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SEASIDE, Calif. -- The Cal State Monterey Bay softball team heads to the Los Angeles area this weekend for a four–game series that could go a long way towards determining the 2012 CCAA softball champion. The Otters, ranked No. 6 in the Mar. 7 NFCA national poll, will meet No. 5 ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills. CSUMB (22–4, 14–2 CCAA) leads the CCAA at the midway point with Dominguez Hills (25–6, 16–4) close behind.

The Otters enter the series as one of the nation's hottest teams, having won 14 of 15 after last weekend's sweep of Humboldt State. The Toros had been even hotter, winning 17 in a row and 24 of 25 before losing 3 of 4 at UC San Diego last weekend. CSUDH, however, has been especially dangerous at home, posting an 18–0 mark at Toro Diamond this season.

“Pressure is a privilege and we're happy to be in this position,” says CSUMB Head Coach Andrea Kenney. “Obviously, Dominguez is a great team and they are very tough to beat at home. This promises to be an exciting series that will have a significant impact on the CCAA and the west region.”

Infielders Jessica Hall and Christina Chavez lead a potent Toro offense. Hall hits .429 with 31 runs scored while Chavez hits .394 with a team–leading five home runs and 36 RBIs. Those numbers, however, pale in comparison to the top of the Otter stat sheet where P/2B Cori Reinhardt (Riverside Poly HS) leads the CCAA in average (.527), on base pct. (.598) and slugging pct. (.892) while leading the nation with 6 triples. 1B Nina Villanueva (San Diego/Mt. Carmel HS) with 7 HRs and 36 RBIs.

The pitching matchups also figure to be intriguing, with the Otter duo of Reinhardt (11–1, 1.36 ERA) and Kylie Linnane (Salinas/Notre Dame HS) (8–1, 2.04) squaring off against Lauren Harper (12–4, 1.49) and Stephanie Jimenez (12–1, 2.34).

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Otter Softball Odds & Ends


RECORD ROLL: Although their school–record win streak of 10 straight ended Mar. 3, the Otters remain on a record roll having won 14 of 15. CSUMB's previous best 15–game run was 12–3 from Feb. 5 through Mar. 6 2010.

HAVE MERCY: The Otters won two more games via the 8–run rule last weekend vs. Humboldt State, marking the sixth and seventh times this season they've done that—already the third most in a season in school history. The 2009 and 2010 Otters each posted 10 run–rule wins.

BEST…START…EVER: At 22–4, the Otters are off to their best start ever. Their previous best start after 26 games was 18–8 by the 2010 Otters.

HIGHEST…RANKING…EVER: CSUMB climbed to No. 6 in last week's NFCA NCAA Division II poll, its highest ranking ever. Prior to this season, the Otters had never been ranked higher than No. 17 (2010).

WALK IT OFF: Sophomore 3B Danielle Onken (Oakdale HS) made a pair of dramatic exits last weekend, hitting a pair of walk–off home runs to complete doubleheader sweeps of Humboldt State. The biggest one came Sunday afternoon, when her 3–run, 2–out shot capped a 5–run rally in the seventh inning of a 12–11 Otter win.

LEADING AT THE TURN: CSUMB leads the CCAA at the midway point of the 2012 season. The Otters are looking to win their second CCAA regular season title (2010) in three seasons.