Season Recap

Santa Ana’s Lionettes parlayed the durable pitching duo of Cathy Benedetto and Carol Spanks, some clutch hitting and solid defense into IWPSA playoff contention. The Lionettes finished the season with a 67-53 record, good for second in the Western Division. Although the Lionettes lost in the playoffs to the San Jose Sunbirds, the Lionettes have plenty to be pleased about in the 1976 campaign.

Benedetto and Spanks combined for over 60 victories during the season, as manager-player Shirley Topley tried to get the Lionettes into the playoffs despite the loss of shortstop Stephany Tenney, who broke a hand at mid-season.

The Lionettes owned All-Stars in Benedetto, Spanks (picked as a utility player), Topley and outfielder Debbie Ricketts.

The Lionettes outfield of Ricketts, Mickey Davis and Debbie Allen ranked as one of the finest defensively in the IWPSA.

Benedetto, who as an amateur gained All-American status in both softball and basketball, was one of five IWPSA pitchers to record more than 30 wins and she ranked first in innings pitched and second in strikeouts.

Spanks doubled at second base when not pitching and along with Benedetto, Mickey Davis and Topley provided the clutch hitting.