Valley Strives for Prominent Return

VAN NUYS —  Valley College has reinstated its softball program after a four-year hiatus and Athletic Director Chuck Ferrero plans to bring back the glory days.

Before the program fell victim to budget cuts in 1990, it won seven conference titles and was considered a powerhouse among local community colleges.

“I think after this year it’s going to be, watch out!” Ferrero said. “We poured a ton of money into buying all new equipment and we have a phenomenal coach.”

In June, Ferrero hired Kodee Murray, daughter of longtime Hart High baseball Coach Bud Murray.

Kodee Murray was a Division II All-American second baseman at Cal Poly Pomona who played for a team that won the Amateur Softball Assn.’s national championship. She coached pro softball in Italy, and at Woodbridge High in Irvine and at Golden West College.

Murray posted flyers on campus and gathered as many high school players as she could find to form this team. The roster has 12 players entering today’s opener at Citrus.

“This is a huge challenge for me,” said Murray, a special education teacher in Santa Clarita. “I’ve always worked with programs that have been established, and to build it will be a different experience for me.”

Valley will be led by freshman shortstop Stephanie Wood, who graduated from Verdugo Hills High, and sophomore pitcher Jennifer Moulden, who graduated from La Canada. Moulden played one season at Illinois before returning home and enrolling at Valley.

“We’re lucky to have her,” Murray said. “Not only is she our ace pitcher, she hits well, too, and she’s very strong.”

The Monarchs will compete in the Western State Conference.

* TEAM PREVIEWS: C12