Toros Softball Regional Preview
May 10, 2006

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Cal State Dominguez Hills makes its fourth-consecutive NCAA post-season appearance after posting a 42-9 overall and 21-7 CCAA record, marking the sixth-consecutive year the Toros have won at least 30 games.

The Great Eight: Qualifying for its fourth-consecutive NCAA post-season appearance, CSUDH enters the playoffs as the No. 4 seed and will face CCAA-foe Cal State Stanislaus in GAME 3, scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. first pitch on Thursday, May 11. Below is a list of teams that qualified for the West Region tournament, their records, CSUDH’s record against them this year, and a series capsule, along with an extended summary of the four games against the Warriors.

1. Humboldt State (52-4, 0-1)
2. Cal State Bakersfield (46-9, 2-2)
3. San Francisco State (40-14, 0-4)
4. CSUDH (42-9)
5. Cal State Stanislaus (32-21, 4-0)
6. Hawaii-Hilo (28-17, 2-0)
7. Seattle University (33-19, N/A)
8. Hawaii Pacific (27-18, 1-0)

Toros Against the West’s Best: The Toros went 9-7 against teams that made the Far West Region playoffs, dropping its lone game against top-seeded Humboldt State, splitting the series against No. 2 seed Cal State Bakersfield, getting swept by No. 3 San Francisco State, sweeping No. 5 Cal State Stanislaus, and taking two games from No. 6 Hawaii-Hilo and one game from No. 8 Hawaii Pacific University. In those 16 games, Cindy Perry-Brown sits atop the Toro offense amongst the regulars, stroking 24 hits and swiping 15 bases in 15 attempts. Kate Groden (pictured) and Jackie Miller supplied the punch with two homers each while Jennifer Wilson pounded five doubles and a triple among her 13 hits. Miller tallied a 5-2 record, 1.62 ERA and 51 strikeouts, while Kristine Minter compiled a perfect 3-0 record in 21.1 innings pitched.

CSUDH Against the Nation’s Best: The Toros have played 11 games against nationally-ranked opponents, dropping seven. Kate Groden and Cindy Perry-Brown’s 12 hits apiece led the Toros, while Groden and Linda Reyes drove home 7 RBI each. However, CSUDH has dropped 7 of its last 9 games against the nation’s best, including all four to SFSU, and has been outscored by 43-19 over those 9 games.

Toros Place 7 on All-CCAA Teams: Seniors Cindy Perry-Brown and Jackie Miller both earned 1st-team All-CCAA nods, leading a contingent of 7 Toros overall who were named to All-CCAA teams. Leading the 2nd-team charge were seniors Kate Groden, Lori Moreno, Jennifer Wilson and sophomore Amy Thomas (pictured), while junior Kristine Minter received 3rd-team All-CCAA honors. CSUDH tied CCAA Champion Cal State Bakersfield and NCAA-participant Cal State Stanislaus with seven members selected, while defending Far West Champions San Francisco State placed six players on All-CCAA teams.

Perry-Brown - The Corner is Turned: Setting her sights on Virginia, senior 3B Cindy Perry-Brown has established a new standard for the Toros softball program, claiming 14 Toro records spanning a brilliant four-year career in Cardinal & Gold. A 2-time All-American, 2-time 1st-team All-Region, 3-time 1st-team All-CCAA with this season’s All-Region and All-America honors still to be decided, Perry-Brown arguably is the greatest Toro of them all. Here are Perry-Brown’s records in Cardinal & Gold: GAME - 5 hits, 4 stolen bases; SEASON - 194 at-bats, .407 BA, 79 hits, 53 runs scored, 46 stolen bases, 27-consecutive stolen bases, 25-game hit streak; CAREER - 705 at-bats, 265 hits, 163 runs, 137 stolen bases, 25-game hit streak. Additionally, entering the Far West Regional, Perry-Brown’s career .376 batting average is higher than the existing mark of .374.

Unsung: Amongst one of many contributors to the success of this years Toro squad, senior Lori Moreno quietly is enjoying a stellar senior campaign, and the best of her four-year career in Cardinal & Gold. The 50⬝ dynamo has garnered career-best numbers with a .345 batting average, 42 runs scored, 48 hits, 6 doubles and 21 RBIs. A defensive wiz, she has made just five errors in 200 career chances, including zero over the past 2 seasons. As a Toro, she has played in 211 games, garnering 179 starts.

Home Cookin’: Enjoying the familiarity that is Toro Diamond, CSUDH posted a 17-3 record in 2006, utilizing an offense that outscored its opponents by 68 runs (108-40) in Carson. Elicia Velazquez posted a .400 batting average in 18 games played, while Cindy Perry-Brown contributed 25 hits and a perfect 15-of-15 stolen bases. Kate Groden, however, seemed to relish Toro Diamond the most, connecting for 3 home runs and 24 RBI, adding 11 doubles to her statline.

CCAA Weekly Honors: During the regular season, the Toros earned eight weekly conference honors, led by Jackie Miller’s four selections. Miller (pictured), a double-threat as a pitcher and hitter, has picked up three Pitcher of the Week nods and one Player of the Week accolade. In fact, of Miller’s four awards, two were earned in consecutive weeks (PiOW for Feb. 6-12, POW for Feb. 13-19). Kristine Minter, a transfer from Hampton University who’s thrown the Toros’ only no-hitter of the year, has tallied two Pitcher of the Week awards, while senior Cindy Perry-Brown, the 2005 CCAA MVP, and Jennifer Wilson each garnered one award this season.

Power? Check.: After setting a program record by smashing 39 home runs last season, the 2006 Toros have continued their power stroke to the tune of 35 homers this year, led by Jackie Miller’s single-season record of 10 long balls, which surpassed last year’s total of seven set by then-senior Crystal Dingman. A total of eight different Toros have gone yard at least once this year, with Jennifer Wilson’s 8 and Kate Groden’s 7 following Miller record-setting effort. The Toros set the tone early, blasting two home runs in their first game of the season, and followed with seven home runs total on consecutive days of the Schutt Leadoff Classic in decisive 11-4 and 16-1 decisions over UC San Diego and Angelo State, respectively.

Streaks: The offensive juggernaut that is the Toros put together two separate win streaks this season, reaching nine- and 10-consecutive games. In the nine-game streak to begin the season, Jackie Miller belted four home runs with 15 RBI, while Pebbel Prestwood connected for 13 hits, including 6 doubles. The Toros outscored their opponents 67-8, and out-hit them .320 to .184, while Miller boasted 4 wins and a 0.00 ERA to lead the hurlers to a 0.24 ERA compared to 6.24 for their opponents. In winning 10-consecutive games, Cindy Perry-Brown belted 14 hits and stole 8 bases while Kate Groden blasted 4 home runs and drove in 17 RBIs. Kristine Minter (pictured) posted 4 wins while Amy Thomas boasted a 0.41 ERA as the Toros outscored their opponents 80-14.

Record Breakers: Entering the Far West Regional, the 2006 Toros already have set 19 records this season, one year removed from establishing 27 records. Individually, Cindy Perry-Brown has set eight records this season (3 season, 5 career), and is above the career batting average heading into the post-season, and is followed by Kate Groden’s four (2 season, 2 career) and Jackie Miller’s two (1 season, 1 career). As a team, CSUDH set season-best marks for batting average, doubles, runs scored, RBIs and walks, all of which were established just one year ago by the 2005 squad.

The Turlock Tandem: The city of Turlock, CA, again has served CSUDH well this season. After facing the battery of pitcher Jackie Miller and catcher Pebbel Prestwood (pictured) for two seasons as members of Cal State Stanislaus, the Toros welcomed the two transfers with open arms last season, and the duo has made its impact felt over these past two years heading into the 2006 playoffs. Miller has been the pitching staff’s anchor, posting a 16-3 record and 1.64 ERA in 132.2 innings, fanning 155 batters while allowing just 18 walks (8.6:1 ratio). At the plate, the Bremerton, WA native has been a run-producing machine, connecting for 10 home runs, 7 doubles and 38 RBI to go with her .288 batting average. Prestwood, meanwhile, is batting .295 with 3 home runs, 12 doubles and 26 RBIs. Solid behind the plate, she has yet to commit an error as catcher.

CSUDH Amongst the Nation’s Statistical Elite: As of games played through April 30, here’s how the Toros compare to the nation’s best. Individual: Doubles - Kate Groden (8th, 0.43); Stolen Bases - Cindy Perry-Brown (14th, 0.78); RBIs - Kate Groden (15th, 1.21), ERA - Amy Thomas (20th, 1.05 ERA). Team: Winning % - 14th (.81%); ERA - 14th (1.40 ERA); Stolen Bases Per Game - 28th (2.0).

Toros Among the CCAA’s Statistical Best: Here’s how CSUDH fared with the rest of the CCAA after the regular season. Hitting: RBIs - Kate Groden (1st, 62), Jennifer Wilson (T6th, 39), Jackie Miller (T8th, 38); Stolen Bases - Cindy Perry-Brown (1st, 41), Lori Moreno (5th, 21); Doubles - Kate Groden (1st, 21), Pebbel Prestwood (7th, 12); Sacrifice Flies - Kate Groden (1st, 6); Hit by Pitch - Araceli Martinez (T1st, 7); Triples - Cindy Perry-Brown (2nd, 4); Runs Scored - Cindy Perry-Brown (T2nd, 53), Kate Groden (5th, 44), Lori Moreno (7th, 42); On-Base % - Cindy Perry-Brown (3rd, .487); Walks - Cindy Perry-Brown (T3rd, 27), Lori Moreno (5th, 23), Kate Groden (6th, 22); Home Runs - Jackie Miller (T4th, 10), Kate Groden (T9th, 8); Hits - Cindy Perry-Brown (T5th, 67); Batting Average - Cindy Perry-Brown (6th, .404); Slugging % - Kate Groden (8th, .642), Jennifer Wilson (9th, .593). Pitching: Opposing Batting Average - Amy Thomas (1st, .173), Jackie Miller (2nd, .174), Kristine Minter (8th, .245); ERA - Amy Thomas (2nd, 1.19 ERA), Kristine Minter (3rd, 1.48 ERA), Jackie Miller (5th, 1.64 ERA); Strikeouts - Jackie Miller (2nd, 155), Amy Thomas (9th, 68), Kristine Minter (10th, 64); Wins - Jackie Miller (T3rd, 16), Kristine Minter (T5th, 15).

Reason to Smile: Junior 2B Araceli Martinez has experienced perhaps the most dramatic turnaround on the Toros squad this year. Although the Downey native started 56 of 57 games played last season, she managed just 39 at-bats in being designated as the flex player the majority of the season. This year, however, Martinez has been a key figure both in the field as well as at the plate. She has started all 51 games played and has 30 hits in 122 at-bats, good for a respectable .246 average. In fact, Martinez slugged her first-career home run on February 18 against then No. 2-ranked Angelo State, and has connected for 5 doubles and 1 triple, all while continuing her stellar play at 2B.

I Feel the Need ... for Speed: After establishing the single-season team record with 104 swipes in 2005, this year’s squad continues to cause panic attacks for opposing catchers, notching 102 steals thus far. Cindy Perry-Brown again has led the Toros’ speedsters with 41 swipes, and is followed by Lori Moreno at 21 and newcomer Elicia Velazquez (pictured) at 14. In fact, CSUDH has enjoyed so much speed this season, it boasts 75 more stolen bases than its opponents, out-swiping them 102-27. Additionally, the Toros have stolen bases at a 83% success rate, just under last season’s rate of 88%.

Experience Counts: If experience plays any sort of role in determining who makes it out of the Far West Region, the Toros will be hard-pressed to beat, with 51 NCAA post-season games on this 2006 Toros squad. Cindy Perry-Brown, Lori Moreno and Natalie Greco each have 8 games under their belts, while Linda Reyes and Araceli Martinez have 6 each, and are followed by Kate Groden, Pebbel Prestwood, Jennifer Wilson, Jackie Miller and Amy Thomas, who have 3, all from last season.

Whoa ... Mercy, Mercy Me: In outscoring opponents by 212 runs in the regular season (313-101), the Toros have enjoyed at least an 8-run lead by or after the top / bottom of the 5th inning on 9 occasions, including an 8-0 win at Cal State Stanislaus in the first game of its regular season finale last on May 5. In fact, CSUDH has scored at least 10 runs in nine contests, and has tallied double-figure hits in 21 games, including the final four games of the regular season. Season highs include 16 runs vs. Angelo State (Feb. 18) and 15 hits twice (U of Mary on Feb. 28 and Sonoma State on May 4).

Multiplicity: Cindy Perry-Brown leads the Toros with 16 multiple-hit games, including three games with 3 hits, and one game with 4. Kate Groden (15), Lori Moreno (13), Jennifer Wilson (12), Jackie Miller (12) and Pebbel Prestwood (11) are the other Toros to have at least 10 multiple-hit contests, while a total of 13 Toros have enjoyed at least one game with two or more hits. Groden tops the list in multiple-RBI games with 17 total, including three games with 4 RBI, and one with 5. Miller has enjoyed 13 games with at least 2RBI, while Wilson (pictured) has had two 5RBI games this season.

Maier Milestone: The Toro players aren’t the only ones who have achieved milestones this season. Head coach Jim Maier, currently in his 6th year at the CSUDH helm, won his 200th game on February 28, a 3-0 decision over new-NCAA DII member University of Mary. Sophomore Amy Thomas (pictured on left) retired 16-consecutive batters after the game’s first batter reached base, and Cindy Perry-Brown (pictured right) scored the game-winner as she reached base in all four at-bats in the win. Maier, who coached the Toros to the CCAA title last season, reached the 200-win plateau in just 5+ seasons at the helm of the CSUDH softball program. Entering the Far West Regional, Maier has averaged 37.7 wins per season, and currently boasts a record of 226-109-2, good for a 67.4 winning %.