Breaking NewsSponsored by The Sullivan Auto Group
Subscribe: Home Delivery Special!
Sheldon No. 1 ranking 'pretty cool,' coach says
Huskies enter tough stretch of games with national respect
By Quwan Spears - qspears@sacbee.com
Published 4:01 pm PDT Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Sheldon coach Mary Joe Truesdale, right, celebrating with her top player, Jolene Henderson in 2007, said her team's No. 1 national ranking is fine, though it adds some pressure. Lezlie Sterling / Sacramento Bee
Sheldon softball coach Mary Jo Truesdale is fairly understated in her response to the recent news that her team has been ranked No. 1 in the season's first nationwide poll.
"We think it's pretty cool," she said. "As a result, we're very pumped about the situation.
"Of course, there is a little more added pressure. But we're taking it in stride. This is what we wanted. But we realize every team will be gunning for us and playing as if it's their championship game."
The Huskies are at the top of the first USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association High School Top 25, released late last week. The ranking puts them squarely in the hunt for an unofficial national championship.
The Huskies are ranked No. 1 in the state by Cal-Hi sports and top ranked in the Sacramento area by The Bee. They opened ranked No. 4 in in Rivals.com's preseason Fab 50
Sheldon, carries a 15-1 record into today's Delta River League game against St. Francis. On Thursday, the Huskies play host to Pleasant Grove, ranked No. 3 by The Bee.
The Huskies proved deserving of the status with a second-place finish in the prestigious Nike Faster to First tournament in Huntington Beach in early March.
The 26-team event featured nine squads ranked in the national top 20, including preseason No. 1 Kennedy of La Palma. The Huskies lost 1-0 in the championship game to then 19th-ranked Pembroke Pines-Florida, now ranked 12th nationally by USA Today.
Later, the Huskies won the competitive Livermore Stampede in late March.
They are led by junior pitcher/first baseman Jolene Henderson, The Bee's 2007 Player of the Year, who has committed to attend Cal.
Sheldon also features two All-Metro first-teamers in senior infielder Alexa Rivera, headed to Pacific next fall, and junior catcher Lindsey Ziegenhirt, also committed to Cal, as well as senior shortstop Morgan Otto, who going to San Jose State next season.
About the writer:
- Call The Bee's Quwan Spears, (916) 326-5517.
Unique content, exceptional value. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Most Popular
More Stories in High School Sports
News |
Sports |
Business |
Politics |
Opinion |
Entertainment |
Lifestyle |
Travel |
Blogs |
Cars |
Homes |
Jobs |
Classifieds/Shopping
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Map | Advertise | Guide to The Bee | Bee Jobs | FAQs | RSS
Contact Us | e-edition | Subscribe | Manage Your Subscription | E-newsletters | Sacbeemail | Archives
sacbee.com | Sacramento.com | Capitol Alert | SacMomsClub.com | SacPaws.com | SacWineRegion.com
Copyright © The Sacramento Bee
2100 Q St. P.O. Box 15779 Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 321-1000