Cal State East Bay women's softball team concluded the 2008 campaign following a 1-3 Southern California road trip on April 18-19. The Pioneers concluded the 2008 season with an 11-23 record. Jessie Peterson led the Pioneers in hitting with a .337 batting average. She scored 18 runs with six doubles and 19 RBIs. On the mound, Peterson won 11 games with 143 strikeouts and three shutouts. Stephanie Roberts hit .320 with two home runs. Justine Watson batted .311 and led the Pioneers with 20 runs scored, 13 doubles, five home runs, and 22 RBIs. Erica Patterson had a .274 batting average for the 2008 season.

Cal State East Bay concluded the 2008 campaign by winning one out of four games in Southern California last weekend. The Pioneers were swept in a doubleheader by U. of LaVerne 3-0 and 9-1. Pitcher Jesse Peterson had seven strikeouts in the first game. Cal State East Bay and Pomona Pitzer split a doubleheader on April 19. The Pioneers won the first game 6-0 behind a two-hit, eight strikeout performance by Jesse Peterson. Peterson also homered and drove in a pair of runs. Stephanie Roberts was 2-for-4 at the plate with a run driven in. The Pioneers swept visiting Holy Names 4-0 and 8-0 in a doubleheader on April 13. Pitcher Jesse Peterson hurled a pair of shutouts with nine strikeouts. Shelby Stueve drove in a pair of runs while Jamie Martin was 3-for-3 at the plate in the first game. Jesse Peterson and Justine Watson each drove in three runs as the Pioneers completed the doubleheader sweep. Erica Patterson was 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and a run batted in. On April 12 Cal State East Bay and Dominican University split a doubleheader with the Pioneers winning the first game 2-1 in eight innings while the Lady Penquins took the second contest 11-3. In the opener, the Pioneers pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Jesse Peterson hurled a complete game with seven strikeouts and drove in the winning run with a base hit. In the second game Stephanie Roberts hit a three-run home run. On April 11, the Pioneers were swept by Dominican University 19-1 and 4-1. Cal State East Bay swept Holy Names in a doubleheader 7-1 and 5-4 on April 6. Pitcher Jesse Peterson won both games as she allowed four earned runs and recorded 12 strikeouts in 14 innings. Peterson helped her own cause at the plate with five hits, four runs scored and three RBIs. Justine Watson was 6 for 8 at the plate with three doubles, a triple and three RBIs. Angelina Lugo also drove in three runs in the doubleheader. The Pioneers were swept in a doubleheader by Menlo College 2-1 and 13-8 on April 5. Watson homered and drove in three runs in the second game. The Pioneers finished 2-6 on their Southern Califorina trip on March 24-28. Cal State East Bay lost to Pacific U. (Ore) 4-1 and defeated Elmhurst (Ill) 8-5. Pioneer pitcher Jesse Peterson recorded 11 strikeouts against Pacific. Peterson also drove in the Pioneers lone run. In the victory over Elmhurst College, Erica Paterson doubled and drove in three runs while Stephanie Roberts was 2-for-4 at the plate with a run batted in. On March 25 the Pioneers lost to Willamette University 12-3. Pitcher Jesse Peterson had eight strikeouts in four innings while Stephanie Roberts was 2 for 3 at the plate with a run scored and an RBI. Cal State East Bay scored a run in the top of the seventh on a run scoring single by Jesse Peterson to defeat La Sierra University 4-3. Peterson picked up her fifth win of the season by allowing La Sierra three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts in going the distance. Justine Watson hit a three-run home run in the Pioneer victory. The Pioneers lost to Linfield College 14-1 and 20-0 on March 27. Cal State East Bay was defeated by Chapman University 4-0 and 10-0.

Cal State East Bay split a doubleheader with Menlo College on March 15. The Pioneers lost the first game 4-1 and won the second contest 8-1. Pitcher Jesse Peterson won her third game of the season allowing Menlo College no earned runs with four strikeouts in going the distance. Justine Watson was 3 for 3 at the plate including a pair of home runs while Angelina Lugo hit a grand slam.

The Pioneer women's softball team opened the 2008 campaign by going 2-4 on a Southern California trip on February 8-10. Cal State East Bay and Cal Lutheran split a doubleheader on February 8. Cal Lutheran won the first game 4-2 while Cal State East Bay took the second contest 9-6. In the opener, Justine Watson was 2 for 3 at the plate with a run scored and RBI. Pitcher Jesse Patterson recorded five strikeouts in six innings of work. Patterson also had two hits and drove in a run. In the second game, Jesse Patterson allowed two hits with six strikeouts in 6.1 innings to get the victory. Patterson was 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, three runs scored and two RBIs. Jamie Martin had three hits and three runs scored while Erica Patterson had two hits and drove in a pair of runs. The Pioneers lost a doubleheader to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 10-3 and 22-0 on February 9. Cal State East Bay concluded the Southern California road trip on February 10 with a split against Whittier College. Cal State East Bay won the first game 3-1 while Whittier College won the second contest 2-1. Pitcher Jesse Peterson won her second game of the season allowing one run with seven strikeouts in going the distance. Amanda Tietz and Shelby Stueve each had two hits. In the second game, Stephanie Roberts hit a solo home run. The Pioneers lost a doubleheader to visiting University of Redlands 3-0, 1-0 on February 26. Cal State East Bay was defeated by Bethany University in a doubleheader 6-1 and 10-5 on February 29. Amanda Tietz and Shelby Stueve was each 3-for-8 at the plate in the doubleheader.

Head Coach Barbara Pierce has announced her coaching staff for the 2008 Cal State East Bay season. Seasoned collegiate coach Nina Richardson will be bringing competitive coaching and playing experience with her to Hayward. Ava Pickering will be joining the staff fresh out of college where she competed at St. Lawrence University.

Nina Richardson, a 2004 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Adams State College in Colorado, has coached at the collegiate level for three years. Richardson served as a graduate assistant coach at NCAA Division II Adams State, where she completed her Masters in Health and Physical Education. She then moved on to serve on the coaching staffs of Oklahoma Panhandle State University and North Iowa Area Community College. Richardson has coached high school softball in Iowa and in her home-state of Hawaii.

While a student-athlete at Adams State College, Richardson was an Academic All-American Scholarship Athlete, an Arthur Ashe Award Winner, a Presidential Scholarship recipient, an Americorps Scholarshipsrecipient, and a constant member of the Dean's List.

Before college, Richardson was a member of ASA teams Na Wahine Softball and Hurricane Softball in Hawaii. Her teams competed in National Tournaments in the United States and Japan.

As a colegiate athlete, Richardson played every position in the field except pitcher. Pierce will look forward to utilizing her coaching ability in every aspect of the game.

"I am thrilled to have a coach of Nina's caliber working with us this season. Her coaching experience is crucial in helping us get where we want to be. The fact that she has played eight of the nine positions in college proves that she is knowledgeable and will do what needs to be done to make us better," said Pierce.

Pickering, a 2007 graduate of St. Lawrence University, was a four year starting pitcher for the Saints. In her first year, she garnered a 1.94 ERA and was named to the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association's Second Team. Pickering was an All Conference pitcher and Rookie of the Week on two occasions in the 2004 season. She battled injury throughout her collegiate career, but earned the conference Pitcher of the Week status again in her senior season in 2007.

Pickering was also named to the conference All- Academic teams in her junior and senior years, and was a consistent member of the Dean's List. During her academic career, she studied in Thailand and Washington, DC. A double major in Government and Sociology at St. Lawrence, Coach Pickering is looking forward to beginning her coaching career At Cal State East Bay.

"Coach Pickering will work primarily in the bullpen. She also has experience in the outfield and was a consistent threat in the batting order, so she will help in those areas as well. Having coached AVA at St. Lawrence, I know what she is bringing to the table as far as pitching expertise, knowledge, and love of the game. I look forward to watching her learn and grow as a coach," Pierce said.

"I am very excited to have two high quality coaches on staff this season. Both Coach Richardson and Coach Pickering bring competetive playing experience and a high level of success in the classroom to East Bay. I cannot wait to get out on the field and start working towards the high standards that we expect of ourselves," said Pierce.

Sara Stas received first team utility player recognition while Stephanie Chu was a first team outfielder on the Association of Division III Independents All-Independent Softball Teams on May 24. Stas, who was named 2006 Association of Division III Independents All-Independent Softball Teams Player of the Year, led the Pioneers in hitting with a .423 batting average while compiling a 10-8 pitching record. Chu, who batted .413 for the season, topped the Pioneers with 29 runs scored, four triples, and 13 stolen bases. Stas was also named 2007 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division III All-West Region first team. Chu was an At-Large third team selection.

Cal State East Bay women's softball team finished 18-18 for the season. The Pioneers won their last six games and 12 of 14 contests. Sara Stas led the Pioneers in hitting with a .423 batting average. Stas has team highs of eight doubles, four home runs, and 32 RBIs. On the mound, Stas compiled a 10-8 record with a 3.13 earned run average and 63 strikeouts. After a three-year playing career for the Pioneers, Stas holds the school record with a 32-game hitting streak and is now 5th all-time in doubles (38), RBIs (93), and home runs (11). Stas is eighth in runs scored (84) and ninth in hits (136). On the mound, Stas is the CSUEB all-time hurler with 187 strikeouts and second with 38 victories. Steph Chu batted .413 and led the Pioneers with 29 runs scored, three triples and 13 stolen bases. Alicia Ach had a .271 batting average while Shelby Stueve hit .261 with 21 runs scored and eight doubles. Joelle Goodman won eight games while compiling 71 strikeouts.

PIONEERS CONCLUDE REGULAR SEASON WITH DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP OVER DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY

The Pioneers concluded the regular season while extending their winning streak to six games with a doubleheader sweep over Dominican University 5-3 and 4-2 on April 22. Sara Stas had three hits and three RBIs in the first game. Stas won her 10th game of the season scattering eight hits and recording eight strikeouts. Steph Chu and Alicia Ach each had two hits. Chu scored two runs while Shelby Stueve had two RBIs. In the second game, Joelle Goodman hurled a complete game allowing two runs and three hits with five strikeouts. Stas drove in a pair of runs while Chu and Lauren Pensa each had two hits and a run scored.

PIONEERS TAKE DOUBLEHEADER FROM VISITING MENLO COLLEGE

Cal State East Bay swept visiting Menlo College in a doubleheader 2-1 and 3-0 on April 20. In the first game, Terilyn Goode accounted for the go-ahead run with her first home run of the season in the fifth inning. Pitcher Sara Stas hurled a complete game with no earned runs allowed and three strikeouts. Stas was 2-for-3 at the plate with a run batted in. Steph Chu had three hits including a double. In the second game, pitcher Joelle Goodman tossed a one hitter and recorded 10 strikeouts. Goodman had two hits at the plate. Chu and Shelby Stueve each had drove in a run.

CAL STATE EAST BAY SWEEPS MENLO COLLEGE IN DOUBLEHEADER

The Pioneers took a doubleheader from Menlo College 9-0 and 7-4 on April 17. In the first game, Pioneer hurler Joelle Goodman tossed a three-hit shutout and recorded four strikeouts. Goodman scored two runs and drove in a run. Sara Stas had two hits and scored a pair of runs. In the second game, Stas improved her record to 8-8 as she allowed no earned runs and had eight strikeouts. Katie DiStefano was 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs. Shelby Stueve was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a double. Steph King had two hits and drove in a pair of runs.

PIONEERS SPLIT FOUR GAMES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The Pioneers split four games in Southern California on April 6-7. On April 6 Cal State East Bay swept Pomona Pitzer in a doubleheader 3-0 in nine innings and 8-0 on April 6. In the first game, pitcher Sara Stas won her seventh game of the season as she shutout Pomona-Pitzer on nine hits and two strikeouts. Steph Chu drove in a pair of runs in the ninth inning. Cal State East Bay completed the sweep with an 8-0 victory. Stas hit a home run and drove in four runs. Lauren Pensa was 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and a run drive in. Pitcher Joelle Goodman tossed a five inning no-hitter and help her own cause at the plate with two hits and a run scored. On April 7 the Pioneers lost were swept in a doubleheader by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 3-0 and 5-4. In the first game, Terilyn Goode had a pair of hits and a stolen base while Stas recorded six strikeouts and allowed three runs in six innings of work. The Pioneers held a 4-3 lead in the second game, only to see Pomona-Pitzer win the game with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Katie DiStefano had a run scoring single while Chu had a pair of hits and drove in a run.

PIONEERS TAKE DOUBLEHEADER FROM DOMINIICAN UNIVERSITY

The Pioneers took a doubleheader from Dominican University 2-1 and 4-3 on March 31. In the first game, the Pioneers scored two runs in the first inning highlighted by a run scoring single by Joelle Goodman and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Sara Stas. Besides driving in a run, Stas pitched a solid game allowing no earned runs and two hits in going the distance. The Pioneers completed the doubleheader sweep by scoring three runs in the first inning and an insurance run in the fifth. Katie DiStefano drove in a pair of runs. Goodman allowed three runs and recorded four strikeouts in picking up the victory. Lauren Pensa had two hits and drove in a pair of runs.

CAL STATE EAST BAY SWEEPS LEWIS AND CLARK IN DOUBLEHEADER

Cal State East Bay took a doubleheader from Lewis and Clark College by identical scores of 8-0 on March 27. In the first game, pitcher Sara Stas tossed a two-hit shutout. Alicia Ach had three hits including a double and home run. Shelby Stueve was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a couple of RBIs. Steph Chu was 2-for-3 at the plate and scored twice. In the second game, Pioneer hurler Joelle Goodman allowed one hit and retired the first 12 batters she faced. Goodman had five strikeouts. Cal State East Bay scored seven runs in the second inning highlighted by Steph King's two-run single. Stas was 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored.

PIONEERS CONCLUDE LONG WEEK IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The Pioneer women's softball team dropped a doubleheader to University of Redlands by identical 6-3 scores on March 25 and lost a pair of games in the Sunwest Tournanent to UW-Eau Claire 8-0 and Pacific University 13-0 on March 23.Cal State East Bay split a doubleheader with Cal Lutheran on March 22. The Pioneers won the first game 9-3 while Cal Lutheran captured the second contest 2-1. Steph Chu went 4-for-4 at the plate with a triple and two RBIs in the opener. Lauren Pensa, Alicia Ach, Raeann Munoz, and Shelby Stueve all had two hits. Sara Stas hurled a complete game allowing two earned runs while scattering two hits. The Pioneers received a strong pitching performance from Joelle Goodman in the second game as she allowed one earned run and seven hits in 6.2 innings. Chu had a pair of hits and scored a run. The Pioneers won two games at the Sunwest Tournament on March 21. The Pioneers defeated Babson College and Augsburg College by identical scores of 4-3. In the Pioneers extra inning victory over Babson College, Sara Stas hurled a complete game while recording a season-high eight strikeouts. Stas helped her own cause at the plate with a two-run home run. Steph Chu and Alicia Ach each had two hits. Chu went 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and an RBI as the Pioneers defeated Augsburg College. Katie DiStefano contributed to the Pioneer victory with two hits and a run scored. Pitcher Joelle Goodman won her second game of the season and hurled a complete game allowing two earned runs with six strikeouts Cal State East Bay lost two games in the Sunwest Tournament on March 20. Cal State East Bay lost to the University of St. Thomas 8-2. Pitcher Sara Stas recorded seven strikeouts. The Pioneers were defeated by Williams College 8-4. Steph Chu was 4-for-5 at the plate with a double, triple, and a run batted in. Stas drove in a pair of runs while Joelle Goodman and Shelby Stueve each had two hits.

Cal State East Bay women's softball team concluded the 2006 season with a record of 26-9, the fourth straight year the Pioneers have won 20 or more games. Cal State East Bay was 17-8 versus Division III competition. The eight defeats in Division III were to teams with a combined winning percentage of .746. The Pioneers won 11 of their last 12 games. During the last 12 games, the Pioneers outscored their opponents by a 66-27 margin. Sara Stas was named the Association of Division III Independents Player of the Year and Cal State East Bay Female Athlete of the Year. In the final NCAA III statistics (May 23) pitcher Sara Stas led the nation in 20 doubles (0.57 per game) and was fifth in pitching victories (26). Jen King was sixth in base on balls (0.89 per game) and 13th in runs scored (1.23). As a team, the Pioneers ranked 4th in doubles (75-2.14 per game), 22nd in fielding percentage (.965) and 24th in scoring (6.8 runs per game).

After 35 games, the Pioneers had a team batting average of .336 and a fielding percentage of .965. Cal State East Bay outscored the opposition by a 238-125 margin. The Pioneers had 60 stolen bases compared to 14 for their opponents. Sara Stas, named Association of Division III Independents February Athlete of the Month and third team NCAA III All-West Region, led the Pioneers in hitting with a .444 batting average and also compiled an impressive pitching record of 26-8 with 115 strikeouts. Stas broke four Cal State East Bay records for most wins in a season (26), strikeouts in a season (115),innings pitched in a season (231), and hitting streak (25). At the plate, Stas had 38 runs scored, 20 doubles, three home runs, and 37 RBIs. Jen King hit .366 with a team-best 43 runs scored and five home runs. Shawna Foster had a .358 batting average with five home runs and 36 RBIs. Angela Gonzales hit .333 with 15 doubles and 34 RBIs. Stephanie King enjoyed a solid freshman campaign with a .333 batting average. Tori DeSimone batted .320 for the season with 15 runs scored, two home runs, and 13 RBIs. Five Pioneer softball players were named to the Association of Division III Independents Team. Besides player of the year honors, Sara Stas was named first team pitcher. Angela Gonzales earned first team honors as a first baseman. Freshman Stephanie King was a second team selection at second base while Shawna Foster and Tori DeSimone earned honorable mention recognition.