Players

DEBBIE ALLEN, Utility

Debbie began playing softball in the fifth grade. She played for her school and recreation teams for 4 years before joining the Norco team. Deb lives with her family and keeps very busy with her school, work and other activities. She coached the girls’ basketball team at her alma mater and does some officiating when time permits. She enjoys gardening and spends as much time as possible riding her bike. Debbie has played outfield and shortstop while with the Lionettes. Her versatility makes her that much more valuable to the team. She’s a hard working athlete who is learning to play first base also. It’s hard to know just where Debbie will play, but it’s a certainty she’ll see much action.

YOLANDA ARVIZU, Pitcher-Infield

Yo is a 16-year-old who shows promise of becoming a top softball player. She’s been a participant in volleyball, soccer, racquetball, and tennis, but, of course, most of her success has been on the diamond. She’s played shortstop, 2nd catcher, outfield and pitcher. She likes the two infield positions best along with pitching. Yo is a newspaper girl for the San Diego Union, likes watching sports, and going to the beach. Her goals are to play pro softball and tennis. She’s always been on 1stplace teams – let’s hope her record remains intact.

CATHY BENEDETTO, Pitcher

Cathy comes to the Lionettes after an illustrious amateur career where she has earned the reputation of being one of the top pitchers in softball. She also is noted as one of the best hitters in the game and her versatility is demonstrated by her ability to play first and third base. She is the coach of her high school basketball and track and field teams and has had much experience coaching AAU basketball as well as her Portland softball teams. Cathy is a music nut – plays guitar, sings and writes songs when time permits. She also likes to camp and go fishing.

CINDY BRISTOW, Pitcher-Outfield

Cindy has played many different positions but prefers pitching. This is evident in her development of the past several years. Most of her play with the Lionettes has been in the outfield yet she continually worked on her pitching and shows a great deal of potential in this area. Cindy hopes to become a lawyer and would like to coach college basketball. Becoming a top softball player and a pro golfer also are goals she’s striving for. Reading, jogging, listening to music and playing music, and traveling are favorite pastimes. She has worked as a recreation supervisor, H.S. basketball coach and as an official.

SUE BRISTOW, Utility

Sue has played various positions including infield, outfield and catcher. Most of her experience as a member of the Lionettes has been catching and playing second base. In her high school athletic program she was active in tennis and basketball where she earned most valuable player awards in both sports. She hopes to play college basketball and develop into a top softball player. She would like to eventually coach at the college level. Sue enjoys listening to music, reading, traveling, cooking and dirt bike riding. Racquetball and water skiing are other sports she does when she has time.

MICKEY DAVIS, Outfield

Mickey hails originally from Ware Shoals, South Carolina. She has competed extensively in basketball, volleyball and tennis. As a recreational sporting activity she likes golf. More than anything else however, Mickey enjoys the beach. She likes soaking up the sun and she insists that entering the water fades her tan. Mickey recently finished her Master’s Degree at Whittier College. Her emphasis was in psychology and she hopes someday to be involved in counseling or a similar form of school administration. Mic has played all the outfield positions but has been the starting left fielder the past several years. She adds quality experience to the team’s outfield.

GAIL HAMILTON, Infield

Gail is a graduate of Neff H.S. in La Mirada and attended Cerritos College. She was the most improved player on her college tennis team and also competed in basketball. Her immediate goals are two-fold. She hopes to return to school and become a computer programmer. Also, she is hopeful the pros are successful to the point where a player can earn a living through softball and, of course, that would be her preferred livelihood. Gail has played shortstop most of her career. Her ability will make it hard to keep her out of a starting spot somewhere in the infield, possibly at second base.

PENNY HIGDON, Third Base

Penny is an all-around athlete having competed in high school volleyball, field hockey, basketball, tennis and bowling. She earned many scholastic and athletic awards at Santiago H.S. including all CIF-SS basketball, first team. In her frosh year at Fullerton she made the Titan’s basketball team as a guard. She enjoys working with ceramics and making jewelry and someday hopes to open a small pottery shop of her own. Reading and listening to music also ranks high on her leisure list but more than anything else, she enjoys caring for and riding her horse. Penny has played third base and outfield for the Lionetttes and will be looking forward to breaking into the lineup as a starter.

DONNA MAGA, Pitcher-Outfield

Donna has pitched and played outfield but prefers pitching and will see a great deal of action there this summer. She’s a graduate of Cal State University, Fullerton and with her B.A. Degree in Criminal Justice. She hopes to eventually work in this field in some capacity. Her dad is on the L.A. Police Force as is her only sister’s husband. Donna likes camping and fishing and romping with “Royal,” her Great Dane. She has competed on the college level in basketball, volleyball and tennis. For the past several years Donna has shared the pitching duties for the Fullerton Royals.

TAMMY PECKHAM, Pitcher

Tammy plans to attend Fullerton J.C. this coming September and begin work toward a teaching credential. She lives with her brother and parents. She has taken part in many different sports through her school programs. She has played first base, outfield and catcher but prefers pitching. Although lacking in experience and knowledge she shows a lot of potential and could well develop into an outstanding softball player. She likes to officiate all sports and hopes to become a qualified official and expand her involvement in this area.

DEBBIE RICKETTS, Outfield

Debbie is an outstanding young athlete who has done especially well in basketball and softball. She’s a starting guard for the nationally ranked Fullerton Titan women’s basketball team and gave up softball last season to try out for the American team. She was the most inspirational for the CSUF team in 1974 and 1975. As a softball player she possesses an abundance of ability. She has speed, a strong arm, and is a consistently good hitter. Debbie hopes to eventually coach or own a health spa and hopes to support herself someday by playing softball and basketball. Will probably be the Lionettes’ centerfielder for many years to come.

JENNIE SILENGO, Catcher

Jennine made the Lionettes last year and by mid-season she had worked her way into the starting catcher position. Some accomplishment for a 15-year-old! She is one of the top young talents to enter the softball scene and will be counted on a great deal this season and in the future. However, Jennine will miss a good portion of play due to a broken leg which was the result of her eagerness to improve her sliding ability. During her 2 months in a cast she can do a lot of reading and listening to music which are her favorite pastimes. The jogging she enjoys doing will have to wait.

CAROL SPANKS, Utility

Carol is a native California, graduate of UCLA, and has been playing softball since she was old enough to walk. She began her career at third base but was moved to shortstop after joining the Lionettes. She was the owner of the Orange Lionettes from 1967-75. She has never participated in a sport she didn’t like. Racquetball is one of her current favorites and she regrets not having more time for it. When softball season is over she gets in as much water skiing as possible. Having a mobile home at Lake Mead adds to the convenience and pleasure of these excursions. She enjoys golf, bowling, listening to music, dabbling in art and reading.

STEPHANY TENNEY, Shortstop

Steph spent 2 years in the U.S. Air Force after having attended college in her home state of Georgia. She was a medical specialist in the service, however, since that time she has worked for different printing companies in areas where she has lived. She got her softball start in Connecticut but most of her career has been with Orlando. Steph’s mother and 4 of her 5 sisters still live in the South. Stephany enjoys all kinds of sports. Her favorite pastimes are jogging, swimming and cycling. She has competed in tennis and basketball and isn’t too bad on the golf course. She received the Top Defensive Award in the 1971 Nationals and consistently hits around the .300 mark.

SHIRLEY TOPLEY, First Base

Shirley has been a participant in many sports. She was a member of the Canadian National Field Hockey and Basketball teams, and at one time, qualified for the Pan Am Games in the javelin event. She’s curled, bowled and played racquetball competitively. She is one of the best to ever have played first base. Shirl’s an all around athlete who looks forward to water skiing in the late summer and participating in all the other sports as time permits. She enjoys coaching and working with youngsters and has done a considerable amount of it in a variety of sports. With all her interests and softball responsibilities, Shirley has to be one of the busiest people around.