|
|
|
DeSanta Picks Up Slack On The Mound
Young ace plus solid defense equal first-place team.
May 2, 2002
By Kyle Erickson SAN DIEGO - Coming off its best season in history, the 2002 San Diego State softball team had one burning question: Who's going to pitch? Sandra Durazo, the 2001 MWC Pitcher of the Year had graduated, leaving a big void after she recorded 30 of the team's record-high 41 victories. "I didn't know what to expect," head coach Kathy Van Wyk said of her pitching dilemma. What Van Wyk expected and received is improved offense production. The team has hit 16 points better than last year, and scored the same amount of runs in seven less games. Along with a solid defense, hitting has played a major role in the team's success -- the Aztecs have cruised through conference play with a 13-3 record, and with just two games left seem to be a lock to win the conference, despite preseason polls picking them third. Offense and defense were being counted on. What wasn't being counted on was the success of a freshman pitcher with a 16-8 record and MWC-lows of a 1.08 ERA and .208 opponent batting average, Bre DeSanta. "I had a feeling she could be very good, but I didn't expect her to be this good," Van Wyk said. Even DeSanta didn't see herself in such a main role. "I thought I was probably going to be a number two or three pitcher, just waiting for my opportunity in the upcoming years," she said. DeSanta has gotten better as the season has wore on. She has won her last eight decisions, all in conference and all complete games, compiling a staggering 0.98 ERA. After recording all four Aztec wins this weekend, she was named MWC Pitcher of the Week -- her fifth time this season. DeSanta defers much of the credit for her streak to her teammates. "A lot of my success depends on what they do defensive-wise behind me and putting runs up on the board," she said. Catcher Amber Grahlman echoed that sentiment. "Bre had a huge part (in our conference success)," she said. "But the key to our overall success is that we work together. If we don't show up on defense, we won't have that. Bre can't throw everything past them, she needs us and we need her." The defense behind her is very important. DeSanta's pitching is very much like the Padres' Trevor Hoffman -- she doesn't have a blazing fastball, but coupled with a devastating change-up, it looks like it to opposing hitters. She records most of her outs with the change-up, using it to throw off hitters' timing. The result: a lot of strikeouts. DeSanta has an MWC-high 134, but even more ground balls. Van Wyk said DeSanta exhibits the approach of a veteran pitcher. "A lot of pitchers come from high school where they strike a lot of hitters out, and they think that's what their job is, and it's not," she said. "Their job is to hit the targets, and whatever happens, happens. "I think she's done a good job of focusing on that." Besides the change-up, hard work and mental toughness have been major reasons for the young pitcher's success. Evidence of this can be found in Sunday's game one win over New Mexico. After hitting the leadoff batter, DeSanta gave up a two-run homer. Rather than let it get to her, DeSanta steeled herself and allowed only three more hits and no runs in the last six innings en route to a 4-2 Aztec win. With all the progress she's made, the young pitcher's future looks bright and Van Wyk predicts big things for her. "I think she's going to break every pitching record in the San Diego State books," she said. "It's going to be fun to watch."
So, the Aztecs have found the answer to their preseason query. Not only for this year, but probably the next three to come.
|
|
