FULL BEST IN THE WEST NOTEBOOK IN PDF FORMAT


SEASIDE, Calif. -- After missing out on the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four seasons in 2011, the Cal State Monterey Bay softball team begins its trek back to the promised land this weekend by playing five games at the Best of the West Invitational in Turlock Feb. 4–5. The Otters open against 2011 NCAA Tournament qualifier Metro State before facing perennial contenders Humboldt State and Western Washington Saturday. They'll close tournament play Super Bowl Sunday against Dominican (CA) and Cal State San Marcos.

“The West Region, not to mention the CCAA, is so strong that making the playoffs is an enormous feat,” says CSUMB Head Coach Andrea Kenney. “Our program competed in the NCAA Tournament in three straight years. Having 2011 end without a playoff berth was eye opening. I would like to think it has made us eager to compete again.”

The 2012 Otter roster features many new faces built around a solid core of returning players. Topping the list on the offensive side are senior first baseman Jamie Moon and senior shortstop Jackie Serna. Moon led the team with a .337 batting average and 36 runs scored. She chipped in 18 extra base hits, including eight home runs. Serna, meanwhile, hit .333 while finishing among the CCAA leaders in both doubles (No. 3, 16) and home runs (No. 6, 10).

In the circle, sophomore Kylie Linnane  is coming off a promising freshman season in which she recorded seven wins and two shutouts while leading the Otters with 85 strikeouts. 2012 team captains Caitlin Wallace and Jessica Moon—both seniors—will add quality experience to the staff.

“Having graduated a hitter with the talent of Shae Olds, our returners know they will have to step up offensively,” says Kenney. “I hope to get a  great deal of offensive production from Jamie, Jackie and Angelina Orozco. Additionally Caitlin and Jessica will need to serve as mentors to our young pitchers.”

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Otter Softball Odds & Ends

BACK ON TRACK: Despite playing its first season in 2006, CSUMB quickly developed into a powerhouse, reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009 and 2010. After missing out on the postseason in 2011, the Otters will be seeking their fourth bid in five seasons in 2012.

SO LONG, SULTAN OF SWAT: The Otters said sayonara to the CCAA's all–time home run leader, Shae Olds, who graduated last season with a conference record 44 home runs. Of course they still return a substantial amount of power. Jackie Serna's 10 HRs last season rank No. 4 on the CSUMB single season list while Jamie Moon's eight rank No. 10 on that list.

A TOUGH ROW TO HOE: If CSUMB is to return to the postseason in 2012, it will have to navigate a trecherous schedule to do it. The Otters will play 19 regular season games against teams ranked in the final NFCA National poll from 2011. The Otters were picked to finish sixth in the CCAA preseason coaches poll.