San Bruno Storm rising on the national scene

At 15-0 and having won each of the three tournaments it has entered, the San Bruno 16-and-under B softball team is off to the best start in program history. Loaded with talent and armed with confidence, San Bruno enters this weekend's tournament in Hayward intent on earning a berth to the Western Nationals for the second straight season. Last year the Storm went 6-2 at the Western Nationals in Lancaster, earning them a third-place tournament finish. It was the deepest run in program history and a truly significant accomplishment because San Bruno beat a couple of Southern California teams, who are traditionally stronger than their NorCal counterparts. Although the Storm finished 29-11 last year, they're looking to accomplish even greater things this season. "Even though we did great at nationals last year, we think we have just as good a team this year or even better. We want to take it all this year," San Bruno shortstop Selina Rodriguez said. "Last year was a surreal experience, and to come so close really makes us want to win it that much more." Added catcher Jamie Navarro: "We like to be challenged and that's why nationals are so fun because you see different teams and they're all good." San Bruno returned the majority of its starters from last year's squad while also adding a couple of key newcomers. The combination of factors have buoyed the Storm, who have won in dominating fashion but also come through when they've been pushed to the limit. An example of that came last Sunday in the championship game of the Napa tournament. San Bruno beat the Benicia Outlaws, 7-6, after scoring four runs in the top of the seventh inning on run-scoring singles from Rodriguez, Navarro, Nikkie Delany and Elaina Revilla. The Storm have plenty of experienced and talented players who excelled during the high school season. In particular, a number of the girls on the roster played for Capuchino, which advanced to the Central Coast Section Division III championship game last month. San Bruno also has players from El Camino and St. Ignatius, making for a nice combination. The Storm have no discernible weaknesses. In the circle, they are led by pitchers Allie Fonseca and Chia Santiago. Fonseca, Amanda Cotla, Delaney and Navarro have been with the San Bruno softball program since they were 10 years old. If the Storm can make it to nationals this season, it will mark the quartet's sixth appearance on the national stage. Navarro has been a stalwart both offensively and defensively. Picking up right where she left off from an outstanding junior season at Capuchino, Navarro is hitting with power to every part of the field while gunning down would-be base-stealers. "Jamie has picked off three runners at first base (so far), two that ended a game," Storm coach Raul Rodriguez said. "Our defense if fantastic and a lot of that has to do with Jamie because she's so tough behind the plate." Rodriguez said his team is strong defensively everywhere. The outfield consists of Jacey McDaid in left, Cotla in center and Kelly McDaid in right. The infield features Jessica Shelton at third, Rodriguez at shortstop, Tori Eng at second base and Delaney at first. "We've got a quick outfield, and Kelly has a gun (for an arm)," Raul Rodriguez said. "Jacey is tracking down fly balls hit over her head and Amanda is a sparkplug out there. Then you look at our infield and Nikkie can handle anyone's throw and is a vacuum at first base, Tori can scoop anything up and Selina is out there making leaping catches and fielding spectacularly." Revilla has provided an offensive punch as the designated hitter and newcomers Maria Luevano and Danielle Marty have blended in seamlessly with the rest of the team. Outfielders Amanda Labrado and infielder GeenaMarie Bonilla provide the squad with depth and capable players who can step in and get the job done when needed. "I can't believe this team in how well they play together and get along," Raul Rodriguez said. "The girls give each other positive feedback and a lot of times they're like their own coaches out there telling each other what to do." Said Navarro: "It helps that a lot of us have been playing together since we were little kids. We know what we're all going to do and that helps on the field." With Fonseca being a finesse pitcher and Santiago a power thrower, San Bruno consistently keeps opponents off-balance. Add in the fact that the players gained tons of confidence after placing third in the Western Nationals last year and it's all added up to a season that San Bruno hopes ends with a championship. "We're not afraid to go up against any team now," Raul Rodriguez said. "We want to take the tournament (in Hayward) this weekend because we came in second in it last year. We don't want to mess around. With a 15-0 record, you know these girls can play some ball. The Storm is a hot team this year." NOTES: San Bruno's 12-and-under team has gotten off to an equally hot start as its senior team. Just like the 16 year olds, the 12s have won three tournaments, going 15-0 in the process. San Bruno plays in a national tournament qualifier at Twin Creeks in Sunnyvale this weekend. The roster includes Rachel Topper, Corena Gregorio, Senara Faleafine, Emily Cotla, Lusi Stanley, Allie Stines, Jena Lacayo, Gabriela Revilla, Ashley Deinia, Tiana Ortiz, Kesaia Langi, Rafaela Dade and Emily Nishimura.