Sports
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Issue 12 • April 15, 2011 • www.deltacollegian.net
Softball team on beat, ranked No. 1 By Eric Culpepper Sports Editor The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Zac Brown Band. Rock. Country. Music. This is not a story of songs, but of a team playing on the same beat. These artists, along with many others, are part of a playlist blasting off of an iPod at the Delta softball team’s afternoon practice as the team prepared for the upcoming week. The vibe was casual, not what you would expect from the state’s number one team currently sitting at 31-0. “He (Coach Jim Fisher) turns the music up really loud so we can communicate on the field. It’s so we have to be louder,” said infielder Katie Etcheverry. What is so special about this team? What ingredient does this group of women have that others don’t? There is pitcher Katie Cotta, undefeated this season and averaging nearly two strike-outs an inning. Adding to the mix is Erica Mireles (.530 in league), Rachel Borges (returning all conference,
.500 in league), and Mia King, who Fisher is says “is having an incredible year.” From the outside looking in, the obvious answer would be these players. But the players say it’s about team unity and working together. “I love my team. Seriously, that’s what it’s about. When I go out there I just don’t strike everybody out,” said Cotta. “People have to field behind me.” The unity and love between players continues off the field as well as on it. Team members say they spend time together on weekends and hangout together. That fact is evident by the laughs and nicknames being shouted around during drills. The women say they are more than teammates, they are friends. Somewhere in the laughs and the smiles is a team that is mean, a team that’s worked hard. The players do plyometric and body weight workouts daily and directly credit the shape they are in to their success. In the past month, the Lady Mustangs have only allowed
Athlete of the issue
Katie Cotta #3 Sophomore Position: Pitcher PHOTO BY: ERIC CULPEPPER
WARMING UP: The Delta softball team gets ready for a game with
stretches on Tuesday. three runs, compared to seventy-one scored. Team members acknowledge that opponents give them their best shot every outing. “My mentality is that any given day someone can come and knock you off,” said Borges. “Everyone is going to be gunning for us because we’re undefeated and they want to be the
one to knock us off.” Despite an unblemished record they aren’t a arrogant bunch. “I don’t measure us against anyone but ourselves,” said Fisher. “However, it works out, that’s how it works out, but so far we’ve answered the ball every time.” The Lady Mustangs continue their winning run on Saturday at home when they take on
Favorite Athlete: Tim Lincecum Highlight: Katie struck out 12, threw a no-hitter , and had a solo home run in a game against American River College. Sacramento City College for a double header. The games are set to start at 12 p.m. To contact this reporter, e-mail at: culpeppereric@gmail.com
Bay Area teams look for talent in the NFL Draft By Eric Culpepper Sports Editor
By John Wallace Staff Writer
OAKLAND Last year the Oakland Raiders failed to make the playoffs despite going undefeated in the division, Head Coach Tom Cable was fired and replaced by offensive coordinator, Hue Jackson. With a possible lockout looming, free agency has been halted putting a even greater emphasis on the NFL Draft. Without a first round selection the Raiders are going to have to find value in the later rounds. OFFENSIVE LINE: Robert Gallery, Langston Walker, Samson Satele, Mario Henderson and Khalif Barnes are all free agents which means a few key linemen will have to be replaced. POSSIBLE PROSPECTS: Benjamin Ijalana (Villanova), Stefan Wisniewski (Penn St), Rodney Hudson (Florida St), Marcus Cannon (TCU) and Danny Watkins (Baylor) are all valuable picks that could be available. CORNERBACK: The Raiders made the decision to let shutdown corner Nnamdi Asomugha walk in free agency. It is possible they will be looking for his replacement in the draft. POSSIBLE PROSPECTS: Aaron Williams (Texas), Brandon Harris (Miami) or Ras-I Dowling (Virginia).
SAN FRANCISCO
The 2011 season was a disappointing one for the San Francisco 49er faithful. Heading into the season with playoff aspirations the 49ers stumbled out to a woeful 0-5 record and ultimately finishing 6-10. Like the Raiders, the 49ers made a coaching change firing defensive minded Mike Singletary and hiring hot commodity John Harbaugh who is considered an offensive specialist. The 49ers have the seventh pick in this year’s draft and have many prospects available that could make an immediate impact. QUARTERBACK: The Alex Smith saga looks to be coming to an end. Who to acquire to take the starting spot? Do the Niners use the first round pick on Heisman Trophy winner Cam New-
Staff top ten mock JOHN’S TOP 10 1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn 2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama 3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU 4. Cincinnati Bengals: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M 5. Arizona Cardinals: Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina 6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia 7. San Francisco 49ers: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri 8. Tennessee Titans: Jake Locker, QB, Washington 9. Dallas Cowboys: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn 10. Washington Redskins: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
ERIC’S TOP 10 1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn 2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU 3. Buffalo Bills: Marcell Dareus, DT/ DE, Alabama 4. Cincinnati Bengals: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn 5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri 6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia 7. San Francisco 49ers: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M 8. Tennessee Titans: Da’quan Bowers, DE, Clemson 9. Dallas Cowboys: J.J Watt, DE, Wisconsin 10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
ton (Auburn) or choose between Blaine Gabbert (Missouri) and Jake Locker (Washington)? It is possible that they wait until the middle rounds to select a quarterback. CORNERBACK: The 49ers are very weak in the secondary and it would be a dream come true if Patrick Peterson (LSU) fell to them. If not, the Niners will have to decide if Prince Amukamara (Nebraska) is talented enough to be selected seventh or if they want to wait until the middle rounds for a Cornerback. MILLER OR QUINN: Von Miller (Texas A&M) or Robert Quinn (North Carolina) are considered elite 3-4 pass rushers and would be ideal at seven. The Niners haven’t had a ten sack player since Andre Carter.