Some may think that’s a bold statement but the lady Pirates were the most injury-plagued team in all of OEC and had to play several games with exactly the minimum number of players allowed to compete.
For 2010, depth won’t be a problem because head coach Ruby Rojas said she was determined to have a busy recruiting season. As a result, six new lady Pirates will join Rojas next year.
The highlight of the incoming six freshmen recruits are shortstop Myranda Hoggatt (pictured), second baseman Jordan Malavar and pitcher/first baseman Stephanie Engle from the 2009 Edison High School championship team.But it wasn’t easy recruiting all three. Rojas was at their games, talking to them personally and convinced them to come to Coast, despite OCC’s win-less conference record.
“I kind of didn’t look at OCC at first,” Hoggatt said. "I kind of didn’t want to go to OCC until I started talking to Ruby, but it seems like she can turn the program around.”
Malavar added it’ll be a challenge but also fun to turn the program around.
“Maybe they may not have a winning record but we’re all out there having fun, getting great education, we’re all going to transfer out, we all have a goal,” she said. “As long as we can communicate, I think we can turn it around.”
Hoggatt said “I’m actually stoked” and Malavar said “That’s awesome” when asked about coming to OCC and playing with close friends, but both will have to work hard off the field for that to happen.
Malavar, a self-proclaimed nerd, will be a political science and sociology major and hopes to transfer to an east coast university.
Hoggatt will also have a demanding schedule as a chemical engineering major.
“OCC is, I think, the No. 2 school for transfer rates and after talking with Ruby, she really seemed to care about we wanted to transfer, getting our academics done,” Malavar said. “We’re definitely on the same level coaching wise and school wise and I thought it would be a perfect match.”
All three Edison recruits will also be reunited with former teammate Sarah Munson - a sophomore pitcher for Coast.
Other freshmen recruits are Cheyanne Tovar, from Rojas’ high school alma mater - Mater Dei, Trea Steele from Esperanza High School and Tracy Valdez from FVS.
For the 2010 season, look for the lady Pirates to not only win a game, but compete for the OEC championship.
[Photo courtesy of Myranda Hoggatt]
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