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Season Review |
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Softball 2008 Season Review
The Point Loma Nazarene University softball team’s 2008 season ended with a 4-0 loss to the Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps (TX) in the NAIA National Tournament at Decatur, Alabama’s Wilson Morgan Softball complex, where the Sea Lions finished third overall in the tournament.
Despite coming up just short at nationals, PLNU posted one their best seasons in school history with a 50-12 overall record, 20-4 in the Golden State Athletic Conference and a No. 2 NAIA ranking. The PLNU ladies were runner-up in the GSAC, runner-up in the Region II tournament and made their eighth consecutive appearance at nationals.
There were also individual milestones in 2008, such as senior Amanda Addie’s capture of the PLNU record for most stolen bases in a career. Addie had broken Sea Lions’ assistant coach Cheryl Schaeffer’s school record of 169 against San Marcos and then broke Holly Haycroft’s (Union) NAIA record of 174 in the final regular season game of the year at Vanguard. Addie finished her career with 185 stolen bases.
In addition to her .455 batting average and 63 runs scored, Addie tallied 51 steals in 2008 and was tabbed as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Golden Shoe honoree.
Early in the year Coach Dave Williams passed former Azusa Pacific Coach Sharon Lehman for most career victories by a Golden State Athletic Conference softball coach. In 11 seasons, Williams’ teams have posted an overall record of 476-157.
Point Loma did not take to the field until February 14. The green and gold had just four games under their belts when they met – and were swept by – No. 1-ranked California Baptist. The Sea Lions split their next eight non-conference tilts, registering wins against highly ranked Mobile (AL) and Lee (TN).
A sweep of Chaminade (HI) kicked off an eight game win streak, including sweeps of conference foes Azusa Pacific and Azusa Pacific. A setback to St. Thomas was followed by 11 consecutive wins. PLNU sat at 25-5 with the start of GSAC play starting in earnest.
The Sea Lions stumbled, splitting with Biola and California Baptist. Though there were many games left, those losses essentially ensured that PLNU would finish second to CBU in the conference once again.
Point Loma ended the regular season with 12 straight wins but finished three back of CBU in the GSAC standings. The Sea Lions also placed second to the Lancers at the Region II tournament, though PLNU got some measure of revenge when they knocked CBU out of the national tournament for the second year in a row.
PLNU started the national tournament with a pair of 4-0 victories over Dana (NE) , and William Carey, (MS), and then lost to St. Gregory’s (OK), 3-2. The team rebounded against Warner Southern (FL) 19-4.
Coming out of pool play the Sea Lions lost to Mobile, 6-4 and was forced into the loser’s bracket. The Sea Lions would take the next three games, beating Trevecca Nazarene (TN), St. Gregory’s and California Baptist before losing to eventual champion, Lubbock Christian, in the loser’s bracket finale.
Six Sea Lions were named to the All-GSAC team: Addie, senior catcher Allie Boeckelman (.306, 22 RBI), junior utility Melissa Gomez (.428, 41 R, 13 2B, 3 HR, 46 RBI; 21-4, 1.19 ERA), sophomore pitcher Tyler Lent (21-8, 1.13 ERA; .333 3 HR, 13 RBI), junior second baseman Kayla Luttmers (.370, 40 R, 37 RBI, 16 SB) and senior outfielder Paige Powell (.389, 51 R, 13 2B, 10 HR, 52 RBI, 19 SB).
When the NAIA announced their All-American teams, the Sea Lions had five on the list: Addie and Gomez were named as first team choices; Powell and Lent made the second team with Luttmers an honorable mention pick.
The NAIA Tournament also brought individual recognition to Addie, Powell and Gomez who were each selected to the All-Tournament squad.
Many other PLNU players contributed to the success of the 2008 team, though, including senior outfielder Erica Ricker (.294, 44 R, 10 2B, 22 RBI, 11 SB), sophomore third baseman Jill Schaefer (314, 22 R, 9 2B, 32 RBI), freshman shortstop Donie Thomas (.299, 29 R, 16 RBI), senior first baseman Randi Mead (.182, 12 R, 17 RBI) and sophomore outfielder Samantha Hall (.356, 25 RBU, 16 RBI, 12 SB).
A pair of freshmen: catcher Taran Lent (.257, 2 HR, 13 RBI) and outfielder Tina Keyes (.250, 13 R), also added to the team’s offensive success, each showing promise in limited action. Sophomore Kira Wommer (3-0, 1.22 ERA) and freshman Katie Nagler (5-0, 0.64 ERA) both played big roles on the excellent Point Loma pitching staff and will be counted on more in the future.
The Sea Lions have enjoyed a highly successful decade under Williams since 1998. Williams’ teams have posted 11 consecutive winning seasons, won three conference titles in 2002, 2003 and 2004, three Region II titles in 2001, 2003 and 2004, eight appearances in the nationals in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, and two second-place finishes in the nationals in 2002 and 2007.
Williams anticipates most of the team’s 2008 roster return next year though the Sea Lions will lose five seniors, all of whom are starters. The entire pitching staff from the current season is expected to return for 2009, however.
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