Eagles hope to raise bar

Bryce Alderton

Inspiration can come from a variety of sources, including coaches’

preseason polls, where the leaders rank teams in predicted order of

finish.

Coaches in the Golden West League picked Estancia to finish near

the bottom, giving second-year coach Marc Rodig added fuel as the

season gets into gear.

Recently, Estancia, formerly of the Pacific Coast League, has

faced the doldrums in softball. Just last season, the Eagles claimed

their first league win in two years -- a 3-1 triumph over Laguna

Beach. The Eagles come off a three-win season, but Rodig looks

forward.

“We want people to say they haven’t seen a team this good at the

school in several years,” said Rodig, who returns four-year varsity

talent in seniors Gabby Acosta (catcher), Karleen Curran (outfield),

who played in the soccer team, and third baseman Laura Morton. Junior

shortstop Rebecca Kaplan, who garnered second-team All-Pacific Coast

League accolades last season, returns to solidfy the lineup. Curran

earned all-league honorable mention a year ago.

Senior Evelyn Flores and freshman Muriel Mason share pitching

duties, while returning sophomore Hilary Ockey -- a pitcher last year

-- will transition to the outfield. Rodig said Ockey, an all-league

honorable mention, can also play catcher and “has a good arm for the

outfield.”

In Estancia’s 7-3 victory over Sage Hill Thursday, Mason got the

start and struck out nine.

Three freshmen have earned starting nods, including Mason, Chelsea

Kaplan (Rebecca’s sister) and second baseman Allison Wyman. Flores

can play second and Mason covers the outfield when not in the circle.

Wyman bats leadoff with Mason following in the No. 2 spot.

Sophomore Hillary Larsen provides depth in the infield and

freshman Wendy Scofield has been called up from junior varsity.

“We have a lot of speed and skill,” Rodig said. “We can do a

little bit of everything: play small ball and have girls who can hit

the gap like Gabby Acosta, Flores, Mason and Ockey.”

Ockey connected for two doubles in a 3-for-3 performance in a game

last week, Rodig added.

“Gabby Acosta leads by example,” Rodig said.

Estancia opened 3-1 and league play is scheduled to begin April 4.

Rodig said Ocean View, Westminster and Orange are the teams to

beat in the league and he expects similar competition to the PCL.

“We had teams in the lower half (of the PCL) that we could compete

with,” Rodig said. “We expect to be competitive in league but don’t

expect it to be a walk in the park.”