USD Softball 1999

Previewing the 1999 Season

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more season. She accumulated over 1,000 strikeouts in hi gh school and was named All-America her sophomore season. Of the remaining eleven newcomers, nine are first year fresh–

men. First year players that will vye for playing time in the outfield include Charlie Smith (Phoenix, AZ; Xavier College Prep), Mary Ann Cane (San Jose , CA; Arch Bishop Mitty), Stephanie Bisera (Mission Viejo, CA; Laguna HS), Katy Morrison (Irvine , CA; Irvin e HS) and Marina Cervantes (Lone Pine, CA; Lone Pine HS) . Newcomers expected to see playing time in the infield include Kristy Clarke (Irvine, CA; Woodbridge HS), Jennifer Bridges (sophomore transfer from C itrus College) and Nicky Geis (San Diego, CA; Mount Migel HS). Bridges , along with Katie Fenelli (Laguna Hills , CA; Santa Margarita HS), will both back-up starting catcher Shaunna Collo. Outfielder Keleigh Oscarson (Scottsdale, CA) , a junior transfer from Phoenix College, is sit– ting out the 1999 campaign . then will play perrenial power UCLA on the road on March 16th . The Toreros then close out the month of March w ith three home dates and three away contests. April wi ll begin w ith play at the UC San Diego Triton Tournament (April 1-3), followed by five home dates out of seven leading up to the Western Intercol legiate Softball League Playoffs. USO w ill play at LMU on April 24th to begin WISL play, then return to host the event April 30th thru May2nd. On paper the 1999 Torero team has a chance to be one of the program's best ever. With the return of four key sta rters from last year's 31-win club, along with two new pitchers with outstandi ng credentials (Amy Lopez and Misty Velke) and a so lid core of incoming rec ruits, there is plenty of rea– son for optimism. The Toreros wi ll be aim– ing to better last year's 31 -28 mark and make

The 1999 campaign marks the sixth season that Head Coach Lin Adams has been at the helm of the USO women's soft– bali program. Last year she compiled a per– sonal-best 31 wins at USO, however she returns just four playe rs from that squad . Still there is an air of optimism that thi s team could be her best yet. The team' s success will key around her four starting re turner s -- juniors Shaunna Collo (catcher) and Vanessa Leyvas (shortstop), and sophomores Trisha Tucker (first base) and Jade Quentin ( outfield/pitcher). Shaunna Collo, who was named to the 1998 All-Western Intercollegiate Softball League team, keys the Torero defense be– hind the plate, and is an offensive threat every time she goes to the plate . Last year

Junior transfer Amy Lopez

she belted a team-best 12 doubles while finishing second on the team in batting (.343), hits (60) and RBI (24). Vanessa Leyvas, the team's starting shortstop who played in 50 games a year ago, gives the team steady defense up the middl e. The two other returning Toreros are both sophomores -– Trisha Tucker and Jade Quentin . Tucker was named the team' s Offensive Playe r of the Yea r after leading the team in numerous categories, including hitting (.381 ),

After opening the season with three straight doubleheader contests with St. Mary's, San Bernardino and Point Loma, the youthful Toreros will get tested on the road with six straight away contests to finish out the month of February. The Toreros will host the 2nd Annual Torero Classic, March 5-6, with participating teams coming from Loyola Marymount, Point Loma , Southern Utah and Western New Mexico . USO

runs (36), hits (67), RBI (29), and tripl es (9) . ___________......,...........,

Quentin was se lec ted the team's Rooki e of the Year after finishing wi th a 12-12 mark on the mound and a team-best 2.0 I ERA. At the plate she batted .336 in 152 at bats, finishing with 28 runs, 7 doubl es and 18 RBI. Coach Adams and her staffs off-sea–

son recruiting efforts paid off as they brought in thirteen new players with so lid creden– tials . Leading the way are two pitchers that wi ll be the team's starters this season -- jun– ior transfer Amy Lopez (Ok lahoma State) and fr es hm a n Mist y Velke (Robert A. Long HS in Washington). In two seasons at Ok lahoma State, Lopez compil ed a 22- 13 reco rd in 58 appearances, fini shing with 161 strikeouts. Last yea r she helped lead the team to a 42-19 mark and trip to theWorld L:;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;::~:;~;;;;;;;;;;~;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;..i Freshman Misty Ve/ke Series. Velke was a four-time MVP a t he r

hi gh schoo l in Washington, leading her team to four straight Greater St. Helens league titl es and the state championship her sopho-

a run at the Western Interco ll egiate Softball League Champi on– ship in May.

1999 University of San Diego Toreros Women's Softball Media Guide