CMC75 Moments: 1991 Softball Edges Redlands for SCIAC Championship
As part of the buildup to the 75th Anniversary celebration for Claremont McKenna College (visit CMC's 75th Anniversary Countdown Page to learn more), we are reliving many of the great moments from CMS athletic department history over the 75-day countdown from April 17 to July 1. If you were a part of this great moment and would like to add to the memories, or if you would like to submit your memories of your own favorite CMS Athletics moments, fill out the form on our main 75th Anniversary page.
Great Moments from 75 Years of Athletics
1991 Softball Wins SCIAC in Program's Second Season
The CMS softball team had its debut season in 1990 and went through some growing pains, but it didn't take long for the Athenas to be the one inflicting pain on other programs. In just its second season of existence, CMS captured the SCIAC Championship in 1991 with a 16-4 league record, edging Redlands by one game.
Due to a scheduling quirk, the Athenas actually opened the season with a doubleheader with Redlands and swept 5-2, 5-1, setting the tone for the season. When the teams met again, they split 5-4 victories, with CMS winning the nightcap to maintain its edge in the league standings. On the final day of the SCIAC season, the Athenas dropped their opener to La Verne 10-9 to open the door for Redlands to potentially pull even, but CMS bounced back for a 4-0 win in the nightcap to secure the program's first championship in just its second season, one year after going 6-32 in its inaugural campaign.
Allison Miller was first-team All-SCIAC and first-team All-West Region, Elizabeth Koenn was first-team All-SCIAC and second-team All-West Region, Lauri Taylor was first-team All-SCIAC, and Kristin Linder, Kirsten Smith and Tanya Stephens were second-team All-SCIAC selections for the newly crowned conference champions. Koenn, who was also an All-Region player for the soccer team, earned induction into the CMS Hall of Fame in 2009.
Tanya Stephens:
I have very fond memories of the season. Our team was eclectic, unique and fun. Though we were competitive by nature, we spent many moments laughing and enjoying our shared experiences.
What made the season special were the people, the relationships and the friendships. I remember loving practice just as much as I loved games; a testament to our coach (Julie). Shina's pitching was a big part of our championship run and, if I remember correctly, we had 4 or 5 players who batted over .400 for the season.
Shina (Thavanthana) Culberson:
I remember playing softball as a club sport my freshman and sophomore year at CMC. Then I went to Japan my junior year and was surprised to discover that softball had transitioned to a varsity sport. During my senior year I really rediscovered my love for the sport that I quite frankly had lost during high school. Much of this new found joy stemmed from all of the players and coaches and the fun had on and off the field.
I remember throwing a lot of pitches, running in the mornings with teammates before practice and 1000 sit-up days. I like to think we set the bar high for the softball program but had fun while doing so! Here's a special shout out to my catcher, Bea, who caught all the good and not so good pitches I threw!
1991 Softball Roster
Head Coach: Julie Curtis
Assistant Coach: Kevin Diaz
Nicole Angell (Jr., 1B, CMC)
Christina Day (Fr., Utility, Scripps)
Eve Erickson (Fr., OF, Scripps)
Elizabeth Koenn (Fr., 2B, Scripps)
Kristin Linder (Jr., SS, CMC)
Amanda Lively (Fr., OF, Scripps)
Allison Miller (Fr., OF, Scripps)
Bea Sanchez (Jr., C, CMC)
Gretchen Scherschel (Jr., UT, Scripps)
Kirsten Smith (So., 3B, CMC)
Tanya Stephens (Jr., OF, Scripps)
Lauri Taylor (Sr., OF, CMC)
Shina Thavanthana (Sr., P, CMC)