KYLE TREMBLEY
CONTRIBUTOR

THE PERFECT PITCH: SANBERG LEADS COUGARS TO TOP

After winning its first Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Conference Championship last season, Cal State San Marcos softball returned just five players in 2011, making a repeat performance for Coach Dave Williams’s squad a questionable proposition.

Instead, the team has thrived, rising to a program-best #3 in the nation with a 33-6 record.  While the young, fast lineup has come together in a way that Coach Williams could only hope for, the team’s engine is, as always, pitcher Brenna Sandberg.

Upon first impression, Sandberg, a senior, is not what you’d expect an ace softball pitcher to be.  Standing at 5’3” with a slight build, she possesses the ability to overpower hitters, but her calling card on the mound is her pinpoint control, wicked movement, and durability.

Sandberg is unique in that she throws nearly every inning of every game for CSUSM.  In 2010, she led the nation in innings pitched with a staggering 328.1, nearly 60 more than the next closest pitcher.  In 2011, her 208 innings pitched are currently 40 more than the closest competitor.

“I like playing, so for me it’s something I enjoy,” said Sandberg.  “It’s not easy at times, but I have a team to back me up when I’m not on top of my game.”

Of course, Sandberg is far more than an innings-eater.  In 2010, she was named A.I.I. Conference Pitcher of the Year and a Second Team NAIA All-American.  This year, her 29 wins lead the nation, and her 1.04 ERA and 271 strikeouts both rank nationally in the top-15.  She has already thrown two perfect games in 2011, striking out 10 batters in 6 innings at La Sierra in the first, and an unbelievable 13 batters in 5 innings against Emerson College in the second.

At last year’s A.I.I. Championships, Sandberg threw back-to-back no-hitters to carry her team to the title.  With a revamped lineup and the conference championships taking place in the familiar confines of CSUSM Softball Field, Sandberg’s expectations for that tournament and the team’s performance at Nationals are high.

“I have higher expectations for our team this year,” commented Sandberg.  “I think we have experience at key positions and along with the new freshmen, we have a strong lineup and are strong in the field.

Sandberg’s Cougars will enjoy home-field advantage at this year’s A.I.I. Championships, which will be played at CSUSM’s softball field, May 5-7.

Photo courtesy of CSUSM.edu