The 2009 season was an outstanding one for the young Poway Titan varsity squad!  Highlights included 25 wins (a single season record), the Cougar Classic Tournament Championship, a 9-1 record versus the Avocado League, victories over such highly ranked opponents as El Camino, Torrey Pines, Mt. Carmel, Carlsbad, Granite Hills and San Pasqual, several weeks ranked as the Number 1 team in the San Diego Section, a 6-4 Palomar Conference record (which was undoubtedly toughest softball conference in San Diego County) and a third place finish in the Division I CIF playoffs!  All in all, a fantastic season for the Titans!

Fortunately, the future is very bright for Poway Softball as well.  The Titans will have 12 returning varsity letterwinners in 2010 and all 12 made starts in 2009 so the team should be well positioned to challenge for a Palomar Conference and CIF Championship in 2010!  Thanks to Coach Bennet and Coach Chavez for all their hard work and dedication to the softball program at Poway High School and Go Titans!

Chelsea Barilli went 2-3, scored 3 runs and drove in two and Becca Trott threw a 4 hit, complete game shutout to lead the Poway Titans to a 7-0 victory over the Rancho Buena Vista Longhorns Saturday afternoon, 5/23 at Bennet Field.  The game was a stark contrast to the two regular season games the Titans had with the Longhorns, both of which were very closley contested.  However the third time was the charm for the Titans as they came out focused and determined to start the CIF playoffs strongly, putting up 5 runs in the first two innings and never looking back in the convincing victory.  

After the game, the Titans found out that #7 seed Carlsbad upset #2 seed El Camino and would be the Titans next opponent in the CIF Playoffs.  Since the Titans are the higher seed (3), Poway will be staying at home Tuesday and playing the Lancers in CIF quarterfinal action at 3:30PM.  The Titans really appreciated all the support they were given by the great crowd at Saturday's game so pleae come out again Tuesday and give the team the support they need and love as they continue working towards their goal of a CIF Championship!    

The Poway Titans were awarded a 3rd seed in the CIF Division 1 playoffs and a first round bye Thursday night, a recognition of their outstanding regular season performance which included 23 wins, the Cougar Classic Tournament Championship, a 9-1 record versus the Avocado League, victories over such highly ranked opponents as El Camino, Torrey Pines, Mt. Carmel, Granite Hills and San Pasqual and their 6-4 record in the Palomar Conference, which has to be considered the toughest softball conference in San Diego County.  Despite losing their last two regular season contests, the Titans appear to be refocused and ready to go as they begin their pursuit of a CIF Championship!

The Titans start off the CIF Tournament this Saturday, May 24 at 2:00PM with a home game against the winner of the Friday San Pasqual-Ranch Buena Vista contest.   The double elimination tournament continues throughout next week with quarterfinal games Tuesday and Wednesday at the home of the higher seeded team, semifinals Tursday at Poway Sportsplex and the Championship Saturday, 5:30PM at San Diego State.  The Titans will definitely have a game Tuesday at 3:30PM and their schedule after that will be determined by game results.  Please plan on attending all the Titan games and support the girls as they strive to reach the ultimate goal, a CIF Championship!

Poway Coach Jim Bennet has preached "One Heartbeat" to his team since it formed back in February and that slogan was never more evident than in the two Titan victories this week.   With 16 players on his roster, Bennet has worked very hard to keep all his players engaged and playing, and that paid off this week as several different players stepped and contributed to the Titan victories! 

On Tuesday 5/12 Poway traveled to El Camino to take on the first place Wildcats in a critical Palomar Conference tilt (actually they are all critical now!).  The Titans started off the game without Seniors Kassy Shiotani and Chelsea Barilli who were taking AP tests and arrived late but other Titan's stepped up and took up the slack.  Ashley Andruski started in Barilli's place and drove in the first two runs of the game on a sharply hit ground ball, Danielle LeBeau drove in the next two with a two run double and then Barilli returned to the line up and blasted a two run homerun to put the game away and the Titans won by a score of 7-3!  P Gabrielle Sciuto did a great job keeping the hard hitting Wildcats of balance for five innings, Becca Trott pitched the last two for a save and OF Shelley Tibbs and 3B Angie Randazzo anchored the defense by making several outstanding plays.

The Titan depth was further demonstrated on Thursday 5/14 as a different group of players helped secure a 4-2 victory over Carlsbad and kept the Titans within striking distance of the conference title!  OF Brianna Villanueva led the way on offense, going 2-2 and scoring two runs with help from fellow outfielder Stephanie Rocco who drove in a run with a single and Haley Steele who parked one over the right centerfield fence (as predicted by her dad) and gave Poway the breathing room they needed.  Meanwhile P Ariel Craig pitched seven strong innings, giving up only 3 hits and striking out 8.

The final two games of the Palomar Conference season are coming up with an unusual Monday game at 3:30PM against Vista at Bennet Field at Poway High followed by a 3:30PM game Tuesday May 19 at RB against the first place Broncos.  If the Titans can win both contests they will clinch at least a co-championship in the Palomar Conference so please come out and support the girls as they play these critical games!  

Behind an outstanding complete game two hitter thrown by Rebecca Trott, Poway defeated a game RBV squad Thursday afternoon by a score of 1-0 at Bennet Field.  The Titans made the most of four hits with Chelsea Barilli having two of them and scoring the game's only run as Stephanie Rocco drove her in with a clutch single in the 3rd inning.  The Titan defense turned in numerous clutch defensive plays, including a great catch in right field by Nicole Johnson (pictured), several solid plays by 2B Haley Steele and P Rebecca Trott helping her own cause with two nice plays on bunts.  

While Poway was defeating RBV, good news came out of RB regarding the Titan's conference title hopes as the Broncos defeated El Camino in a key Palomar Conference contest.  With RB and El Camino both now having one conference loss, the Titans are only 1 game out of first place with games against both RB and El Camino remaining on their schedule.  If the Titans can win their last four conference games they are assured of at least a tie for the Palomar Conference Championship, which would be an incredible accomplishment considering the Conference is arguably the section's best!

Speaking of El Camino, the Titans will travel to Oceanside next Tuesday, May 12th to take on the Wildcats in a hugely important game for both clubs at 3:30PM.  The girls need all the support we can give them so please take off work early and rearrange any afternoon commitments you may have that day and make your way out to El Camino and cheer on the Titans as they play to keep their conference title hopes alive!!!   

The Poway Titans faced cross town rival Rancho Bernardo Friday night at Poway Lake and before many of the full house of spectators had settled into their seats, the Broncos had raced out to a 6-0 lead after three innings.  However, facing their largest deficit of the season, the Titans didn't give in, stood tall and battled back, outscoring RB 2-1 in the final four innings.  Ariel Craig (pictured above) shut out the hard hitting Bronco attack for three innings and Danielle LeBeau (pictured right) led the offense by going 2-3 and driving in two runs.  Cara Terlep, Haley Steele and Angie Randazzo all hit triples as the Titan offense showed off some long ball power but it wasn't enough to overcome the large early deficit as the Titans eventually fell by a score of 7-2.

Other than the score, Friday night was a great night for Poway Softball!  Huge thank yous go out to Coach Jim Bennet who started and has maintained the great tradition of this game, to all the people who came out and watchd the game, to the Titan parents that helped make the snack shack a great success, to the game announcer who added to the special atmosphere of the evening and to all Seniors on both teams that have made their parents proud!

Poway ends the first half of conference play with an overall record of 20-5 and a 3-2 record in Palomar Conference play,  2 games out of first.  With second games against all conference foes remaining, the Titans still have plenty of opportunity in front of them!  Plan on coming out to Bennet Field at Poway High School next Thursday, May 7 at 7:30PM as the Titans kickoff the second half of conference play against RBV    

The Poway Titans traveled to Vista Tuesday 4/28 to take on Palomar Conference foe Vista.  The game was a tight one through 6 with Poway scoring a single run in the top of the third on a home run from Chelsea Barilli and Vista knoting the score at 1 with a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth.  Things stayed that way until the Titans exploded for 7 runs in the top of the 6th, highlighted by Shelley Tibbs' (pictured above) first varsity hit, a two run home run!  Ashley Ercolano also had a strong day at the plate, going 2-3 and driving in 3 runs.  The Titan Tripple Threat pitching staff all saw action and combined to hold Vista to 2 runs and preserving the 8-2 win.

There is no rest for the Titans as they head to Poway Lake for a Friday night contest against rival Rancho Bernardo.  Come out and support the Titans as they honor their Seniors and continue Palomar Conference play! 

The Poway offense got back on track in a big way Tuesday 4/28 as they scored 5 runs in the first and never looked back in a convincing 11-1 6 inning road victory over Carlsbad.   5 Titans had multiple hit games (Chelsea Barilli, Stephanie Rocco, Angie Randazzo, Haley Steele and Amy Shea),  3 had multiple RBI performances (Steele, Randazzo, Shea) and 4 had extra base hits (HR from Haley Steele and doubles from Angie Randazzo (2), Chelsea Barilli and Amy Shea) as the offense got back on track after a few low scoring affairs.  P Gabrielle Sciuto was the benificiary of the offensive outburst and improved her record to 6-2 on the season.

Poway (19-4, 2-1 Palomar Conference) hits the road again Thursday as they take on Vista in Palomar Conference Play.  Come out and support the #1 ranked Titans as they attempt to win their 20th game of the season!

The Poway Titans and El Camino Wildcats met on Thursday at Poway High in a tightly contested Palomar Conference game.  Neither team scored in the first four innings but the Titans struck first in the bottom of the fifth when Brianna Villanueva (pictured) singled and later scored on a bases loaded walk to Haley Steele, giving the Titans a 1-0 lead.  However, El Camino answered in the top of the sixth with a bases empty home run to knot the score at one.  Neither team scored in the seventh, forcing the game into extra innings where, in the top of the 8th, El Camino put another ball over the fence, this time with a runner on, and took a 3-1 lead.  Poway threatened in the bottom of the 8th when Angie Randazzo singled bringing the tying run to the plate, but a double play enabled the Wildcats to dodge the bullet and secure a 3-1 win.

Despite the setback, Poway (18-4, 1-1 Palomar Conference) retained the #1 ranking in the San Diego Section (Union Tribune 4/27/09) and will look to return to their winning ways Tuesday 4/28 as they hit the road to take on conference foe Carlsbad in a 3:30PM contest.

The Poway Titans traveled to Rancho Buena Vista Tuesday afternoon to take on the RBV Longhorns in the Palomar Conference opener for both teams.  It was obvious from the start that the pre season was over and conference play had begun as both teams were focused and intent on gaining their first conference win.  After a scoreless first inning, the Titans managed to put two runs up with only 1 hit and took a 2-0 lead.  Angie Randazzo led off with a walk followed by a double by Ashley Ercolano and then Cara Terlep and Amy Shea both drove in runs with well placed ground balls.  As it turned out, that is all Poway would need as Rebecca Trott struck out 9 Longhorns,  only gave up three hits and was backed up by solid Poway defense with nice plays turned in by 3B Angie Randazzo and SS Chelsea Barilli. 

The Titans (18-3, 1-0 Palomar Conference) face a big challenge Thursday 4/23 as the El Camino Wildcats invade Bennett Field at Poway High for a 3:30PM Palomar Conference showdown!  El Camino (#3 ranked in the UT, #1 in the NC Times) will present a big challenge for the Titans so it would be great to have as many fans out there as possible to help cheer on Poway to victory!   

The Poway Titans split their last two games before Spring Break, defeating San Pasqual 5-4 Thursday 4/2 at PHS and losing an intense pitchers duel against Francis Parker by a score of 1-0. 

In the Thursday game, San Pasqual was looking to avenge an earlier loss to the Titans and actually jumped out to a 2-0 lead but Poway scored 4 in the second and a very important run in the 5th to clinch the victory.  Ariel Craig pitched 6 innings to pick up the win and Rebecca Trott came on in the seventh to record the save while Angie Randazzo (pictured above) and Danielle LeBeau contributed  two hits apiece to pace the offensive attack.   On Saturday, Poway traveled to Torrey Pines to face Francis Parker in the semifinals of the Falcon Fiesta tournament.  The game featured a fabulous pitchers duel between the Lancer's Amye McIntyre and the Titan's Gabrielle Sciuto (pictured), each pitcher not allowing an earned run in seven full innings of work.   However, an uncharacteristic defensive lapse by Poway in the top of the first led to an unearned run for FP and the Titan's offense couldn't break through against McIntyre, resulting in only the second loss of the season for the Titans, both by just 1 run. 

The 15-2 Titans now get the week off before ramping up preparations for the always tough Palomar Confrence schedule.  Poway has three more out of conference games the week of April 13,  Wednesday and Thursday at home vs. Torrey Pines and Fallbrook respectively and then a road contest Friday against LCC before opening conference play Tuesday April 21 at Ranch Buena Vista. All games will be at 3:30PM so come out and watch the exciting Poway squad as they continue their great season!!  

After several one sided victories, the Poway Titans found themselves in a tight one Wednesday against the undefeated Bonita Vista Barons in a game that would decide first place in the Titan's Falcon Fiesta Tournament pool.  Poway jumped out in front with single runs in the first, second and sixth innings and Rebecca Trott, backed by outstanding and error free Poway "D", held the Barons scoreless through six.  However, Bonita Vista was not undefeated for nothing and mounted a threat in the seventh inning, scoring a run and bringing the tying run to the plate but Trott reared back, squelched the Baron's rally and secured a 3-1 victory for Poway and first place in their pool.  Rebecca finished with 9 strikeouts and only allowed 3 hits in her complete game victory. 

 Leading the way on offense for the Titans were 3 players that had three hits each, Chelsea Barilli (3-4), Haley Steele (3-4) and Amy Shea (3-3), while the Poway "D" turned in three outstanding plays in the field (SS Chelsea Barilli going deep in the hole to stop a hard hit ball and managing to get the ball to an outstretched Angie Randazzo at third to kill a Bonita Vista rally, C Cara Terlep making a great play on a high foul ball right behind her and LF Shelley Tibbs taking away extra bases by catching  a long drive hit over her head in left).  All in all, a solid victory for the Titans!!! 

 Next up for the Titans is San Pasqual, who comes to Poway Thursday for a rematch of a game won by Poway in the Cougar Classic.  Come on out and see if the Titans can ward off San Pasqual's bid for revenge!!  Game time is 3:30PM.   

The Poway Titans took to the road late last week for two contests but didn't miss a beat as they recorded victories against Patrick Henry and San Marcos.  On Thursday 3/26, Rebecca Trott (pictured above) pitched a one hitter, striking out 7 and allowed only 1 hit as the Titans won the battle with the Patriots by a score of 3-0.  Angie Randazzo was a one woman wrecking crew on offense, going 4-4 and driving in two of Poway's 3 runs.  Saturday, the Titans traveled to San Marcos and Ariel Craig picked up where Rebecca Trott left off, keeping the Knights in check all day, allowing only 3 hits and no runs for a complete game shutout while Ashlie Ercolano and Chelsea Barilli both hit home runs to pace the offense in a 13-0 victory.  The 12-1, #1 ranked Titans have a busy week ahead with home contests Tuesday against Serra and Thursday versus San Pasqual and a Wednesday game on the road at Bonita Valley.  The Titans are putting on a great show so come on out this week (all games at 3:30PM) and watch exciting Poway Titan softball!!

The Poway Titans took their brooms to Cardiff Sports Park and swept a doubleheader Saturday March 21, defeating Mission Hills by a score of 4-0 and following that with a  5-0 victory over Escondido.  In the Mission Hills contest, Rebecca Trott pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only two hits and striking out 11 while backed by error free Titan defense.  The offensive firepower was supplied by Ashley Andruski and Haley Steele, who both went 2-3 with a double and RBI.  In addition, Nicole Johnson and Danielle LeBeau struck their first Varsity base hits!  The nightcap against Escondido saw Gabrielle Sciuto and Ariel Craig combine for a shutout in the circle while Poway again played error free defense and run support was provided by Amy Shea, Kassy Shiotani and Haley Steele who all went 2-3 and drove in a run to seal the victory. 

Westview is the next one up for the Titans as they travel east on Route 56 to take on the Wolverines on their home field at 3:30PM.  Come watch the Titans as they look to write a new chapter in the Westview-Poway series!   

In a classic struggle between two very good teams, Mt. Carmel eked out a 4-3 victory over Poway Thursday afternoon at Poway HS.  In a see saw battle, Mt. Carmel struck first with one run in the top of the first but Poway answered that run and added two more to take a 3-1 lead (RBI's for Haley Steele and Angie Randazzo) in the bottom of the third.  Mt. Carmel then countered with three of their own in the top of the fourth to take a 4-3 lead.  That was the score heading into the bottom of the seventh when Poway staged a furious push with base hits by Amy Shea and Chelsea Barilli putting the tying and winning runs in scoring position.  However, the Titans ultimately weren't able to push them across and Mt. Carmel earned a split of the season series between the two teams (Poway winning the first contest 5-0).   The Titans (6-1) take the field again Saturday 3/21 with Games at Cardiff Sports Park against Mission Hills at 11 and Escondido at 3PM. 

The Poway Titan Varsity started off the season in fine fashion, defeating the Point Loma Pointers 2-0 in the first game of the Cougar Classic.  Picking up where they left off in their scrimmages, solid pitching backed by "Poway D" and timely hitting led the Titans to victory.  Ariel Craig went four strong shutout innings, striking out 7, Gabrielle Sciuto took care of the shutout in the fifth and sixth and Rebecca "Trevor" Trott struck out the side in the seventh to preserve the victory.  Point Loma threatened in the sixth, putting two runners on but Kassy Shiotani (RF), Amy Shea (1B) and Gabrielle Sciuto (P) each made outstanding defensive plays in the inning to thwart the threat.  Offensively, Brianna Villanueva(1-2, run scored), Chelsea Barilli(1-3, run scored, RBI) and Kassy Shiotani (1-3,RBI) provided all the runs the Titans would need. 

No time for the Titans to rest though as next up tomorrow (Thursday 3/11) is preseason #1 ranked and defending D-1 Champion Granite Hills.  The game will be at Kit Carson Park at 7PM so come on out and cheer on the Titans in a big early season test.