Jim Miller/ViewCCSN pitcher Colby Shreve works out in the bullpen at a recent practice. CCSN is hoping to redeem itself this season after the Coyotes were forced to forfeit 27 wins late last year due to misinterpretation of league rules.
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Hard times appear to be over on the diamonds of CCSN.
Indeed, the baseball team is showing signs of overcoming the stunning developments of a frustrating 2006 season, while the softball team finally has earned its way into the national spotlight.
For the men, the 2007 season is offering a chance at redemption. Due to a misinterpretation of league rules regarding the academics of two players, the Coyotes were forced to forfeit 27 wins late last year. The penalty ruined what appeared to be a promising season.
"We're way beyond what happened last year," said CCSN coach Tim Chambers. "We're more focused on getting to Grand Junction (for next month's JUCO World Series in Colorado)."
The Coyotes climbed to No. 10 in the rankings last month, and Chambers thinks his squad has the potential to win its second national championship.
A strong pitching staff comprised primarily of local players should be the key.
"From top to bottom, we think this is the best pitching staff we've ever had," said Chambers, whose team claimed the national title in 2003. "If we get a chance to win a championship, we're going to need depth, which we have."
Right-hander Jon Berger, a sophomore out of Bishop Gorman High School, said last year's hardships are motivating him to work harder.
"The past is the past, but we definitely have something to prove here," said Berger, who finished March at 5-2 with a 1.24 ERA.
"But that took a lot out of us last year."
Freshman pitcher Colby Shreve (2-2, 2.61), a Bonanza High grad, said he feels the lingering effects of last year's misfortunes, despite the fact that he's new to the team.
"Other teams look at us and they see we were 13-45 last year," he said.
"That kind of devalues the program, so we definitely have something to prove."
The pitching staff is achieving that objective. Silverado grad Brenton Van, Tyler Lavigne (Centennial) and Ryan Iodence (Faith Lutheran) all finished March with ERAs below 1.40, and the staff had a 2.05 ERA.
With that said, Chambers thinks his squad will need to begin generating more offense before postseason play begins early next month.
"We've got to figure out a way to score some runs for the pitchers," said Chambers, whose team batted .275 through its first 35 games.
"Sometimes they feel like if they give up one run they're going to lose."
Even so, the Coyotes have spent the spring battling Southern Idaho for first place in the Scenic West Athletic Conference. Chambers likes his squad's chances to prevail.
"Offensively, we've got to get better," he said. "But if we improve in the next month, we'll be just as good as (the 2003) club."
The softball team hopes for similar success. The Coyotes worked their way to 20th in the national rankings and first place in the SWAC last month, thanks to a talented lineup and a string of key victories.
Pitching also is the softball team's strength, as the Coyotes finished last month with five of the top 10 best ERAs in the league and a team ERA of 1.82.
Maritza Espinoza has led the offense, entering April with a .386 batting average.
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