Sage looks to take next step

Steve Virgen

The Sage Hill School softball team wants to be battle tested this

year, as the Lightning attempt to make a repeat appearance in the CIF

playoffs.

Sage Hill, entering its third year of existence, made the CIF

Southern Section Division V playoffs by edging Brethren Christian for

third place in the Academy League. But the Lightning, which finished

10-10, made a quick exit, with an 8-0 loss to Western Christian in a

wild-card game.

“This year, we toughened up our schedule,” said Sage Hill

second-year coach Jim Percival. “Last year, we got a little full

ourselves. And, now we have tried to get better competition. I don’t

expect an improvement in our record, but we’re trying to focus on

offense this year because our defense can handle itself.”

Percival said his defense will be rock solid with the leadership

of co-captains Jessica Torina and Alexa Shitanishi.

Torina, the team’s catcher, has earned first-team All-Academy

League honors the past two seasons. Last year she had six RBIs, six

stolen bases and eight runs scored in the Lightning’s 10 league

games.

Shitanishi hit .296 in league play with a team-best 19 steals on

her way to second-team all-league recognition. Katrina Redelsheimer,

one of two Sage Hill seniors, also brought home second-team

all-league laurels with team-highs in batting average (.303), hits

(10) and runs (nine). Redelsheimer also pitches.

The Lightning will be without their No. 1 pitcher, Catherine

Dailey, a sophomore who made second team all-league. Dailey will

concentrate on volleyball, while Meagan McCullough, also an

all-league second-teamer, has transferred to Laguna Beach. Katie

McKitterick, another Sage Hill starter, transferred to Corona del Mar

and is focusing on golf.

Dailey had a 1.26 ERA in league play.

“We’ve been managing to fill in for them,” Percival said. “We have

some solid new players. Rebecca Hembarsky is a transfer from North

Carolina, and comes in at third base and pitcher, and steps in where

Dailey left us. [Freshman] Lauren Neale has been a consistent hitter

in left field. Debbie Yoder-Lee in center field is an outstanding

athlete and no one tops her in the league. She can run down

anything.”

The Lightning also return senior Ambre Smith, juniors Jessica

Simon and Vickie Gutierrez and sophomores Allison Gonzalez, Debbie

Yoder-Lee and Christina Mainero. Junior Katie Puishys, who played

basketball for Sage Hill, will also contribute.

Percival said he is excited the team has added Alysia Atchley as

an assistant, along with Amy Ray.