Friday, May 4, 2001
[ WAHINE SOFTBALL ]
Wahine seniors When Desiree Duran, Janelle Gonzales and Tyree Woodruff arrived at the University of Hawaii over three years ago, they knew each other only as enemies.
have a bond
worth saving
Four softball players close out
UH careers as great friendsBy Dave Reardon
Star-BulletinToday, along with classmate Kristin Anderson, they are the best of friends, with a bond cemented through four years of playing for the Wahine softball team.
But it didn't start that way.
Three members of the Wahine softball team's senior class battled each other as teens -- in Southern California, elite travel softball is war.
If you play for Stealth Gold, like Duran, your mission in life is to beat Woodruff's Batbusters and Gonzales' Sudden Impact teams "and beat them as badly as you can," Duran said. And the feeling was mutual.
"When I first got here, I didn't think we'd all end up being such good friends," said Woodruff, who has become best friends with Duran. "The four of us are still different, but we've grown up together here."
Said Duran: "As freshmen, Kristin showed us Hawaii, the culture. We all slowly got to know each other and become good friends."
Tonight and tomorrow they play their final series for UH at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. Hawaii plays doubleheaders against San Jose State starting at 5 tonight and 1 p.m. tomorrow.
They hope their careers continue, as Hawaii tries to make the NCAA Regionals for the third time in their four seasons.
"The thing I'll remember most about this group is how they grew as players and people," Hawaii coach Bob Coolen said. "And my kids (Demi, 6, and Bo, 5) will always remember Desi and Janelle not just as softball players but as their baby-sitters. They've been an integral part of my family."
Of course, Coolen will also remember the 148-78 record during the four's tenure.
>> Kristin Anderson, CF, Mililani: Who said local girls are quiet and shy?
"She's never backed off from speaking her piece, which is good, and something, at times, you don't get from players," Coolen said.
Anderson has started since her freshman year, and is enjoying her best season as a senior, with personal highs in runs (23), hits (37), doubles (8), RBIs (17) and stolen bases (5).
"I'll always remember going to Washington (for the 1999 Regionals) because I got to see my idol, Ken Griffey Jr., play," said Anderson, who aspires to a career in sportscasting.
>> Desiree Duran, LHP, San Bernardino, Calif.: She's on a roll, winning her last eight decisions.
Duran is 7-0 in the Western Athletic Conference. She was selected All-WAC last season, and has been named the conference's pitcher of the week five times.
One highlight stands out. She did what no UH pitcher before her accomplished.
"Beating Fresno State (on the road) my senior year -- that has to be it," she said.
>> Janelle Gonzales, RHP, Temecula, Calif.: Perfection.
That was Gonzales on March 23 against McNeese State, when the Wahine won, 1-0, as Gonzales allowed no baserunners while striking out a school single-game record-tying 15 batters.
As a sophomore, she led Hawaii to the NCAA Regional final in Seattle. She was All-WAC Tournament and All-Regional that year.
"The thing I'll take with me from Hawaii is the friendships," she said.
And a husband. Gonzales is engaged to marry former UH volleyball player Russell Lockwood on Aug. 19.
>> Tyree Woodruff, RF, Irvine, Calif.: "Tyree has been a steady force for us. The quote I'll always remember from her is 'Don't be a front-runner,' be there for your teammates no matter what," Coolen said. "She has always stuck to that philosophy, and it has stuck with me."
That consistency in attitude is reflected in her performance. Woodruff is a career .304 hitter. She also holds school records in sacrifices for a career (63) and season (27).
"This being our last games at home hasn't really hit yet," Woodruff said. "And if we keep playing our game they won't be our last games. Our confidence as a team has improved as the season has gone along."
She plans on working in a health- or exercise-related field after graduation.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii