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The Bears open the NCAA Tournament today in a double-elimination regional at Fresno State, and sophomore Marissa Drewrey, like always, will be on the mound. Drewrey has started 42 games for Cal this season, third-most at the school in a single season.
"We were hoping, being the more experienced pitcher coming back from last year, that she'd be able to carry the load for us," Cal coach Diane Ninemire said. "That's the role we saw her in. We look forward to her carrying the majority of our games down the stretch here."
Drewrey was the Bears' No. 2 starter last season and started 23 games, compiling an 11-8 record and a 4.36 ERA. She's 26-16 with a 1.92 ERA this year, and Wednesday earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention.
Although Drewrey has had her share of success, Ninemire would like to have a second proven starter to relieve some of the workload off her ace. She thought she may have found that in freshman Valerie Arioto, a highly regarded recruit from Foothill High School. But Ninemire said Arioto just wasn't quite ready to produce consistently this season at the Pac-10 level, and she's also been busy putting together a sparkling year at the plate as the team's leadoff hitter.
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Drewrey realized early on that she would have to assume the bulk of the workload. Arioto opened up some eyes during the fall, pushing Drewrey for the No. 1 role. But in the end, Drewrey's experience paid off.
"Once the season went on, I knew that it was more in my hands," Drewrey said. "That gave me more confidence. I didn't have as much pressure on me. (Competition) is good for every position. You always have somebody who could take your position so you always want to work harder for it."
Arioto ended up starting just eight games during the regular season but made 19 relief appearances. She's 8-3 with a 1.94 ERA and enters the postseason with a 12ยช-inning scoreless streak. Sophomore Brittany LaRosa, who came to Cal as one of the top pitching prospects in the country, is 6-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 23 games (14 starts).
"She kind of stepped up to the plate and really knew what she had to do," Cal catcher Julie Meyer said of Drewrey. "She knew she was going to be our No. 1 pitcher. Val had such a strong fall and (Drewrey) didn't want to lose No. 1."
With the potential for playing five games in three days this weekend, the Bears would like to be able to count on Arioto or LaRosa. Ninemire said Arioto's recent success makes her a candidate to provide support.
"Valerie has come on very strong lately," Ninemire said. "She is really showing great signs and I look forward to next year for her now that she has this year under her belt. If we need to call on her this weekend, we won't hesitate to do that."
Note: Cal freshmen Arioto and Sanoe Kekahuna made the All Pac-10 second team. In addition to Drewrey, Katie Vickers, Gina Leomiti and Bernice Masaniai received honorable mention.
Contact Jonathan Okanes at jokanes@bayareanewsgroup.com
NCAA SOFTBALL
Regionals May 15-17
Today's games
At Fresno State
At UMass
