Coaches of the diamond sports have been checking weather reports more than scouting reports these days.
“Rainouts! We have to deal with rainouts,” Dos Pueblos softball coach Mike Gerken lamented during his presentation at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon. “Lake Cachuma spills and we have to reschedule games… probably hasn’t happened in 10 years.”
The Chargers have played only two games and they were expecting Tuesday’s Channel League opener against Buena to be called off due to the latest rainstorm to hit the area.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen to our schedule. We’re thinking we might get the game in on Friday,” said Gerken.
Despite the frustration with the weather, Gerken has a lot to be excited about this season. He has a senior-heavy squad, led by returning Channel League MVP Bella Nuno, four-year catcher Riley Monroe and veteran outfielder Mia Reveles, both of whom were all-league first-team selections last season.
Nuno, who has homered in the two games the Chargers have played, leads the defense at shortstop, said Gerken.
He said of Monroe: “I don’t know any of her stats, but I know the GPA stat is 4.8.
“You want your catcher to be 4.8. She calls a great game. I haven’t called a pitch since she got her. She really understands our pitchers and understands the game.”
Reveles hit the weight room after last season “and she is jacked,” said Gerken. “She’s added the element of power to her game and you see it every day in practice. I think the scouting report on her this year is: ‘Be ready.’”
Reveles, Monroe and Nuno are part of seven-player senior class on the squad that has a combined 16 years of varsity playing experience.
“We’re excited about the prospects of this year. I’m looking forward to putting this all together,” said Gerken.
He noted that the eight-team Channel League will be highly competitive.
“I think we could have five losses and finish second. It’s going to be a battle every single game. The crosstown games are going to be fantastic, both Santa Barbara and San Marcos are really good.”
Also represented at Monday’s press luncheon were SBCC softball (Jessica Reveles, Mackenzie Ensign), beach volleyball (Emma Crabbe, Corinne Tommeraason) and men’s volleyball, San Marcos boys volleyball (Kyle Foley, Luke Walker, Hansen Streeter), girls beach volleyball (Devyn Brunet, Lily Blankenhorn, Riley Green), softball (Gigi Gritt, Caitlyn Early, Gracie Verdugo) and baseball (Eric Perez, Caden Hodina, Owen Estabrook); Santa Barbara High girls beach volleyball (Gracie Meinzer, Shae Delany), boys volleyball (Will Harman, Chase Holdren, Raglan Kear), boys lacrosse (Grant Lester, Michael Mascari) and girls lacrosse (Daisy Foreman, Olivia Battles); Bishop Diego boys volleyball (Liam Flood, Braylon Katers) and softball (Madeline Ferries, Lauren Weeks, Sierra Fellers); Carpinteria softball (Ashley Mora, Renata Martinez) and boys volleyball (Anthony Mendoza, Anton Zamora); Laguna Blanca boys volleyball (Tyson Deveze, Thomas Couvillion, Kincade Avery) and Westmont women’s basketball.
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