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CLEAR Temp: 67 °F Wind: WNW at 6 mph Monday, June 3, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Cyberchef E The People Golf Job Network Headbone Zone Wellness Connection Movie Times Newspaper in Education Oregon CarZone Outdoor Journal Personals Prime Times Real Estate Tempo A & E TV Times W3 Magazine CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Destinations Automotive Communities Employment Entertainment Publications Real Estate Recreation Shopping Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Jobs @ Mail Tribune Email Story to a Friend May 24, 2002 Shearin, Ross receive Skyline honors By FRANK SILOW Mail Tribune The Phoenix Pirates hadn’t won the Skyline Conference softball championship since 1984. Veteran softball coach Bill Shearin ended the 18-year title drought in his first year guiding the Pirates. And now Shearin has Phoenix in today’s Class 3A state quarterfinals against top- ranked Stayton. For orchestrating a magnificent turn around at Phoenix, Shearin was selected as Skyline coach of the year. The league champion Pirates also came away with the other top individual honor when junior pitcher Tiffany Ross was tapped as player of the year. "Phoenix had a lot of the same girls from last year’s team that finished fourth," North Valley coach Jeff Conard said. "The biggest difference between last year and this year is they won the close games this year. That’s a testament to Bill. He was able to develop a good team chemistry." Shearin, 47, was no stranger to many of the players on the Pirates’ roster. The Phoenix High graduate and Phoenix resident coached some of the girls on an ASA 12-under team several years before. Shearin had been an assistant coach at Eagle Point for the previous four years. He had assisted at Phoenix in the past and was head coach at Cascade Christian in 1987. "I’ve been involved in fastpitch for a long, long time," said Shearin. "My mom was a really good pitcher. I grew up with fastpitch." When Shearin took over at Phoenix he wanted to provide a comfortable atmosphere for the players in his rookie season. "The biggest change was some adjustments in hitting," said Shearin. "They trusted me and allowed me to do that. The results were pretty dramatic as we batted .360 as a team." Not only did Shearin’s team accomplish lofty goals on the field, but the Pirates are second in the state academically for Class 3A softball teams with a 3.67 grade-point-average. Ross received the top player award because of her ability as a double threat for the Pirates this year. Ross posted a 17-3 conference record on the mound with a 0.68 earned run average. She averaged 6.6 strikeouts a game. She also led the team with a .436 batting average and only struck out once all year. Additionally, Ross topped the team in doubles (5) and RBIs (21). "She’s an amazing athlete," said Conard. "Tiffany never gives up. She never lets down from the first inning to the seventh inning. When people got on base, she pitched more effectively." Other Pirates joining Ross on the conference first team are two juniors — shortstop Jennifer Dunlap and center fielder Jamie Escobar. Dunlap, who batted .360, was a productive leadoff hitter. Dunlap led the team in hits (27), runs (20) and stolen bases (23). Escobar batted .279 and had a team-high three triples. She also provided some important intangibles and was a defensive star. "Jamie made more diving, spectacular catches than anybody else on our team," said Shearin. "She’s got so much heart. She’s a real high value player to me." Conference runner-up Rogue River also had three junior players on the first team — pitcher Katie Glasscock, shortstop Kristi Frederick and outfielder Melissa Day. "Both Glasscock and Frederick are really devastating hitters," said Shearin. "When Katie is pitching she has good control and throws the ball hard. Frederick is a very fine defensive player with a good arm." Glasscock posted a 10-2 conference record, with a 1.80 ERA. Glasscock had 61 strikeouts in 74 innings. She batted .369. Frederick didn’t make an error all season and had a team-high .507 batting average and a team-best 25 RBIs. Day was a consistent performer with 15 putouts and four assists in the outfield to go with a .254 batting average. North Valley junior catcher Michelle Beck and senior third baseman/pitcher Tara Ironside were first team choices. Beck had an awesome year at the plate and in the field. Beck led the team with a .408 batting average and a .732 slugging percentage. She threw out nine runners and had nine pick offs. She only allowed five straight steals all season. "We had to create a special game plan for her both offensively and defensively," said Shearin. Ironside, one of the team captains, had been an honorable mention selection the previous two years. Ironside was 8-6 pitching with a 1.99 ERA. She batted .311 and showed a good eye at the plate with 13 walks. Illinois Valley’s lone first team choice was clutch hitting senior first baseman Sydney Derda. Skyline Softball All-Conference FIRST TEAM Pitcher — Tiffany Ross, Phoenix, Jr. Pitcher — Katie Glasscock, Rogue River, Jr. Catcher — Michelle Beck, North Valley, Jr. First Baseman — Sydney Derda, Illinois Valley, Sr. Infield — Jennifer Dunlap, Phoenix, Jr. Infield — Kristi Frederick, Rogue River, Jr. Infield — Erika Clements, Henley, Sr. Infield — Tara Ironside, North Valley, Sr. Infield — Tia Chastain, Mazama, Sr. Outfield — Katie Eck, Henley, Sr. Outfield — Melissa Day, Rogue River, Jr. Outfield — Jamie Escobar, Phoenix, Jr. Designated Hitter — Desi Martin, Lakeview, Jr. PLAYER OF THE YEAR — Tiffany Ross, Phoenix, Jr. COACH OF THE YEAR — Bill Shearin, Phoenix SECOND TEAM Pitcher — Kim Hamilton, Illinois Valley, So. Pitcher — Jessica Birt, Henley, Jr. Catcher — Jill Artoff, Rogue River, So. First Baseman — Kelsey Russell, Phoenix, Jr. Infield — Christina Saldivar, Phoenix, Jr. Infield — Kiki Smith, Rogue River, Sr. Infield — Tiphanie Pope, Illinois Valley, Jr. Outfield — Melissa Miller, Rogue River, Jr. Outfield — April Darby, Phoenix, Sr. Outfield — Rita Long, North Valley, So. Utility — Sara Shinerock, Illinois Valley, Jr. HONORABLE MENTION Catchers — Kristiann Kinsman, Henley, So.; Tessie Daniels, Lakeview, Jr.; Shannon Reed, Phoenix, Jr.; Ricci Coultas, Illinois Valley, Fr. First Basemen — Tara Houglum, Henley, Jr. Infielders — Kristy Cook, Illinois Valley, Sr.; Danielle Hunter, Henley, So.; Karyn Allen, North Valley, So.; Angie Young, Mazama, So.; Lindsey English, Mazama, Sr., Crystal Lawrence, Mazama, Jr.; Oriana Turley, Hidden Valley, So.; Ashley Stewart, Lakeview, Jr. Outfielders — Krista Hudson, Hidden Valley, Sr.; Kendra Kohler, Phoenix, Sr.; Angela Winfrey, Rogue River, Jr. Designated Hitters/Utility — Laura Jones, Rogue River, So.; Larisa Wiltrout, Phoenix, So.; Allison Hayes, Henley, Jr; Whitney Makepeace, North Valley, So.; Carey Saltmarsh, Lakeview, Jr.; Krista Hudson, Hidden Valley, Sr. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S