February 21, 2006
SPORTSSoftball opens season with mediocre start
Only two starters of the MCC softball team remain from last year’s 44-win team, but expectations for the 2006 season are high.
After advancing to the semifinals in the NJCAA Region I Division II playoffs and ranking as high as No. 4 in the nation for 2005, the Thunderbirds are counting on new talent to duplicate last year’s success.
DeWight Byron is the man in charge of getting this young team to “gel”. He is entering his 11th year as head coach and has won more than 300 games to date.
One of the key elements to success this season will be the Lady Thunderbirds’ pitching staff.
Anchored by Evonne Corona, a 20-game winner a year ago, the staff will also feature two important transfers.
Anne Walle, a Moon Valley High product, transferred from the current NJCAA Division II champions, Phoenix College.
She posted a 4-0 record for the 2005 season in limited action for the Bears.
Returning to Arizona in a big way is Amanda Hess. The Tucson native has started the 2006 season with two shutout victories, averaging 10 strike outs per game, after transferring from the University of Northern Iowa.
Behind the plate for MCC will be freshman catcher Natalie Bejarano, who is also expected to do damage when she’s up to bat.
To open the season the team traveled to Yuma to participate in the Western Shootout.
There they took on six quality opponents in Dixie State, Florida Community College, Snow College, Northern Idaho, Palo mar College, and Chipola College.
That was followed up with a double-header at home against Scottsdale Community College.
SCC played good defense to keep it close, but with Hess on the mound, the Artichokes didn’t stand a chance.
Hess retired the first nine batters she faced and pitched a one-hitter into the sixth inning.
She also helped herself by scoring a run in the fourth inning on an RBI double from Corona, who also plays third base.
Next was the first big test of the season in a pair of games against the defending champions, Phoenix College.
Yet, MCC did not measure up to the Bears, losing 4-2 in one game and taking a 3-3 draw in the other.
A No. 7 ranking in the NJCAA Division II Preseason Poll will be a label the Lady T-Birds will try to live up to.
As of Feb. 13 the Lady T-Birds have a 5-4-1 record.
Volume 43, Issue 10. Today is
MCC pitcher Evonne Corona winds up for a pitch on Feb. 10 against Phoenix College.
photos by Ami Johnson