By MICHAEL COIT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

After holding onto a postseason berth to close conference play, Sonoma State looks to get hot in the CCAA tournament.

Sonoma State opens the California Collegiate Athletic Association tournament in Stockton on Friday against conference champion Cal State Monterey Bay. Also in are Humboldt State and UC San Diego. The double-elimination playoffs continue through Sunday.

Making the conference playoffs for the fifth time in six years was in the balance through the final regular-season game. Sonoma State finished fourth in the CCAA standings, just a game better than Cal State East Bay.

Sonoma State has qualified for the NCAA West Regional each of the past five seasons.

Leading the Seawolves is ace Amanda Llerena. The sophomore from San Jose is second in the CCAA in both wins and earned-run average and leads the conference in strikeouts.

Relief pitcher Katy Bihl leads the conference in saves. The senior from Newark gives Sonoma State pitching depth needed for tournaments.

Pacing the Seawolves offense is Megan Konieczka. The senior from Lake Forest leads the CCAA in home runs and RBIs and is among conference leaders in batting average and stolen bases.

Also helping power Sonoma State, which has a team batting average of .320, are Hayley Condon and Amanda Rossetta.

Condon, a senior from Santa Monica, is second in hits and RBIs.

Rossetta, a junior from San Jose, has posted similar numbers this season.

California Collegiate Athletic Association softball playoffs

Friday-Sunday, Stockton.

Opening Round: Sonoma State (35-19) vs. Cal State Monterey Bay (44-7), Friday, 4:30 p.m.