The Yuba College softball team has gone through a confusing off-season.
The 49ers have seen two different coaching changes and some key players quitting days before the first game.
Sue Crebbin, the Yuba women’s basketball coach, was released from her softball coaching duties after last season and former Marysville High coach Scott Landrum was hired to take over.
Landrum coached the Indians to a Sac-Joaquin Section Title and numerous playoff berths and was ready to turn-around the 49ers fortunes. Landrum recently stepped down from the helm unexpectedly for personal reasons leaving the softball team without a coach.
Stephanie Reynolds, a former assistant-coach and player at Yuba City High, was hired and things started getting back on track.
“I am very fortunate that Scott did such a great job of recruiting and leaving me with a great group of kids,” said Reynolds. “The girls have really received me well and their attitudes are great.”
Amy and Jamie Aberasturi, an outstanding second base and shortstop tandem from Marysville High, elected to quit the team days before the first game leaving Reynolds in a bind.
“It really effected us when the Aberasturi’s walked out on us,” said Reynolds. “We had to move people into those positions who weren’t ready to play.”
Reynolds feels the outfield might be a saving grace at times throughout the season. Summer Haymore a returning sophomore will start in centerfield while freshman Aline McCarly and Jennifer Dedeker will play right and left field respectively.
Michelle Overbeck, a sophomore from Lindhurst, will be the 49ers ace pitcher.
“She (Overbeck) has a lot of control and has a good off-speed rise and knows how to work the corners,” said Reynolds.
Christy Calvert, a returning sophomore, will most likely fill in at catcher and will also see some time at second base. Sarah Austin will play second base at mos times and Marcella Mitchell, a freshman from Sutter, will fill in a shortstop.
Freshman Christina Allis from Marysville will play first base and freshman Candice Akers also from Marysville will play third base.
The 49ers have 13 players and only two of those are returning sophomores.
“We are doing a great job defensively right now,” said Reynolds. “Where our inexperience is going to catch up with us is batting. When the girls get more batting practice we should be ok but we are not getting the hits when needed.”
Yuba has a pretty short bench but Reynolds is confident in all of her players. Tammy Gorda, a freshman from Wheatland and freshman Mandy Peterson from Marysville will also see time for the 49ers. Peterson has a powerful bat and Gorda is an all-around good athlete.
Stephanie Azzopardi will see considerable amount of time pitching and Aimee Polit will play catcher on Calvert’s days off.
Yuba will begin Bay Valley Conference play on the road March 8 at Delta College.
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