Our fourth profile of a top-level club team that will be playing in the So Cal Athletics Invitational (Los Alamitos, Calif.) from June 20-22 takes us back to sunny Southern California where we meet another So Cal A’s team, this one coached by Joey Quarles.

These Athletics were one of the best teams at the 16U level last year and finished 9^th at the PGF Nationals…

 

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Club Team:  So Cal Athletics – Quarles
Head Coach: Joey Quarles

 

LAST YEAR (2013)

2013 Record: 55-20-2
Key Accomplishments:  Finished 9^th at PGF 16U Nationals

Top Players Returning:

— SS Malia Martinez (2016, committed to Arizona)
— 1B Kylie Lundberg (2015, 1B committed to Oklahoma)
— RHP Sara Costlow (2014, RHP, signed with George Washington)
— 3B Aniesa Maulupe (2016, 3B committed to Long Beach State)
— RHP Lulu Vasquez (2015, uncommitted)
— OF Sabrina Quarles (2015, uncommitted)
— OF/IF Yaritza Felix (2016, uncommitted)
— C Lorren Sharp (2015, uncommitted)

Top Players Lost:
— RHP Ashley Ross (2015, committed to Boston College)… now plays for Explosion

THIS YEAR (2014)

StudentSportsSoftball.com: What do you think are the strengths on this year’s team?
Joey Quarles: We have a young team with big game experience and are only graduating four seniors this year. Defensively we’re sound with some of the best players in the Class of 2016.

SSS.com: What area(s) concern you or will you be working to improve on this team?
JQ: We’ll be looking for solid pitching to replace two 2014 pitchers moving into next year.

SSS.com: Who are 1-2 newcomers you expect to have an impact?
JQ: Erika Hansen, an outfielder coming off a strong high school campaign with CIF semi-finalist Moorpark, pitcher Maddy Neales, who comes into the summer after being the No. 1 pitcher for CIF contender El Modena High.

SSS.com: Name 1-3 players you think will really emerge and impress this year?
JQ: Here are four I think will be ones to watch this year:

— SS Malia Martinez (2016, Arizona)
— 3B Aniesa Maulupe (2016, Long Beach State)
— 1B Kylie Lundberg (2015, Oklahoma)
— 2B/OF Monica Pasillas (2015, Arizona)

SSS.com: What tournaments/events will you be playing this summer?
JQ: Surf City June Invitational, So Cal A’s Invitational, Premier So Cal qualifier, Colorado IDT.

SSS.com: How do you expect this team to play style-wise? Explain!
JQ: Strong defense, situational offense with “pop” in key parts of the line-up. The pitching will be steady and consistent.

 

SO CAL ATHLETICS INVITATIONAL

SSS.com: What is your primary goal in playing in this event?
JQ: To play the best and see how we match up. Also, to see how our team will adjust playing against elite teams.

SSS.com: What players/teams are you excited to see or play against?
JQ: Of course, the So Cal powerhouses. Haning/Stith have a great team, possibly the favorite to win Nationals this year, Rico (Firecrackers) is always tough and you never have to question whether or not the So Cal A’s (Bruce) will be in the hunt as they always are. Interested to see the out-of-town teams too.

SSS.com: What will determine if this is a successful event for you?
JQ: We want to compete with every team. We think we have that kind of team. We want to give ourselves a chance to win every game. If we can stay consistent with our plan, we will be successful.

 

MISC.

SSS.com: What keeps you coming back as a coach?
JQ: The players. Teaching, not always about softball, but how softball and the pursuit of being the best relates to so many things in life.

SSS.com: What would you say has been a highlight of your career?
JQ: Watching our players’ dreams come true for themselves as well as their family. Most personally, watching my daughter grow up in a sport that teaches us so much.

SSS.com: What do you look for in a player you’re considering adding to your team?
JQ: Beyond talent, her drive, coachability, industriousness and will to win. A sense of humor always wins bonus points.

SSS.com: Finally, who have been some of your former players you’re most proud to say you coached (and why)?
JQ: 3B/SS Brianna Tautalafua, (2015, UCLA); “the natural,” outfielder Ali Wester (2015, Notre Dame), who has a great attitude, no excuses and one of the smartest players on the field; C Hillary Edior, (2015, Arizona), “the rock” of any team, she knows how to impact a team, a steady, headstrong, “captain-type” who gets respect from her teammates and C/OF Kiana Waller (2016), naturally gifted athletically and a scholar-athlete who showed me the most resilience I have ever seen in a young lady.