SBVC Softball accomplished a series of firsts last season, going to back-to-back playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades and grabbing an All-State nod. The 2016 season looks to be exciting.
Last year, SBVC softball completed the season with a 26-13 overall record and won the Foothill Conference for only the 5th time in program history with a 12-3 record. The team is coached by Jerry Tivey, who has put in a great deal of effort in balancing coaching at SBVC and teaching classes at Cajon High School in San Bernardino. Tivey, in his third year with the SBVC program, was a Championship coach with girls varsity softball and boys varsity basketball at Cajon for almost 30 years.
He states, "it's a different and positive challenge every season to learn the nuances of coaching collegiate athletes." Nevertheless, his actions show that he can still get the job done no matter what. This season, Coach Tivey is ready to build upon the already developed successful strategies which he and his staff have brought to SBVC.
2016 SBVC softball will feature an entirely new team, with no returners from the 2015 squad. However, sophomore short stop Savannah Guzman (Redlands H.S.) who competed in 2014's playoff team and was redshirted for last season, has stepped up to the plate to play this season.
Coach Tivey states that Guzman plays and represents SBVC softball with a great deal of enthusiasm and determination to give all she's got out on the field. With there being no returning players this season, the team is in need of a "steady" player and Guzman is well aware that she will naturally be seen as a leader.
With 14 new players this year, many of them have not played collegiate level softball and their progress from "fall ball" to present has impressed Coach Tivey. The newcomers are learning and getting better each day and they have proved that they are ready to play softball this season.
Coach Tivey feels when the new recruits get a taste of the first game this season; they will better see what skills each individual player needs to work on. The newcomers are expected to be 100% devoted to the team and their efforts of performing better on a regular basis, also to represent the SBVC in a positive matter.
The team's academic expectations for all players are to certainly pass their classes with at least a 3.0 GPA. Coach Tivey has advised all teammates if they are struggling with getting good grades, then reach out for help immediately. He wants to promote the idea that the team should most definitely help each other, keeping each other accountable with staying on track and motivating each other to accomplish getting a degree.
The outcome the team is working towards is getting better at being competitive and confident in themselves and the team. This will consist of keeping fellow teammates accountable, self-disciplined, and being dedicated towards the team.
Article written by Ryun Oddman
Information, Photos & Story provided by SBVC Sports Information