No. 16 – Brandi Andrews
THIS YEAR: A promising newcomer with a big bat, freshman Brandi Andrews will vie for a starting berth in one of the corner outfield spots ... Has good power and should appear in the middle of the line-up ... Is also a candidate to file the designated player spot ... Playing time will depend on her adjustment to the college game ... Has a terrific collegiate softball future in front of her.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played 2 years of varsity softball for head coach Reese Mitchell at Glendora (Calif.) High ... As a 2009 senior named all-valley by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune and earned All-Sierra first team after batting .338 in 26 games with a league-leading 9 home runs ... Led the Tartans with 30 RBIs ... In a sweep of conference rival Chino Hills, hit 3 home runs, including a grand slam and a solo shot to account for all 5 runs in the 5-3 nightcap victory ... Hit safely in 17 games for the 22-5 Tartans who advanced to the CIF finals for a second straight year ... Also lettered 2 years in field hockey
PERSONAL: Born Sept. 24, 1991, in West Covina, Calif. ... Parents are Jim and Maria Andrews ... Has 1 brothers (Justin) and a sister (Brooke) ... Her cousin, Tommy Gonzales, is a member of the Cougar baseball team ... Has not declared a major.
No. 4 – Natalie Barnaby
THIS YEAR: With a year of collegiate experience to her credit, sophomore Natalie Barnaby becomes the leader of a very young Cougar outfield ... Because of her aggressiveness and good first step, moves to centerfield for the first time in her career ... Will bat from the left side of the plate for the first time ever.
2009 (freshman): As a 2009 freshman appeared in 43 of the Cougars' 49 games starting in 37 ... Made a nice transition from playing the infield in high school to the outfield, playing primarily in left field ... Batted .193 with a double, a triple and 4 RBIs ... Added to the 13-5 win over Southern Oregon with an RBI and a run ... In a GSAC sweep at Hope International late in the season went 2-for-4 with a run scored ... Also had a 2-out RBI single up the middle to give Azusa Pacific a 3-2 lead over Biola in the sixth inning.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played 3 seasons of varsity softball for head coach Don Harper at Millikan High in Long Beach, Calif. ... Was a 3-time All-Moore League selection, earning first-team honors as a junior and senior ... As a 2008 senior, named team MVP after batting .304 with 2 home runs, 2 doubles and 2 triples ... As a 2007 junior named the best offensive player for the 22-8 Rams, batting .307 with 4 home runs, 3 triples and 15 RBIs in 28 games ...Has at least 1 hit in 20 games and best showing was a 3-for-4 at the plate with 2 home runs and 5 RBIs in an 8-0 victory over San Clemente (Calif.) High ... As a 2007 sophomore batted .274 with 3 doubles, 2 triples and a team-leading 15 runs ... Also played 2 seasons of varsity volleyball (outside hitter) for the Rams ... Was a member of the Millikan honor roll.
PERSONAL: Born July 3, 1990, in Long Beach, Calif. ... Parents are Robert (quality administrator) and Debi (recreation leader) Barnaby ... Has 2 sisters (Lyndsey, Lauren) ... Majoring in sociology ... Enjoys singing.
BARNABY AT AZUSA PACIFIC YEAR G-GS AB R H 2B-3B-HR RBI SLG% BB HBP SO SB-SBA AVG 2009 43-37 57 7 11 1-1-0 4 .246 3 1 13 1-2 .193
No. 20 – Lindsay Clark
THIS YEAR: Freshman Lindsay Clark is one of several freshmen battling for a starting spot in the Cougar outfield, most likely in left ... Needs time to develop but could prove to a be a good hitter, which in the end may clinch her starting spot ... Has a good arm and is known for her work ethic.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played 2 seasons of varsity softball for head coach Donna Lee at Valencia (Calif.) High ... Was a member of a Vikings program that went 54-12 during her 2 seasons which included a CIF championship during her 2008 junior campaign ... That team also finished second in the state ... As a 2009 senior, named the Vikings' most improved player when she batted .276 with 3 doubles and 7 runs scored in 20 games played ... Went 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and an RBI in a victory over Golden Valley High.
PERSONAL: Born April 29, 1991, in Fontana, Calif. ... Parents are Dave (insurance sales) and Judi (trainer) Clark ... Is 1 of 5 children ... Her dad was a member of the 1978 Azusa Pacific baseball team ... Majoring in journalism with a minor in cinema ... Would like to work in a production company someday ... Enjoys acting, singing, music and art.
No. 1 – Taryn Devich
THIS YEAR: Newcomer Taryn Devish brings a unique pitching technique to the college game that will allow her to press for a starting spot in the Cougar rotation ... Uses a variety of spins and is noted for her drop ball ... Rated a good athlete and can be used defensive spots ... Can hit for average as well.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played 4 years of varsity softball for head coach Rob Weil at Los Alamitos (Calif.) High ... As a 2009 senior was named All-Sunset League ... As a 2008 junior named All-CIF second team ... Was a member of the 2007 Griffin Sunset League Championship team as a sophomore ... As a 2006 freshman was a member of the Griffin CIF semi-finalist team ... Earned the Academic Athlete Award her freshman, junior and senior years ... As a 2009 senior pitched 2 perfect games, first against Sonora High in La Habra, Calif. and then again conference rival Newport Harbor High in Newport Beach, Calif.
PERSONAL: Born March 9, 1991, in Fountain Valley, Calif. ... Parents are John and Becky Devich ... Has 2 sisters (Kacey, Hallie) ... Her father, John, played in the Kansas City Royals organization ... Majoring in applied health ... Enjoys photography.
No. 2 – Erin Halma
THIS YEAR: The lone senior on the team, Erin Halma is a do-everything player who will press for postseason honors ... Will be the Cougars' ace of the pitching staff and top hitter in the line-up ... Considered a ground ball pitcher, who lives at the knees and corners ... Hits for high average with some gap power ... Considered an excellent defensive first baseman but may also see time in the middle infield.
2009 (junior): As a 2009 junior started all 49 of the Cougars' games ... Named All-GSAC for the first time in her career ... Led the team with a .364 batting average and was second with 26 RBIs and 56 hits, including 6 doubles and 4 triples ... Appeared in 24 games as a pitcher with a 12-11 record and a 2.67 ERA ... Fired a 3-hit shutout over Grinnell (Iowa) College ... Also collected a 4-hit shutout over Holy Names in which she recorded a season-high 8 strikeouts ... In the first matchup against GSAC opponent Hope International add 3 RBIs in her 3 times at bat to add to the 9-1 win ... Hit safely in 32 games with 19 multi-hit contests ... Put together an 11-game stretch in mid-season where she batted .629 (22-for 35) with 9 RBIs.
2008 (sophomore): Started all 47 of the Cougars' games as a 2008 sophomore ... Was third on the team with a .313 batting average and was second with 20 RBIs and 42 hits ... As a pitcher was 5-7 with a 3.56 ERA in 18 appearances in the circle ... As a batter, hit safely in 30 games, fashioning a 7-game hitting streak in midseason ... Best showing came in a victory over No. 5-ranked Simon Fraser in which she went 3-for-3 with 3 runs scored and a double ... Overall best game came in the Cougars' 7-0 win over No. 10-ranked Vanguard in which she fired a complete-game shutout while batting in 3 runs and scoring 2 others ... Fired a 4-hit shutout over Oregon Tech.
2007 (freshman): Fashioned a fine 2007 rookie season in which she batted .287 in 31 games played (all starts) ... Also made 25 appearances in the circle and became the Cougars' workhorse, throwing a team-leading 124.1 innings ... Was 5-16 with a 4.28 ERA ... At the plate, opened her collegiate career by hitting safely in 9 of the first 11 games, which included an 8-game hitting streak ... Had 7 multiple-hit games, all 2-hit contests ... Her 5 doubles were fourth best on the team ... As a pitcher picked up her first collegiate win in just her second appearance, not allowing an earned run in 7 innings of work against Chico State ... Posted career-high 7-strikeout performances in back-to-back wins over Madonna and Dakota Wesleyan.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played 4 seasons of varsity softball for head coach Don Harper at Valley Christian High in Cerritos, Calif. ... Was a 4-time All-Olympic League pick, earning first team recognition her final 3 seasons ... Teamed with current Cougar hoopster Kristel Eddington to lead Valley Christian to 4 straight softball league championships ... Posted a 13-5 record over the course of her junior and senior seasons before a broken finger cut short her final campaign ... Also lettered 3 years in soccer (defender) and 2 in tennis ... Was a 2-time all-league honoree in tennis and was a member of the 2005 CIF co-champion soccer team.
PERSONAL: Born Jan. 27, 1988, in Long Beach, Calif., ... Parents are Randy and Carol Halma ... Has a brother (Rob) and a sister (Tracey, played softball at NAIA member Northwestern College in Iowa) ... Majoring in liberal studies ... Has been to Costa Rica on a mission trip.
HALMA at AZUSA PACIFIC YEAR G-GS AB R H 2B-3B-HR RBI SLG% BB HBP SO SB-SBA AVG 2007 31-31 87 10 25 5-0-0 14 .345 4 1 8 0-0 .287 2008 47-47 134 19 42 3-1-0 20 .351 6 0 10 1-1 .313 2009 49-49 154 24 56 6-4-0 26 .455 9 0 16 7-9 .364 Career 127-127 375 53 123 14-5-0 60 .392 19 1 34 8-10 .328 YEAR W-L ERA G-GS CG Sho SV IP H R ER BB SO 2007 5-16 4.28 25-20 7 0 1 124.1 173 117 76 76 53 2008 5-7 3.56 18-15 5 2 0 84.2 96 54 43 30 34 2009 14-11 2.15 24-22 16 4 0 147.0 150 76 56 45 56 Career 24-34 3.44 67-57 28 6 1 356.0 419 247 175 151 143
No. 55 – Jac Harkey
THIS YEAR: A fundamentally sound newcomer, freshman Jac Harkey is battling for a starting berth as catcher ... Understands the game very well and is rated a smart and gifted catcher ... Could play a pivotal role in her first year in the college game ... Could hit for average with some power to the gaps.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played 3 years of varsity softball for head coach Brandon Ford at Redlands (Calif.) High ... Received the Scholar Athlete Award all 4 years of her high school career ... As a 2009 senior was named most inspirational, appearing in 29 games for the 23-8 Terriers ... Was a part of Terrier team that went undefeated in Citrus Belt league 2 years in a row as a junior and senior.
PERSONAL: Born Aug, 13, 1991, in Redlands, Calif. ... Parents are Kirk and Kristene Harkey ... Has 1 sister (Katherine) ... Majoring in business ... Wants to be a photographer ... Took part in an Avon walk for breast cancer.
No. 3 – Rita Kim
THIS YEAR: One of the Cougars' prized newcomers, freshman Rita Kim is expected to play a key role at the outset of her college career ... A good pitcher who could press for the No. 1 spot in the rotation ... Has a good riseball and screwball and an outstanding change-up ... Could play herself into an everyday role as an outfield as well ... Hits from both sides of the plate (slaps from left).
HIGH SCHOOL: Played 4 years of varsity softball for head coach Terri Dolan at Northwood High in Irvine, Calif. ... Was a 2-time All-Irvine pick ... Named All-Sea View League first team as a 2009 senior and 2007 sophomore, and earned honorable mention as a 2008 junior ... Selected team MVP as a junior and senior ... As a senior, collected 127 strikeouts in 119 innings ... Pitched 5 shutouts and 3 no-hitters including the 1-0 win against Loara High in Anaheim, Calif.
PERSONAL: Born March 17, 1991, in Los Angeles, Calif. ... Parents are Hunsu and Youngnam Kim ... Has a sister (Pauly) ... Has not declared a major yet.
No. 22 – Heather Koch
THIS YEAR: Walk-on freshman Heather Koch has a potent bat that will be the reason she gets into the line-up ... May play the outfield some ... Noted for a great work ethic and outstanding attitude.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played 2 years of varsity softball for head coach Dan Hay at Canyon High in Anaheim, Calif. ... As a 2009 senior was named All-Century League second team ... Awarded Canyon High Scholar Athlete of the Year as a senior ... As a 2008 junior was chosen to receive the CIF Southern Section Scholar Athlete Award ... Had 24 hits as a senior, including 6 doubles, 20 runs and 11 stolen bases ... In a 8-0 win over El Dorado High in Placentia, Calif., stole 2 bases and went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and 3 runs.
PERSONAL: Born March 21, 1991, in La Habra, Calif. ... Parents are Jon (supervisor) and Shirley (homemaker) ... Has a sister (Jenna) ... Has not declared a major yet ... Enjoys spending time at Disneyland.
No. 11 – Nicole Llorens
THIS YEAR: Veteran Nicole Llorens makes the permanent move to second base after shifting to that position late last season ... Can play the outfield as well, if necessary ... Is a hard-working and self-made player who is known for her energy and positive attitude ... Is emerging as a team leader ... Has a good bat that can struggle with consistency.
2009 (sophomore): As a 2009 sophomore, played 47 of the Cougars' 49 games, starting all 47 ... Transitioned smoothly to second base from the outfield late in the season ... Had 22 hits, including a double, 2 triples and 9 RBIs ... Also had a pair of stolen bases ... In a 13-5 win over Southern Oregon University, went 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs ... Was 4-for-7 in a sweep of Dominican University (Calif.) with 2 runs and an RBI.
2008 (freshman): After a year-and-a-half away from the game, returned to softball as an invited walk-on who was discovered in a recreation class ... Appeared in 46 of the Cougars' 47 games, starting 43 in leftfield ... Batted .228 on the season with 3 doubles, a home run and 13 RBIs ... Also had a pair of stolen bases ... Her first collegiate double was a 2-run game-winner to propel Azusa Pacific to a 3-2, 8-inning victory over Dominican ... Capped a 4-for-4 effort with an eighth-inning, game-winning single to lift the Cougars to a sweep of No. 19-ranked Concordia ... Opened her collegiate career by going 2-for-6 with 3 RBIs and 3 runs in a sweep of Southern Oregon ... Connected on her first-ever home run, a 2-run shot vs. University of St. Thomas (Minn.) in the Sun West Tournament ... Had 2 multiple-hit games, both vs. Concordia.
HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 2-sport standout at Western Christian High in Covina, Calif., from where she graduated in June of 2006 ... As a senior, named co-Lancer Female Athlete of the Year, sharing the honor with current Cougar soccer All-American Theresa Broad ... In softball, earned 4 varsity letters and helped lead the Lancers to the 2005 CIF semifinals ... Was a 2-time All-Christian League selection in basketball and was named team MVP as a senior.
PERSONAL: Born Oct. 6, 1988, in San Dimas, Calif. ... Parents are Robert (banker) and Denise (teacher) Llorens ... Has 4 brothers (Bobby, Joey, Anthony, Lorenzo) ... Brother Anthony is a freshman at Azusa Pacific ... Majoring in communication/broadcast arts ... Plays the guitar.
LLORENS at AZUSA PACIFIC
YEAR G-GS AB R H 2B-3B-HR RBI SLG% BB HBP SO SB-SBA AVG
2008 46-43 114 17 26 3-0-1 13 .281 9 2 19 2-3 .228
2009 47-47 135 12 22 1-2-0 9 .200 5 3 22 2-4 .163
93-93 249 29 48 4-2-1 22 .237 14 5 41 4-7 .193
No. 10 – Erika Marmolejo
THIS YEAR: With a year of college experience under her belt, sophomore Erika Marmolejo is set for a breakout season ... Has terrific offensive potential and good power ... Will bat in the middle of the line-up ... Consistency will be a key ... Could press for GSAC honors.
2009 (freshman): As a 2009 freshman played in 36 of the Cougars' 49 games ... Batted .273 on the season with 24 hits, including 3 doubles, 2 triples and 3 home runs, and 14 RBIs ... In a sweep over Chaminade University in Honolulu, went 5-for-7 with 6 RBIs, a double and 2 home runs ... Also had a 2-run home at Cal State San Marcos ... Went 3-for-5 with a triple, 3 RBIs and 4 runs in a sweep of Hope International.
HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 3-sport standout at Merced (Calif.) High where she earned all-conference recognition in softball, volleyball and basketball ... Played 4 seasons of varsity softball for head coach Bart McAfee ... Registered 6 home runs and over 40 RBIs in her 70-game career at Merced ... As a 2008 senior, named all-area and All-Central California Conference first team and all-district second team after leading the Bears in nearly every offensive category ... Batted .470 (39-for-83) with 2 doubles, 3 triples, 5 home runs and 25 RBIs for the 18-7 Bears ... Best game came in a 5-0 win over Pittman High in which she went 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs and a home run ... As a 2007 junior, batted .254 in 21 games and earned all-conference honors ... As a 2006 sophomore batted .294 with a home run, double and triple, collecting 12 RBIs in 20 games played for the 15-11 Bears ... Named all-conference and all-area first team ... Also played 4 years of basketball (forward) and 3 years of volleyball, twice earning all-conference recognition ... Was also a 3-year Central California Conference All-Academic honoree ... Served on ASB as class representative and treasurer ... Signed with Loyola Marymount where she spent the fall of 2008 before transferring to Azusa Pacific at semester's break.
PERSONAL: Born Oct. 10, 1990, in Turlock, Calif. ... Parents are Richard (safety manager) and Martha (high school administrator) Marmolejo ... Has a younger brother (Richard) ... Majoring in political science and would like to go into law.
MARMOLEJO AT AZUSA PACIFIC YEAR G-GS AB R H 2B-3B-HR RBI SLG% BB HBP SO SB-SBA AVG 2009 36-32 88 14 24 3-2-3 14 .455 8 2 23 2-2 .273
No. 18 – Adrianna Martinez
THIS YEAR: Walk-on freshman Adrianna Martinez made the team during fall tryouts ... Is noted as a hard worker ... Has the potential to be a leader as her career develops ... Will back up at catcher.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played 4 years of varsity softball for head coach Jen Beck at Redwood Christian High in San Lorenzo, Calif. ... As a 2009 senior captained the Eagles to a second-place finish in league ... Batted .434 with 23 hits, 12 RBIs and 7 doubles as a senior ... Also had 6 stolen bases ... Was a 4-time all-league honoree, including first team honors as a 2008 junior ... Was a member of the Eagles' 2008 league championship team.
PERSONAL: Born Dec. 13, 1990, in San Francisco, Calif. ... Parents are Adrian (project manager) and Terry (real estate agent) ... Has 3 brothers (Ryan, Dominic, Brandon) and a sister (Emma) ... Majoring in applied exercise science ... Went to Guatemala on a missions trip.
No. 12 – Rachel Miller
THIS YEAR: A potential high-impact newcomer, freshman Rachel Miller will press for a starting spot at third base ... Has a very strong arm and a good glove ... Has good speed ... Also has the potential for power ... Will likely bat near the middle of the line-up ... Still learning the game but has great collegiate future ahead of her.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played all four years of varsity softball for head coach Frances Dillard at Granada High in Livermore, Calif. ... Was a 2-time All-North Coast Section League, including first team honors as a 2009 senior ... Named best offensive player as a senior ... Was Queen of the Mountain Best Infielder as a 2008 junior ... As a 2007 sophomore received the varsity golden glove for the Matadors ... As a 2009 senior batted .416 with 32 hits, including 3 doubles, a triple, 4 home runs and 11 RBIs ... Also stole 4 bases ... In a 7-0 victory over Monte Vista High in Danville, Calif., went 3 for 4 with a double and a home run.
PERSONAL: Born May 7, 1991, in Livermore, Calif. ... Parents are William (business owner) and Robin (business owner) Miller ... Majoring in athletic training ... Enjoys going to Disneyland.
No. 5 – Leslie-Anne Picone
THIS YEAR: Sophomore Leslie-Anne Picone is an experienced player who is battling for a starting spot at shortstop ... Hoping a year of collegiate play will help in producing an improved bat ... Is a good athlete with fluid motions in the field ... Consistency will be a determining factor is playing status throughout the season.
2009 (freshman): Appeared in 28 of the Cougars' 49 games, starting at shortstop in all 28 she played ... Had plate appearances in just 9 games and went 7-for-25 ... In a season-opening sweep of Chaminade, went 4-for-7 with 4 RBIs, 3 of which came on a bases loaded triple in just her second collegiate game ... Was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and 2 runs in win over Middlebury ... Was quite efficient with her hits, producing 7 RBIs on just 7 hits.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played 4 seasons of varsity softball for head coach Dave Piper at Capital Christian High in Sacramento, Calif. ... Was a 4-year starter at shortstop and batted .364 in a 91-game career ... Was a 4-time All-Golden Empire League athletic and academic selection ... Was a 3-time Sacramento Bee all-metro honoree ... Named team defensive MVP 3 straight years ... As a 2008 senior batted .403 (31-for-77) for the 15-14 and league-champion Cougars with 5 doubles, 3 triples and 26 runs scored in 29 games played ... Was a perfect 11-for-11 on stolen base attempts ... Went a combined 4-for-6 with 4 runs and 8 RBIs in back-to-back victories over San Juan and Highlands highs ... Two weeks later went a combined 8-for-8 with 8 runs and 2 RBIs vs. the same 2 schools ... Batted .609 (28-for-46) over the final 17 games of the season ... As a 2007 junior batted .339 (19-for-56) in 19 games with a 5 triples and 13 RBIs for the 16-11 Cougars who finished as the CIF runner-up ... Missed the final 6 games with an injury ... Went 3-for- 3 with 3 runs and 3 RBIs in a win over Bret Harte High ... As a 2006 sophomore appeared in 22 of the 14-8 Cougars' games, batting .379 (25-for-66) with 2 triples, 6 doubles and 19 RBIs ... Went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs in a win over Lindhurst High ... As a 2005 freshman batted .322 (19-for-59) with 5 doubles, 3 triples and 2 home runs for the 14-10 Cougars ... Also lettered 2 seasons in basketball, earning all-league first team honors as a junior and senior while playing on a pair of Golden Empire League championship teams ... As a junior, played a key role on a Cougar team that advanced to the CIF SAC-Joaquin championship game ... Was a co-recipient of the 2007-08 Capital Christian scholar-athlete award.
PERSONAL: Born Oct. 17, 1990 ... Parents are Marty (sheriff sergeant) and Kathy Picone (tuition manager) ... Has 1 brother (Michael) ... Majoring in pre-engineering ... Her dad played baseball in junior college ... Her grandfather played in the New York Yankees' farm system and her uncle in the Angels' system ... Also played travel softball for the Foothill Gold, Sacramento Dynasty, Roseville Heat, California Sting and Mizuno All-American 18 Gold ... Enjoys reading and solving Sudoku puzzles.
PICONE AT AZUSA PACIFIC YEAR G-GS AB R H 2B-3B-HR RBI SLG% BB HBP SO SB-SBA AVG 2009 28-28 25 3 7 0-1-0 7 .360 0 0 6 0-0 .280
No. 21 – Carissa Piper
THIS YEAR: Sophomore Carissa Piper is battling to be a primary option out of the bullpen ... Working on changing the speed of her pitches so that she can be a middle reliever or closer ... Considered the team's spiritual leader ... Has a great work ethic and attitude.
2009 (freshman): Played sparingly as a 2009 freshman, appearing in 4 games and working 3.1 inning as she adjusted to the college game ... Her lone start game against Middlebury in the Sun West Tournament, firing 1.1 innings of 2-hit softball while not allowing a run.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played 4 seasons of varsity softball for her father, head coach Dave Piper, at Capital Christian High in Sacramento, Calif. ... Pitched the Cougars to 54 of their 59 victories during her 4-year career and was a 2-time team MVP ... Was a 4-time All Golden Empire League first team selection both athletically and academically ... As a 2008 senior was 15-10 with a 0.75 ERA, starting 26 of the Cougars' 29 games ... Named league MVP ... Earned all-metro honorable mention from the Sacramento Bee ... Struck out 177 in 140.2 innings of work ... Struck out 10 or more batter 8 times, including a season-high 15 in a shutout victory over CIF top-ranked Denair High ... Fired a pair of 5-inning no-hitters, first over Valley Christian High (Roseville, Calif.) and then against Highlands High (struck out 11) ... Produced 9 shutouts and threw 31 consecutive innings of shutout softball toward the end of the season ... As a 2007 junior fashioned a 15-10 record with a 0.75 ERA for the 16-10 Cougars ... Struck out 210 in 150 innings of work, including a career-high 16 in an 8-inning victory over Vinden High ... Had 10-or-more strikeouts in 9 games ... As a 2006 sophomore was 13-8 in the circle with a 0.93 ERA and was named team MVP ... Collected 183 strikeouts in 128.1 innings of work ... Best outing came in a victory over Lindhurst High in which she fired a 1-hitter while striking out a season-high 14 ... As a 2005 freshman was the Cougar ace of the staff, going 11-8 with a 1.04 ERA ... Struck out 174 in 108 innings ... Named team MVP ... Also played 2 seasons of varsity volleyball for Capital Christian.
PERSONAL: Born Aug. 14, 1989, in Placerville, Calif. ... Parents are Dave (car salesman) and Rhonda (teacher) Piper ... Has an older sister (Michelle, played softball at Bethany University) ... Majoring in psychology ... Hopes to work with terminally ill children ... Enjoys painting, singing and writing.
PIPER AT AZUSA PACIFIC YEAR W-L ERA G-GS CG Sho SV IP H R ER BB SO 2009 0-0 10.50 4-1 0 0 0 3.1 9 6 5 6 0
No. 35 – Angie Sprague
No. 23 – Bekah Weisser
THIS YEAR: With 2 years experience, junior Bekah Weisser has the power and confidence to make an impact for the Cougars this year ... Can be used in a variety of positions but will be used primarily catcher and third base ... Will vie for a 3-4 spot in the line-up.
2009 (sophomore): Started 48 of the Cougars' 49 games as a 2009 sophomore ... Batted .234 with 6 doubles, 1 triple, a pair of homeruns and a stolen base ... Finished with 21 RBIs, third best on the team for the second year in a row ... In a 6-1 win against University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minn., scored her first homerun of her career as a grand slam ... Went 2-for-2, both hits being doubles, and an RBI in a 4-3 win against Biola.
2008 (freshman): Put together a fine 2008 freshman season despite enduring wrist and back injuries ... Appeared in 35 games, starting 28 ... Batted .233 with 4 doubles ... Came through in the clutch and finished with 17 RBIs, third best on the team ... Batted .333 with runners in scoring position ... Made an early-season splash by going 2-for-2 with 4 RBIs and a run scored in the Cougars' 7-0 upset of No. 5-ranked Simon Fraser University ... Later in the season, was 2-for-4 with 4 RBIs and a double and 4 RBIs in a 9-2 GSAC win over Hope International.
HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 2-sport standout at San Ramon Valley High in Danville, Calif. ... In softball, was a 4-time All-East Bay Athletic League honoree, earning second team honors as a 2004 freshman and 2006 junior and first team honors as a 2007 senior ... Named team MVP as a senior when she led the Wolves to a 17-8 record ... Also played 2 seasons of varsity volleyball for San Ramon Valley ... Played travel ball of the Valley Stompers during the 2007 summer.
PERSONAL: Born Rebekah Cherie Weisser, April 2, 1989, in San Diego, Calif. ... Parents are Rick (pediatrician) and Kerry (high school tutor) Weisser ... Has 3 older sisters (Rachel, who competed in crew and lacrosse at UC San Diego, Jessica, and Bethany, former player and current assistant coach on the Cougar softball team) ... Majoring in psychology with a minor in marketing ... Enjoys photography and making clothes ... Traveled with Competitive Edge International playing softball in East Asia.
WEISSER at AZUSA PACIFIC
Year G-GS AB R H 2B-3B-HR RBI SLG% BB HBP SO SB-SBA AVG
2008 35-28 73 8 17 4-0-0 17 .288 10 1 16 1-1 .233
2009 48-48 111 15 26 6-1-2 21 .360 26 5 27 1-1 .234
83-76 184 23 43 10-1-2 38 .332 36 6 43 2-2 .234
No. 9 – Mariah Worley
THIS YEAR: Newcomer Mariah Worley offers a different presence on the mound for the Cougars ... Is a confident and vocal player in her young career ... Has great potential to develop into a top pitcher during her collegiate career.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played 2 years of varsity softball for head coach Matt Sweeney at Foothill High in Pleasanton, Calif. ... Received CIF Scholar-Athlete award as a senior and sophomore ... As a 2009 senior played mostly in the outfield to help lead the Falcons to a 18-8 record.
PERSONAL: Born Sept. 9, 1991, in Hayward, Calif. ... Parents are John (manager) and Coleen (cosmetologist) Worley ... Has 1 brother (Justin) ... Majoring in liberal studies with a physical education emphasis ... Would like to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher ... Enjoys painting and taking pictures.
