Author: Lilliane Ballesteros
Despite a double header loss to Menlo College on Sunday, February 10, Occidental College’s softball team is looking forward to an exciting and successful season. The roster includes many newcomers-eight first-years-three sophomores and newly hired head coach Jodie Cox.
Cox joined the Occidental community in early August and is excited to be leading the softball team. The players are “looking to have a good season,” she said
A 2004 graduate of California State University, Fullerton, Cox brings ample experience to Oxy as both a player and a coach. Along with gaining recognition as a four-time All Big West Conference player (2000-03), two-time All-West Region player (2002-03) and a Third Team All-American (2003), Cox garnered the title of Big West Conference Pitcher of the Year in her senior season at Fullerton. She is also recognized for tossing seven no-hitters and one perfect game against the University of Minnesota in 2001.
After graduating from Fullerton, Cox stayed on as a student coach. Cox also spent a year as the First Assistant Coach at Syracuse University, where her contributions earned her 2005 Big East Coaching Staff of the Year honors. Also as the First Assistant Coach at California State University, Northridge, Cox helped lead her team to the NCAA Regionals in 2007.
Working with her eight years of experience as a softball instructor, Cox is hoping to erase any unsettling memories of Oxy’s 3-21 record from last season. “We just want to get to playing,” she said.
Molly Chesebro will also join the softball coaching staff this season. A Grand Rapids, Michigan native, Chesbro was a multi-sport athlete excelling in both softball and basketball at Grand Rapids College. Chesbro has been coaching travel softball and hosting summer camps and clinics in the San Gabriel Valley since she moved to Los Angeles seven years ago. She also works with youth camps in conjunction with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, leading a first year travel club to a fifth place national ranking during her tenure.
Playing Sunday’s game in T-shirts as they still waited for their uniforms to arrive, the Lady Tigers put forth a strong effort after months of practice and training under their new head coach.
Despite starting the season with an 8-16 loss, the team is looking to improve and build on their game. “My thing is the process,” Cox said. This season’s team will place a heavy focus on the team’s pitchers and catchers who are all returning players. “We started this process in the fall,” Cox said.
Players have already shown themselves to be tough and determined. Sunday’s first game against Menlo saw Occidental come out strong, but losing 2-7 in extra innings, but the team came back swinging. The Lady Tigers scored three runs in the first inning as All-SCIAC Second Team catcher Alyssa Escalante (sophomore) hit a two RBI double to right and scored on a single by Teresa Barbant (sophomore).
Occidental held a 7-6 lead into the fourth inning, when Escalante singled, and pinch runner Kathleen Luevano (junior) scored. Menlo took the lead in the fifth and sixth innings, scoring eight runs. With Menlo scoring in the seventh inning, the game ended with a 16-8 victory for Menlo College.
After the game, Cox commented on the team’s talent, pointing out Brabant’s unique stance as a pitcher, big hitter and first base player. She also remarked on Escalante’s ability to hold through double header games, saying that at one point the game moves from being physical and starts to get mental. “Escalante’s got a ton of heart,” Cox said.
Moving past Sunday’s losses against Menlo College, Cox said she sees “big things for this team.” She explained that several of the players, including pitcher Kelli Moriguchi (senior) and first and third base player Tanya Milki (junior), have seen several coach changes. Cox said she thought it would be “a lot tougher” to work with the team, but said she has found that the whole team is “in it together.” “They have made it so easy and fun,” she said.
Occidental’s softball team will host Cal State San Marcos, Saturday, Feb. 16., @ Bell Field
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