Softball Gears Up for 2018 Season

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team will head into the 2018 season tomorrow afternoon with a mix of All-SCIAC returners along with a slew of newcomers, including first-year head coach Gina Oaks Garcia. After a non-conference game against Lewis & Clark College to kick off the season, the Athenas jump right into conference play with a doubleheader at La Verne on Saturday.

A Look Back

The Athenas ended their 2017 campaign in the Championship Game of the SCIAC Tournament where they fell to rival La Verne. They ended the season with a 22-20 record and an 18-10 SCIAC record.

Senior Anna Gurr (CMC) repeated as SCIAC Pitcher of the Year after finishing her junior campaign with an ERA of 0.90, the seventh best in the country. She also led the conference in innings pitched (194.2), strikeouts (138), complete games (21), wins (16) and saves (5).

Briana Halle (CMC) and Reeve Grobecker (CMC) were also named to the All-SCIAC First Team. Carly Roleder (CMC) earned her third All-SCIAC nod, each year at a different position. In 2017 she was named Second Team as a third baseman. Gurr also received regional accolades and was named First Team All-Region for the second time in her career.

In the Circle

Gurr led the SCIAC in virtually every category over the last two years. As mentioned, the two-time SCIAC Pitcher of the Year led the conference with a 0.90 ERA to go with 138 strikeouts in 194.2 innings pitched. The 2016 All-American will begin her final year in the circle for the Athenas with 311 career strikeouts, a 52-21 record and an ERA of 1.45.

On Feb. 6, Gurr was among 50 athletes named to the NFCA Division III National Player of the Year watch list.

Chloe Amarilla (CMC) will also see time in the circle for the Athenas. Last year, the junior went 5-5 last season with 15 strikeouts in 51 innings with a 4.53 ERA.

Around the Horn

Halle, who earned her All-SCIAC nod for her work at the plate and on defense, ended her junior campaign with a fielding percentage of .995. She tallied 32 hits and knocked in 15 runs.

Among returners, Grobecker led the Athenas with 41 hits last season while batting .323. The slapper led the Athenas in runs scored with 25 and swiped six bags.

A three-time All-SCIAC selection, Roleder will return to shortstop for her final year in a CMS uniform. She leads all returning players with an on-base percentage of .437, which ranked in the top five in the SCIAC. She racked up 35 hits, five doubles and two home runs with 22 RBIs.

Amarilla, along with time in the circle, provided a big stick for the Athenas and looks to do the same this season. She comes into the 2018 season leading returning players with a .457 slugging percentage and .343 batting average. She collected 36 hits and 18 RBIs with five stolen bases. Amarilla legged out six doubles and tied Roleder for the team lead in home runs with two.

What to Watch for

As mentioned, CMS softball opens their season at home on Friday, Feb. 9 with a non-conference matchup against Lewis & Clark College. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

They jump straight into SCIAC play the very next day when they travel to La Verne for a rematch of last year's SCIAC Championship. The doubleheader with the Leopards is slated to begin at noon.

The Athenas will travel to Tucson, Ariz. for the 2018 Leadoff Classic where they will face opponents from all over the country. CMS will play six games between Mar. 2 and Mar. 4.

Senior Day will be celebrated on Apr. 27 when the Athenas take on their rivals from across the street, Pomona-Pitzer.

On the Bench

Gina Oaks Garcia will take the reins in her first season at the helm for the Athenas. The former Cal State Fullerton All-American begins her first year as a head coach after serving as an assistant coach at Cal State Fullerton, Loyola Marymount and Azusa Pacific. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge after a career in softball at the sport's biggest stages.

She also brings two new assistant coaches in Bob Oaks and Stevie Knapp. Krista Jensen returns for her third year on the Athenas coaching staff.