All Entries in the "Softball" Category
Aztecs continue their hot streak
By AMY ZAMBRANO
The Pima Community College softball team wrapped up a successful stretch against Central Arizona College, Glendale Community College and Chandler-Gilbert Community College on Feb 11 and 14.
The Aztecs continued their hot play and improved their record to 16-4 on the season.
The look of victors was one they wore naturally in their past six games. The Aztecs were too much for Chandler-Gilbert to handle on Saturday, Feb. 18, easily sweeping the doubleheader 9-1 and 10-2.
PCC kept swinging the bats in its Feb. 14 doubleheader, when the Aztecs punished the GCC Gauchos 7-0 and 19-3.
Pima also swept CAC on Feb. 11, taking down the Vaqueras 6-4 and 6-2.
Sophomore Marina Contreras keeps bringing the heat for the Aztecs. She remains the teams pitching leader with a 2.18 earned run average, followed by freshman Yvette Alvarez with a 3.17 ERA.
Sophomore pitcher Monet Ormsby is the squad’s leading hitter, batting a torrid .571.
Freshman catcher Yarelyn Romero follows up Ormsby hitting .500 on the season.
The Aztecs hope to keep up their hot bats and stellar pitching while on the road for their next couple of games, competing against South Mountain Community College and Arizona Western College. The Aztecs fared well against both last season, beating SMCC in three out of four games and AWC in four out of five.
Pima's pitching has been white hot this season. Photo by LEFTRICK HERD
Pima women striking out the competition
By AMY ZAMBRANO
Pima Community College softball team is shining as they push their PCC record to 205-60.
The Aztecs faced Eastern Arizona College on Feb. 7, winning one of the two-game series. Sophomore Marina Contreras was marked as the losing pitcher in the first game, but struck out 10.
Pima came back in the second game, beating the Gilas 13-3. Freshman pitcher Yvette Alvarez notched the win, striking out two batters.
Freshman infielder Aubre Carpenter drove in three runs, going 4-4 on the team’s win. Freshman infielder Noelle Medina followed Carpenter’s lead, going 2-4, with two RBIs in the win.
Continuing with their winning streak, the Aztecs took both wins in a double header against Paradise Valley Community College on Feb. 4, 8-0 and 8-2 respectively.
Contreras was the winning pitcher in the first game with five strikeouts. Sophomore Monet Ormsby won the second game, recording four strikeouts.
Sophomore infielder Jessica Sipe has not gotten tired of being the key player for the Aztecs in their consecutive wins. Sipe’s home run in the bottom of the fifth ended the first part of the double header Jan. 31, against Scottsdale Community College.
The game ended with a final score of 9-0. Contreras was the winning pitcher, with nine strikeouts.
The second part of the doubleheader was no different. Pima defeated the Artichokes 12-0. Starting pitcher Alvarez went all five innings, with three strikeouts.
Contributors to the win included Carpenter, who went 2-3 with one triple, two runs and three RBIs. Sophomore infielder Jessica Schneider drove two runs in with her two doubles, going 2-2 at the plate. Sipe went 1-2 with one run, one RBI and a home run.
On Jan. 27, PCC headed to Las Vegas to compete against North Idaho College, Odessa College, Western Nevada College, Chattanooga State Community College, College of Southern Idaho, Snow College, El Paso Community College and Salt Lake Community College in Las Vegas Tournament play.
The Aztecs finished the tourney with a 5-3 record, bringing head coach Armando Quiroz’s 200th win for PCC softball team.
Photo by Leftrick Herd
Stopa leaves PCC for Louisburg College
By LYNDAJOE ECHERIVEL
Don Stopa, Pima Community College assistant baseball coach and sports information director, has been named head softball coach at Louisburg College in Louisburg, N.C.
“I really enjoyed my time in Tucson and I am glad I had a chance to be a part of a great athletic department and a great institution,” Stopa said in a press release.
On Jan. 1, Stopa took over as head coach of Louisburg’s Lady Hurricanes, who were 24-20 in the National Junior College Athletic Association Region X last season.
“The Hurricanes’ softball program looks to add a new chapter to an institution with a great tradition of excellence and I feel that I can lead the program to success, and even to the top of the National Junior College Athletic Association,” Stopa said.
He will replace head coach of three seasons, Monica Gordy, who accepted a position at Mars Hill College in Asheville, N.C.
Before Gordy, the Hurricanes won nine straight NJCAA Region X Titles and made three trips to the NJCAA National Tournament.
Stopa joined the PCC Department of Athletics in the summer of 2007.
In addition to coaching baseball and serving as sports information director, he was an assistant softball coach for the past year and a half, helping the Aztecs to a 51-14 record last season and ranking ninth in the NJCAA.
The Aztecs also competed in the regional championship, finishing one game short of a third trip to the National Tournament in the last eight years, which include two national titles.
With more than 12 years of coaching collegiate ball, with three years as the head softball coach at Graceland University, Stopa hopes to lead the Lady Hurricanes back to the top ranks in the NJCAA.
Stopa graduated from Graceland with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in media writing. He originally hails from White Rock, British Columbia, Canada, where he grew up and his family still resides.
Enjoy the game with friends
By LARRY GAURANO
Everyone talks about feasting over the holidays. First comes Thanksgiving, with turkey and all the trimmings. Then come the December holidays, with more calorie indulgences.
In January, we make New Year resolutions to lose the weight we have gained.
But wait a minute… we have one more gluttonous holiday: Super Bowl Sunday.
Just 35 percent of Americans watched the Super Bowl last year, but it’s a holiday nonetheless. It may not be recognized officially, but retailers market the big game to consumers.
You’ll find TVs at great prices with special financing, and Super Bowl displays at every grocery store. Food channels suggest snacks to serve during the game. Radio stations host contests and other special events.
And in truth, not everyone who watches is even a football fan. Some friends gather at Super Bowl parties to watch the crazy commercials and to pig out. Sometimes, the game seems secondary.
So why not make your Super Bowl party as accommodating as it can be for your guests, whether they like football or not?
I do this each year by setting up food bars with plenty of variety.
Try a burrito bar, nacho bar or baked potato bar. Provide the primary ingredients, say tortillas and meat. Then ask your guests to bring two or three of their favorite toppings – enough to serve eight.
This makes it easy on you for two reasons: you share the costs and please picky eaters. Some people like cheese, some don’t. Some are vegetarians, while some are carnivores.
Provide a couple of desserts and you’ll have a happy bunch of friends. Make it a bring-your-own alcohol party, and you’re set.
Two All-Americans return to the softball diamond
By LYNDAJOE ECHERIVEL
Pima Community College’s softball team is ready to hit a home run this season with two returning first team All-Americans.
The Aztecs are looking for All-Americans sophomore pitcher Mari Contreras and sophomore utility player Jessica Schneider to lead the team.
Contreras topped the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference last season with 262 strikeouts.
She also led Pima with a 28-2 record, which was second best in the conference. In addition, her earned run average, 1.63, was the third lowest in the ACCAC.
Schneider, who plays first and third base, had the seventh-best batting average in the ACCAC, .485. She also tied for first in the conference with 27 doubles.
The Aztecs lost former catcher Charissa Ballesteros to the University of Texas at El Paso. However, the team gained sophomore catcher Alejandra Ortiz, a transfer from last year’s national champion Yavapai College.
The Pima roster includes nine sophomores and 13 freshmen.
Last year, Pima went 39-9 in conference play and placed second behind Yavapai.
The Aztecs starting fall scrimmages in September and have competed against club teams, junior colleges and Division I schools including the University of Arizona.
Pima’s first game of the new year in Las Vegas competing in the College of Southern Nevada tournament, Jan. 27-29. The Aztecs first home game will take place Jan. 31 against Scottsdale Community College at 2 p.m.
Jessica Schneider
ONLINE EXTRA: Softball, baseball begin fall ball
Story and photo by JOEL GANTT
The Pima Community College softball team has begun preparations for the 2012 season with the start of their fall schedule and will return two first team All-Americans.
Pima currently has nine sophomores including catcher Alejandra Ortiz, trnasfer from Yavapai College, and 13 freshmen.
Pitcher Mari Contreras led the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference last season with 262 strikeouts. Contreras led the team with a 28-2 record that was second best in the conference and her earned run average of 1.63 was the third lowest in the ACCAC.
Mari Contreras
Along with the outstanding pitching of Contreras, Pima also returns an All-American hitter in Jessica Schneider. Schneider’s batting average of .486 was 7th best in the ACCAC and she was tied for 1st in the conference with 27 doubles.
Last season Pima went 39-9 and placed second in the conference behind last year’s National Champions Yavapai College.
Pima has started their fall scrimmages where they will compete against club teams, junior colleges and division one schools including the University of Texas El Paso, University of New Mexico and the University of Arizona.
Pima will host scrimmage doubleheaders against UTEP on Sept. 24 and Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. Former Aztec star Charissa Ballesteros plays for the Miners.
Then on Oct. 9, the Aztecs will travel to the UA to face the Wildcats at 2 p.m. and that weekend, Oct. 14-16, they will compete in the UA Fall Classic against a field that includes the universities of Arizona and New Mexico.
Former Pima star Kaity Ingram plays for the Lobos.
The baseball team also started fall ball, they will play from September to late October, mostly against other ACCAC teams and a Chicago White Sox scout teams.
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Summer recap: Aztec sports ranked no. 22 in the nation
By MYLO ERICKSON
Daniels photo by ED ADAMS
Contreras photo by JAMES KELLEY
Pima Community College stayed in the top 25 of the national ranking of athletic departments, but slipped a bit.
In the 2010-11 rankings, PCC dropped six spots, to No. 22 from its all-time best No. 16 in 2009-10. The National Alliance of Two Year College Athletic Administrators ranked the two year schools that give scholarships by their performances at Nationals last year.
Again the Aztec women led the way, earning a total of 55.5 points, after 41 last year and the men earned 15, down from 28.5.
Arizona Community College Athletic Conference rivals Central Arizona College and Mesa Community College both finished in the top 20. Central finished eighth with a total of 101.5 and Mesa was No. 16 with a total of 73 points.
Hall of Fame honors Deanna Daniels
Pima ended their 2010-11 season women’s basketball on a high note, finishing runner-up at Nationals and its superstar was honored by the hall of fame.
Deanna Daniels
Sophomore forward Deanna Daniels was Pima’s top player all season long and in May the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame requested her home jersey to be displayed in Knoxville, Tenn.
Daniels earned numerous awards, like first team All-American and CAT Power Player Award at Nationals, averaging 18 points and 14 rebounds.
Softball team falls in Regional title game
The softball team came up one run short of a trip to Nationals in extra innings and an upset of eventual national Champion Yavapai College on the road at Regionals.
Second seeded Pima (51-14) dropped the first championship game of the double elimination Regional tourney 3-2 to top seeded Yavapai College in the bottom of the ninth and then the second championship game 12-3. Pima’s arch rivals ended the Aztecs’ season in the Regional championship game for the third year in a row.
After leading the ACCAC in strikeouts, freshman pitcher Mari Contreras (30-3) earned first team All-American honors by the National Junior College Athletic Association. Also on the first team of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-West Region was freshman utility Jessica Schneider.
Sophomore catcher Charissa Ballesteros and sophomore first baseman Mercedes Garcia were All-West Region 2nd Team.
In other Pima softball news, the University of Arizona hired Yavapai head coach Stacy Iveson, returning the former Pima coach to Tucson after her fourth NJCAA National Championship and her second in three years. Former Aztec Lisa Parks was named her replacement.
Parks was a two time All-American at Pima, leading the Aztecs to the 2004 National Champions, one of two national titles won by Iveson at PCC, the other in 2006.
Baseball swept by Central in first round
The baseball team’s return to the playoffs was short lived.
The fourth seeded Aztecs’ (29-27) return to the playoffs after a four year hiatus ended in two games after being swept on the road by top seeded Central Arizona in the Regional semifinals. The Vaqueros won the first of the three game series 4-1 and then the second 8-0.
Central finished second at Nationals.
Track and field finish 18th and 21st at Nationals
Women’s track and field finished 18th at Nationals and the men’s team finished 21st.
For the men, freshman Dylan Moeykens finished fourth in the decathlon. Sophomore Christian Tovar and freshman Chris Howard finished seventh and eighth respectively in the shot put and sophomore Frederick Scarber finished 10th in the high jump.
The women’s 4×800 relay team, freshman Mary Cozby, sophomore Brianna Fugere, freshman Elizabeth Romero and sophomore Janeen Yazzie finished in fifth place.
Sophomore Ashley Dorado placed sixth in the 400 meter hurdles, freshman Jaqi Bell finished eighth in the javelin and Cozby tenth in the 1500 meter run.
At Regionals the women placed 3rd and the men 4th.
Mari Contreras
Women’s tennis earns best-ever Division I finish
The women’s tennis team finished off their season at the Reffkin Tennis Center in Tucson at the 2011 NJCAA National Tournament where they earned their best ever Division I finish, 15th.
Pima’s No. 1 singles player, freshman Tatum Rochin, won her consolation bracket defeating her opponent 8-2.
The No. 1 doubles team of Rochin and freshman Victoria Bravo and the No. 2 doubles team of sophomore Lydia Carlson and freshman Olivia Cole-Encinas both made it to the finals of their consolation bracket.
Rochin and Bravo lost 8-6, while Carlson and Cole-Encinas lost their match 8-4.
Fifteenth is the women’s best finish since moving into the NJCAA Division I in 2004.
Men’s tennis finishes 13th at Nationals
Pima Community College men’s tennis team ended their season 13th at the 2011 NJCAA National Tournament in Plano, Texas.
Their No. 1 player, sophomore Alan Barrios was eliminated in his consolation bracket final by scores 7-5 and 6-4. No. 5 freshman Jacob Nino ended up winning his consolation bracket with a score of 6-1 and 6-3.
Pima also had a good performance out of its No. 1 doubles team pair of sophomore Andrew Barnett and freshman Timothy Holten. Barnett/Holten won two matches on the final day to claim the top of their consolation bracket against College of Dupage (Ill.) 6-4 and 7-6 and McHenry (Ill.) College 7-6 and 7-5.
Men’s golf finishes 20th at Nationals
Aztec men’s golf ended the 2011 NJCAA National Golf Tournament in 20th place overall.
Pima shot a total of 1220 as a team over the four day tournament.
Sophomore Mark Ontiveros was the top Aztec as he finished the four days with a shot total of 300 which was third best among all ACCAC competitors and good enough to earn him a tie for 37th place.
The next finishes for Pima were sophomore Robert Perrott III who finished in a tie for 63rd place with a total of 305, freshman Adam Ortiz finished in 75th with a total of 309, and sophomore Anthony Grijalva placed 85th overall with a score of 311.
Women’s golf duo finishes 40th and 64th at Nationals
Aztec women’s golf finished off their season at Nationals in Daytona, Fla.
The only two representatives were freshmen Alyssa Vega and Chloe Treece.
Overall, Treece tied for 40th place with a four-day total of 350. Shooting 96 on the first day, a 86 on the second, 79 on the third and 89 on the final day.
Vega finished off her season in 64th place with a four day total of 376. She shot 94 on her first day, a 90 on the second, a 97 on the third and a 95 on the final day.
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UA hires coach of PCC softball’s arch rival
By JAMES KELLEY
2007 Aztec Press file photo by KAT TURNER
The University of Arizona has hired Yavapai College softball head coach and former Pima Community College skipper Stacy Iveson to coach their pitchers and catchers.
Iveson played catcher for UA head coach Mike Candrea and is a former assistant UA coach. She won four national championships as a community college head coach, in 2004 and 2006 at Pima and in 2009 and 2011 at Yavapai.
“I am thrilled to come back home to Tucson and have the opportunity to work beside my mentor,” Iveson said in a press release. “I look forward to working with the highly talented group of student-athletes at Arizona and being a part of the amazing Wildcat athletics department.”
Iveson has been at Yavapai since 2008. She was the head coach at Pima from 2002-2007 and also coached the Arizona Heat pro team from 2005-2007. She coached the varsity at Salpointe Catholic High School from 1991-1994.
Stacy Iveson coaches Pima in 2007.
She played softball for UA from 1986-1989 and served as an assistant UA coach from 1996-2001.
“I have so much history on the UA campus and in Hillenbrand Stadium and am proud to be a part of the Wildcat softball family and all the tradition,” she said in the press release.
When Iveson left Pima in 2007, she started the Yavapai softball program from scratch. The Roughriders became a thorn in the side of PCC, with Yavapai ending the Aztecs’ season in the Regional championship game in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
The Daily Courier in Prescott, Ariz., reported that top Yavapai assistant coach and PCC alumna Lisa Parks will take over as interim head coach. Parks, a two-time All-American at Pima, led the Aztecs to the 2004 championship.
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Contreras named first team All-American
Jun. 1 PCC press release
Aztec Press photo by JAMES KELLEY
TUCSON, AZ – The Pima Community College softball team wrapped up a successful season in May as the team finished with a #9 ranking and an overall record of 51-14. The Aztecs also had some great individual efforts as four players have been recognized by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).
PCC hurler, Marina Contreras (FR, Tucson, AZ, Sunnyside HS) led the award winners as she earned an NJCAA All-American, 1st Team honor to go along with her NFCA All-West Region, 1st Team award. The right handed pitcher led Pima in the circle as she finished 2011 with a record of 30-3 and she led the ACCAC in strikeouts.
Jessica Schneider (FR, Tucson, AZ, Sahuaro HS) joins Contreras on the NFCA All-West Region, 1st Team. Schneider started in six defensive positions for PCC and she earned her award as an outfielder. Schneider led PCC in batting average and homeruns in 2011.
A pair of sophomores earned NFCA All-West Region, 2nd Team honors. Charissa Ballesteros (Tucson, AZ, Rincon HS) and Mercedes Garcia (Tucson, AZ, Rincon HS) earned their nods as Ballesteros had a great second half as a hitter and she worked behind the plate in all but three of PCC’s 65 games. As the every-day first baseman, Garcia was the Aztecs top RBI producer and she finished the season second in homeruns.
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PLAYOFF UPDATE: Softball ends season one run from Nationals
Stories and photo by JAMES KELLEY
The Pima Community College softball team suffered a heart-breaking loss to the hometown Region 1 championship favorites, and then Yavapai College ripped the Aztecs’ hearts out.
Second-seeded Pima (51-14) could not take advantage of a one-game cushion as it lost both Regional championship games in Prescott, Ariz.
The Aztecs lost the first game 3-2 in extra innings, as the top-seeded Roughriders (62-4) scored in the bottom of the ninth to break the tie.
Freshman Mari Contreras (30-3) suffered the loss despite throwing a seven-hitter and striking out eight in her third start in two days.
Freshman utility Jessica Schneider went 2-3 with a home run.
In the second championship game, sophomore Adriana Garcia (15-6) started her first game of the tournament. She gave up seven runs before Contreras returned to give up five runs in the 12-3 loss.
Sophomore infielder Katie Asher went 2-3 with a double.
It was the third year in a row that Yavapai knocked out Pima in the Region championship game and claimed the sole Nationals spot. It happened in Prescott in 2009 and 2011, and in Tucson in 2010.
Yavapai is headed to Nationals for the fourth year in a row.
Softball advances to championship
It took a full seven innings this time, but Pima Community College earned another blowout win and a spot in the Region 1 championship game.
The second-seeded Aztecs (51-12) beat fourth-seed Arizona Western College (35-25) in Prescott, Ariz., 11-3 on May 7 thanks to 16 hits, including five home runs. Pima scored five runs in the seventh, while AWC scored two.
Sophomore infielder Mercedes Garcia went 3-4, hitting homers in three straight at-bats and driving in five RBIs.
Freshman utility Erika Tapia went 3-4 also, with two dingers. Sophomore catcher Charissa Ballesteros went 3-4 with two RBIs. Sophomore infielder Jacqueline Deen went 4-4 with a double and two runs.
Freshman Mari Contreras (30-2) struck out 10 Matadors.
PCC will await the winner of AWC and top seed Yavapai College (59-4), the hosts, in the championship game Saturday afternoon. AWC or Yavapai must beat Pima twice, but the Aztecs need only one win to go to Nationals.
Softball dominates Regionals opener
The Pima Community College softball team is sitting pretty after a pretty-much perfect day.
The second-seeded Aztecs (50-12) opened play in the Region 1 tournament with an 11-1 five-inning mercy rule over third-seeded Central Arizona College 46-17) on May 6 in Prescott.
Mari Contreras
Freshman Mari Contreras gave up one run on three hits and struck out seven Vaquera batters. Injured sophomore infielder Katie Asher hit a home run and two RBIs, and scored three times against No. 19 Central.
Freshman leadoff hitter and outfielder Nicole Rascon went 3-3, with a double and four RBIs.
Freshman utility Jessica Schneider went 3-3 and scored three runs. Freshman utility Erika Tapia went 2-3 with a triple.
In other action in Prescott, top seeded and No. 1 ranked Yavapai College (58-4), the host, was upset by bottom-seed Arizona Western College (35-24).
On May 7, Pima faces Western in the semifinals at 9 a.m., needing only two wins Saturday to advance to Nationals. Yavapai will need to win three times Saturday.
The championship game will be 1 p.m., with a rematch at 3 p.m. if necessary.
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ONLINE EXTRA: Softball star plays through pain
Story by LaBREAL YOUNG
Video and photo by James Kelley
Athlete, student, daughter, sister. These are just a few titles to give Mercedes Garcia.
At the age of 20, Garcia plays softball for Pima Community College while juggling school, work and the emotional stress of having a sick mother.
Garcia, a first baseman, is a full-time student taking 19 credit hours.
Mercedes Garcia
Three days of the week, her schedule goes something like this: weight lifting from 6 to 7 a.m., classes from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., practice at 6 p.m. The day ends with homework.
Garcia is a key cog in the No. 9-ranked Aztecs’ offense. Head coach Armando Quiroz believes she will be named All-American.
“She’s been one of our two most consistent hitters,” he said. “Whenever we need something, she does it.”
Garcia works another three days each week at Famous Sam’s as a server.
“I’m more responsible, especially having a job,” she said. “I don’t have to rely on nobody.”
With this already busy schedule, Garcia also deals emotionally with her sick mother, who has Stage 4 cancer.
The cancer started in her mother’s leg and has spread to her stomach. It is now in three different places. She’s going through chemotherapy and has to get a blood transfusion every week or two.
If her mother gets a cut, she can bleed to death. Worrying about her mom is definitely an everyday thing.
“I think I play better because of my mom,” Garcia said. She also said she wouldn’t be going to school if it weren’t for her mother.
Her mother, Dolores, attends all of Garcia’s games even though she is undergoing cancer treatment.
“Despite that, she will have a treatment and then drive to wherever we are playing,” Quiroz said.
Garcia is taking inspiration from her mother, Quiroz added. “The strength of her mother is playing through her.”
As of April 17, Garcia was batting .405. She was fifth in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference with 52 RBIs and No. 16 in the country in RBIs.
“The best thing about her is her leadership off the field or on the bench or in the dugout,” Quiroz said. “Her leadership just comes through. She keeps pushing her teammates in a very positive way. She is respected by every coach and player on this team.”
The fact that Garcia doesn’t particularly enjoy school makes it much harder to continue. “I just wanna sleep and do nothing,” she said.
But the love of softball motivates her. She began playing softball when she was 5 years old, and has played for about 10 teams, including Tucson’s Rincon/University High School.
Garcia recently received an offer to play for the University of Texas at El Paso.
“UTEP wants her bad,” Quiroz said.
Becoming a Miner would be a natural fit for Garcia, since sophomore catcher Charissa Ballesteros, also a former Rincon/University star, has signed with UTEP. However, she is still debating whether to accept, since her mom isn’t doing well.
During the Aztecs’ team ceremony to honor sophomore players, Garcia was introduced in the last, most prestigious, spot.
“She is going to be dearly missed, both on and off the field,” Quiroz said.
The future is yet to be determined. For now, Garcia concentrates on grades, softball and her mother.
James Kelley contributed to this report
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ONLINE EXTRA: Pima seeks to ruin Yavapai’s season, earn Nationals trip
Story, photo and videos by JAMES KELLEY
On May 6-7 at Regionals, the Pima Community College softball team will not only be able to punch a ticket to Nationals, it will have a chance for vengeance against top-ranked Yavapai College.
The No. 9 Aztecs (49-12, 39-9 Arizona Community College Athletic Association) will travel to Prescott, Ariz., for the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 1 playoffs as the second seed.
No. 1 ranked Yavapai (58-3, 46-2) will be the top seed. No. 19 Central Arizona College (46-16, 37-11) is the third seed and the fourth seed is Arizona Western College (34-24, 28-20).
“It’s a great Region,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “We have to focus on Central. They are our first game and we had four good games against them, so it is very hard to beat a good team five times.”
On May 6, Pima will play Central at 10 a.m. and then play the loser of Yavapai and Western if they lose. The double elimination tournament will continue on May 7 with the championship game(s) at 1 p.m.
Last year Yavapai upset top-seeded Pima at the West Campus to advance to Nationals.
Sophomore catcher Charissa Ballesteros said the loss last year is extra motivation.
“Yeah, definitely, because we were first seed last year and hosting and so hopefully it will be the opposite because they beat us on our field, hopefully we can beat them on their field,” Ballesteros said.
Pima went 1-3 against Yavapai, but the win came in Prescott, snapping the Roughriders’ 35-game win streak. In Tucson, the Aztecs lost 5-4 and 7-3.
“I think that Pima and Yavapai have pretty much always been rivals,” Ballesteros said.
Pima went 4-0 against Central, beating the Vaqueras 1-0 and 4-2 in Tucson and 7-1 and 12-3 in Coolidge.
Jessica Sipe
“We already beat everybody there, so we expect to beat them again,” Ballesteros said.
Pima went 3-1 against Western, winning in Tucson 12-11 after losing 2-1 in eight innings and sweeping the Matadors in Yuma 2-0 and 10-0 in five innings.
Since 2004, Pima and Yavapai have won three National Championships, Pima in 2004 and 2006 and Yavapai in 2009. Tucson native and Yavapai head coach Stacey Iveson led Pima to those championships before moving north and the top Roughrider assistant coach Lisa Parks played for Pima then.
On April 26, Pima snapped Yavapai’s 35 game win streak in the first game of the doubleheader 7-1, but YC came back to win the second 15-7.
Sophomore Adriana Garcia (15-5) started both ends of the doubleheader, giving up one run on five hits in the first, but only lasted three innings in the second game.
“I didn’t even know about the winning streak. I knew they won a lot of games, but I didn’t know the numbers, it was Pima/Yavapai, records go out the window,” Quiroz said.
“They’re a great team and I think we’re a great team, it was great to beat them, but it wasn’t unexpected.”
Pima hit five home runs in the doubleheader, freshman utility Jessica Schneider hit a homer, went 4-8, scored twice and drove in three RBIs. Freshman infielder Jacqueline
Deen hit a home run, drove in four RBIs and stole two bases.
Sophomore infielder Mercedes Garcia hit a double, home run, scored two suns and freshman outfielder Kat Banks went 4-6 with a double.
Freshman pitcher Mari Contreras (28-2) was selected All-ACCAC first team and All-Region 1 first team.
“She pitches her heart out every game,” said Contreras’ battery mate Ballesteros.
Mercedes Garcia was also first team in both categories. Ballesteros was second team All-ACCAC and sophomore infielder Katie Asher, freshman outfielder Nicole Rascon and Schneider were all third team all conference.
“We all worked hard to get where we got in the weight room and on the field
Quiroz was a bit surprised Schneider, two-time Division 1 Batter of the Week, was only third team and thought Adriana Garcia’s omission was wrong.
“For the most part they were good picks, like always someone is left out that is deserving, I thought Adriana was very, very deserving, she had a great year for us and Jessica Schneider was our best hitter all year and to get third team that was disappointing,” Quiroz said.
The Aztecs go into Regionals with their entire left side of the infield, third baseman freshman Jessica Sipe and sophomore shortstop Katie Asher, injured. Asher, who is “very iffy,” will be a game time decision Quiroz said.
“We’re very excited, I think we are playing very well, but we are nursing some injuries,” Quiroz said. “I don’t know if we are going to be 100 percent healthy, but we are resilient enough to overcome the injuries at this point.”
On April 30, Pima closed out the regular season with a sweep at division II No. 4 Mesa Community College. The Aztecs came from behind to win the first game 5-4 and then earned a mercy rule 11-1 win over the Thunderbirds in the nightcap.
Contreras struck out eight batters to get the first win. Freshman outfielder Nicole Rascon hit a two run triple.
Adriana Garcia threw a three hitter in the five inning game. Rascon went 2-2 and hit an RBI. Ballesteros hit a double, score two and drove in an RBI and Mercedes Garcia went 3-4, hit a homerun, scored two and drove in two RBIs.
On April 23, Pima swept a double dip at division II No. 4 Phoenix College. Pima won the first 10-6 and the second 6-5 in eight innings.
Contreras got the win after striking out eight and Adriana Garcia won the second game, also striking out eight.
Schneider hit two home runs, scored three and drove in three RBIs on the day and Rascon went 5-9, scored three and drove in two RBIs. Freshman outfielder Kat Banks hit a homerun late in the second game to start a come from behind Pima rally.
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ONLINE EXTRA: Softball runs win streak to 11 games
Story by JAMES KELLEY
Photo by NARCISO THOMAS VILLARREAL
Videos by JAMES SARGENT and JAMES KELLEY
The Pima Community College softball team is hitting its stride, as the Aztecs have won 13 of their last 14, won 11 in a row and earned their sixth player of the week award of the season.
Until it was snapped April 14, No. 13 Pima (44-11, 34-8 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) had an 11-game win streak.
“We had a long winning streak and unfortunately it ended like they all do, but that just means we were pretty consistent,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “We’ve been hitting the ball well. I am just happy with all the Ws we got.”
Freshman Mari Contreras (25-2) earned her second straight National Junior College Athletic Association Region I Pitcher of the Week honor on April 10. Contreras threw three shutouts in a row.
“She’s just a horse, she’s a stud and we’re lucky to have her. We love running her out there every game,” Quiroz said.
The award is the sixth time this season that an Aztec has won a POW award. Freshman utility Erika Tapia, freshman infielder Jacqueline Deen, sophomore catcher Charissa Ballesteros and freshman utility Jessica Schneider previously have won Batter of the Week awards.
Jessica Schneider
“I think I am doing OK, I know I can do better,” Contreras said. “I know when I am under pressure I do my best.”
On April 19, Pima pounded GateWay Community College, in a double dip on Sophomore Day.
Pima won the first game 6-5. Sophomore Adriana Garcia (12-5) earned the win, while Schneider went 3-3, hit a double and drove in one. Freshman outfielder Kat Banks hit a game winning home run.
“We’re coming together as a team and I think we are going to go really far,” Contreras said.
In the second game, Contreras struck out five and gave up two hits in four innings as Pima cruised to a 19-6 win.
“The momentum carried over to game two,” Quiroz said. “We have a bunch of hitters and it is kinda like a train. One starts hitting and they all start hitting and it becomes unstoppable.”
The Aztecs had 17 hits and five homeruns. Deen went 3-4, hit homers in her first two at-bats and drove in six RBIs. Ballesteros went 4-4, hit a double, a homerun and drove in five RBIs.
Contreras normally pitches the first game of doubleheaders, but threw the second so that University of Arizona head coach Mike Candrea and UA pitching coach Teresa Wilson could watch her.
Pima extended its win streak to 11 on April 14, before South Mountain Community College snapped it during a doubleheader split. In the first game, Contreras earned the win with a four-hitter in a 6-4 victory.
Freshman infielder Jacqueline Deen, sophomore infielder Mercedes Garcia and freshman infielder Jessica Sipe hit homeruns. Garcia went 3-4. Freshman utility Jessica Schneider also went 3-4 with a double and an RBI.
Adriana Garcia suffered the 3-1 Pima loss in the second game, despite not giving up any earned runs. Schneider hit another homer.
Pima won its 10th game in a row on April 12, with a doubleheader sweep at Arizona Western College.
Contreras led the way in the first game, a 2-0 win, with her fourth straight shutout and 11 strikeouts. Sophomore infielder Katie Asher and Schneider each had homeruns.
Adriana Garcia threw a five-hit shutout in the second game, a mercy rule shortened 10-0 win. Schneider went 3-3, with a double and another homerun and sophomore catcher Charissa Ballesteros also hit a dinger.
Freshman utility Erika Tapia went also 3-3, with a homerun, two runs and five RBIs.
On Deck
April 23: @ Phoenix College, noon
April 26: @ Yavapai College, noon
April 30: @ Mesa CC, noon
All dates are doubleheaders.
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Sibling pitchers find home in Tucson
Story by JAMES SARGENT
Photo by JAMES KELLEY
Softball and baseball has been the focal points in the lives of Taryne and Torry Mowatt.
Both Taryne, 24, and Torry, 20, started playing tee ball when they were 4 years old. Their love for the game grew as the years went by and careers for both of them started to form.
The Mowatts grew up in Corona, Calif. Taryne was the first to make the trip out to Tucson to play softball for the University of Arizona.
“I wanted to go to a school that was going to give me an education and a chance to win a championship, and I knew that Arizona was going to be the best bet,” Taryne said.
Taryne went on to become one of the best pitchers in Arizona softball history.
She won 100 games over her tenure as a starting pitcher and was a part of the 2006 and 2007 National Championship teams.
In 2007, Taryne won the Most Outstanding Player award at the Women’s College World Series, after throwing more than 1,000 pitches in a week to lead the UA to its eighth National Championship.
“There aren’t words to describe it unless you have felt the greatest moment in your life,” Mowatt said of winning the College World Series. “It was something that not many people can say they have accomplished and I got to do it with some of my best friends.”
In 2007, Taryne also won two ESPY Awards for Best Female Athlete, beating the likes of Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker and Best Female College Athlete.
“I was shocked, I didn’t see it happening,” Taryne said. “I was content with just being there, but when they said my name, in my head I was thinking, ‘Great, now I have to go give a speech in front of millions of viewers and all the best athletes in the world.’ But it was really fun and I would love to do it every year if I could.”
Taryne currently is a member of the Chicago Bandits in the National Pro Fastpitch, formerly the Women’s Pro Softball League. The up-and-coming league has four teams total.
She is helping to lay the groundwork for softball players to have an adequate living in the future by building the NPF to higher standards. She was drafted by the Washington Glory in 2008, but has been on three teams in three years.
Outside of softball, Taryne loves music and updating her Twitter page. She also has started her own website, Taryne.com, which gives updates on camps, clinics, appearances, games and other interesting, fan-friendly information.
Her brother, Torry, on the other hand, does not quite have the resume that his older sister has, but has enjoyed success of his own.
Torry Mowatt, left and Taryne Mowatt, right
Torry moved to Tucson to live with his sister and play baseball. He was recruited to play out of high school but suffered an injury. That led to Tucson, and Pima Community College, being his best bet.
“I came out here as an outfielder and a couple turn of events, turned into a pitcher,” Torry said of his experience at Pima. “Last year, I was more of a thrower than a pitcher, but thanks to the summer, I learned a lot of new things and worked with a lot of different styles of baseball.”
Torry has definitely improved with pitching as he is now, arguably, one of the Aztecs’ best pitchers.
“I thought it was going to be a lot tougher of a transition,” Torry said. “It has been more mentally tough than anything.”
As of April 5, Torry was 5-4 with a 3.97 ERA and has recorded 40 strikeouts on the season. He primarily comes out of the bullpen but has started a game.
Torry’s plan for after Pima is one with many decisions.
“I have school, a pro career that is now a reality and Division 1 ball to think about as options,” Torry said. “Every little kid’s dream growing up is to play pro ball and it has always been a dream of mine. It is now a little bit stronger because it is actually a reality where it is just a matter of me reaching out and grabbing it.”
When baseball isn’t on Torry’s mind, he loves to go fishing.
“If I had the chance to do it everyday, I’d do it,” Torry said of fishing.
The Mowatts also have two other siblings, Jordan, 17, and Anthony, 13.
Jordan is a softball player like her sister, and plays high school ball in California. According to Taryne, Jordan will most likely continue to play in college, though mostly likely in the Golden State.
Family life is a big part of the Mowatts and this is evident in Taryne’s support of her brother Torry.
“I try to make all the games that I know he is pitching in,” Taryne said.
Taryne and Torry will throw together on occasion and run together to keep in shape.
Working out on your own was the main training tip that both Mowatts mentioned as the keys to their success.
“My work ethic has helped me to be the best baseball player that I can be,” Torry said.
Taryne and Torry are both still young and have many more years of baseball and softball ahead of them.
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ONLINE EXTRA: Softball wins 8 straight, 2 more POWs awards
By JAMES KELLEY
Video by NARCISO THOMAS VILLARREAL
Mari Contreras photo by JAMES KELLEY
Lindsey Weldon and Katie Asher photo by ANTHONY FRENCH
The Pima Community College softball team is rolling, winning eight in a row and two player of the week awards in one week.
For the week ending April 3, freshman Mari Contreras (23-2) won National Junior College Athletic Association Region 1 Pitcher of the Week while freshman utility Erika Tapia won Batter of the Week. Pima has won five player of the week awards.
“I think they both earned it. Erika’s been in a slump and all of a sudden she has exploded. I am very happy for her and Mari,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “I think she is the best pitcher in the league.”
Mari Contreras
On April 5, No. 19 Pima (39-10, 29-7 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) swept a doubleheader against Chandler-Gilbert, to win their eighth game in a row. It was their 11th win in their last 12 games.
The Aztecs earned a mercy rule win, 8-0, in five innings in the first game. They won the second 3-2 in the first extra inning with a walk-off double by freshman infielder Jessica Sipe.
“I think at the beginning of the season we started off getting to know each other, but I think we are reaching our peak,” Tapia said. “Our strengths are starting to pop out.”
Contreras two-hit the Coyotes and earned her third straight shutout. Tapia went 3-3, hit a home run and stole a base. Sophomore catcher Charissa Ballesteros also hit a home run.
Sophomore Adriana Garcia (10-4) picked up the win in the second game, after giving up one unearned run and six hits in eight innings. Ballesteros had two RBIs in the nightcap.
“We’re playing well, we battled —that’s a pretty good pitcher we beat (April 5) — we seemed to get a hit when we need to and (April 5) it was Jessica Sipe,” Quiroz said. “I like where we are at.”
On April 2, the Aztecs completed a perfect week and won their sixth game in five days, with a two-game sweep at Glendale Community College. Pima beat the Gauchos 5-0 and then 6-0.
Contreras struck out 13, tying a season high, and threw a one-hitter. Tapia had three RBIs. She and Sipe each hit homeruns.
In the second game, Adriana Garcia held GCC to four hits to get the win. Freshman designated player and lead off hitter Nicole Rascon went 3-4 with two RBIs.
The Aztecs closed out March by raining on Paradise Valley Community College’s parade when they swept a postponed doubleheader.
Lindsey Weldon, outfield and Katie Asher, second base
Contreras led Pima in the first game, a 7-0 win, throwing a one hitter. Rascon went 3-4 in the leadoff spot, with a triple and three RBIs and Tapia had two RBIs.
Freshman Ariel Silva (2-2) got the win in the nightcap, a 4-2 Pima victory, as she threw 6 1/3 innings. Adriana Garcia got her first save.
Freshman utility Jessica Schneider went 3-4, hitting her eighth homerun of the season and two RBIs. Tapia and Sipe each hit triples.
“I feel I struggled, but I felt I found my love back for the game,” Tapia said. “It’s a different level than high school. I’m glad my teammates were there to pick me up and help me find it.”
Six of the games in the Aztecs’ win streak were away from the friendly confines of the West Campus.
“I think it is way more impressive. It is such a drag going to classes, then practices and being on the road a lot, it’s really draining, but I think our coaches and our teammates really motivate us,” Tapia said about winning on the road.
On March 29, Pima swept a doubleheader at Central Arizona College, 12-3 and 7-1.
Contreras led the way in the first game, striking out seven in the six-inning mercy rule win. Sophomore infielder Katie Asher hit two home runs and drove in four RBIs. Sipe also hit a dinger.
Adriana Garcia excelled in the pitcher’s circle and batter’s box, giving up just four hits and striking out a season high nine and went 3-4, with two runs and two RBIs. Tapia hit two doubles and drove in one run.
Sophomore infielder Mercedes Garcia hit a homerun and two RBIs.
On March 26, the Aztecs split a doubleheader at Eastern Arizona College. Pima won the first game 9-4, thanks to 15 hits and four homeruns but lost the second 7-4.
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