The names Danielle Cervantes and Briana Wheeler were ones that UH-Hilo softball coach Callen Perreira preferred to only whisper the past few years, because they hadn’t arrived yet. They were blue chip Division II pitching recruits that Perreira landed, both big catches and prospects who offered the kind of ace-like potential that a program can build around.
Neither ever took the field for the Vulcans for one reason or another, so Perreira, naturally, prefers not to mention either at all anymore.
That’s fine. He doesn’t have to when talking about a No. 1 arm.
“We’ve got a really good pitching nucleus, and Valerie Alvarado has been that pitcher, she’s shown it,” Perreira said. “She’s filled that role, without mentioning the others (who left).”
What others?
With a sociology degree in hand and five years of college in the books that’s included two stops, Alvarado made it sound like it was a relatively easy decision to come back for one more season with the Vulcans as she works on a second degree, communications.
“I felt like we weren’t done,” the La Mirada, Calif., native said. “I wanted to finish the season right.”
What went wrong was the pandemic. It shortened UHH’s season to 21 games in 2020, and right about this time last year – March 6 was the final game – Alvarado looked like she was just getting started toward something special.
A pair of rough early outings damaged her ERA, but she continued to earn a reputation as big-game pitcher, firing back-to-back shutouts against No. 8 Concordia, the defending PacWest champion, and twice outdueling an ace, Callie Nunes, who had hurt UHH in the past. Alvarado yielded just three earned runs in her past four outings. Earlier in the season, she stared down then-No. 1 Texas A&M-Kingsville.
“It definitely boosted my confidence, and it also made me want to come back even more,” she said. “I know it would have been a great year, and I came back to continue it with everyone else.”
That continuation is scheduled to begin Saturday when the Vulcans host Hawaii Pacific in noon doubleheader at Walter Victor complex (the Vulcans’ campus field is having field turf installed in the outfield). In PacWest pod play this season, UHH will face HPU and Chaminade 12 times apiece.
Considering the repetition and how many times batters may become used to seeing a pitcher, Perreira may be inclined to take advantage of what he sees as a deep staff that also includes fifth-year senior Leah Gonzalez and three freshmen.
“I think we could definitely use all five,” said catcher Markie Okamoto, a junior that is entering her fourth season as a contributor (last season didn’t count as a year of eligibility). “I think each pitcher has their own strengths, and that’s something that we can take advantage of.”
Gonzalez, in her fifth year with the program, finisher with a better ERA (2.98 to 4.29) and slightly more innings pitched (66 1/3 to 63) than Alvarado did last season, and holds a 28-18 career record, also working in relief. Perreira loves to mix and match Alvarado’s rise ball with Gonzalez’s off-speed repertoire to try and fool hitters.
“Once I pitch and Leah comes in, they are all thrown off,” Alvarado said, “swinging too way too late and way too early. And it’s the opposite if Leah goes first.”
“We’re totally different pitchers.”
Said Okamoto: “That change of speed is very critical. Leah’s off-speed pitch is much slower.”
Malia Risdall is technically still a freshman after making one start last season. Opponents hit just .206 against her, though she allowed two home runs in limited work.
The freshmen are Sara Bhatt and Nia Trinidad, each 5-9 and from California.
“Malia is doing well, and Sara and Nia, they have talent,” Perreira said. “Usually you go with your top pitchers, but we can mix and match a lot better if need be.”
After three seasons at Indian River State College in Florida, one as a redhirt, Alvarado didn’t come back for a third as a Vulcan just for a last hurrah.
“The goal is definitely to make regionals,” she said.