Lady Rams are a team full of freshmen with youthful vigor
Gilroy – It may be a rebuilding year, but make no mistake. The Gavilan softball program is up and running.
“It’s going,” said first-year head coach Nikki Dequin. “The really positive thing is we have a good group out there staying positive and really just want to play.”
The group is brand-new – from Dequin to her assistant coaches to the 13 freshmen that make up the roster to the talent.
“Some of the girls are very new to the game, so we’re struggling with that,” said Dequin, who was an assistant coach at DeAnza College before taking over the reins at Gavilan. “But they’re having a good time.”
The Lady Rams finished 11-12 in the notoriously tough Coast Conference South last season. Dequin expects the league to be just as challenging this year, especially with powerhouses West Valley (ranked No. 1 in California) and San Jose City College (ranked No. 11) in the mix. So far, Gavilan is winless.
Through the first month of the season, Gilroy High, Gavilan and San Jose St. softball alum Dequin has been counting on Cortney Almaguer (San Benito), a converted shortstop, on the mound.
“She’s a good little athlete. She’s taken on pitching, is learning quite a bit and learning how to stay composed,” Dequin said. “She’s got a good bat so hopefully that will start coming around.”
Catching for Almaguer has been Ellie Gracie (Live Oak), who Dequin says has improved tremendously since the fall ball season.
First baseman Rachel Acosta (San Benito), third baseman Jessica McClelland (Live Oak), shortstop Tiffany McIntosh (San Benito) and second baseman Liz Valdez (Monta Vista) have been holding down the infield.
Dequin moved McClelland from first base, her natural position, to third.
“She’s a vacuum,” Dequin said.
Having McIntosh on the field is like having another coach on the field, literally. The shortstop is a former assistant softball coach for San Benito High.
“Her experience has helped,” Dequin said.
Gavilan has center fielder Sheryl Lomanto (San Benito), left fielder Danielle Jurivich (Monterey County Charter) and right fielder Sharleen Rojas (Gilroy) – who also played volleyball and basketball for Gavilan this year – patrolling the outfield.
In addition to Almaguer, the coach counts McClelland and Gracie among the team’s better hitters. Dequin is also hoping to have Valdez, a lefty, come around in the lead-off spot. Another lefty batter, Brianna Gonzales, also chips in right field.
The one returning player from last year’s 20-17 team that won’t be seen on the field this season is first baseman Amanda Jackson, who is redshirting. Jackson, a Live Oak grad, was named to the All-Coast Conference South second team last year as a designated hitter. As a freshman, she owned a .343 batting average.
The Lady Rams will also be missing three 2005 All-Coast Conference South players: First-team shortstop and second baseman Kristine Miles (.275 BA, .900 fielding average), a Morgan Hill native who now plays for San Jose St., first-team pitcher Courtney Colliana (5-5 record .385 BA) and second-team outfielder Katie Arao (.321 BA).
“It’s definitely a tough season and a building year, but I see some positive things with this group,” Dequin said.
Dequin also has some good backup in assistant coaches Michelle Alvernez and Rebecca Dayton. Alvernez, a Morgan Hill native, played at Gavilan before going on to play college softball at Bethany College in Kansas. Dayton played for Dequin at DeAnza.
“Having Michelle out there who’s gone on to play at a higher level will help those girls maybe thinking they want to go on (to play in college),” Dequin said. “I think the three of us want to see the program succeed.”
2006 Gavilan Rams Softball Team
No. Name Position B/T High School
1 Sharleen Rojas OF R/R Gilroy
2 Elisabeth Valdez OF/2B L/R Monta Vista
3 Salina Chacon OF R/R San Benito
4 Sheryl Lomanto OF/2B R/R San Benito
5 Tiffany McIntosh UTL R/R San Benito
6 Brianna Gonzalez OF/2B L/R San Benito
7 Cortney Almaguer P/SS R/R San Benito
8 Jaquelina Gonzalez OF R/R Live Oak
9 Elizabeth Gracie C R/R Live Oak
11 Danielle Jurevich UTL R/R Monterey County
12 Carmina Salgada OF R/R Gilroy
13 Jessica McClellan 1B/3B R/R Live Oak
14 Rachel Acosta 1B/3B R/R San Benito
Upcoming Gavilan Softball Games
3/07 Cabrillo 3pm in Aptos
3/09 Hartnell 3pm in Salinas
3/14 West Valley 3pm in Gilroy
3/16 San Jose City 3pm in Gilroy
3/21 De Anza 3pm in Gilroy
3/23 Mission 3pm in Santa Clara
3/28 Ohlone 3pm in Gilroy
