The So Cal A’s are the four-time defending PGF Nationals champs, but if there’s one team that could challenge their run, many feel it will be the team we spotlight today, the OC Batbusters.

The team is the equivalent of a musical “supergroup” and came together last fall when the OC Batbusters, the traditional powerhouse coached by Gary Haning, combined with another top program, Team Mizuno, led by Mike Stith.

Stith will be doing the bulk of the onfield practices and coaching with Haning lending his expertise as well.

As for the talent, well, just look at the colleges they’re going to for a glimpse of how this team is loaded at practically every position…

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Club Team:  Orange County Batbusters
Head Coach: Mike Stith

LAST YEAR (2013)

Key Accomplishments: Boulder IDT champions. Team NJ tournament champions, PGF Nationals 18U runner-up

Top Players Returning:
— OF Amanda Lorenz (2015, Florida)
— OF Alyssa Palomino (2015, Arizona)
— C Janell Wheaton (2014 C/1B, Florida)
— P Taylor McQuillin (2015, Arizona)
— P Kaylee Carlson (2014, North Carolina)
— C Maddy Jelenicki (2014, UCLA)
— 2B Sydney Romero (2015, Oklahoma)
— SS McKenna Arriola (2014, Oregon State)
— C/3B Morganne Flores (2015, Washington)

Top Players Lost:
— SS Delaney Spaulding (graduation, UCLA)
— 2B Hannah Flippen (graduation, Utah)
— OF Justine McLean (graduation, Florida)

 

THIS YEAR (2014)

StudentSportsSoftball.com: What do you think are the strengths on this year’s team?
Mike Stith: Depth and pitching and a very experienced group.

SSS.com: What area(s) concern you or will you be working to improve on this team?
MS: As always defense will win when it matters most.

SSS.com: Who are 1-2 newcomers you expect to have an impact?
MS: Outfielder/shortstop Taylon Snow (2017, Washington) and outfielder Natalie Peters (2015, Michigan).

SSS.com: Name 1-3 players you think will really emerge and impress this year? MS: Outfielder Fale Aviu (2015, Oklahoma) is maturing and ready for a breakout season and infielder Tannon Snow (2015, Washington) is now fully recovered from a severe ankle injury and is reestablishing herself as a premier hitter and third baseman.

SSS.com: What tournaments/events will you be playing this summer?
MS: All Surf City events, Team NJ and Boulder IDT.

SSS.com: How do you expect this team to play style-wise?
MS: It takes all of that – offense, defense, pitching, speed—to be successful. We have speed but the team can power up when it needs but all our teams will be focused on pitching and defense.

 

SO CAL ATHLETICS INVITATIONAL

SSS.com: What is your primary goal in playing in this event?
MS: To see the best teams around the country and see where we are at early in the summer.

SSS.com: What players/teams are you excited to see or play against?
MS: Everybody from out of state as we enjoy playing different styles and coaches. Many of the teams we have good friendships with the staffs and its always good to enjoy their work.

SSS.com: What will determine if this is a successful event for you?
MS: A National Championship!

 

MISC.

SSS.com: What keeps you coming back as a coach?
MS: The development and teaching aspects of coaching and knowing what it takes for players to compete at an elite collegiate level and seeing them progress through the process has to be top on the list. Like all, we are competitive as well and enjoy the strategy and the “game” side of things.

SSS.com: What would you say has been a highlight of your career?
MS: It’s always watching our graduated players play in college and becoming very confident young women in our world and knowing we had a little part in that.

SSS.com: What do you look for in a player you’re considering adding to your team?
MS: Tough-minded people work best with us. Also someone who realizes they want to get to the highest levels possible in our sport.

SSS.com: Finally, who have been some of your former players you’re most proud to say you coached (and why)?
MS: Well this is my list but Gary Haning’s list would be interesting and long I’m sure.

It starts with two of my daughters, Kristin and Katie, because of how confident and successful they are. If it were not for them I would still be coaching high school football!

Others include:
— Jodie Legaspi (Kiaha), a great person and All American at UCLA who played for me for 6 years,
— Jaisa Creps (UCLA)
— Jaymee Juarez (Ohio State)
— Candace Baker (CSUF)
— Dom (Washington), Brittany (Arizona) and Lauren Lastrapes (Nevada), all great kids
— Monica, maybe the best SS I have ever seen, and Andrea Harrison, maybe the best hitter I ever worked with (both UCLA)
— Katie Schroeder (UCLA)
— Tiffany Huff (Tennessee)
— Aja Paculba, Francesca Enea and now Justine Maclean (Florida)
— Delaney Spaulding (UCLA)
— Cheyenne Coyle and Haley Steele at ASU
— and one of my all-time favorites and, as a freshman was All American at Utah, Hannah Flippen.

I could name names all day but that enough I would think!