The Strike Force Softball program based in Lake Elsinore, Calif. has 14 teams led by the 18 Gold team coached by Gabe Guerra which has had impressive success the last couple years.

In 2013, the Strike Force Gold team won the PGF 18U Platinum National Championship and this year won the Surf City Valentine’s Tournament and played in both the Colorado Fireworks Super 64 Showcase as well as the PGF Premier Nationals.

And the organization has one of the coolest motto’s in fastpitch: “A FORCE to be reckoned with.” Not to mention the more obvious one: “May the Force be with you.”

I connected with Coach Guerra to learn more about the Strike Force and what has led to the program’s success… here’s the interview along with four Gold player who are still on the market and the list of college-bound players…

***

FullCountSoftbal.com: When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?
Gabe Guerra: Jim Jensen, the President and founder of the Strike Force Softball organization launched an effort in 2007 to build an organization that could effectively provide an avenue for which young female athletes could build a strong foundation based on solid softball fundamentals, discipline and commitment, ultimately leading to a college scholarship for every Strike Force Softball athlete.

FCS: Where are you based?  Where do your athletes come from—are they all local or do some come from out of state?
GG: The Strike Force Softball organization is based out of the Temecula/Lake Elsinore area.  However the 18 Gold softball program is based out of the Orange County area with its athletes coming from Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Riverside counties.

FCS: What was the purpose of creating the team, was it to showcase players, win titles, develop skills, etc.)
GG: The 18 Gold Strike Force Softball team is primarily focused on teaching the fundamentals and proper execution of the game of softball, emphasizing the basic components of championship level softball.

FCS: What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
GG: The 18 Gold Strike Force Softball team reached the pinnacle of this sport when it won the 2013 PGF 18U Platinum National championship.

FCS: What makes the organization unique?
GG: The Strike Force Softball organization prides itself on its ability to develop young softball talent and in providing a platform from which each athlete can secure her college scholarship through hard work, commitment and academic excellence.

FCS: What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
GG: Like many travel ball coaches, my coaching career began when my daughters started playing softball at the rec level.  With a baseball background the transition into softball was swift and almost seamless.  As my daughter’s softball talents progressed, so went our progression into travel ball.  After 20 years or coaching and over 100 softball scholarships earned, coaching softball has become a way of life for me and for my family.

FCS: How many teams are there in the organization overall?
GG: The Strike Force Softball organization consists of 18 softball teams in total, 11 of which are based in southern California, six in the state of Texas and one in Arizona.

FCS: Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team’s history?
GG: Over the years, I have seen the game of softball go through a complete transformation.  Today’s softball athlete is bigger, stronger, faster and better coached.  This steady improvement has made it extremely difficult to compete at the travelball level.  So difficult that mentally, I had to resign myself to getting athletes into college and no longer focused on winning tournaments, much less a National tournament.  Hence winning a national championship in 2013 was a special surprise for me and a huge feather in the cap of the Strike Force Softball organization.

FCS: What is your primary focus or goal with this team?
GG: The primary focus for the 18 Gold Strike Force Softball team remains on teaching the fundamentals and proper execution of the game of softball.  This basic philosophy is a proven and tested recipe that guarantees softball scholarships for all Strike Force Softball athletes.

FCS: What do you think are the strengths of the team?
GG: The team’s strength comes from its experience and its ability to compete in big games.  The team is constantly playing before college scouts and is able to function under high pressure situations.  The constant exposure to this level of play, establishes a high standard for the team to hold, requiring maximum individual effort from each and every team member at all times.

FCS: If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?
GG: The 18 Gold Strike Force Softball team sets itself apart from the rest by the type of softball athletes recruited to play for the organization.  Most Strike Force Softball players join the organization as unsigned/uncommitted athletes.  The Strike Force Softball organization provides a second chance for athletes that have been previously overlooked by many travel ball and college coaches.  Once given the opportunity, our athletes have a proven track record to be impact players at this level and also at the collegiate level.

FCS: Anything else interesting or fun that I could use to portray your team as a top organization?
GG: In the year 2000, a job opportunity forced me and my family to move to the state of Georgia.  While I lived in Georgia, I had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to coach with the East Cobb Bullets organization.  This opportunity opened many doors for many softball athletes, as I was able to generate connections with softball coaches in the southern region of the US.  Additionally, one of my daughters earned her college scholarship at the University of Caldwell in New Jersey, which opened more doors in the northeast region of the US.

Today my softball network continues to grow each year and is second to none when it comes to softball contacts across the nation.  The strength in this network is the primary reason why the Strike Force Softball organization is able to guarantee a softball scholarship for all that are willing to take the Strike Force Softball journey.

***

 Strike Force Gold – Uncommitted Players (with comments by Coach Guerra):

— OF Lauren Cowden (2015, uncommitted)
“Lauren brings a killer component to every successful softball program and her speed kills! She also adds leadership and maturity level to the team. Lauren knows how to win and makes everyone around her better. She is a very dynamic softball player who is most fun to watch when she is wreaking havoc on the opposing teams when she is stealing and taking extra bases. With her charismatic personality Lauren is a very likeable individual and teammate.”

— P Lauren Pascaul (2015, uncommitted)
“Lauren demonstrates extraordinary softball and leadership skills, requiring both athleticism and knowledge of the game. She is able to lead a team with her ability to dominate in the circle and is also able to lead by example and her never quit attitude.

— SS/3B Gabbi Sanchez (2016, uncommitted)
“Although Gabbi is the youngest player on the Strike Force Softball roster, this season marks her third season playing softball in the 18U division. Gabbi plays the game of softball with tremendous maturity, spirit and enthusiasm. She is mentally strong and a very disciplined individual who works very hard to ensure her success on the field. Gabbi is an impact player and can make a difference anytime she is playing.

— OF/1B Courtney Morton (2015, uncommitted)
Courtney is an inspiration to her teammates. She works hard and plays hard on the field. Courtney is able to execute the fundamentals of the game both on offense and defense. She is a very charismatic individual and adds character to the team. Courtney will make an impact to any team with her bat, with her arm in the outfield and with her winning attitude.”

 

Strike Force Gold – Committed Players:

— C Jazmine Albizures (2014, Howard)
— 3B Hailey Archuleta (2015, Syracuse)
— 3B Amber Bishop (2016, Liberty)
— 3B Autumn Bishop (2016, Liberty)
— P Madi Dove (2014, Domincan)
— 3B Madison Foulks (2014, Monterey Bay)
— C Tanya Galvan (2015, Cal State East Bay)
— 2B Kristyne Hong (2014, Claremont-McKenna)
— SS Anessa Kaylor (2014, San Jose State)
— 2B Desirae Klumpp (2014, Hillsborough)
— P Cassie Lajeunesse (2014, Lehigh)
— C Keara McCarthy (2014, Wilmington)
— SS Cassidy Morton (2014, Dixie State)
— C Madison Saacke (2014, Montana)
— SS Kelsea Short (2014, Eastern Arizona)
— OF Kiahna Silva (2014, Caldwell)
— 1B Taylor Stewart (2014, San Diego State)