Prep softball: Rodig leads Eagles’ rebuilding stage

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Marc Rodig is planning to change the reason for the

downfall of an all but forgotten Estancia High softball program. Rodig,

in his first year coaching the Eagles, says inconsistency of leadership

has been the cause for Estancia’s lack of productivity in recent years.

The Eagles’ first-year head man anticipates to become a coaching

veteran for Estancia softball, which went 0-10 in the Pacific Coast

League last year.

“It’s been difficult to have something established because there’s

been inconsistency, too much turnover,” said Rodig, who teaches English

at Estancia. “That’s why I want to put some time in here and build

something. Some consistency in the program would be huge. In this first

year I want to establish a winning tradition and dedication to the

program, which has kind of been left on its own.”

Rodig spent the past two years as an assistant coach of softball and

football at Gahr High in Cerritos. The Gahr softball team went undefeated

in the San Gabriel Valley League two years ago, and had just one loss in

league last year. The Gladiators also earned a second round appearance in

the CIF Southern Section Division II playoffs last year.

Rodig also coached football and softball at Laguna Beach High for two

years, prior to Gahr. He will coach the Estancia receivers and defensive

backs on Jay Noonan’s coaching staff in the fall.

But, this spring, the softball team is all Rodig is focusing on. He

will not have a junior varsity team, so his varsity squad will consist of

14 players, which features a strong junior core and three freshmen who

are ready to rebuild the program.

Gaby Acosta, a returner who will play catcher, is one of the leaders

for the Eagles and will be supported by Karleen Curran, who will play

first base and some centerfield, freshman right-handed pitcher Hillary

Ockey, sophomore shortstop Rebecca Kaplan and senior centerfielder

Rebecca Zenus. Sophomore Asia Ingram, who also played soccer, is the

team’s only other sophomore aside from Kaplan.

Junior Xochitl Byfield, who starred on Estancia’s PCL co-championship

basketball team, will also be a part of the rebuilding process, along

with fellow juniors Laura Morton (third base) and Vivian Laopantrak (left

field).

Freshmen Hillary Larsen and Siena Arellanes, along with Ockey are

anxious to contribute and gain as much experience as possible in their

first year. For stability in the fundamentals, the Eagles will depend on

their seniors, Daisy Limon, Marlene Marquez, Melanie Tanielu, Kathy

Schaefer and Zenus.

Rodig’s assistant coach, Scott Wilkie, who teaches science and is an

Estancia assistant football coach, as well, has been a good motivator for

the young Estancia squad.

“It’s going to take some time for them to play together,” Rodig said.

“But, we did a lot of good things in our scrimmage Saturday with Newport

Harbor. I’m looking to be competitive in league. I don’t think we’ll

storm the league. My goal is for them to play fundamental softball and we

can go from there.”

Estancia opens its season, hosting Santa Ana Friday at 3:15 p.m. The

Eagles will then play in the Costa Mesa Tournament, which is Saturday and

March 9. They face Los Amigos at 9 am. and Anaheim at 3 p.m Saturday,

both games are at TeWinkle Park.

ESTANCIA HIGH SOFTBALL TEAM

Gaby Acosta C Jr.

Siena Arellanes Utl Fr.

Xochitl Byfield OF Jr.

Karleen Curran 1B/CF Jr.

Asia Ingram OF So.

Rebecca Kaplan SS So.

Vivian Laopantrak LF Jr.

Hillary Larsen 1B Fr.

Daisy Limon P/Utl Sr.

Marlene Marquez Utl/OF Sr.

Laura Morton 3B Jr.

Hillary Ockey P Fr.

Melanie Tanielu 2B Sr.

Rebecca Zenus CF Sr.

Kathy Schaefer Utl Sr.

Coach Marc Rodig