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KNIGHT SOFTBALL 2008
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS-
1980, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994,
1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005
(Above) 2008 softball team picture taken at the Sundial Bridge
Sac City a Nemesis
NOT ENOUGH HITS
(Riverside-5/17/08-Jeffrey Jen) Sacramento City was a north state nemesis all day. The Panthers softball team dispatched Shasta and Siskiyous in successive games at the California Community College softball state championships at Orange Terrace Park in Riverside on Saturday. First, Sacramento City eliminated Shasta 6-1. Then, the Panthers came back to top Siskiyous 11-7 in nine innings thanks to a grand slam by Erica McInty. Long bombs doomed both the Knights and Eagles. Shasta tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single by sophomore first base Amanda Schuler. That would be the Knights' lone run of the tournament. Sac City went up 2-1 in the second on a rare fielding error by Schuler. But the big shot that crippled Shasta's hopes of a win in Riverside came in the third inning. That's when Charlotte Ho belted a Mikey Eustance pitch beyond the left field fence for a three-run homer. Shasta loaded the bases on a pair of Panther errors in the bottom of the third, but Sac City pitcher Amanda Monday got Toni Barnes to ground back to her for the third out. Monday would scatter four hits and one walk to go with nine strikeouts in improving to 34-4 on the season. Eustance lasted three innings, giving up all six runs on four hits and two walks. Corrie Nishikida came on in relief for Shasta and tossed four scoreless innings, though she allowed an inherited runner in the fourth to score on a wild pitch.Shasta got its first two runners on in the bottom of the fourth as Jasmine McIntosh singled and Eustance walked. But Monday got the next three outs to escape the jam. That would be the Knights' last scoring chance as Monday retired nine of the final 10 batters she faced."We didn't hit," Knights assistant coach Amy Knowles said. "It just
didn't happen for us."
#1 Cerritos Too Tough
KNIGHTS FALL 4-0
(Riverside-5/16/08-Jeffrey Jen) The Eagles and Knights softball teams may have traveled 600-plus miles only to play one another in Riverside. The Shasta College softball team lost its first game Friday at the California Community College softball state championships at Orange Terrance Park in Riverside. College of the Siskiyous, on the other hand, came out 1-0 winners in its Elite 8 opener, but fell into the loser's bracket after an 8-0 loss to Cerritos. The Knights fell to South No. 1 seed Cypress 4-0 in the first round. The loss put Shasta in the loser's bracket and gives them a noon game against Sacramento City, which lost 6-3 to defending champ Mt. SAC. If the Knights beat Sac City, the two Northern California foes would meet at 2 p.m. in the double-elimination tournament. The Eagles opened the tournament with a 1-0 win over Long Beach City. Cypress pitcher Alyssa Freight held Shasta (41-15) to three hits, striking out four while walking one. The Knights couldn't string any hits together against the freshman. A few occasions, Shasta got the leadoff runner aboard but couldn't capitalize. A couple of times, Freight got a grounder that led to forceouts at second base. Other times, she induced the double-play ball to get out of a potential jam. Meanwhile, defense and Cypress's hitting proved to be the difference. Knights sophomore pitcher Mikey Eustance had a solid outing with four hits allowed, three strikeouts and a walk. Her lone mistake was when she gave up a two-run homer to Cypress' Amanda Fama in the sixth inning. "Michael did her job and kept us in the game," Shasta interim coach Amy Knowles said. "That was their big hitter and the only one big one they have." The Knights know they have a long way to go. "We're hoping to play three games tomorrow," Knowles said.
Stupek Home, Knights Practice
FACE #1 SOUTH SEED CYPRESS
(Shasta College-5/14/08-Jeffrey Jen) Sunday was supposed to be the best day of the season for the Knights softball team. Instead, they spent that evening at Mercy Medical Center in Redding hanging on every update about their head coach's condition. Joy of Shasta College's 5-3 and 6-2 victories over Ohlone to advance to the state tournament this weekend in Riverside turned into worry when head coach Sonny Stupek suffered a heart attack during dinner Sunday evening. "Really tough, such an emotional roller coaster," Knights sophomore first baseman Amanda Schuler said about Sunday. "We put it all out on the field. We were so happy to get to state, that we were able to do it. Then all of a sudden from the best day, it's the worst day ever." When the Knights took the practice field Tuesday, Stupek wasn't there. At least the players know he is already out of the hospital and back home resting. The longtime coach has to hand over interim coaching duties to 13-year assistant Amy Knowles. He plans on flying Friday to be in the stands when his team plays. The softball team leaves today to attend Thursday's banquet. Shasta's first game is against Cypress (51-2), the No. 1-ranked team in the state, at 2 p.m. Friday. The two teams have met this season with the Knights falling 4-3 in nine innings March 15 at a tournament in Merced. Tuesday's practice seemed beneficial to the players, offering them a chance to start focusing on the task ahead though Sunday evening remained on their minds. "It was so surreal," Knights freshman shortstop Rebecca Valenzuela said. "Seeing him in the hospital bed. We all cried. It's going to be different not having him in the dugout yelling at us or cheering us on. But, at least he can make the trip. That should be enough.” The Knights also have unfinished business at state. While College of the Redwoods and College of the Siskiyous have claimed victories at the state tournament in the past two years, the Knights are 0-5 in their previous five appearances.
Stupek Suffers Heart Attack
STILL FOLLOWING TEAM TO STATE TOURNEY
(Redding-5/12/08-Aaron Williams) Sonny Stupek was able to joke Monday that the stress of his Shasta College softball team’s come-from-behind series win Sunday over Ohlone is what sent him to the hospital with a heart attack. Stupek said he felt tightness in his chest and neck during dinner Sunday — hours after his team beat Ohlone twice to advance to the final-eight state tournament this weekend in Riverside. “It was a real stressful day. I went home about 6 or 7 and was having dinner,“ Stupek said Monday from his room at Mercy Medical Center in Redding. “It was a classic TV scene where I looked across table and said ‘I don’t feel well.’“ Stupek’s wife, Bev, made him go to the emergency room — rather than lie down, which is what Sonny wanted to do. “That was an important moment,“ he said. “Bev got me there in time so that they (doctors) don’t think there was much damage.“ Regardless, “Doctor Bev,“ along with his real doctors have benched the coach for the Knights’ upcoming state finals appearance. Amy Knowles will fill Stupek’s coaching shoes. “I will fly down Friday, sit in the stands wearing a Hawaiian shirt,“ he said. “Hell, I don’t think I’ll know how to act. “I’m just an old crotchety coach.“ Shasta (41-14) qualified for the Elite Eight state finals for the sixth time since 1998, beating Ohlone 5-3 and 6-2. Stupek, who went through a rough season last season, was elated Sunday after advancing to the Elite 8. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am for these kids,“ Stupek said Sunday. “I really gave serious consideration to quitting last year. Our chemistry was so bad. But this is the best team I’ve ever coached in my 31 years. We’ve had better talent in other years. But in terms of chemistry, togetherness and a good coaching staff, this is the best.“ Stupek had a double bypass in 1999 and said showing his scar at the ER was like “swiping my credit card to get me in.“ He said Monday that he was “tired“ but was doing fine. “Let everyone know I’m OK,“ he said. When news of his condition leaked, his rooms was flooded with players and friends. “It was a completely emotional day and I tried to lighten things up,“ the mischievous coach said. “I told a couple of funnies to some of the girls that this error caused me to have a heart attack. “They didn’t think it was that funny.“ The Knights leave for Riverside on Wednesday. Stupek is set to be released in a few days, he said.
Huge Comeback Stuns Ohlone
NISHIKIDA HUGE IN SECOND GAME
(Shasta College-4/13/08-Jeffrey Jen) To punch a ticket to the state tournament, a team has to earn its way there. After a pair of gutsy pitching efforts and a breakout day from the No. 8 hitter, consider the Knights' ticket punched. The Shasta College softball team needed a pair of wins Sunday against Ohlone to get through the Northern California playoffs. And the Knights were up to the task, beating the Renegades 5-3 and 6-2 to advance to this weekend's state tournament in Riverside. "It feels amazing," said Shasta sophomore pitcher Mikey Eustance, the winner of Sunday's first game. "This is the best feeling I've ever had." Shasta (41-14) qualified for the Elite Eight state finals for the sixth time since 1998, but this trip may be the sweetest one for Knights coach Sonny Stupek. "I can't tell you how pleased I am for these kids," Stupek said. "I really gave serious consideration to quitting last year. Our chemistry was so bad. But this is the best team I've ever coached in my 31 years. We've had better talent in other years. But in terms of chemistry, togetherness and a good coaching staff, this is the best." Beating Ohlone (41-9) twice wasn't going to be easy. The Renegades came in with a 14-game winning streak and hadn't lost since a 7-5 decision to American River on March 30. And their pitcher, Kelly Colker, bottled up the Knights in a one-hit shutout in a 1-0 Ohlone victory Saturday to give the Renegades a leg up on the best-of-three series. But that all changed thanks to one big Hawaiian Punch from Shasta sophomore Corrie Nishikida. The Aloha State native belted a 2-2 offering from Colker over the center field fence in the bottom of the first to tie the game 1-1. "It was a low pitch and outside," Nishikida said. "We didn't get on the scoreboard against her yesterday, so it was good to finally do so." After finally breaking through, Shasta's bats came alive with 22 hits in the final two games of the series. Jessica Diehl's RBI double in the bottom of the second chased Colker after 1+ innings, though Sarah Lawrence held up well for the Renegades in relief. Shasta got another run in the fifth on an RBI single from Becca Valenzuela. Nishikida added an RBI on a bunt single an inning later. The next batter, Kim Abts, flied out to right and Diehl tried to score from third. It appeared Ohlone catcher Kathryn Sumner tagged Diehl on the throw, but the home plate umpire ruled obstruction on Sumner for blocking the plate without the ball. That gave Shasta a 5-2 lead, which was enough for Eustance. She escaped bases-loaded, one-out jams in the first and fifth, allowing one run in each. In the sixth, she got out of second-and-third, one-out situation by striking out Ohlone leadoff hitter Kim Cawley and retiring Sumner on a comebacker. Eustance was called for an illegal pitch that allowed a run in the seventh, but again got out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam by striking out the final two Renegade batters to knot up the series. Stranded base runners were the story for the Renegades - they had 12 in each game. "It wasn't as if we didn't have the opportunities," Renegades coach Donna Runyon said. "They held tough when we needed a hit." In Game 3, the Knights were the visiting team. While the Renegades brought Colker back in to start, Stupek went with Nishikida even though she hadn't pitched in nearly a month. But Shasta gave her a three-run cushion in the top of the first. After Valenzuela and Nishikida led off with singles, both scored when the Renegades threw the ball away going to third after a Shasta sacrifice bunt. On the next pitch, Amanda Schuler blasted her 10th homer of the season to center field. The next inning, No. 8 hitter Becky Louber stroked her first homer of the year, also to center. The freshman outfielder was in a 2-for-29 slump entering the series. But she turned around to have a 6-for-6 day Sunday. "We talked about believing in yourself and in your team," Louber said about how she and Stupek dealt with her slump. "Even when you are down, you have teammates to pick you up and vice versa." She tacked on an RBI double in the sixth and scored on Valenzuela's third single of the game for a 6-0 Shasta edge. It then fell upon Nishikida to close the deal. She did, scattering eight hits and striking out three. She faced a couple of late-inning jams, but barely missed a shutout. A Shasta infield error and a bases-loaded walk accounted for Ohlone's two runs in the seventh, but by then it was too little, too late. An out later, Shasta was celebrating and planning another trip to state. Reporter Jeffrey Jen can be reached at 225-8228 or at jjen@redding.com.
Knights Lose Duel
FALL IN 1-0 HOLE, MUST WIN 2 ON SUNDAY
(Shasta College-5/10/08-Jeffrey Jen Record Searchlight) Rather than the expected offensive shootout, Game 1 between the Knights and Renegades turned into a pitcher's duel. Unfortunately for Mikey Eustance and the Shasta College softball team, the one big shot of the day came off the Knights' sophomore pitcher. Ohlone cleanup hitter Cassandra Ortega belted a solo homer in the top of the fourth inning to lift the fifth-seeded Renegades to a 1-0 win over the No. 4 Knights on Saturday. That gave visiting Ohlone (41-7) a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Northern California second-round playoff series. Game 2 is at noon today at the Shasta College softball field. If necessary, Game 3 will start at 2 p.m. But to get to that third game, Shasta (39-14) first needs to solve Renegades pitcher Kelly Colker. The freshman gave up a leadoff single to Becca Valenzuela in the bottom of the first - them blanked the Knights the rest of the way. "That pitcher did a great job for them," Knights coach Sonny Stupek said. "We're better than what we showed. But give them credit. They did what they had to do to get a win. We didn't." Colker also struck out four batters, which was one more than Shasta got on base. The Knights' lone runner in scoring position came in the bottom of the third when Jessica Diehl reached third with two outs. But Colker got Corrie Nishikida to fly out to right to end that threat. Shasta's potent offense couldn't get anything going as the game went on. Colker finished the game retiring 14 batters in a row. "She was hitting the outside part of the plate," Knights second base Kim Abts said. "That was it. Nothing we haven't seen before, but she was hitting her spots all game." Eustance was almost as effective once she got out of a harrowing first inning. Ohlone had two hits, including a double by Cassie Winger, to go with a Shasta error. Yet the Renegades couldn't push a run across as the Knights defense threw out two base runners. after that, Eustance settled down and was cruising until two outs in the fourth. That's when Ortega belted a 1-0 offering beyond the fence a few yards left of straightaway center. Otherwise, Eustance had a solid line: four hits allowed, two strikeouts and two walks in seven innings. Ohlone came in averaging more than seven runs a game. Yet despite being held to a single run, the Renegades lead the series. "We'll take it," Renegades coach Donna Runyon said. "We had a game plan, and as long we believed in it, I felt we could compete with them. We did play really good defense. It was just a matter of execution." Runyon managed to get her players out of classes in recent days so the team could travel up to Redding on Thursday and have a practice Shasta's field Friday. That paid off as Ohlone had one error all game and made a couple of nice fielding plays to help out Colker. "When you get to the playoffs, you have to do the extra stuff," Runyon said. "It took a lot of work to get the teachers to get players out of class, but it was worth it." Now Shasta must win two games today to advance to the state tournament next weekend. "It's going to be a challenge tomorrow," Stupek said after the game. "But it should be a good challenge. Anytime you have a chance to get the state tournament, you have to earn your way there." Reporter Jeffrey Jen can be reached at 225-8228 or at jjen@redding.com.
Top Draw
HOSTING SECOND ROUND STATE PLAYOFFS
(Redding-5/8/08-Jeffrey Jen) The place to be this weekend is out at the Shasta College softball field. The fourth-seeded Knights take on No. 5 Ohlone (40-7) in a best-of-three series. The first game is at 2 p.m. Saturday, the second at noon Sunday. If there's a third, it will be at 2 p.m. Sunday. While out covering an Enterprise softball game on Wednesday, I ran into Knights head coach Sonny Stupek. He informed me the players were ready to go right now. The Knights adapted very well to the playoff atmosphere last weekend in sweeping Napa Valley in two games. Ohlone is traveling up to Redding today, so the Renegades can practice on Shasta's home turf on Friday in preparation for the weekend. Ohlone ran through the Coast North conference this season with a 24-0 record and bring in a potent offense (7.8 runs per game). The Renegades have scored at least four runs in 38 of its 47 games this season and are batting .367 as a team this season. Then again, Shasta hasn't lost to team not named Siskiyous since March 21 when the Knights fell 1-0 to Southwestern Oregon.
Knights Advance to Round 2
#5 OHLONE HERE THIS WEEKEND
(Shasta College-5/4/08-Jeffrey Jen) This is how you should close out an opponent: jump on them early and never let up. Amanda Schuler and Toni Barnes hit back-to-back, first-inning homers and the Shasta College softball team beat Napa Valley 9-1 in five innings Sunday to advance to the second round of the Northern California playoffs. The fourth-seeded Knights (39-13) host No. 5 Ohlone this weekend. Napa defensive mistakes helped Shasta to a 3-0 lead after one inning Saturday. On Sunday, the Knights took care of things themselves. After Rebecca Valenzuela singled and Kim Abts walked, Shasta's All-American first base Schuler blasted a Carolyn Knudson offering past the 200-foot center field sign for a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Then Barnes hit another shot to center. "It was really nice to jump on top," Schuler said. "To pick up right where we left off." Up a game and 4-0, the Knights kept rolling. Jessica Diehl hit a one-out triple in the second and scored on Valenzuela's single. Abts added an RBI single later in the inning for a 6-0 lead. In the third, the Knights loaded the bases with one out on three singles, but Knudson retired Diehl and Valenzuela to end that threat. However, Shasta knocked out Knudson the next inning after an RBI single from Becky Louber and a two-run single by Jasmine McIntosh. "The kids felt they let some opportunities get away from them yesterday," Knights coach Sonny Stupek said. "They wanted to change that today." After getting the Knights to chase her rise pitch Saturday, Knudson gave up 13 hits and nine runs in 31/3 innings Sunday. Kendra Mason came on in relief for the Storm (31-20), but they were in too deep of a hole to recover. "Her rise ball wasn't working as much today," Barnes said. "Mostly, we've seen her enough and got used to her pitches." Meanwhile, Mikey Eustance kept Storm batters off balance again. The only real trouble she had was in the bottom of the third when Knudson led off with a double to right center and moved to third on Mallorie Wilson's single. But Eustance got Megan Lopez to ground into a 4-6-3 double play. Knudson scored on the grounder, the lone Storm run the entire series. "I was really pleased with how well we played defense," Stupek said. Eustance scattered three hits, struck out six and walked two in picking up her 24th win of the season. "She's real good about mixing things up," Napa coach Michelle Hobbs said about Eustance. "She's got a lot of locations she can hit and it worked out well for her." Reporter Jeffrey Jen can be reached at 225-8228 or at jjen@redding.com.
Knights Start Fast
EUSTANCE BLANKS NAPA 4-0
(Shasta College-5/3/08-Jeffrey Jen Record Searchlight article) After a two-year sabbatical from the postseason, the Knights are back and looking as if they never left. Mikey Eustance tossed a five-hit shutout as the Shasta College softball team beat Napa Valley 4-0 in the first game of a best-of-three series Saturday at home. The Knights have been successful in the Northern California playoffs, advancing to the state tournament five times from 1998 to 2005. The past two years have been down seasons, but the fourth-seeded Knights returned Saturday and easily coped with the heightened intensity of the playoffs. By contrast, playoff jitters hit No. 13 Napa Valley in the first inning and cost the Storm (31-19). Several defensive miscues helped Shasta score three runs in the bottom of the first. That was more than enough for Eustance, who showed no ill effects from swimming at the state junior college swim championships in Mission Viejo on Friday before hopping on a plane to Redding that evening. "I wasn't tired at all," Eustance said after striking out five and walking two in seven innings. "I got home last night and slept pretty well." The sophomore from Montana even went 3-for-3 with a double to help fuel the Shasta offense. The two teams meet again at noon today for game two of the series. A Shasta victory would send the Knights into the second round against either No. 5 Ohlone or No. 12 Solano. A Napa win would force a deciding game at 2 p.m. today. "Winning the first game is huge," Knights coach Sonny Stupek said. "That puts a lot of pressure on them." For an inning, the Storm may have put too much pressure on themselves. It began after Shasta third base Corrie Nishikida singled and stole second with one out. Kim Abts hit a grounder to Napa shortstop Ashley Boydston, who bobbled the ball and then threw to second, failing to get a retreating Nishikida, instead of first. Amanda Schuler followed with tailing fly to left, but the ball glanced off the glove of Napa's Liz Ceja, and Nishikida scored from second. Toni Barnes then hit a pop-up back to pitcher Carolyn Knudson, who recently signed a letter of intent to play at San Francisco State next year. But Knudson dropped it. The infield fly rule was in effect, so Barnes was out, but Shasta still advanced runners to second and third with two outs. That became crucial when Jasmine McIntosh lined a two-run single into center. "It was nerves; that's what the players said," Storm coach Michelle Hobbs said. "A lot of the girls hadn't been in this situation before. Once we got the jitters out of the way, we played with them. We still didn't do a good job with the bats." Part of that was Eustance showing the form that garnered her all-conference honors as a pitcher. She also got good support from her defense. Napa had a couple of chances to score, such as a first-and-third, one-out opportunity in the second inning. But Eustance got a strikeout and a groundout to end that threat. She also struck out Lauren Porter to end the fourth with runners on first and third. Knights batters had a hard time laying off Knudson's rise pitch, which induced a lot of pop-ups. Shasta still had nine hits as Nishikida went 2-for-2, and McIntosh was 2-for-3 with two RBI. Eustance led off the fourth with a double. Natasha Brenner pinch-ran for her and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt before scoring Shasta's only other run on Rebecca Valenzuela's single up the middle. Otherwise, Knudson got out of every other jam she faced aside from the first inning. "Napa is a good team," Eustance said. "They can come out and get us if we aren't ready." Reporter Jeffrey Jen can be reached at 225-8228 or at jjen@redding.com.
Schuler Named All American
FIRST TEAM!
(Shasta College-5/2/08) Shasta College first baseman Amanda Schuler earned first team NFCA All-American honors, Knights softball coach Sonny Stupek said on Friday. This season, Schuler batted .452 with eight homers, 38 RBI, 18 doubles and 32 runs scored. She ranks third in the all-time school's list with a .441 batting average and second in career hits with 120. She 31 doubles and 45 career extra-base hits, both school records. Schuler's sister Christine was a two-time selection in 2004 and 2005.
Schuler & Valenzuela Honored
ALL STATE & ALL NORCAL TEAMS
(Shasta College-4/28/08) Shasta College, and north state products, Amanda Schuler and Becca Valenzuela were honored this week. Amanda Schuler a Central Valley grad, was named to the All-state team. She's hitting .463 playing first base for the Knights this season. Becca Valenzuela, Shasta College's shortstop from Red Bluff high school, was named to the All-Northern California team after breaking the school record for runs scored (64) in a season.
Knights to Host First Round
SHASTA GETS #4 SEED
(Shasta College-4/26/08) The route to the state junior college softball tournament goes through Redding and Weed. College of the Siskiyous earned the No. 1 seed in Northern California, while Shasta College got the No. 4 spot when seedings were released on Friday. The Knights (37-13) take on No. 13 Napa Valley (31-18) in the first round, a best-of-three series, at home. The Eagles (47-3) draw No. 16 San Mateo (20-23). All first-round games start at 2 p.m. next Saturday, with the second game at noon May 4. A third game it is 2 p.m. May 4, if necessary. Knights coach Sonny Stupek said Shasta came from behind twice to beat Napa this season. Should Shasta win, it advances to face either No. 5 Ohlone (38-7) or No. 12 Solano (31-18). Sacramento City (43-4) was the No. 2 seed, while San Jose City (38-7) was No. 3.
Five Knights Named All-GVC
LADY KNIGHTS TO HOST 1ST ROUND STATE TOURNEY
(Shasta College-4/24/08) College of the Siskiyous and Shasta College dominated the all-Golden Valley Conference softball team selections on Thursday. The Eagles swept the major awards with sophomore outfielder Crislyn Chewning named MVP, freshman pitcher Jackie Imhoff was the top pitcher award and Doug Eastman the Coach of the Year. Carlene Morgan was the Rookie of the Year. Both Siskiyous and Shasta had five players named to the team. Three Knights and six Eagles were able honorable mention. First baseman Amanda Schuler, second baseman Kim Abts, shortstop Becca Valenzuela, pitcher Mikey Eustance and third baseman/pitcher Corrie Nishikida were selected for Shasta.
Knights Finish Off Lassen
WAIT FOR PLAYOFF SEEDING
(Shasta College-4/19/08) The Shasta College Lady Knights Finish off a season sweep of Lassen College with a 11-4 & 8-3 double header sweep of the Cougars. The hitting star was Amanda Schuler went 5-for-7 with a home run as the Knights swept the Cougars on Saturday. In the first game, Corrie Nishikida went 4-for-4 and Michael Eustance won, striking out eight. Allison Hawthorne and Rebecca Valenzuela combined for five of the Knights' eight RBI in the second game. Shasta (37-13) finished second in the Golden Valley Conference with a 16-4 record, awaits its opponent for playoffs, which begin May 3.
Redwoods Falls Twice
TWO FIVE INNING SHUTOUTS
(Shasta College-418/08-Jeffrey Jen) The only question remaining for the Knights softball team is what seed they'll draw in the upcoming playoffs. While Shasta College waits, it's tuning up with a wave of home games. The Knights handled visiting College of the Redwoods, sweeping a Friday doubleheader 9-0 and 13-0. Shasta (14-4 Golden Valley Conference, 35-13) needed five innings in both games before the mercy rule went into effect. The Knights end the regular season today with a noon doubleheaders against Lassen. The Cougars should be a more formidable foe than the Corsairs (0-17 GVC, 2-35), who have fallen on hard times two years after advancing to the state tournament. Still, Shasta made sure there were no end-of-the-season slips to jeopardize its chance at hosting a playoff game. The Knights are likely going to stay at home for the first round. "We did what we had to do today," Knights coach Sonny Stupek. "We got everyone in and the kids were loose." The Knights scored five times in the first inning of the opener before add-ing three more in the third and a Tasha Brenner solo homer in the fourth. Mikey Eustance struck out 10 over five innings, scattering three hits and two walks. Amanda Schuler went 2-for-2 with two RBI, while Corrie Nishikida was 3-for-3 with an RBI. So easy going was the day, that the only mistake was by the Shasta coaching staff in the second game. Nishikida sailed through a perfect first three innings pitching before she was removed to get Becky Louber a few innings. Louber’s first pitch in the fourth was laced into left field by Redwoods’ Mischa Meyer for a ground-rule double, breaking the perfect game. No matter. That would be the Corsairs’ lone hit of the game, while Shasta kept piling on the runs. After three runs in the first inning and five more in the second, the Knights already had their eight-run cushion. Jess Diehl then added to that with a solo homer leading off the bottom of the third when four more runs came across the plate. Schuler and Jasmine McIntosh each went 2-for-2 with and two RBI, while Louber was 2-for-2 with three RBI. Shasta pounded out 10 hits and took advantage of eight walks to end things quickly. “As rough as it was last year for us,” Stupek said. “I can’t tell you enough how much I enjoy coaching this team. They all get along and pull for each other.” Reporter Jeffrey Jen can be reached at 225-8228 or at jjen@redding.com.
Knights Drop Pair
12 INNING GAME ONE
(Shasta College-4/11/0-Jeffrey Jen) The first game between two top 10 softball teams turned into a two-for-one classic. The Knights came out on the short end of the stick, then didn't have anything left for game two. So College of the Siskiyous affirmed its claim as the top-ranked team in Northern California with a sweep of host Shasta in a Friday doubleheader, the first in a 5-4, 12-inning battle, the second an 8-0 runaway lasting five innings. "I had a lot of fun today, believe it for not," Stupek said. "Unfortunately, we didn't show up for the second game." The two teams had combined for 70 wins on the season. Siskiyous was No. 2 in the state entering the day. Shasta was No. 9. But Siskiyous was two games up in the Golden Valley Conference standings and even a split would have handed the Eagles a league title. The first game had everything from big hits to standout defensive plays to a bit of controversy. But the Eagles (14-0 GVC, 41-3) pulled it out after Katie Zahuer belted a two-run double in the top of the 12th inning. Shasta (10-4 GVC, 31-13) scored once on Kim Abts’ RBI single by Kim Abts, but Siskiyous pitcher Jackie Imhoff got Jasmine McIntosh on a game-ending groundout. “They (Shasta) knew they had to have the first game,” Eagles coach Doug Eastman said. “When we got it, they didn’t have much fight for the second game. If we didn’t win that first game, the second one would have taken a whole different flavor.” McIntosh prolonged the opener belting an Imhoff offering for a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth, tying things at 2. Abts’ RBI single gave Shasta a 1-0 in the third, but Siskiyous responded with Cheyanna Ohlrich’s RBI single in the fourth and Zahuer’s fifth-inning RBI off Knights starter Mikey Eustance. Both teams threw out runners at the plate in the eighth inning. The Knights loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth on three singles, but Imhoff struck out Abts to end the threat. The controversy emerged in the top of the 11th. Shasta contends the Siskiyous’ Laura Thorp left third early on Crislyn Chewning’s fly ball to right. The home plate umpire ruled Thorp safe at home, just ahead of Toni Barnes’ throw, giving the Eagles a 3-2 lead. “Their coach was trying to call the player back to third when she took off,” Stupek said. “It was the worst call in all of my years here. It’s unfortunate.” He got some unlikely support. “We got a break,” Eastman said. “In a game like that, that’s a tough one.” Shasta’s Jessica Diehl singled in a game-tying run in the bottom of the 11th to extend the game. That set the stage for Zahuer who lined a shot past the outstretched glove of Becky Louber in center, scoring a pair of runs an inning later. Zahuer finished the game 2-for-6 with three RBI, while Chewning doubled twice. Abts went 4-for-6 with two RBI for Shasta, while Becca Valenzuela was 3-for-6 and McIntosh, Eustance and Amanda Schuler had two hits apiece. Shasta pitcher Corrie Nishikida went through two scoreless innings in the nightcap, but got into trouble in the third with a single and two walks. Zahuer then belted a grand slam to give the Eagles a 4-0 lead. “That was the killer,” Eastman said. Siskiyous is at Butte today, while Shasta must regroup with a noon doubleheader at home against Feather River. “I don’t know if we’ll show up,” Stupek said. “We ran out of gas today. It will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow.” Reporter Jeffrey Jen can be reached at 225-8228 or at jjen@redding.com.
Peaking Knights
ANOTHER SHOWDOWN WITH COS
(Shasta College-4/2/08) Mikey Eustance surrendered four hits in two games as the Knights swept the Golden Eagles. In game one, Shasta 6-1, Knights Kim Abts and Rebecca Valenzuela each went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Game two, Shasta 3-0 winners, saw Amanda Schuler double in a run. Valenzuela went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Shasta (10-2 GVC, 31-11) hosts College of the Siskiyous on Friday.
Knights Rout Butte, Again
SCORE 61 RUNS AGAINST ROADRUNNERS
(Quincy-4/5/08) The Knights ate up Roadrunner pitching again, having scored 61 runs against Butte in five games this season. Mikey Eustance was 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in the opener a Shasta 10-3 win. She also struck out six in the circle. Amanda Schuler, Becca Valenzuela and Jasmine McIntosh each collected two hits in the opener. In the nightcap, Shasta 12-2 winners, Corrie Nishikida earned the win behind the big bats of Tori Barnes (2-for-4 HR, 3 RBI), Valenzuela (3-for-3 HR, 2 RBI) and Kim Abts (2-for-2 HR, 3 RBI). Shasta (8-2 Golden Valley Conference, 29-11) travels to Feather River for its final road trip of the regular season.
Knights Sweep Redwoods, Again
LADY KNIGHT PITCHING SHARP!
(Eureka-3/2/08) The College of the Redwoods softball team dropped two games to visiting Shasta on Wednesday and almost got no-hit in the process. After a 12-1 loss in the opener, CR was without a hit heading into the fifth inning of the nightcap. That's when Samantha Caves hit a double to break up the no-no, though it wasn't enough to prevent the Knights from walking off with an 8-0 win. Caves went 1-for-2 in both games, but was one of only a few bright spots in a day that saw CR commit six errors and walk 13 batters. Butte College is Redding on Friday, 4/4, for a doubleheader starting at 11:30 AM.
Knights Fall in Sierra Final
WOLVERINE CLASSIC TOURNEY
(Rocklin-3/30/08) The College of the Siskiyous softball team beat rival Shasta 2-0 in the championship game of the Wolverine Classic at Sierra College on Sunday. The Knights went 4-1 in the tournament, beating Diablo Valley (8-0), Solano
(11-5) and Butte (11-0) on Saturday then edging Sierra 6-5 in eight innings Sunday before falling to the Eagles. Siskiyous beat Merced (6-4), American River (7-4), San Jose (8-0) and Shasta on its way to the title. The Knights visit Redwoods on Wednesday.
Knights Fall Twice
DEFENSE FAILS LADY KNIGHTS IN GAME ONE
(Weed-3/26/08) The College of the Siskiyous softball team swept rival Shasta in a doubleheader in Weed on Wednesday. The Eagles edged the Knights 5-4 in eight innings in the first game. Corrie Nishikida took the loss for Shasta (4-2 Golden Valley Conference, 21-10), which was undone by three unearned runs in the sixth inning. Becky Louber, Amanda Schuler and Toni Barnes all went
2-for-4 for Shasta. In the second game, Siskiyous jumped out 5-1 as Becca Anderson got the win and Mikey Eustance took the loss.
Kim Abts went 2-for-4 with a double and Nishikida was 2-for-3 with two RBI for the Knights.
One Swing Earns Split
SCHULER'S BLAST GETS GAME TWO WIN
(Shasta College-3/212/08-Jeffrey Jen) The question of whether the Knights would ever score Friday was answered with one swing of the bat. A two-run homer by first baseman Amanda Schuler allowed the Shasta College softball team to take the second half of the doubleheader 2-0 and earn a split with Southwestern Oregon Community College. The Lakers took the first game 1-0. Schuler's big hit in the bottom of the fifth inning salvaged a day when Shasta struggled offensively. The Knights outhit Southwest Oregon 11-3 over the two games, but couldn't push a run across for the longest time. In the process, Shasta (22-8) nearly wasted an outstanding day on the mound by sophomore hurler Mikey Eustance. Over 14 innings, Eustance struck out 16, scattered three hits with one walk and one hit batter. Her record for the day, however, was 1-1 in part to the Knights' offensive issues. "It was unfortunate that Mikey threw so well and got only one win," Knights coach Sonny Stupek said. "We're in a little funk right now. We're not swinging well." Southwestern Oregon's Kara Ghilarducci singled to right in the top of the seventh inning, then went to third on a two-base error before coming home on a passed ball. That was all that Lakers pitcher Karma Rice needed in lifting Southwest Oregon (6-9) to the win. For the first part of the nightcap Kirsten Emigh was doing the same thing to keep Shasta off the scoreboard. Her lone mistake in the first four innings was when she tried to toss a fastball past Schuler in the third inning. Instead, the ball went flying to left-center for a double. Two innings later, Becca Valenzuela hit a short lob over Rice at shortstop for a one-out single. An out later, Emigh tried to do toss a 1-0 fastball by Schuler. This time, the ball easily cleared the 200-foot sign at straightaway center. "I was only trying to get a hit," Schuler said. "We're having a hard time scoring right now, so I was looking to do something for my team." Eustance made the lead stand, aided by a couple of nice foul-ball catches from third baseman Corrie Nishikida. Despite the current hitting issues, Shasta remains competitive thanks to its improved play in the field and that has had a positive effect with its pitching. It's nice to have a good defense behind you," Eustance said. "You don't have to worry about every pitch you throw." Schuler went 2-for-3 in both games, while Valenzuela was 2-for-3 in game two. The win gives the Knights momentum before heading to a Wednesday doubleheader at Siskiyous. Reporter Jeffrey Jen can be reached at 225-8228 or at jjen@redding.com.
Knights Battle #1 Cypress
GAME GOES NINE INNINGS
(Merced-3/15/08) Merced Invitational -- Shasta College lost a dramatic 4-3 nine-inning battle with undefeated Cypress, the top-ranked team in the state. Corrie Nishikida took the loss despite going all nine innings. Amanda Schuler went
3-for-4 with an RBI, while Becky Louber and Toni Barnes were both 2-for-4.
The Knights (20-6) bounced back with a 5-0 victory over College of the Sequoias. Mikey Eustance tossed a five-hit shutout, striking out seven. Becca Valenzuela went 2-for-4, while Jasmine McIntosh was 3-for-3 with a
double and an RBI.
Late Loss to Merced
VALENZUELA 2/4
(Merced-3/14/08) Merced 6, Shasta 5 -- The Knights lost to the tournament host, giving up two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Becca Valenzuela went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI, while Amanda Schuler and Jasmine McIntosh both had RBI doubles.
Knights Rout Cougars
STILL PERFECT IN GVC PLAY @ 4-0
(Susanville-3/12/08) The Shasta College softball team swept Lassen to remain perfect in Golden Valley Conference play on Wednesday. The Knights beat the Cougars 8-2 and then 12-3 in five innings. In the first game, Kim Abts went 3-for-4 with three RBI for Shasta (4-0 GVC, 19-4), while Jessica Diehl was 2-for-3 with two RBI. Candyce Sannadan added a solo homer and Mikey Eustance earned the win. Becca Valenzuela went 3-for-4 with a double and four runs scored in game two. Corrie Nishikida was the winning pitcher. The Knights, ranked seventh in the state, travel to the Merced Invitational, starting on Friday for four games in three games. Shasta plays Merced at 5 p.m. Friday before a noon Saturday showdown with Cypress, the No. 1-ranked team in the state.
Knights Split in Fresno
CANDYCE SANNADAN WITH A GRAND SLAM
(Fresno-3/8/08) Shasta College fell 10-7 against College of the Siskiyous despite Candyce Sannadan's gland slam in the fifth and finished 2-2 at the Fresno tournament. Michael Eustance took the loss for the Knights (17-4), who visit
Lassen on Wednesday.
Knights Sweep Butte
OUTSCORE ROADRUNNERS 24-3!
(Oroville-3/5/08) The Shasta College softball team swept rival Butte on Wednesday to start GVC play. The Knights beat the Roadrunners 14-2 and 10-1 with both halves of the doubleheader going five innings in the Golden Valley Conference opener for both teams. Freshman shortstop Becca Valenzuela had a big day at the plate, while sophomore Mikey Eustance picked up both wins. Valenzuela was
4-for-4 with two RBI in the first game, then repeated the feat in the nightcap. "Things started well for Shasta (2-0 GVC, 15-2), which scored nine runs on nine hits in the first inning of the opener. The Knights added two more in both the second and third for a 13-0 lead before the Roadrunners could score. In addition to Valenzuela, Jessica Diehl drove in four runs and Kim Abts went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. In the second game, the Knights scored in every inning in pounding out 16 hits. Becky Louber went 3-for-3 with a triple and Diehl was
2-for-3 with two runs scored. The Knights travel to Fresno for the Bash
at the Buchanan tournament on Saturday.
Near Flawless
KNIGHTS GO 4-1 IN SHOOTOUT
(Big League Dreams, Redding-3/2/08-Jeffrey Jen) The goal of an undefeated tournament was lost in the first game. But the Knights rebounded to win their final four at the North State Shootout at Big League Dreams this weekend. The Shasta College softball team capped its run with an 8-0 victory over Yuba in five innings Sunday. Earlier in the day, the Knights edged Reedley 1-0. Shasta (12-2) had a rough start in the tournament, blowing a 5-0 lead in a 6-5 loss to Solano on Saturday. But the Knights came back and beat West Valley 3-2 and erased a 3-0 deficit in a 5-3 victory over Napa later that day. Shasta finished the tournament 4-1. The only other team to finish that well was Golden Valley Conference rival Siskiyous. "It was unfortunate about the first game," Knights coach Sonny Stupek said. "Our goal was to win all of our games. This is our own tournament. We didn't do that, but we did come back well." Against Yuba, Shasta jumped out 2-0 in the first inning on hits from Amanda Schuler and Kacey Wiley. Three more runs came across in the second. Tasha Brenner and Becca Valenzuela hit back-to-back RBI doubles and Corrie Nishikida added an RBI off a groundout to second. Shasta then pulled ahead even further in the third, going up 7-0 after Valenzuela added an RBI single to cap her 3-for-3 effort. Brenner also went 3-for-3, and her second RBI double in the bottom of the fifth invoked the eight-run mercy rule to end the game. Wiley added two hits in the win and Becky Louber held Yuba to two hits over five innings. Michael Eustance tossed a two-hit shutout against Reedley and got all the support she needed from Allison Hawthorne's solo homer in the fourth inning. Against West Valley, Nishikida allowed two runs in the first inning, but settled down after that on her way to an eight-strikeout effort. Shasta scored on Louber's RBI double in the second and added two runs in the third. Toni Barnes went 3-for-3, while Kim Abts was 2-for-3 with an RBI triple. Shasta fell behind Napa early, but used a fifth-inning power display to climb out. Schuler hit a two-run homer to cut Napa's lead to 3-2, then Jessica Diehl hit a three-run shot later in the inning. The North State Shootout featured 16 teams, including all six Golden Valley Conference teams. Shasta and Siskiyous seemingly head into league play as frontrunners. The Knights are at Butte for a doubleheader Wednesday. "I like our team this year," Stupek said. "It's going to be interesting to see how we do in league. Traditionally, we've struggled down at Butte, so we'll see." Reporter Jeffrey Jen can be reached at 225-8228 or at jjen@redding.com.
Knights Sweep Yuba & Sierra
READY FOR NORCAL SHOOTOUT
(Shasta College-2/28/08-Jefrey Jen) It seemed like old times for Knights softball followers with the scoreboard reading: Home -- 1, Visitors -- 0. The Shasta College softball team swept a doubleheader, the nightcap in a defensive thriller, on Friday to head into its home tournament, the North State Shootout, this weekend with plenty of confidence. The Knights (8-1) scored the second game's lone run in the bottom of the sixth inning to beat Sierra 1-0. Sophomore Mikey Eustance scattered seven hits to shutting out the Wolverines. Earlier in the day, Shasta beat Yuba 6-1 behind the pitching of freshman Becky Louber. Sierra came in ranked No. 3 in Northern California and showed it in a 19-2 pounding of Yuba between Shasta's two games. The Wolverines threatened to score against Eustance, but never could push the run across. The Knights' hurler struck out six and walked two, escaping a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the third inning. She got out of a few more while waiting for the Shasta offense to come around. Finally, in the sixth inning, shortstop Becca Valenzuela led off with a triple to deep center. Corrie Nishikida then doubled to deep left to plate the lone run. That was enough to ruin a strong performance by Sierra pitcher Nicole Kociemba, who struck out 13 and allowed four hits and one walk in taking the loss. “That’s the thing about this year’s team,” Eustance said. “This team wants to win more and we know how. We’re getting the clutch hits at the right time this year.” Coming off his first losing season, that attitude’s music to Shasta coach Sonny Stupek’s ears. The long-time coach has established a tradition of winning at Shasta College, many times due to strong defense and pitching combined with timely hitting. Often, that leads to 1-0 scores such as on Friday. In the game against Yuba, Shasta led 2-1 early before scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Louber scattered four hits in earning that victory. Toni Barnes went 3-for-4, while Amanda Schuler was 2-for-4 with two RBI against Yuba. Schuler, a sophomore first baseman, singled in a run in the first inning, then doubled to lead off the third. Barnes followed with an RBI double and that would be enough to get the day started right for Shasta. “We can pitch, we can hit this year,” Stupek said. “What I like about our team is we are so much better defensively compared to the last two years.” The third annual North State Shootout features 17 teams and is at Big League Dreams on Saturday and Sunday. The other five Golden Valley Conference teams (Siskiyous, Feather River, Butte, Lassen, Redwoods) also will be at the event. Shasta is scheduled to play Solano College at 9 a.m. Saturday, then West Valley at 10:45 a.m. with both games at Yankee Stadium. The Knights wrap up Saturday by hosting Napa at 5:45 p.m. at Wrigley. Sunday, Shasta plays Reedley at Fenway at 9 a.m. then close things out against Yuba at 2:15 p.m. at Yankee. Reporter Jeffrey Jen can be reached at 225-8228 or at jjen@redding.com.
Knights Bat Mendo
SCORE NINETEEN RUNS IN SWEEP
(Ukiah-2/27/08) The Lady Knights made sure that their bats were packed for their trip to Ukiah. That fact paid off in a 10-1 and 9-3 Knight sweep of the Eagles. In game one the Knights pounded out 13 hits in route to a 10-1 win. Becky Louber got the win on the mound for the Lady Knights. Since their bats were warmed up things were easier for the Knights in game two. Shasta banged out 18 hits in their 9-3 game two win. Leading the way at the plate for the Knights was Toni Barness who was 4-5 with a double. Amanda Schuler, Jessica Diehl and
Mikey Eustance all had two hits apiece in game two.
Knight Split
TOP NAPA, LOSE TO SCC
(Shasta College-2/17/08) The Shasta College softball team split a home doubleheader Sunday. Kim Abts and Amanda Schuler each homered as the Knights beat Napa Valley 6-1. Michael Eustance gave up five hits for the win in the first game. Sacramento City gave Shasta its first loss in the second game. The Panthers held the Knights to four hits, winning 6-0 as Eustance took the loss. The Knights (5-1) host Sierra and Yuba on Thursday.
Schuler Leads Knights
4-4 WITH A DOUBLE AND 3 RBI'S
(Merced-2/15/08) Mikey Eustance came through with the game winning hit in the bottom of the sixth inning to help the Knights down Merced 6-5. The hitting star of the day was Amanda Schuler who was 4-4 with a double and 3 RBI's.
Abts Powers Knights
3-4 WITH A DOUBLE & TRIPLE
(Merced-2/15/08) With Kim Abts suppling the power the Lady Knights knocked off Gavilan College 8-4. Kim was 3-4 with a double and a triple. The Knights scored 5 times in the fifth inning to put the game away.
Knights Sweep Bearcubs
SCHULER POWERS
OFFENSE
(Shasta-2/10/08-Jeffrey Jen) After a couple of substandard years by his measure, Shasta College softball coach Sonny Stupek is happy for a fresh start in 2008. The Knights began the right way too, sweeping Santa Rosa 3-1 and 5-2 at home Sunday. There were still the defensive errors, the baserunning mistakes and the up-and-down pitching that have landed the Knights in fifth the past two seasons in the Golden Valley Conference after never finishing below third in Stupek's first 19 seasons. But Shasta rallied in both games, and Stupek thinks that bodes well for the season. "This team has a lot of comeback in them," Stupek said. "I like their attitudes. They don't get down after mistakes, they keep playing." It helps to have the return of first baseman Amanda Schuler, an all-Northern California selection in 2006 who became an academic casualty last season. Stupek said Schuler had been complaining that her swing had been off in practice the past week. Opposing teams won't want Schuler's swing to come around, especially after she went 3-for-3 with a home run, a double and three RBI in the second game. "My timing is off," Schuler said. "I've been working to find it in practice. I have been hitting well the last couple of days." Her timing was perfect in the second game. With Shasta down 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, the left-handed batter lined the first pitch she saw over the right field fence. Schuler had another big hit one inning later. After freshman shortstop Becca Valenzuela singled in a run to tie the game, Schuler went the other way to left-center for a two-run double. She came home after the next batter, Toni Barnes, lined a single to left for a 5-2 lead. Valenzuela went 2-for-4 with a double; Barnes was 2-for-3. Santa Rosa's runs came on a two-run single by Paige Wheeler off starter Mikey Eustance in the second inning. Carrie Nishikida came in and shut down the Bear Cubs for the win -- though she escaped many self-inflicted jams. Her final stat line read: five innings pitched, two hits allowed, no runs, six strikeouts and seven walks. Eustance went the distance for the win in game one, though she also had an uneven day throwing, giving up two hits, striking out four and walking four in the first game. Santa Rosa scored on an unearned run in the third thanks to a Shasta fielding error. But Eustance got better as the game went on. Nishikida scored on a weird play after drawing a two-out walk in the fifth. She attempted to steal second and Santa Rosa catcher Courtney Miller tried to gun her down. But no one was at second to field the throw, which hit a sliding Nishikida and rolled into shallow left field. Nishikida got up and hustled home for a run. Schuler then led off the bottom of the sixth with a double. One out later, Eustance singled pinch-runner Kayla Smith to third. Stupek then called for a double steal. Eustance danced around the tag of Santa Rosa shortstop Carmen Martinez at second, while Smith came in for the go-ahead run. Becky Louber then added an RBI single, her second hit of the game. "We're a good enough team that we can win it no matter what the situation is," Schuler said. They proved that twice Sunday, getting 2008 off to a good start. Maybe that's why Stupek could chuckle over his combined pitching line for the doubleheader: 14 innings, two wins, five hits allowed, three runs (one earned), 10 strikeouts and 12 walks. All that mattered were the two wins. Reporter Jeffrey Jen can be reached at 225-8228 or at jjen@redding.com.
Jamison Named Top Scholar
SOFTBALL TEAM RANKED #1 IN STATE
(Redding-2/1/08) Sarah Jamison ( Melba, ID), has been selected as the top female scholar athlete (all sports) for 2006-07 in the Golden Valley Conference. She was also named to the Golden Valley Conference (GVC) Spring, 2007 Scholar-Athlete Team. The GVC, located in Northern California, is host to the Shasta College Lady Knights Softball team, the home of Jamison for the 2006-2007 seasons. Jamison, a scholarship junior at Oklahoma Science and Arts University and a stellar student-athlete, earned her AA degree from Shasta College with a cumulative GPA of 3.76. Twenty two year veteran, Head Coach Sonny Stupek reiterated that “with over 25,000 community college student-athletes in California, this is quite an accomplishment. Sarah deserves the recognition and honor for all of the time she put into her academics despite her demanding athletic schedule.” This is the Second time for Jamison to be honored during her softball career in Northern California. As a freshman in 2006, The Shasta College Women’s Softball Team was ranked number 1 in California with the highest GPA for Junior College softball programs; Sarah, a pitcher, was a big reason the team hit their marks both on and off the field. Jamison won 27 games pitching for the Lady Knights during her stellar career. The 2006 Shasta College Women’s Softball Team was also ranked number 11 out of 369 Junior College programs in the nation with a 3.21 GPA. The third time the Lady Knights had achieved this honor under Head Coach, Sonny Stupek. That season, Sarah Jamison was named to the list of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American Scholar-Athletes with a GPA of 3.5 or better. She received this award both years at Shasta College. Jamison also ran sports camps for girls that focused on leadership and character and participated in promoting physical fitness and exercise at local elementary schools in the greater Redding area. Stupek further added that, “Sarah was and is,
one of my
favorites of all time.”
Lady Knights to the HOF
CURRAN, GRAY & BOLTON
(10/20/07-Shasta College) The Lady Knight's softball program is honored to announce that three of their own were inducted into the Knight's Hall of Fame.
Caitlin Curran, Kami Gray and Stacy Bolton were rewarded for their outstanding Shasta College careers when they, along with 11 other Knight greats, were formally inducted into the Shasta College Hall of Fame. A crowd of almost 200 people were on hand at WinRiver Casino to
witness their induction.
Coach Stupek had this to say about Caitlin Curran, “We have had many fine athletes come to us from our outlying areas to make significant contributions to Shasta College’s fine athletic tradition but I would guess Caitlin Curran-Montgomery, from Trinity High School, would be our one and only from Junction City, CA (20 miles west of Weaverville!). In 1996, Caitlin came to Shasta as one of the dying breed of multi-sport athletes. She excelled for 2 years in both basketball (where she was an 1st Team All-GVC forward for Coach Leo Rossette) and softball (where she was a 1st team All-Golden Valley Conference Outfielder both seasons at Shasta College.) As a Shasta softball athlete Caitlin was truly one of the Knight’s best outfielders and still holds the top fielding percentage as an outfielder. Playing on back-to-back Conference Championship teams, Caitlin helped lead the Knights to a 64-30 two-year record. She played left field, she had excellent speed and a strong throwing arm. She batted 3rd in that formidable GVC Championship lineup. Caitlin finished her career at Shasta with a .320 batting average and many game winning hits and game saving catches. In her last game at Shasta, with the team needing to win in order to advance to the State finals, Caitlin went 2 X 3 with a 2B a 3B and 3rbi’s….she always came up big in big games. Caitlin certainly had the numbers to be included in this Hall of Fame but her work ethic and positive influence on teammates and coaches alike made her one of our all-time greats. As Assistant Coach, Shawn Flaherty, would often say, “It is nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” That statement fits Caitlin Curran-Montgomery to a tee. Interestingly enough, Caitlin finished her career at Southern Oregon University as a basketball star! We are all so proud
to have been able to coach her at Shasta.”
Coach Stupek had this to say about Kami Gray, “Every successful team has a variety of components that allow it to reach its highest possible level. Kami came to us as a 2-sport athlete her freshman year, playing for Jerry Brown's basketball team and finished by relinquishing basketball to concentrate solely on softball as a sophomore. Kami Gray had outstanding numbers during her career at Shasta where she ranks 3rd all-time in runs scored, 4th in walks, 3rd in on base percentage, 4th in total bases, 5th in stolen bases and 7th in career hits. But sheer numbers don't begin to describe her importance to the team during that time. Kami was in the middle of every major play that seemed to happen in every big game. ‘In the 10th inning of the Championship game during the Merced Tournament, Kami fielded a hard hit ball from her 2nd base position that went through the 1st baseman's legs and threw out the potential winning run at the home plate.....it was simply incredible.’ Kami Gray was that kind of player, she holds the all-time best fielding percentage for 2nd baseman in Shasta College history....and as Coach Stupek says...’to be able to cover that much ground at 5 foot nothin' speaks volumes about Kami's desire and hustle.....she was our leader and the captain of the ship.’ Kami Gray was also a straight A student who earned both academic and athletic scholarships to play at St. Mary's College in Moraga where she graduated with honors and continues to this day to work in their business office.”
Coach Stupek had this to say about Stacy Bolton, "
Congratulations to three of the newest Hall of Famers!
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copy of the softball schedule)
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