Softball: They’re back

Joseph Boo

CORONA DEL MAR - Softball is back at Corona del Mar High. After a

less-than-stellar existence in the Sea View League, the Sea Kings’

softball team returns after a two-year break and finds itself in the

Pacific Coast League with a whole new group of players and a new coach in

Terry Christiano.

When a group of students asked Christiano about reviving the Sea Kings’

softball program, he told them if they could get 12 players, they could

field a varsity team. Sixteen girls showed up.

“Everybody was very interested in putting this thing together and

bringing softball back to CdM,” Christiano said.

But like any other program starting, or in this case, restarting from

scratch, CdM has a dearth of experienced players. Nine freshmen are part

of the Sea Kings, and they have no junior varsity team.

The Sea Kings only have one player, junior Mijanou Pham, who played any

type of ball last spring. She was on CdM’s junior varsity baseball team

and is considered the best player on CdM’s softball squad.

“Without a doubt,” Christiano said.

Pham is the Sea Kings’ top pitcher and plays shortstop when not on the

mound. Sophomore Casey Bunney is CdM’s No. 2 pitcher and an outfielder

when not pitching. Freshman Alissa Zoelle can also pitch, but is usually

the shortstop.

Freshman Lauren Loe is the starting third baseman. Another freshman, Amy

Tyson, is at second base, but she is versatile enough to pitch and catch.

Freshman Meaghan Curry, Casey’s sister, is the starting first baseman.

Junior Andrea Gruber is the starting catcher and one of the more

experienced softball players on the team.

Freshman outfielder Megan Curry got two RBIs in her first varsity game

against La Quinta and freshman Lauren Jacobson roams CdM’s center field.

Freshman Melanie Cole is the Sea Kings’ backup catcher. Sophomores Aspen

Parrott and Jessica Lindseth plays first and second base, respectively.

CdM has four outfielders it can utilize in junior Elese Freedman,

sophomore Lacy Vasquez and freshmen Jennifer Newfield and Lauren Biggs.

Expectations aren’t high for a team in its infancy, but just playing

softball is a victory in itself.

“We’re just looking to make this a good experience for everyone, to put a

quality team out there, and to be competitive by the time (Pacific Coast

League) play starts,” Christiano said.

And he foresees softball growing at CdM.

“Next year, we have eight or nine girls coming in,” he said. “We might be

able to put together a JV team.”

Roster

Lauren Biggs Fr.

Casey Bunney So.

Meaghan Bunney Fr.

Melanie Cole Fr.

Megan Curry Fr.

Elese Freedman Jr.

Andrea Gruber So.

Lauren Jacobson Fr.

Jessica Lindseth So.

Lauren Loe Fr.

Jennifer Newfield Fr.

Aspen Parrott So.

Mijanou Pham Jr.

Amy Tyson Fr.

Lacy Vasquez So.

Alissa Zoelle Fr.

Coach: Terry Christiano