From an early age, Live Oak’s Tiffany Moore has been told she could play softball at the next level.
It has not taken long for teammates to see the same potential in the freshman catcher, whose bat and mitt were key last week as the Acorns won three straight in nonleague play. Moore has simply looked ahead of her time. She hits for power, throws out runners from a squat with ease and stops any pitch in front of her.
“She’s very talented,” Live Oak manager Barry McDonnell said. “We’re very excited for the future.”
What the older players like most about Moore is her ability to mix business with pleasure. One minute she’s going 3 for 3 with a double; the next she’s challenging Jenny Obbema to a race after the senior teased her for taking so long to get into position after the Acorns batted. (Obbema accepted. They tied.)
Moore makes the game fun.
“I know she’s got my back no matter how spastic she can be,” starting pitcher Katie Obbema, Jenny’s twin, said. “She kind of helps me take a deep breath, relax, put a smile back on my face. I’m pitching; I’m not going to war.”
The praise Moore has received since she started playing A ball at age 7 only makes her want to work harder.
“Way harder,” she said. “Go out to practice, do your best. You never know when someone’s watching. But remember it’s just a game. Have fun.”
Youth is a prominent theme this spring for the Acorns, who returned six players from last year’s team that went 15-14 and earned a second straight trip to the Central Coast Section playoffs. Because of health issues, Live Oak started four freshmen – and beat Oak Grove 6-4 – Thursday.
These are not your typical freshmen, however.
“This is the best group of them I’ve seen,” said McDonnell, now in his 10th season as the Acorns’ head man. “I’m really impressed with what I’ve seen so far. We’re working on some things, and they’re improving each day. We’re just trying to get them to step up to that varsity level.”
Among the team’s other rookie talents are freshmen Bre Sabala, a slap-hitter who switches between second base and shortstop, third baseman Courtney Borja and left fielder Julia Orona.
Sabala and Moore played together for the San Jose Sting, one of the stronger club programs in the country.
“That gives her a lot of confidence,” Moore said. “It’s kind of perfect the way things worked; the four freshmen that came out here filled in well.”
Seniors Annika Camacho and Ashley Zerr are ready for their first full season on varsity. The Acorns missed Zerr’s speed last year after she broke an ankle in March.
“That’ll make a big difference having her speed in the outfield,” McDonnell said.
Camacho, who had a clutch two-run double Thursday, has been impressive.
“Annika’s becoming a great player,” Jenny Obbema said. “She’s really worked hard.”
The Acorns’ few veterans were eager to improve during offseason workouts. McDonnell took note of junior infielder Rachel Ditta, who put extra time into her batting.
“You can tell she’s hitting with a lot more confidently this year,” McDonnell said. “She’s aggressive on the field. She’s really driven.”
McDonnell has high expectations for Katie Obbema, who made second-team all-league in 2011 at 13-11 with an ERA of 3.00 in 25 appearances.
“She’s improved her changeup considerably,” McDonnell said. “Last year, she had no confidence in it. She was reluctant to throw it. This year, she’s really stepping up and throwing it good.”
The Obbema sisters, Sabala, Ditta and Moore are heavy hitters, but the Acorns will play mostly small ball, relying on their speed.
One thing they are not small on is confidence, both in each other and of their chance to make a third straight trip to sectionals.
“Everyone plays the position they want to play, and we all mesh well,” Ditta said.
“I think people are going to underestimate us this year just because we’re so young,” Katie Obbema said, “but this is a really good group of girls.
