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Sports

Can Cap Challenge History?

CCS Division III title could be opening salvo in assault on program's five-year title reign in 1990s.

Capuchino High’s softball team is sure to face some fierce competition on the field next season.

But perhaps the Mustangs’ toughest opponent won’t come from battle-tested Peninsula Athletic League teams, or next season’s Central Coast Section Division III playoff bracket.

Capuchino, which won on Saturday, will be playing against its own history.

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The Mustangs have five banners hanging in their gym that are a constant reminder of the program’s 1993-97 dynasty, something the players say they’re mindful of.

“I know they had a really strong team (in the 1990s), and we just kind of wanted to relive some of that history,” junior shortstop Jennifer Lewis said after the Mustangs hung on for a thrilling 5-4 victory over Santa Catalina in Saturday’s championship game.

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Capuchino became the first public school to win a Division III title since its five-year reign, ending a 14-year period dominated by the Notre Dame schools of Salinas and Belmont.

The Mustangs of the 1990s are no easy foe.

But with the return of an abundance of talent from this year’s team, plus a promising crop of up-and-comers, there’s a sense in Capuchino circles that the program could be in the midst of a return to its glory years of the Flannel Shirt Era.

The Mustangs return seven starters, including their entire infield.

“We hope we can keep it going,” said Lewis, the No. 3 batter and one of three, top-of-the-order hitters set to return. “We have most of our players returning and we have some coming up too.”

Capuchino will have some significant holes to fill after graduating pitcher Michele Pilster and catcher Jamie Navarro. Jessica Shelton, Jacey McDaid, Maria Luevano and Allie Fonseca, will be missed too.

“That’s the goal,” Capuchino coach Todd Grammatico said when asked if he thought his team could repeat, “but it’s going to be tough to lose those players and try to get back here.”

Junior second baseman Ariana Wassmer, who transferred to Capuchino from Mercy (Burlingame) in the offseason, and junior first baseman Gabby Tudury, give the Mustangs viable pitching options for 2012.

Wassmer, who batted cleanup for Capuchino, was the No. 1 pitcher for two years at Mercy, going 12-8 with a 1.23 ERA as a sophomore.

The loss of Navarro, the 2011 PAL Bay Division player of the year, and Pilster will be particularly tough, Grammatico said, noting their leadership will be hard to replace.

“They’re both four-year starters, and they showed our younger players how to play and how to prepare,” he said.

Lewis, a co-captain this year, will be counted on to contribute in the leadership department.

Junior third basemen and No. 2 batter Alexis Coulter, sophomore outfielder Eleni Katout and junior outfielder Kelly McDaid help forge a solid nucleus the Mustangs can build around.

Capuchino will also count on some newcomers to make an immediate impact.

“If I can get some kids to step up from (the frosh/soph team), we can be back next year, but I have to find a way to replace (Pilster and Navarro),” Grammatico said.

Mindful of the program’s future, Grammatico called up sophomore pitcher/utility Chia Santiago and freshmen outfielders Caitlin Chang and Taylor Brazil from the frosh/soph team just before the playoffs to get them some varsity exposure.  

The call-ups weren’t promised and didn’t get any playing time in the playoffs.

“I didn’t force any of them” to join the varsity, Grammatico said. “They were on the team just to see what (we) do.”

Considering the program’s history, there have always been certain expectations at Capuchino, Grammatico said.

“There are five banners at our gym, that’s kind of the way it is at Cap,” Grammatico said.

But the expectations are especially high for next year.

“They’re going to be in CCS next year, I know it,” Pilster said. “I’m going to come back to watch.”

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