Today’s tour around the nation and examination of top club teams, particularly those that will be playing in next weekend’s So Cal Athletics Invitational in Los Alamitos, Calif., takes us back to Southern California where we check in on Explosion coached by Bret Denio

Explosion has been quietly adding a lot of top talent over the past years and is poised for a huge year led by players who are Gatorade State Players of the Year as well as those who’s won high school state titles. 

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Club Team:  EXPLOSION
Head Coach: Bret Denio

 

LAST YEAR (2013)

Key Accomplishments: 5^th place at Louisville Slugger in Boulder, Col.

Top Players Returning:
— 2B/SS Vanessa Shippy (2014, Oklahoma State)
— CF Carly Thomas (2014, Illinois)
— 1B Sydney Lahners (2014, Pacific)
— SS/3B Sara Ketelsleger (2014, Boise State)
— C Victoria Zamora (2014, Long Island)
— OF Julea Cavazos (2014, Bakersfield)

Top Players Lost:
— P Casey Stangel (graduated, now at Washington)
— SS Jazmyn Jackson (changed teams, now with Corona Angels)
— C Lindsey Besson (graduated, now at Michigan State)
— OF Izzy Serrano (graduated, not at Boise State)

 

THIS YEAR (2014)

StudentSportsSoftball.com: What do you think are the strengths on this year’s team?
Bret Denio: Chemistry is one of our biggest assets, both in the dugout and behind the fence.  Great group of young ladies and families. We are a senior laden team who just want to win. We will definitely swing the bats. We can hit all the way through the lineup.

SSS.com: What area(s) concern you or will you be working to improve on this team?
BD: Team Speed is not what I would like…but we are athletic. There is always room to improve your defense.

SSS.com: Who are 1-2 newcomers you expect to have an impact?
BD: Brittany Finney, a 2015, P/OF committed to Oklahoma, and Paige Halstead, a 2015, C/SS/OF who’s going to UCLA.

SSS.com: Name 1-3 players you think will really emerge and impress this year?
BD: I would say the following:
— C Victoria Zamora (2014, Long Island)
— P Ashley Ross (2015, uncommitted)
— RB Julea Cavazos (2014, Bakersfield)

SSS.com: What tournaments/events will you be playing this summer?
BD: So Cal A’s Invitational, Boulder Independence Day, Surf City Summer Showcase and PGF Nationals!

SSS.com: How do you expect this team to play style-wise?
BD: We will be aggressive on the base paths and try and put pressure on the defense. We will be more of a power lineup with HR power throughout #1-9. Pitching will be key for a good run this summer.

 

SO CAL ATHLETICS INVITATIONAL

SSS.com: What is your primary goal in playing in this event?
BD: We’re in this to compete! We are playing the best teams in the country in three straight days of games. Chances are there are no teams undefeated at the end of the weekend.

SSS.com: What players/teams are you excited to see or play against?
BD: East Cobb Bullets with (P Kelly) Barnhill; I always like playing the Bullets! Bill Conroy and his Beverly Bandits and Kevin O’Donnell with the Jersey Intensity are also always fun games.

SSS.com: What will determine if this is a successful event for you?
BD: A successful event will be that all my girls play hard 100% of the time and that they give their best effort and attitude. Control what you can control!

 

MISC.

SSS.com: What keeps you coming back as a coach?
BD: I enjoy everything about the game: the players, the families and the whole softball community across the nation… having met so many from all over the country, all with the same love of the game, and some more than others!

SSS.com: What would you say has been a highlight of your career?
BD: Being able to assist so many girls in reaching their dreams of being a student-athlete. Watching my former players graduate from colleges such as Northwestern, Boston College, ASU, Florida, Oregon State, Notre Dame—they are all highlights.

SSS.com: What do you look for in a player you’re considering adding to your team?
BD: A good kid, good family.  Chemistry is very important as well as also having a positive attitude and great work ethic. And that they can hit the ball a mile!

SSS.com: Finally, who have been some of your former players you’re most proud to say you coached (and why)?
BD: That is so tough because there have been so many, they are all special to me and I follow them in their lives and try and stay in touch with as many as I can.