Former Sorcerers Marissa Drewrey and Valerie Arioto
have played leading roles in propelling Cal back into
its present top-25 status. Drewrey (Summer '05, Fall
'04,'05) is a sophomore pitcher for the Bears having a
breakout season. She was named Pac 10 Player of the
Week March 18 and through April 2 was 20-7 with a 1.59
ERA and 199 strikeouts. Her 20th win came on March 29
when she allowed only one run in a victory over
defending WCWS champion Arizona. She has recorded six
10-plus strikeout performances.
Valerie Arioto, a freshman (Fall '05 - '06 and Summer '05,
'06) through April 2 was hitting .353 for the Bears,
with 40 runs (second in Pac 10), four triples (first
in Pac 10), and 21 RBI. When not patrolling right
field Arioto has compiled a 1.88 ERA with 61
strikeouts.
UCLA freshman Samantha Camuso (Fall '06, Summer and Fall '07), has been a major force in the Bruins 31-3
record through April 2 as her team has climbed to the
top rung in the national polls. Sammy has hit .394
and slugged .596, both second on the club. She is
also second in home runs, runs, hits, RBI and total
bases, is tied for first in doubles and is first in
triples. Nothing changes with Sammy - she can still
rake.
Illinois St. junior Amber Smith (Summer '04-'06, Fall
'03-'05) went 6 for 8 in an April 2 double header
against Indiana State to raise her average to .369.
Smith established the school all-time career home run
mark as a sophomore, following a remarkable freshman
season in which she was named NFCA third team All
American.
North Dakota St. sophomore Laurel Pipkin (Summer and
Fall '04-'06) was named Summit League Player of the
Week Feb. 17, having gone 14-18 at the plate, with two
doubles. four RBI and three walks. Though April 2,
Pipkin was hitting .368 for the Bison, with 50 hits
(tied for team lead), 31 runs (team leader) and nine
steals (first on team).
U.C. Davis junior middle infielder Julie Stauder
(Summer '02-'05 and Fall '02-'04) through April 2
leads the Aggies in average (.294), runs (23), hits
(31), triples (2), and on base percentage (.402).
Notre Dame freshman Katie Fleury (Fall '05-'06, Summer
'06-'07) has started all 28 games at shortstop
(through April 2) for the Irish. Fleury is hitting
.280 with 16 runs (tied for second), 16 hits (third)
and three doubles (third).