There would be no standing still this offseason. Not after they weren’t the last team standing when the Big West Conference softball season ended last spring.
And the subject of why the Cal State Fullerton softball team wasn’t the last team standing still stings Kelly Ford eight months later. So much so that the CSF softball coach spent as little time talking about what happened on a sunny May afternoon in Long Beach as she could – and as much time talking about what transpired from that weekend as she could.
“This group is hungry. That definitely slapped us down,” Ford said, concisely summarizing how the Titans lost the Big West title on the final weekend of the season.
Needing only one win in three games to win their second consecutive Big West title and sixth since 2016, the Titans got swept by Long Beach State, losing the title on the last day of the season and denying Ford her sixth title in 11 seasons. Ford’s astute and audacious scheduling – the Titans had one of the most demanding schedules in the country last year – earned CSF an at-large NCAA berth and a cross-country trip to Clemson for a four-team regional in South Carolina, where the Titans went 1-2.
This explains Ford’s succinctness in dismissing how one of her grittiest teams had a conference title snatched and grabbed away. Yes, the Titans were missing their two top-of-the-lineup igniters in Megan Delgadillo and Antonette Dean, who both tore ACLs within four days of each other midway through the season. Ford said losing Delgadillo changed the whole environment like few other athletes she’s ever coached.
And yet, even after the Titans lost two games to Auburn at the Clemson Regional, a quick zoom-out revealed all was not bleak. CSF went 34-21 with that tough schedule, beating No. 3 Florida and No. 8 Tennessee. Along the way, the Titans gave Ford her 800th career victory by knocking off Oregon State, earned 10 All-Big West accolades and still went 20-7 in conference play.
Now, the page turns, and Ford finds new ways to keep the Titans moving as she plots the path of snatching and grabbing that title back.
Enter new mental training and conditioning coach Zach Sorensen, who has the Titans thinking accountability. Taking over from Brian Kane, a Ford favorite who was a former acolyte of legendary mental guru and Cal State Fullerton Athletic Hall of Fame member Dr. Ken Ravizza, Sorensen won over Ford with an eight-word mantra that has her players’ attention.
“Zach is of that mindset of ‘What are you going to do about it?’ You throw something out about it, and he’s going to ask you that question,” Ford said. He puts thoughts and dreams into action. A lot of times, people put dreams out there. He will look you in the eye and ask you, ‘What are you going to do about it?’ Our accountability is at an all-time high.”
According to Ford, so is the Titans’ depth, not only on the field but in the dugout. A new NCAA rule opened the door for teams to have four full-time assistant coaches and – with the blessing of Athletic Director Jim Donovan – Ford wasted no time fortifying her staff. Joining longtime chief lieutenant Jorge Araujo was Jamee Juarez, a three-time All-Big Ten standout at Ohio State and Venezuelan National Team member, and one of the greatest players in CSF history – Gina Oaks Garcia.
Ford had been trying to lure Oaks Garcia from Claremont Mudd Scripps, where she coached the past six years. That mission finally accomplished, the Titans welcome back one of the most decorated players in program history – if not the most versatile.
A pitcher/infielder, Oaks Garcia still holds the program record for career runs scored (150) and ranks in the top 10 in total bases (314) and walks (74). She owns the single-game record for RBIs with her eight against Kansas in 2001. In the circle, she ranks in the top 10 in strikeouts (685), wins (74), complete games (72), shutouts (25) and saves (4).
She was a two-time All-American and four-time Big West Champion who became the first player in Big West history to earn first-team All-Conference honors at two different positions.
“I’ve gone after both for years, and they’ve brought a new standard, a new vibe and a lot of expectations,” Ford said. “They’re holding these ladies accountable, and I’ve given them a lot of freedom to bring in the gritty.”
Along with that grit and aura comes a team that is so deep that Ford said only one position is solidified: Delgadillo leading off and playing center. Two seasons ago, the Big West Field Player of the Year led the conference in hits (80), runs (57) and stolen bases (50), while slashing .404/.462/.444.
From there, matters are wide open. So wide open that senior Peyton Toto, a three-year starter at shortstop, may find another position. That’s courtesy of freshmen middle infielders Sarah Perez and Jazmin Williams and Biola transfer Colby McClinton, who was the PacWest Player and Freshman of the Year. Ford said that trio and outfielder Kate Verhoef had the upperclassman rhapsodizing about how good the freshmen are.
“There’s not an award she didn’t win at Biola, and she wanted to be challenged at the Division 1 level. That kid is super athletic,” Ford said about McClinton.
Not that the upperclassmen are slouches, starting with junior pitcher Haley Rainey, who inherits the ace mantle from the departed Myka Sutherlin after going 9-5 with a 1.53 ERA and earning All-Big West Second Team honors. Behind her are five other pitchers seeking to start the one weekend game Rainey won’t. The list starts with left-handed pitchers Staci Chambers and Leanna Garcia, both of whom redshirted last year.
After you get through Delgadillo, the Titans return Hannah Becerra, who led the Titans in runs (39), RBIs (28), doubles (8), home runs (8) and walks (32), which also led the Big West. Ford said that Becerra – a first-team All-Big West selection – was disappointed with her season last year, which bodes ill for opposing pitchers who will likely treat Becerra like she’s radioactive.
Also back for more are seniors Toto, catcher Jessi Alcala, outfielder Bailey Wallace, and pinch-hitter Kika Ramirez, who is expected to play a more prominent role this year.
“I keep thinking about what’s so special about this group right now. They’re not afraid to laugh and cry together,” Ford said. “They’re not afraid to face fear and lean in when things get tough and they’re showing a lot of the characteristics of a championship team. I’ve seen it in such a short time. We’ve been together 10 days and I’ve seen a transformation in 10 days unlike what I’ve seen before.
“In the fall, I thought we had talent. But this spring, there’s been a shift. It’s that ‘special sauce,’ that ‘mojo,’ that synergy. I call it ‘competitive greatness,’ when you’re competing with someone, you want to make each other better. If you’re both playing third base, I’m going to dive a little further, you’re going to dive a little further than me. They’re trying to make that position better for the team and they don’t care who will play it. They’re pushing each other and coaching each other, but more importantly, they’re giving and taking feedback from each other.”
