Pitching a question for young Wahine

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

With a team dominated by freshmen and sophomores, the University of Hawai'i Wahine opened softball practice at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium yesterday. UH's 21-player roster features just three seniors. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Eight freshmen and six sophomores make up the 21-player team, which opened practice yesterday without coach Bob Coolen, who is in Australia this week recruiting.

"We're very young all around," said Coolen in a telephone interview from Australia.

The Wahine, coming off a 46-18 season that saw them reach the NCAA regionals, start the season Feb. 5 at Long Beach State.

Where they hurt most is on the pitching rubber. Desiree Duran (17-5, 1.40 ERA) and Janelle Gonzales (5-2, 1.67) have completed their eligibility, and freshman ace Felicity Witt (22-10, 1.25) left to join the Australian national team.

"Losing Dez and Janelle really hurt us," Coolen said. "But when we lost Felicity, that was 44 of our 46 wins."

But returning is junior right-hander Sheri Oronoz, who managed to stay in the lineup with her bat (.292) because a broken finger and two sprained ones on her throwing hand limited her to five pitching appearances. She will be battling freshman right-hander Melissa Coogan for the ace's role.

"I love it," Oronoz said. "I think it's a challenge. I know I have to work really hard to fulfill my expectations. I enjoy being out there and having fun and giving everything for my team."

As a freshman, Oronoz was 8-8 with one save and a 2.82 earned-run average.

Also battling for rotation spots are freshmen Shannon Tabion, of defending state high school champion Baldwin, and Paula Blanning of Australia. Both are right-handed.

"It's going to be different without Flee (Witt), but we've got some good freshmen to fill her shoes," said Stacey Porter.

Porter, pegged to play first base and the team's power source with six home runs and 26 RBIs, might also pitch. The sophomore from Australia has not pitched since high school, she said.

"But I don't mind having a go every now and then," Porter said.

Although the Wahine are young — there are three seniors — most of the position players have game experience, Coolen said.

Shortstop Kate Judd led the team with eight home runs and 31 RBIs as a sophomore last season. She had elbow surgery in July, followed by six months of rehabilitation. She just started throwing hard two weeks ago.

"It's going to make me more cautious, but I don't think it's going to have a negative effect on me," said Judd.

Returning at second base is Natalie Gonzales and the third base platoon of Trisha Ramos and April Crowell.

The outfield has Stacie Hirano in left, Oronoz, when not pitching, in center and either Justina Kahaku or Tracie Uchima in right.

Michelle Mumaw is the team's best defensive catcher, although Jennifer Tandarich, Kea Yamaguchi and Denise Dahlberg are also capable behind the plate.

But whether the Wahine return to the regionals will depend on the pitching, Coolen said.

"I feel if our hitting is as good as last year, and defensively, we keep ourselves in the game, we'll be able to vie for WAC championship and automatic (NCAA berth)," Coolen said. "If our hitting doesn't come around like last year, I'm not sure if the pitching experience is enough to keep the run count down in games. Everything revolves around the mound this year."

Coolen returns Saturday night with another Australian recruit. Infielder Stacey Ritter will enroll in time to play this season.