ARCATA – No lead was safe for the Humboldt State softball team last year when the team posted an ERA of 6.39 – the worst in Humboldt State history. Head Coach Frank Cheek vows that this year will be different.
 
“Pitching was definitely our Achilles' heel, but I know we're better this year. We have been working to be better,” Coach Cheek said.
 
The reason for Cheek's cautious optimism rests on the shoulders of Division I transfer Hannah Williams who played her freshman year at Fresno State. She came to HSU in fall of 2011 but had to sit out a year to become eligible.
 
Williams helped to lead Freedom High in Oakley to a 95-9 record in her four years that included a state championship and four consecutive Bay Valley Athletic League titles. She twice earned All-State and high school All-American honors.
 
“The mound and Williams belong together,” Cheek said. “We're going to work her in the rotation a lot this season, and I know she will be what we've needed in terms of pitching,” he said.
 
The first test will be Sat., Feb. 2, when the Jacks open the season against Academy of Art in a non-conference doubleheader starting at noon on the HSU softball field – weather permitting. Last year Academy of Art swept the Jacks in a double-header, 5-2 and 11-3.
 
After a rough season last year that ended in a 9-27 conference record, 18-37 overall, Humboldt State Softball has been in the process of rebuilding and is eager to make a comeback.
 
“We don't want last year's record to define us but I also don't want the girls to forget going into this season,” Cheek said. “When you forget, you don't know where you need to improve,” he said.
 
Improvements and changes have been made all over the field as HSU welcomes 11 new players who join the 13 returners.
 
While getting people out was a problem for the Lumberjacks, it was also a problem for their opponents. Humboldt had no problem hitting the ball. Last year the Jacks hit 64 home runs, tying the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) record. They also hit over a .300 as a team and scored more than five runs a game.
 
The top returning big bat for the Jacks belongs to senior Chrissy Stalf. In her three years with the Jacks she has already proven herself to be one of the all-time great hitters in school history. She has the single-season records for home runs (18) and slugging percentage (.807)  - both marks achieved in 2011. Her career batting average is .385. Her 29 career home runs place her fifth on HSU's all-time list.
 
“There is no doubt that Stalf is one of the best Division II first baseman anywhere and she could easily play at the next level,” Cheek said. “She thinks quickly and everyone is always aware of her presence.”
 
While at HSU Stalf has earned NFCA and Daktronics All-American honors. She was a three-time CCAA All-Conference player and Player of the Year in 2011. Last year she hit .388 with seven home runs.
 
Coach Cheek returns for his 25th season as the head of a program that has captured two NCAA Division II National Championships, five West Region Championships and 18 Conference Championships.
 
Below are summaries of the 2013 roster by position.
 
Pitchers
 
In addition to Williams, two other pitchers join the staff this year: freshmen Elizabeth Perez from Johansen High School and Kathryn Obbema from Live Oak High School.
 
Perez led her high school team to back-to-back Modesto Metro Conference Championships in 2010 and 2011. She was named All-District Pitcher of the Year in her sophomore year.
 
Obbema was a four-year letter winner and three-time All-Bay Valley Athletic League selection. She finished 2012 at 11-11 with 153 strikeouts and 2.89 era. She also has experience playing first base. 
 
Jennifer Sizemore returns for her junior year. She appeared in 34 games last year with a 6-7 record.
 
Catchers
 
Courtney Hiatt, a senior, played in all 55 games last year and hit .347 with a slugging percentage of .647. She had 107 putouts and 21 assists.
 
“Hiatt has really grown both offensively and defensively since joining the program. Behind the plate and when she's up she is aware of the situation and her stats are proof of that,” Cheek said.  
 
Returners Claire Hoose and Hannah Brassmassery will also share catching as well as designated hitting responsibilities.
 
Hoose also has experience at first and third. Brassmassery transferred from Diablo Valley College last year and earned Big 8 Conference All-League honors during her time with the Vikings.
 
Three newcomers will also be working for playing time at catcher: junior transfer Shelby Fowler from Ohlone College, freshman Darian Harris and freshman Mariah Martinez.
 
First Base
 
Stalf , who is the team's co-captain for 2013, will see the majority of playing time at first base. Sophomore Alison McKibbon, who appeared in 27 games last season and hit .258, will be the backup.
 
Second Base
 
Two players will vie for playing time at second base: sophomore Megan Wink and freshman Cynthia Chavez.
 
Wink played in 15 games last year and also has experience playing shortstop. Chavez was a four-year starter for Cypress High School and as a middle-infielder was selected as Defensive Player of the Year. She joins sister, Andrea Chavez, who is the shortstop for the Jacks.
 
“Cynthia is good with her glove and we're ready to see what she can do on base,” Cheek said. “Size-wise she's not that big but she is aggressive and that's why we want to get a lot of playing time out of her. “
 
Third Base
 
Julianna Pena gained valuable experience at third base while redshirting last year. During her senior year at Westview High School she hit .354 and had a slugging percentage of .750. Catchers Harris and Fowler will also be backups at third, if needed.
 
Shortstop
 
Junior Andrea Chavez started in 47 games at shortstop last season. Freshman Justine Casper, who played four years at Laguna Hills High School and was team captain during her senior year, will also be looking for playing time in the middle infield. She also has experience playing outfield.
 
Outfield
 
An outstanding defensive player, Serena Aragones played in 49 games last year and is capable of playing all three outfield positions. Aragones, a senior, was named co-captain for the 2013 season.
 
“Both Aragones and Stalf are great leaders,” Cheek said. “Stalf shows by example while Aragones will sometimes let the team know verbally. She will be more vociferous about issues, but it's her leadership style and she has the respect from her peers.”
 
Dani Randall returns for her sophomore year after playing every game last season in the outfield and hitting  .361, third best on the team. She hit 10 home runs and 15 doubles and led the team with 50 runs batted in.
 
Junior Tonya Walker started at center field last season. She hit .285 and stole 14 bases out of 17 attempts to lead the Jacks in that category for the second year in a row.
 
Other outfielders on the team include senior Erin Guidarelli, junior Sarah Fox, JC transfer Emily Herrmann, and freshman Carly Perkins.
 
Assisting Cheek this year are two former Lumberjacks, Shelli Maher-Sarchett and Alicia Reid. Coach Sarchett is returning for her eighth season. She played four years for HSU earning three All-American honors as third baseman and catcher. She was a member of the 1999 National Championship team and a coach for the 2008 Championship team. Reid who is in her first season on the coaching staff, played two years under Coach Cheek and earned All Region NCAA honors during her senior year.