Glendora, CA (Softball) -- Over the years, the definition of the word “swagger” has gone through some transformations. Not long ago swagger was used to describe those who were arrogant or those who thought to highly of themselves. In today’s world, swagger has taken on a different meaning, a meaning that is light on the pomposity and is heavy on having confidence.
With that new definition in mind, it’s “swagger” that the Citrus College softball program hopes to bring to the field and to its program, just a year removed from winning the programs first ever Western State Conference South Championship. For a team that is fairly young with 13 freshmen and that has only three returnees from last year’s championship squad, their swagger will play a huge role.
“We have a lot of freshman, and they are a little gun-shy,” 2007 Southern California Coach of the Year and Citrus Head Coach Jackie Boxley said. “We want them to show some confidence going in to the season, and we definitely want them to have a swagger when we are playing some of the toughest teams in Southern California.”
While the Lady Owls will be a little low on experience there is definitely some experience on the field. Melanie Hansen (a 1st team All-WSC Honoree in 2007), Denise Hernandez (a 2nd team All-WSC Honoree in 2007), and Alex Arguelles all played significant roles on last year team, and are joined by Kim Abayan (who played a year at a junior college in Iowa), Jen Anaya, and Amanda Mays who are both back after a year hiatus from the team.
“[Jen]Anaya has gotten a lot better and smarter since she was last with the team. Kym [Abayan] brings intensity to the team, and [Amanda] Mays can mash,” Boxley said. “So along with them and bringing back Mel [Hansen] and Denise [Hernandez] we have enough sophomore leadership, that should help balance us out between our experienced players and inexperienced players.”
With a new team comes a new personality. While last years team relied on key position players to bring it to the table everyday, this years team has a lot more depth, and can pick it spots with so many able athletes on the roster.
“Our biggest strength this year is definitely our depth,” Boxley said. “We have some big girls who can hit but aren’t as mobile, and we have some smaller girls who are really fast. It gives us a lot of opportunities to play specific players in specific positions. It also allows us to juggle the line-up more often, and ride the hot hands and use the power bats when needed.”
What last year’s team lacked in depth, they made for in strong individual performances, especially when it came to the play of the WSC South Player of the Year Corrinne Milligan, who stepped in the circle 39 times for the Lady Owls last season. With her gone, Citrus will have to fill a huge hole where pitching is concerned.
“Corinne is irreplaceable, but we like the pitchers
we have and we hope we can do it by committee,” Boxley said. “The two pitchers that we have (Nicole Molina and Brittany Patterson) are complete opposites, which give us a nice one two punch. One throws harder and one is more of a finesse pitcher.”
Another improvement from last year’s team will be the defensive play of the Lady Owls. “We’ve [the coaches] have been putting more pressure on the girls to play perfect. To make the right throws and to put themselves in positions to make the right plays,” Boxley said. “We will also be a little quicker, especially in the outfield, which should help us out tremendously.”
With a renewed depth and defense, the Lady Owls will be tested early and often. Of their 24 non-conference contests Citrus faces 10 teams that made last years playoffs.
“Almost all of our non-conference games are with Top 10-15 teams,” Boxley said. “We play Antelope Valley, Mt. SAC, Cypress, and Cerritos. We are not going to be hiding from anyone, and it will definitely prepare us for conference.”
Despite playing some tough pre-conference games, as always the Lady Owls are focused on another WSC South Championship. “In softball, you almost always have to come in 1st place to make the playoffs,” Boxley said. “We always want to make the playoffs and do well, but our ultimate goal is a conference championship. Once we get there, then anything is possible.”
With a well rounded group of sophomores, and some exciting freshman added to the fold, the 2008 season should add some more swagger to the Lady Owls softball program. “We are excited to get after it. We all want to win,” Boxley said. “We are going to take it one pitch and one game at a time. Everything will fall into place after that.”