Wahine softball team
returns home ready
for next season
There was a sense of deja vu when the Hawaii softball team arrived at Honolulu International yesterday.
It was Monday and the Wahine again were at the airport. Only this Monday marked the end of a long season, with the players arriving on four different flights on four carriers throughout the day.
Last Monday, Hawaii left for the NCAA Region 3 Tournament as Western Athletic Conference champion. Yesterday, the Wahine returned two wins shy of reaching the Women's College World Series.
"It was a great year for us with a lot of accomplishments," said Hawaii coach Bob Coolen, who notched his 500th career win this season. "It was probably the easiest after-the-loss locker room for me. Everyone let out a big, heavy sigh but no one was hanging their chins, there were no regrets.
"The oddity is that everyone came back (to Hawaii) this trip. Most of them are going to be playing in the open summer league here, going to summer school, working. I think they have a pinnacle to reach for themselves. They don't want this (postseason) experience to be a one-time deal."
Two players -- junior first baseman Stacey Porter and senior third baseman Tricia Ramos -- also returned with extra hardware, courtesy of having been named to the all-tournament team Sunday. Hawaii went 3-2 at the regional hosted by Texas, eliminated by Southwest Texas State, 2-1, in Saturday's semifinal.
Porter batted .615 in five games, with a .923 slugging percentage and a .703 on-base percentage. Ramos hit just .125 with a game-winning RBI against Northwestern but impressed the voters with her defense (.952 fielding percentage).
Texas went on to earn the WCWS berth with a 6-0 shutout of Southwest Texas State Sunday. The Wahine walked into the Hard Rock Cafe in Austin just in time to see regional MVP Cat Osterman strike out the last STS batter to end the game on the restaurant's television.
Hawaii finished 40-20 overall, a best-ever 17-3 in the WAC. The Wahine also had their first-ever 30-game winner in sophomore Melissa Coogan (32-11), who pitched 35 2/3 innings in five appearances in the regional.
Much like Coogan's season, it was a year of more hits than misses for the Wahine.
Coogan shared WAC Pitcher of the Year with Fresno State All-American Jamie Southern , the first time the coaches split their vote. Coogan also now holds the dubious distinction of giving up the most homers in an NCAA Tournament game; LSU had five hits off the right-hander in last Thursday's regional opener, all home runs.
Coogan was also the hard-luck loser Saturday. She pitched well enough to win, striking out five and walking one in the 2-1 loss to the Bobcats; both runs were unearned.
Porter was named the WAC Player of the Year, the fourth consecutive season that a Wahine earned that honor. Porter, who set records for career (38) and single-season (17) home runs, also is eligible for All-American honors after being named to the All-West Region first team.
Hawaii loses two seniors: shortstop Kate Judd, the two-time WAC Player of the Year, and Ramos, an infielder with remarkable instincts, reactions and throwing ability. Judd leaves her mark on the UH record book and is ranked in the career top 5 in home runs, doubles, RBI and walks.
Porter, who had a team-leading 42 RBI, also will not return next season. Hoping to make the Australian Olympic team for the 2004 Games, Porter is expected to be back for her senior year in 2005.
Coolen has more than filled the dugout for next season, signing six quality recruits. The pressing need was on the mound and the Wahine will welcome two 6-footer pitchers in freshmen Caroline Blood and Jessica Morton.
Blood, a versatile athlete, is also expected to be used at first base. Morton is a power pitcher who throws in the 67-68 mph range and hopes to hit 70 mph in college.
"Next year will be so different than this year," said Coolen. "On paper, it looks like we have the pitching, but our hitting will be interesting.
"We lose our Nos. 4-5-6 (Porter, Ramos, Judd) and that's huge. They have power and the potential of putting the ball out of the park. I'm not sure if we have three people coming in who can replace them."
Of his other four recruits, Coolen is expecting Kaimuki High product Tyleen Tausaga to be an impact player, possibly at first base or catcher.
Dena DePompa, a catcher for Verdugo Hills (Calif.) High, will likely be the backup catcher for Denise Dahlberg. Dahlberg was an All-WAC first-team pick in 2002 in the outfield and may see more time at left.
Incoming freshman Jennifer Hackett of North High in Torrance, Calif., is a speedster being looked at as a leadoff hitter. Hackett grew up with current Wahine Tracie Uchima.
Also in the mix will be Leilehua High shortstop Shannon Guerrero, who may see time between the middle infield and the outfield.
Coolen says he's expecting 14 players to return. But he also reminded the team that two players that were being counted on for this season -- catcher Michelle Mumaw and pitcher Sheri Oronoz -- did not come back.
"You just never know what will happen," said Coolen.
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