Toros Softball - Class of 2006: Farewells
April 29, 2006

All photos by Michael Foo

NATALIE GRECO:
Time seems to fly so fast, my four-year journey playing softball at Dominguez Hills is coming to an end. I will never forget this experience or the memories I will take with me. Playing softball at Dominquez Hills doesn’t just feel like a team, it feels like a family. There are so many people that I would like to thank for making my journey here a pleasant one.

First, I would like to thank the coaching staff, because they are the ones who put so much time and effort into making our team successful. I would also like to personally thank them for always pushing me to be better and having patience at the same time. I think at times they had more confidence in me than I had in myself.

Next, I would like to thank the girls. This is probably the most fun I have ever had playing softball. I will miss each and every girl on this team next year. I have met so many wonderful girls and I wish them the best of luck in the future. Araceli Martinez, you are like a sister to me and I am so happy that you chose to come to Dominguez Hills with me. Our 11-year journey playing softball together is coming to and end, but our friendship will last forever. I wish you the best of luck next year and I know that you will shine.

Last but not least, I would like to thank my family. I am so lucky to have a family that supports and loves me so much. To my Dad, thank you for being my number one fan. I can probably count on one hand the number of games that you missed. Mom, I just want to say thank you for the always being there for me. I could not have asked for better parents. To my sisters, thank you for coming to my games when you had the chance. I know you all have busy schedules but you still managed to come out and support me. Edward, I consider you a part of my family and I just want to say thank you for always being there for me.

KATE GRODEN:
I cannot believe how fast time went by. Just yesterday it seems like I was starting out as a freshman in college and now … my career is almost over. There are definitely people I have to thank for helping me feel the way I do in my final year as a Toro.

First, I would like to thank my parents, Mark and Carol and Cathi and Mike. No matter what my decisions were I knew that I had all four of you backing me up 110%. I know how much time and effort you have put into supporting me and I know you will miss this just as much as I will. Thank you for coming to all of my games and pushing me into the right direction … not only in softball but also in life.

I would also like to thank my boyfriend, David. Having you at almost all of my games helped me to do so well. You are a great motivator and it is exciting to know that whatever I choose to do, I know I will be #1 in your eyes.

The rest of my family also plays a huge role in my career. I thank everyone from my grandparents to my cousins for their ongoing support in softball and school. I have so many positive role models to look up to.

Another important group to thank would be all of my coaches. Coach Maier, thank you for taking a look at my dad’s email and allowing me to be on the team. This has been the perfect program for me to go out in, and words cannot describe how grateful I am. Coach Gilly, thank you for being so positive and putting so much time into our team. Coach Bobby, thank you for joining the team and giving me new ways to look at situations. Coach Val, I am thankful for the experiences I had with you as a coach and player. Coach Sharp, thank you for always sticking by us girls and having our best intentions at heart (I hope I didn’t permanently blind you … FLASH!!!). Coach Bob, thank you for giving me even more confidence at the plate. You have made me a more, well-rounded player in these last two years and I am grateful.

Lastly, I have to thank all of my fellow seniors. I could not have picked a better group of women to finish with. I have grown so close with all of you and I cannot imagine next year when I will not be able to see all of you everyday on the field. I know we all have lives to start but just know that you will always be in my life and I will never forget all the time we spent together. To match the bond that the team of 2006 has will be very difficult.

No matter what happens we are the top picks in my mind.

JACKIE MILLER:
I will always remember my years at Dominguez Hills. I feel as though I have grown so much as a player during the two years I have spent here. I love the close-knit family environment that I don’t get with my being the farthest from home. There are so many good times, so many good victories, and so many good stories that I will remember forever.

First of all, I would like to thank everybody who supports Toro softball. This season would not have been the same without our wonderful fans. Thanks to all the parents who travel and cheer us on. There is nothing better than having parents who love the game as much as the players.

I would like to give a special thanks to Karen Prestwood. I would not be a Toro if it weren’t for you. You have done so much for me these last four years and I’m greatly appreciative.

Thanks to the coaching staff, Coach Jim, Coach Gilly, Coach Bob, Coach Bobby, Coach Sharpie and Coach Val. I take every bit of knowledge from you with me onto the field. All of you as a staff have done wonders with our team. Thanks to Bob, my all-time favorite jerk. I really respect everything you say and thank you for all that you have done to make me a better ballplayer. You are such an amazing coach and have such great knowledge of the game. I hope to carry your knowledge on with me. If you ever feel the need to make fun of someone, I’m your girl.

Thanks to my teammates, I love each and every one of you. I will always remember the girls from Toro softball 2006. We made each other better and that’s what I love, that’s the joy of being a team.

Lastly, I would like to thank my family. Thanks to my brothers for shaping me into a real ballplayer. You guys were tough on me growing up, but that only made me better. I would like to thank my mom for always making it to my games. Thanks for trying to love the game as much as I do.

And of course, thanks to my wonderful father. I owe my whole softball life to you. You were always there cheering me on no matter what. I know in my college years, it was tough making it to my games, but you were always there in spirit. I always felt your presence watching me. Don’t forget that.

LORI MORENO:
I would like to thank all my coaches for making these the best four years I have ever played. You all made me into a better player and person. I would like to thank my mom for always being there for me and supporting me through these growing years. You always knew what to say to make me feel better. And thank you for the uniforms; they always looked great.

And lastly, I would like to thank my teammates for making softball fun again. Of course we had our disagreements but they always made us closer. I appreciate the friendships that I hope will last a lifetime.

CINDY PERRY-BROWN:
Throughout my four years here at CSUDH, there have been many people who have been instrumental to my success. Now, I get the chance to show my gratitude….

To my husband, D’Andre Brown - You are without a doubt my best friend. You are supportive in every way possible. I thank you for knowing when to be tough and when to lend your shoulder for me to cry on. You have been such a strong influence on the person I have become, and for that I thank you. I am lucky because we have a bond that is impossible to break. I love you for just being you, but more so for loving me.

My mom, Patricia Gates - You have been my rock my entire life. I valued your opinion then, and I do now. You are one of the strongest people I have ever known and I look up to you because of it. You have always pushed me to be the best and never settle; for that I will always be grateful. Thanks so much! I love you!

The coaching staff - There are a million things I can say but I want to keep it short and to the point. All of you are so hard working and dedicated. I do not know of another group of people who care more about the game or their girls. Sharp, you have been such a pleasure to work with and I thank you for not only being our coach, but also for being one of the girls. You are there for us and I have recognized it and greatly appreciate it. To the rest of the staff, thank you for your commitment and good luck in the years to come.

The Toro Players – Ladies, you are all so amazing. I am so happy to have had the pleasure of not only playing with you, but getting to know you all as well. We have confided in each other some of our deepest secrets. There are not many people that I can personally say that I feel comfortable doing that with. You ladies have supported me in one of the biggest events of my life - my wedding. It was a pleasure to look and see all of my girls there to celebrate with me. I now say thank you to all of you. It has been an absolute pleasure playing with you.

Elicia Velazquez - My roomie. The memories we have from the past 2 years are priceless. I feel like I have another sister rather than just a friend. We are alike in so many ways and yet so different, and I think that is why we have bonded the way we have. You are so caring and so supportive that I could not have asked for anyone more fitting to keep me company over these lonely 4 months… hehe!!! So, as I am ready to move on, I leave you all of my socks… you need them, all of my shirts… you need those too. And I leave you with some wisdom: play hard and remember to play for yourself and those girls who wear that uniform with you. Doing that will keep you happy and hopefully ensure you a successful senior season. You are a terrific softball player, a beautiful person and an awesome friend. I love you and wish you all the success in the world.

The Toro Fans - Who could ask for anyone more supportive than the fans we have? You travel just about everywhere we go, you cheer us on even when we have an off day, and best of all, you do it with pride. I would like to thank all of you for your appreciation for what we do, and in return tell you that I appreciate what you have done for us. Thank you very very much.

PEBBEL PRESTWOOD:
Thank you to my parents for everything they have sacrificed and put on hold for me. You have been more supportive than I could ever ask for. My college career would have never started without you. You have been there through the ups and downs and have always pushed me to be my best. Thank you for being my parents. I love you both.

I want to thank all of the Dominguez Hills coaching staff. You have made my softball experiences worthwhile. You made me love softball again and without you my softball career would have been over. Thanks for making the game fun and bringing out the best in me.

Thank you to my best friend and boyfriend, Roman. Thank you for putting your life on hold so I could move on with mine. You have sacrificed a lot and I love you for that.

LINDA REYES:
First off, I would like to thank my mom for always supporting me. You were there when I started this journey and you will be there to see the end. Thank you for always showing me so much unconditional love in everything you do. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for you. Thank you mom, I love you. You are my #1 fan.

Next, I would like to thank my family for being there for me and always sticking by me no matter what decisions I made. Papa, Dianne, Uncle Carl and Aunt Donna, thank you for making the long drives to go to all the games. It is so nice to look up in the stands and see your faces there. Special thanks to Aunt Donna for always being one of my biggest fans through my entire career. Thanks to Aunt Gladys for coming to all the games you could. I can’t tell you how much all of your love and support means to me. I love you all so much.

Finally, lots of thanks to my team and coaching staff. You girls have made these past three years so memorable. I have seen this team grow so much year to year and I hope you continue to have successful seasons for years to come.

To the seniors, I wish you the best of luck with whatever road each of you takes, and I will never forget you guys. Thanks to Sharpie (Root!) for keeping a smile on my face J And thanks to all my coaches for their support. You all have left a lasting impression on me that has helped form the woman I am today.

JENNIFER WILSON:
First off, I would like to thank my parents for making it possible for me to finish school while playing softball. You guys have done so much for me, from your financial help to your mental support and making it to all of my games. I love you so much.

Also, I would like to thank my friends and teammates for always being there for me and for picking me up when I needed them. I couldn’t have completed my last two years here without all of you. I am going to miss everyone so much and I hope we keep in touch.

To all the seniors, I wish you the best of luck in the future. I love you guys.