Glendora, CA (Softball) – The great football coach Vince Lombardi once said, “Build for your team a feeling of oneness, of dependence on one another and of strength to be derived by unity.” That same idea has become a mantra for the Citrus College softball team, and if things continue the way they started, the Lady Owls may prove that they too can be a dynasty like those hallowed Lombardi squads.
I love this team. These are three simple words that have come to define who the Lady Owls are, and where they plan to go this 2007 season. “It’s just something that developed last year, and picked up steam,” said head coach Jackie Boxley. “I never really thought it would stick, but it’s really come to define who we are.” For Boxley it’s where they lay their foundation for the upcoming season. “If they love each other, love our team, then they will buy into what we are doing and they can be an awesome team with lots of potential.”
In only two seasons, Boxley has turned around a struggling program. In her first two seasons at the helm Boxley has posted 2 of the top 3 winning seasons in Citrus history. Boxley also guided the Lady Owls to their first ever post season appearance last season. With Boxley in charge Citrus has become a force to reckoned with, and not just another notch on someone’s belt.
Behind a solid coaching staff, some key returners, and a few promising newcomers, the 2007 Citrus College softball team looks to have a 2007 season filled with unlimited possibilities. “Our goal is a conference championship,” Boxley said. “If we weren’t playing for that we wouldn’t be playing. Once you get that conference championship, than anything can happen.”
If the Owls are to compete for the WSC crown, they will have to have another strong season on the back of Corinne Milligan, the returning WSC Pitcher of the Year. Milligan posted a 2.11 ERA in 28 starts, while striking out 162 batters last season. As incredible as those numbers may seem, they could improve this season. “Corinne has worked so hard this off-season,” Boxley said. “She is in the best shape of her life, and is throwing harder. Her pitches are just filthy.”
While Milligan will be the anchor, she will have some more help this year from Jessica Alvarez who comes back for her sophomore season, and is coming in healthier than ever. Though she was hurt most of the 2006 season Alvarez still put up some impressive numbers, registering a 1.78 ERA and a .184 batting average against in 19 starts. “Alvarez will have a little more pressure this year,” Boxley said. “She will help fill in the gaps that come up throughout the year.”
While pitching will be their main strength, the Lady Owls will find some solace in one of their best power hitting lineup in years. According to Boxley sophomores Caitlin Tolan (.312 batting average and 26 RBI’s in 2006) and Corinne Milligan (.366 batting average and 29 RBI’s in 2006) will continue to put some pop in the lineup, while newcomers Nicole Frusher and Ashlie Paredez will help solidify the power surge.
If pitching and power hitting will be the strengths of the Lady Owls, their few weaknesses may be found in their youth and lack of left handed hitting. The Lady Owls have only two players who hit from the left side of the plate.
“If we had more left handed hitting it would be beneficial,” Boxley said. While they would like more, they haven’t tried to make anyone switch. “We haven’t tried to change them; we have just tried to make them more effective.” The other factor is the Lady Owls’ inexperience. “We are young, especially in the infield,” Boxley said. “We are trying to teach them what its like to be a winner and a champion.”
When all is said and done the Lady Owls will have to get the job done in a very tough schedule. The Lady Owls schedule consists of 12 teams that are currently in the SoCal Pre-Season Top15, and another that is in the North Top 15. “We’ve got three tough tournaments that’ll prove to be a good challenge for us,” Boxley said. “We hope that by loading up the pre-season, that by April we will be peaking.”
The long season will be prove be taxing not only physically but mentally as well. “We spend a lot of time on the road, and that can be trying and hard,” Boxley said. “A lot of getting through the schedule is mental, if they think they can do it, they can.”
Helping Boxley man the personalities will be two quality coaches, Terry Paredez and Mike Quiroz. Paredez has been crucial in his instruction with the Lady Owl hitters. “Terry just has an amazing way with the kids,” Boxley said. “He’s well respected and a great hitting coach.” Helping push the pitchers is Quiroz. “With Mike, you will be able to see the difference in Corinne and Jessica right away.”
With her coaches in place, Boxley will once again turn to Milligan, but this time as a leader on the field. “Corinne has changed her game, her personality, and leadership this season,” Boxley said. “She has become more vocal than I ever expected.” While Boxley will turn to Milligan to be vocal, she expects others to lead in another way. “Tolan and Hansen will help this team and lead by example,” Boxley said.
When everything kicks off on Tuesday January 30th, the only thing left for the Lady Owls to do will be to perform. Everything is set and the future is bright. “We just have to stay on our goal, and our purpose,” Boxley said. “If we take things a game at a time, our goal of a WSC Championship can become a reality.”