The Toros join hands to support one another during the 2022 season. Photo by Darral Freund/Cal State Dominguez Hills Athletics
By Julia McIntyre Staff Reporter
After an impressive 2022 season for California State University, Dominguez Hills Women’s Softball, the team is entering the 2023 season defending the NCAA West Region title. It is the first time in history the team earned the title, made it to the World Series, and competed in the Championship Finals. The season kicks off with the Toros ranked No. 2 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
They finished last season with a historical record of 45-24 and competed for the National Championship but ultimately fell short to Rogers State. As the team made history and broke records throughout the season, it was an ultimate win for CSUDH. Their conference record was 23-13, which also included a 9-5 mark in the NCAA tournament.
The team starts the season with the Concordia Kickoff Classic starting Feb. 3.
Key players returning to the 2023 season are senior Raquel Jaime, junior Ashley Wies, junior Maiya Lopez, and senior Kianna Abellera. Jaime was named 2022 NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player while Wies, Lopez and Abellera were in the NCAA All-Tournament teams selections.
Alyssa Olague and Jaime, both seniors, were recently named on the 2023 CCAA preseason watchlist. Olague had 231 strike-outs last season on the mound, only one short of tying pitching coach Stephanie Guerra’s program record. Olague also started 44 out of 57 games played, and went 23-14 with two saves and a 2.54 ERA. She dazzled with two 15-strikeout games and had a streak of 35.2 innings without a walk during 2022. Olague earned second-team All-CCAA in 2022 and was named CCAA All-Star in 2020.
Jaime, who plays infield and catches, is a player who can do it all. She primarily plays shortstop but has also played second base, third base and catcher in the 2022 season. She batted a team-best, .392, with 14 doubles, three home runs and 34 RBI, and drew a team-best 25 walks. She also had a hitting streak of 10 games and went 16-for-27 at the NCAA Championship. Last season, Jaime was named NCAA All-West Region Second Team, First-team All-CCAA and CCAA Player of the Week.
The Toros also earned NFCA West Regional Coaching Staff of the Year in 2022 with Jim Maier as head coach and assistant coaches Stephanie Guerra, Katie Garcia and Jared Maier.
Coach Maier has been the main asset for the CSUDH Women’s Softball team on and off since 2001, recently turning the Toros into one of the best teams in the nation after coming back to Carson in 2018.
In the CCAA softball coaches preseason poll for 2023, California State University, San Marcos Cougars won the prediction with the Toros being second on the list. The Toros will face the Cougars on Mar. 17 for the first time in the 2023 season where they get to compete as the two favorites.
As CSUDH jumps into a new season as defending West Region Champs, a history-making team and star players with established numbers, all eyes will be on them during the Concordia Kickoff Classic to see if they bring their confidence and motivation from the 2022 season.
