Publication Date: Friday, May 27, 2005
Stanford softball program has come a long way
Stanford softball program has come a long way
(May 27, 2005) NCAA berths, sending players to national team is commonplace for Cardinal
by Rick Eymer
Back in the prehistoric early 1990s, intercollegiate softball did not exist at Stanford. A group of women would get together, grab a few bats, balls and gloves, and look for somebody to play. Competing - not success - was the priority.
Five years into a new century Stanford has put together one of the top softball programs in the nation; quite a feat considering places like UCLA, California and Fresno State were regularly competing for the national title way back in the 1980s.
What Sandy Pearce - the first full-fledged softball coach at Stanford - started is now reaching new heights under coach John Rittman.
The first competitive Stanford softball team took the field in 1994, and played an independent schedule. In 1995, the Cardinal finished 1-27 in Pac-10 play.
This year, the fourth-ranked Cardinal are seeking their second straight appearance in the Women's College World Series in their eighth straight postseason appearance.
Stanford was eliminated by the Bruins in the semifinals of last year's CWS. This season, with six freshmen beefing up a team that lost just two seniors from last year, Stanford has its sights on the big prize.
The journey continues when Stanford (43-14) hosts No. 11 Tennessee 62-13) in a best-of-three Super Regional beginning today at 6 p.m. Games are also slated for 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (if necessary) on Saturday.
Saturday's winner advances to the WCWS in Oklahoma City beginning June 2.
Until Jessica Mendoza came along a few years ago, Stanford was just another team that the rest of the Pac-10, arguably the toughest softball conference in the nation, would beat up regularly.
Mendoza, who graduated in 2002, helped transform the program into a nationally-recognized one that began to draw some of the biggest names in youth softball.
It was during Mendoza's tenure that Stanford reached its first College World Series. It was also her presence that drew players like Lauren Lappin, Jackie Rinehart and Catalina Morris.
"She's been around and is still part of the program," Rittman said. "All former players remain part of the program. She still knows a lot of players and she came to a team dinner and met the new kids."
The United States Olympic team, which captured the gold medal in Athens last summer, had a Stanford presence. Mendoza was a starting outfielder and Rittman served as an assistant coach. Lappin, a junior this year, was an alternate.
Lappin, Rinehart and Morris played in the U.S. elite program over the summer, and all three are in the pool from which the next national team will be chosen. Stanford grads Dana Sorensen and Sarah Beeson will join Mendoza in the national program. Not far behind is freshman Anna Beardman, who played on the junior Olympic team.
All six freshmen - Beardman, Michelle Smith, Tricia Aggabao, Erin Howe, Becky McCullough and Lauren Nydam - have made significant contributions.
Smith has established herself as one of the top power hitters in the country - she has a school record 19 home runs entering the weekend - and all are mainstays in the starting lineup. Pitchers McCullough and Nydam are a combined 28-8, complementing junior Laura Severson's 15-6 mark.
The current crop of freshmen is so good, that several integral members from last year, including a handful of starters, have seen their roles diminish.
"Players like Jessica and Sarah were instrumental in getting us on the map," Lappin said. "Right now there are 20 players who all contribute. Every part of this team is important. Our Team USA experience is good for the program. It used to be just UCLA or Arizona. Now there's also Stanford."
Rittman has a problem any coach would love to have on their hands. With such a plethora of talent, he's had to move players around to get them into the lineup, and with such a deep bench, he's willing to take chances.
"Team chemistry is a big part of our success," Rittman said. "People are adjusting to new roles. I have a lot of options."
Senior Leah Nelson played first base last season - and third base her first two years - and is now behind the plate. Lappin, who plays shortstop, is also an accomplished catcher. There are also at least two other qualified catchers on the roster.
Lappin's future with the national team is as a catcher. She converted to shortstop as a freshman because the Cardinal needed one.
"It's fun; it's not too hard," Lappin said. "I'm more of a catcher than a shortstop, but I'm more comfortable at shortstop now. I can also do some catching drills with Stanford and I can take throws from shortstop with the national team."
Rinehart, a sophomore, also needed to switch spots when she came to Stanford. She was primarily a pitcher and third baseman in high school, and then switched to first base when she began playing summer ball in Los Angeles with Lappin.
Lappin was a help in getting Rinehart through the process of applying, and getting accepted, at Stanford.
"It was nice to know someone who went through the same process," Rinehart said. "It's definitely different than with most schools. I knew I loved this school and it was just a question of getting in. When I found out I was in, it was a weight off my shoulders. Until then I was nervous."
Rinehart moved to the outfield with Stanford, and knew ahead of time that's where Rittman wanted her. It made the transition easier.
"I knew the year before so I did some outfield work to get ready," Rinehart said.
Stanford has won at least 40 games for eight straight years but that accomplishment takes a back seat to seeking a national title.
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