Nov. 5, 2003
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - San Diego State's softball team hosts the SDSU alumni team at 11 a.m. Saturday in SDSU's final fall game. Introductions for the 28 former Aztecs and the current varsity squad commence at 10:45 a.m.
Top returners for the alumni include Sandra Durazo, Kelly Davenport (Nordhagen) and Erin Gutjahr.
Durazo owns the No. 1 spot in the Aztec career record book for most wins (87), appearances (165), innings pitched (878.3) and complete games (95), earned MWC all-academic team honors and helped lead the Aztecs to the round of 16 at the 2000 NCAA Tournament. She was also named the MWC's Pitcher of the Year her senior campaign.
Davenport had perhaps best offensive season in SDSU history in 2000. Her .391 batting average, 81 hits and 102 total bases remain Aztec records, while her 40 runs, 14 doubles and .431 on-base percentage are second all-time. She also holds SDSU career records in runs (126), hits (254), doubles (34), triples (12) and total bases (318).
Gutjahr owns Aztec career records for most doubles (34), home runs (17), RBI (102) and total bases (275). She was drafted by the Women's Professional Softball League in 1999.
Brief bios of the other 24 alumni follow this release.
"I'm thrilled that we got such a good response from alumni this year," assistant coach Kelly Howard said. "It's great to see the support that the alumni are giving our current Aztec team."
The varsity squad is coming off their second consecutive Mountain West Conference regular-season championship and their second trip in three years to the NCAA Tournament. The Aztecs return nine of 11 starters and 15 of 18 letterwinners from last year's squad and are looking strong to continue their top-level play in 2004.
The Aztecs begin the 2004 season with a road double-header against NAIA power Point Loma Nazarene at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 3.
- SDSU -
Rachel Bayer (Acuff): Hit .267 in 1994, third best on the team.
Joie Bonilla: Led the team in stolen bases (9) in 1994.
Kirstie Clark: Played softball with her twin sister, Jamie (1995).
Jamie Clark Coppola: 1996 second team all-WAC honors...played softball with her twin sister, Kirstie (1995)
Malina Contreras: Batted .264 for her career...Went 2-for-3 with two runs, one RBI and one stolen base against Southern Utah in a 1999 game.
Tiffany Goudy: Named to the 2002 Mountain West all-conference team...Is sixth all-time with 81 RBI...Led the 2002 team with a .363 batting average, 41 runs, 14 doubles and 38 RBI.
Amber Grahlman: Currently an Aztec undergraduate assistant coach...Just finished her career in 2003...Had a career-high three hits, including the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the ninth in SDSU's victory over No. 4 Michigan at last year's Campbell/Cartier Classic, which was also Coach Van Wyk's 200th victory.
Kristy Hansel: Led the team in 1996-97 in fielding percentage...1997 had .265 batting average.
Barbara Harr (Dotson): Earned all-WAC honorable mention in 1992...Batted .270 with 24 hits in 1991.
Mary Hernandez: Second on the 1998 team in home runs, runs and stolen bases.
Sarah Hershman: Second in the Aztec career record book in home runs (9) and RBI (97)...Fifth all-time highest slugging percentage (.410).
Brooke Johnson: Played in 51 games for the 2001 NCAA Tournament team...Hit a home run that season.
Dana Kuczon: Recipient of National Collegiate Women's Athletic award...Led her team in at-bats with 171 and was second on the squad in hits (45).
Kellie Labor: Third all-time in on-base percentage (.376) and slugging percentage (.425), fifth in batting average (.296), sixth in home runs (6)...Named 2000 Red Raider Invitational MVP after hitting two home runs and driving in five runs in the four-game tournament.
Maria Larsen: Hit .350 in 1988...Led the '88 team in sacrifice flies.
Lisa Marco: Played in 48 games in 1998, starting 42...Batted .250 with 20 RBI that season.
Keri Montoya (Rooney): 1998 Academic all-WAC selection.
Brandi Nishnick (Bundrick): 1996 posted a .352 on-base percentage, fifth highest mark on the squad...Hit .286 in conference games while registering a .464 on base percentage.
Stevie Rabbith: Started 53 games and played in 56 in 1995...Her 36 hits were second on the team.
Sheri Riley-Baker: Named team's best defensive player in 1988.
Kelley Santa Cruz: Owns the school record for most stolen bases with 59...Owns the No. 2 and 3 spots for most bases stolen in a single season with 25 in 1997 and 23 in 1996...Third-most all-time runs (70).
Jennifer Seckel: Was a versatile utility player who helped the 2001 Aztecs to a Sweet 16 finish, and the MWC Championship in 2002.
Stacy Sullivan: Co-captain of her squad...Posted highest batting average at the University of the Pacific Tournament.
Chrystal Thomas (Friesen): A second team all-West region selection in 1997...Is listed first in the career record book in walks (62) and is fourth all-time in games played (209).
Joann Vilarino: Played in 50 games in 1985, leading the team in triples (3) and tying for the lead in doubles (3).
Kathy Worley: One of team's leading hitters in 1980...Led team in walks and sacrifices.