Concordia On Schedule as Playoffs Open

After a long post-season drought, the Concordia softball team is playing beyond the regular season, and Coach Lynette Privatsky believes the Eagles are peaking at the perfect time.

Concordia, which last reached the post-season in 1989-90, plays Azusa Pacific at 9 a.m. today at DeYoung Field in West Covina in the first round of the NAIA Far West Regional tournament.

The Eagles (23-21) lost their four games against Azusa Pacific (46-7-1) this season, but Privatsky believes her team can give the fifth-ranked Cougars a good challenge this time around.

“I think our players are realizing they have the ability,” Privatsky said, “and that as long as they stay focused and play as a team they can accomplish much.”

Privatsky certainly accomplished a lot in her first season as head coach. The Eagles finished second in the Golden State Athletic Conference and Privatsky was named coach of the year.

Hawaii Pacific, 42-5 and top-ranked in the NAIA, and Southern California College (19-31-1) play at 11:30 a.m. in the other first-round game today. The double-elimination tournament continues Friday, and Saturday, if necessary.

The winner will receive an automatic bid to the NAIA championship tournament May 14-17 in Decatur, Ala.

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GSAC honors: Concordia had four players selected first-team all-conference in softball: freshman catcher Crystal Rosenthal, sophomore shortstop Salena Goudreault, senior second baseman Alissa Carlson and senior center fielder Trish Evans.

Southern California College has two first-team selections: sophomore pitcher Gretchen Brandt and junior pitcher Jen Houston.

SCC had three baseball players named to the first team: senior catcher Rob Pegg, junior outfielder Kevin Moore and junior pitcher Bryce Primm.

SCC second baseman Greg Schreiber and Concordia outfielders Ben Kindreich and Brett Waslefsky received honorable-mention selections.

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Baseball: Southern California College opens the NAIA Far West section playoffs at 6:30 tonight against Hawaii Pacific at Azusa Pacific.

The double-elimination tournament, which also includes Westmont and Azusa Pacific, continues Friday and Saturday. The winner advances to the NAIA West Regional May 13-15 at Cal Baptist in Riverside.

SCC’s Primm was named conference pitcher of the week for the third time in the last four weeks. Primm, the conference leader in earned-run average at 1.98, beat Azusa Pacific, 9-2. He gave up four hits and one earned run in 7 1/3 innings.

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Men’s basketball: Pacific Christian has hired Christian Heritage assistant Tom Moody as men’s basketball coach. Moody takes over for Glenn Snyder, who spent two seasons as the Royal coach. Snyder will remain in his position as athletic director.

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Women’s tennis: Chapman senior Deborah Denio received her second consecutive bid to the NCAA Division III championships and will play in the 32-player singles draw starting Saturday in Claremont.

Denio, who was ranked 25th in the nation, lost in the first round last season.