Community college softball: The new and improved Pirates

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Year Two of the Orange Coast College softball team’s

rebuilding process will assuredly show improvement, Pirates Coach Jim

Bollinger said. Though OCC has just two returners, Gina Mitchell and

Gabby Davalos, the Pirates feature experienced players. That was not the

case last season.

Last year, for example, the Pirates put out advertisements for players

in their school paper, so that they would be able to field a team.

This year, 12 freshmen come on board, all with several playing years

behind them, including freshmen pitchers Charlotte Kraft and Mijanou

Pham.

“This year I have some talent to build around,” said Bollinger, who

coached at Mater Dei High 1994-97, guiding the Monarchs to a CIF title

and two runner-up finishes. “I think they are young enough so that I can

mold them to be competitive as anyone we will face. This group will get

better every time they take the field. What they lack in experience they

make up for with their enthusiasm.”

The Pirates, who finished 8-22-1, 3-18 in the Orange Empire Conference

last year, gain character from Mitchell, who plays third base. Mitchell

served three years in the army before playing for OCC last season. She

hopes to fulfill the leadership duties that Meredith Miles occupied last

year. Miles, who now plays for Chapman, is OCC’s career steals leader

with 44, after 29 last season.

Miles, a natural shortstop, played catcher, where freshman Jessica Lee

will attempt to take over. Freshman Brooke Shanley from Costa Mesa High

and freshman Marsha White will also compete for the spot.

Freshman Autumn Pearce and Katie Chapman will vie for the spot at

first base, while Emilee Bodiford will see playing time at shortstop and

first base.

Freshmen Katie Hoffman, Kelly Sharum, Teresa Jackson and Tiffany Cargo

add support in the outfield.

Bollinger said OEC defending champion Fullerton is the conference

favorite and the Pirates will be able to “hang” with the playoff

contenders.

The Pirates open the season today at 3 p.m., hosting Imperial Valley.

OCC will then play in the College of the Desert Tournament Friday and

Saturday.

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE SOFTBALL

Gina Mitchell 3B So.

Gabby Davalos OF So.

Charlotte Kraft P Fr.

Mijanou Pham P Fr.

Autumn Pearce 1B Fr.

Katie Chapman 1B Fr.

Jessica Lee C Fr.

Brooke Shanley C Fr.

Marsha White C Fr.

Emilee Bodiford SS Fr.

Katie Hoffman CF Fr.

Kelly Sharum LF Fr.

Teresa Jackson OF Fr.

Tiffany Cargo OF Fr.

Coach: Jim Bollinger