ERA. Sophomore short stop Keelin Spencer (.391 AVG | 21 SBs) rounded out the awards with a 3CFCA All-NorCal nod.
South #3 - Palomar College (37-5)
Head Coach: Lacey Craft (9th Season)
State Tournament History: Palomar comes into this weekend for the 17th time in program history. The Comets are home to five CCCAA State Championships (2015, 2013, 2000, 1993, 1989). Last season, Palomar finished as the state runner-up.
The Path: After claiming their seventh straight Pacific Coast Athletic Conference title, the Comets headed into the Southern California playoffs as the #3 overall seed. Palomar opened their playoff season with a pair of wins over #14 Citrus College in the Regional Round 4-0 and 5-0. In the Super Regionals #6 Antelope Valley College gave Palomar a tough time in the opener, surviving a pair of late runs by the Marauders to win 5-4. In the second game, it was all Comets as two RBIs in the sixth inning ended the game an inning early with Palomar winning 8-0.
The Players: Palomar led the State with four 3CFCA All-State selections. Sophomore Sarah Fisher (.471 AVG | 49 RBIs | 53 runs), who led last year's State Championship tournament in batting average and was named the tournament's Best Hitter, paces the pack. Sophomores Megan Wachholtz (.469 AVG | 38 RBIs), Kylie Pignone (.432 AVG | 11 3Bs), and Allie Hughen (13-1 | 0.73 ERA | 113 Ks) joined Fisher on the All-State team. Pignone and Hughen were both state tournament All-Tournament selections as freshman last year. Rounding out the awardees was freshman Kendall Kates (.414 AVG | 30 RBIs) was named a 3CFCA All-SoCal selection.
North #3 - San Joaquin Delta College (36-6)
Head Coach: Jim Fisher (11th Season)
State Tournament History: It's the 14th trip to the CCCAA State Softball Championships for the Mustangs of San Joaquin Delta College, and their third straight appearance. The Mustangs have yet to claim a CCCAA State Championship, but own the fourth most State Championship appearances in CCCAA history.
The Path: Co-Champions in the always tough Big 8 Conference, San Joaquin Delta College started out the Northern California playoffs as the #3 overall seed. The Mustangs drew a tough match-up in #14 Porterville in the opening round, upending the Pirates 3-2 and 5-1. In the Super Regionals it was #6 Monterey Peninsula College that came calling. San Joaquin Delta fell in the opening frame, 2-3, but rallied with a pair of big wins over the Lobos 7-3 and 9-3.
The Players: Sophomore right hander Delaney Pamplin was one of three Mustang representatives on the 3CFCA All-State team. Pamplin comes into this weekend 27-5 it's a 1.33 ERA and 118 K's to her name. Freshman Mikaela Ferreira and Sophomore Tawny Deerinck were the other two members of the All-State team. Ferreira batted .539 with a .877 slugging percentage, hitting 15 doubles and 11 home runs. Deerinck hit .409 and scored 34 runs. Sophomore Shay Trent was named an 3CFCA All-NorCal honoree after hitting .364, scoring 36 runs, and swiping 12 bases.
South #4 - Fullerton College (37-7)
Co-Head Coaches: Marian "Speedy" Mendoza (8th Season) & Crystal Aguirre (2nd Season)
State Tournament History: Fullerton College is making it's 11th overall appearance in the CCCAA State Championships, but it's first since 2005. The Hornets are home to one CCCAA State Championship (1980). Their last appearance in this weekend, saw Fullerton finish in fourth place.
The Path: After finishing with one of the best regular season in recent memory, Head Coaches Marian "Speedy" Mendoza and Crystal Aguirre were named the 3CFCA Coaches of the Year. Fullerton also took the #5 seed into the SoCal post-season. In the opening round the Hornets got past #12 College of the Canyons 4-2 and 8-0. In the Super Regionals, Fullerton hit the road to take on #4 El Camino College. In the opening game, the Hornets fell 2-3, but rallied on the first game of day two with a 5-4 victory. Fullerton finished things off in the third and deciding game scoring four runs in the final two innings to defeat the Warriors 4-1.
The Players: Fullerton heads into this weekend with arguably the best 1-2 punch in the circle in freshman Jessica Lopez and sophomore Destiny "Lulu" Vasquez, who were both 3CFCA All-State selections. Lopez had an outstanding rookie campaign going 19-5 with a 0.95 ERA, and 213 punch outs. Vasquez meanwhile comes into this weekend as a veteran having helped lead Cypress College to the 2017 state title en route to being named the Most Valuable Pitcher of that State Championship tournament. This season for Fullerton, Vasquez has gone 18-2 it's a 1.71 ERA. Vasquez has also contributed with the bat hitting .367 with 35 RBIs.
North #4 - Sacramento City College (33-9)
Head Coach: Tim Kiernan (22nd Season)
State Tournament History: Aside from Cypress College, no other CCCAA program has more history at the CCCAA State Softball Championships than Sacramento City College. The Panthers are making their 24th overall appearance and have won four CCCAA titles (2008, 1996, 1992, 1988). Sacramento City College's last appearance at the CCCAA State Championships came in 2016, when they were the state runner-up.
The Path: After sharing the Big 8 Conference title with San Joaquin Delta College, the Panthers were seeded #4 overall in the 2019 NorCal Playoffs. In the Regional Round, Sacramento got past #13 Shasta College 7-4 and 12-2. Things proved a little more difficult in the Super Regionals when they squared off with Big 8 rival and #5 seed Sierra College. The Wolverines blindsided the Panthers in the opening game 9-1, but Sacramento City rallied on day two with a 7-6 8-inning victory in game two to stave off elimination. In the third and deciding game got a pair of RBIs from freshman Rylee Retzer in the top of the seventh, that were the game winning runs in a 8-6 victory.
The Players: The Panthers are the only team in this weekend's tournament without an All-State selection. That doesn't mean Sacramento City College isn't talented as their record more than speaks for itself. The Panthers did have a pair of All-NorCal selections in sophomore right hander Danielle Reyes and freshman Shelby Lloyd. Reyes went 16-6 in the circle this season with a 2.21 ERA and 150 strikeouts. Lloyd hit .354 with 37 runs scored.
BY THE NUMBERS
213 - Strike outs by Fullerton's Jessica Lopez this year, the third most in the State this year.
160 - Walks by Cypress this season. The third most in the State.
40 - Home runs hit by San Mateo as a team this season, the most by a CCCAA school.
30 - Wins by San Mateo's Emily McAdams, the most in the State this season.
27 - Walks drawn by CSM's Aubrie Businger, the most of any player this weekend.
27 - Stolen bases by Kaylyn Sterling, the most of any player this weekend.
17 - Triples hit by Cypress' Amanda Campos, which led the State this year.
15 - Home runs by SJCC's Madison Gallagher this season, the second most in the State in 2019.
8 - Number of teams participating this weekend, who ranked in the State Top 10 in team fielding %.
0.73 - ERA by Palomar's Allie Hughen, the lowest ERA in the State this season.
.582 - Batting average of Gallagher, the top batting average in the State this season.
.454 - Team on-base percentage of Palomar College, the highest of any team this weekend and third in the State.
(Andrew Wheeler, 3CFCA)