Two Toros Named to Softball All-Tournament Team
Cindy Gates and Janet Briscoe earn Easton Tournament of Champion accolades
April 7, 2003

CARSON, Calif.- It has been announced that two Cal State Dominguez Hills softball players, Cindy Gates and Janet Briscoe, have been named to the Easton Tournament of Champions All-Tournament teams. The Toros went 5-1 in tournament play, including a 5-0 record in pool play.

Head coach Jim Maier is pleased with his teams performance in the three day tournament.

"It was fantastic to go 5-0 in pool play and upset two regionally ranked teams in Western Washington and Humboldt State. We were disappointed that we ran out of steam in single elimination, but to go 5-1 in a major tournament is great."

Victorville native Cindy Gates (Silverado HS), a freshman third baseman, was selected to the All-Tournament First Team. Gates started all of the Toros six tournament games. She hit at a .363 clip on the weekend posting multiple hits in two games. She scored seven runs for the 28-9-1 Toros. Gates was also one of the top baserunners for the Toros with six stolen bases in seven attempts. Gates had a big game in the Toros eight inning 4-3 victory over Humboldt State where she went two of three with two runs and a stolen base.

"Cindy has come into her own with a solid performance this past weekend. She is maturing quickly and learning to play softball at the collegiate level. She did not play like a freshman in this tournament, but a seasoned veteran," says Maier of his top third baseman.

Sophomore pitcher Janet Briscoe (Redondo Union HS) was strong in the circle for the Toros this weekend. She tossed two complete games, striking out 14 and allowing no runs for an impressive 0.00 ERA. She registered her second win of the season in the 3-0 shutout of Chaminade Hawaii. In that game, she faced 29 batters, striking out eight. The hurler also came up with a save in the Toros 3-1 opening game win over Western Washington University.

Briscoe came in for relief and pitched 1.1 innings, striking out two while allowing just one hit. On the weekend, Briscoe tossed 15.1 innings, allowing 11 hits, no runs while striking out 16. Her ERA for three days of action was 0.00. Her performance earned her a spot on the All-Tournament Second Team.

Coach Maier was very proud of Briscoe's performance.

"Janet is a total success story. Her confidence was low at the beginning of the season and she slowly climbed her way up. She really stepped up when we needed her to."