Posted by Press Democrat Staff Writer Michael Coit:
Suddenly streaky Sonoma State looks to put together a string of wins in the California Collegiate Athletic Association softball tournament beginning today in Stockton.
Ranked No. 19 nationally, the Seawolves need to win the tournament to assure a bid to the NCAA Division II West Regionals. Sonoma State ended the regular season 38-15 overall, 24-12 in the CCAA, finishing in second place.
Sonoma State is seeded second in the four team tournament and opens against Cal State Dominguez Hills. Game time is 4:30 p.m. and the action will be carried live on the Seawolf Sports Network at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/sonoma-state-seawolves-2.
League and defending tournament champion Cal State Monterey Bay faces Chico State in today’s other opener. The three-day, double-elimination tournament held at Arnaiz Stadium runs through Sunday. The winner gains the conference’s automatic berth in the west regionals.
While the Seawolves went 4-1 against the Toros this season, Sonoma State is coming off three straight home losses to end league play, costing the team the regular season conference title.
The Seawolves hope to regain an offensive punch that topped the conference in nearly every category. Shortstop Rochelle Vanyi led with a .385 batting average, and joined designated hitter Ali Palermo to set a Sonoma State single season home run record with nine each. Vanyi also knocked in a school record 41 runs on the season.
Led by the freshman duo of Samantha Lipperd and Julianne Martinez, the Seawolves pitching has matched the offense throughout the season. Martinez was second in the conference with a 1.65 earned run average. Lipperd led the league with 20 wins.
Guiding the Seawolves is first year coach Jennifer Bridges. The former University of San Diego standout coached Division III Whittier College for two successful campaigns before taking over at Sonoma State.
Making a second consecutive CCAA tournament appearance, Sonoma State aims to surpass the single season school record of 40 wins.
A year ago, Sonoma State went 1-2 in the conference tournament, but still made the west regionals. There, the Seawolves finished 2-2, losing the championship to Cal State Stanislaus.
