Players

BONNIE JOHNSON, Pitcher

Although her fastball will never be compared to that of Joan Joyce’s Bonnie Johnson is nevertheless one of the most successful pitchers in the history of women’s softball.

Using finesse instead of speed, Johnson was the top pitcher on the Sunbird staff last year. The cagey right-hander posted a sparkling 25-8 season in 1976, which included a brilliant 0.80 earned run average.

In addition to being the Sunbirds top pitcher statistic-wise, Johnson was also the most dependable and durable hurler on the staff. Bonnie started 35 games and completed 32 of those assignments, recording a team high 272 innings pitched. Ten of her 25 victories were by shut-out and she allowed just one run in 14 other games.

Johnson recorded the WPSA’s first perfect game on July 8, 1976, when she set down 21 consecutive San Diego Sandpipers in San Diego on the way to a thrilling 1-0 triumph. In addition to her no-hitter, Johnson fashioned a one-hitter against Southern California and also spun a quartet of two-hitters.

Her best game, however, was undoubtedly her 2-1 victory over Rosie Black and the Southern California Gems May 31, in a game that went 20 innings. Johnson went the distance that night for the win, working her way out of three bases loaded jams.

An All-Star pick, Johnson tossed two perfect innings of relief against the hard hitting Eastern All-Stars.

RHONDA EBERSOLE, Pitcher

The Sunbirds may have picked a real superstar of the future last winter when they nabbed young Rhonda Ebersole in the Women’s Professional Softball Associations special dispersal draft in St. Louis. Ebersole, a flame throwing right-hander, was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal Southern California Gem season.

Ebersole, the youngest member of the Sunbirds at age 17, posted an 18-27 record with the Gems, who were the worst team in the WPSA’s maiden season. Ebersole’s won-lost record doesn’t tell the whole story of this remarkable young hurler. The Michigan-born brunette craved a dazzling 1.93 earned run average and tossed a team leading 293 innings, striking out 149 batters.

Her best performance of the 1976 season came on September 4, when she flipped a brilliant one-hitter against the hard hitting Arizona Bird. Ebersole also hurled two-hitters against San Diego and Chicago. During her amateur career Ebersole tossed several no-hitters and perfect games.

Against the West division champion Sunbirds last year, Ebersole had a respectable 2-4 record which included one shut-out. The ex-Gem ace wound up the ’76 season with seven shut outs, by far the best on the Southern Cal staff.

KAREN AMBLER, Second Base

The sweetheart of the Sunbird fans, Karen Ambler figures to be San Jose’s starting second sacker this season after serving mainly as a back-up last year. Ambler, one of the league’s youngest players at 19, is an excellent defensive player, and has potential to be a fine offensive performer, too.

Called “Rookie” by her teammates and fans, Ambler is no longer the youngest member of the Sunbirds with the recent acquisition of 18 year old Rhonda Ebersole.

A graduate of San Jose’s Santa Teresa High School, Ambler is a product of the San Jose PAL-GAL system, where she started mainly as a pitcher. Ambler began playing competitively at the age of 11 years old. By the time she was 15 she was a member of the Santa Clara Laurels.

After returning to PAL-GAL for a year of seasoning in 1974, Ambler returned to the Laurels in 1975 and became their starting second sacker. At the National tournament that year, Ambler was tabbed a second team All-American and was also selected the “Tournament Sweetheart.” It was during the National tourney that Ambler went two for three in a game against the legendary Joan Joyce, which is still the highlight of her playing career.

TERI MARIANI, infield

When the 1976 Women’s Professional Softball Association season began, Southern California was boasting Rosie Black as the best player in the league. But when the season had ended, Black wasn’t even voted the best player on the last place Gems’ team. That honor went to little Teri Mariani.

Mariani did all the little things that don’t show up in the box score – hitting behind the runner, sliding hard at second and playing excellent defense. But those little things are the mark of a winner. And that’s exactly what Mariani is.

Mariani who was selected Southern California’s Most Valuable Player, hit just .210 but scored 41 runs, walked 50 times (third best in WPSA) and sacrificed successfully 26 times (fifth best in WPSA) in addition to playing standout defense at both second base and third.

The Sunbirds are hoping Mariani can fill the void at shortstop, created by the departure of All-Star Mary Flint. A good contact hitter, Mariani struck out just 33 times in 421 trips to the plate. She also displayed occasional power, stroking 11 doubles, one triple and one homer.

Mariani was the Sunbirds’ second round draft pick at the winter dispersal draft held in St. Louis.

CAROL SALSBURY, First Base

After a quiet first half, Carol Salsbury’s booming bat came alive following the All-Star break last year. Limited to just one home run and 14 runs-batted-in during the first half, Salsbury caught fire the rest of the way and wound up with a club leading six homers and 36 RBI’s, second best on the team.

Salsbury, who hit a paltry .178 in the first half of the season, rapped the ball at a solid .254 clip after the All-Star break. Included in her second half binge were eight extra base hits, five HR’s and three doubles.

Splitting her time at first base and as the Sunbirds’ designated hitter, Salsbury led the team in doubles with 11 and tied for the team leadership in extra base hits (17) with Diane Kalliam. It was Salsbury who hit the first home run in Sunbird history, May 30, 1976, in a 7-2 romp over Southern California.

During her six year amateur career as a member of the Santa Clara Laurels, Salsbury belted more than 40 home runs, including 12 in 1972. A graduate of San Jose State, Salsbury was an All-American with the Laurels in 1974.

CONI STAFF, outfield

Should the San Jose Sunbirds make it to the Women’s Professional Softball Association World Series again this year, Coni Staff should feel very comfortable. Staff has been in three World Series, on the college level, prior to being acquired by the San Jose Sunbirds during the off-season. And San Jose is hoping she will have been in four World Series by the end of the year.

Staff was acquired by San Jose along with Sue Lindh and Kathy McGlothlin in a deal that sent All-Stars Charlotte Graham and Mary Lou Pennington to Santa Ana. During her collegiate career, Staff played in three College World Series as a member of Illinois State’s women's team. Illinois State finished fourth and seventh with Staff in the outfield.

Staff began playing softball at the age of nine in city-rec leagues. Her top batting mark as an amateur was .380 with Illinois State. After graduating from Springfield High School in 1970, Staff attended Illinois State, graduating in 1974 with a BS degree in physical education. She later earned her Master’s degree in PE at the University of California at Berkeley.

Staff currently lives in Pacifica and teaches PE at San Francisco State University. Coni’s father was once in the St. Louis Cardinal minor league system.

RAYONA SHARPNACK, Pitcher

For Rayona Sharpnack, being a member of the San Jose Sunbirds is like coming home again. Sharpnack, like many of the Sunbirds, played amateur ball with the Santa Clara Laurels. And after a season with Southern California, Rayona has found her way back to the Santa Clara Valley.

Making the Sunbird roster as a non-roster free agent, Sharpnack figures to be in San Jose’s starting rotation in addition to being a valuable utility player, able to play both infield and outfield positions.

Last year with the cellar dwelling Gems, Sharpnack registered a 1-6 record with a 2.61 earned run average. She hit a solid .240 at the plate, fourth best on the Southern California squad. Included in her work at the plate were four doubles.

The Sunbirds are hoping for a big season from the crafty righthander both on the mound and at the plate.

DIANE KALLIAM, outfield

When it comes to being able to do it all, Diane Kalliam is in a class by herself. By far the league’s premier centerfielder, Kalliam had an incredible first year in the WPSA. After a slow start, the Sunbird superstar wound up hitting at a .379 clip (second to Pat Guenzler’s .385) while leading the league in stolen bases (50), runs scored (87) and walks (84). In addition to her league totals, Kalliam was the Sunbirds’ leader in hits (131) and triples (7).

A superb bunter and a brilliant fielder, Kalliam is the type of player who can win games in many different ways. Her excellent speed creates numerous problems for opposing defenses and her aggressiveness on the bases is unparalleled.

A West division All-Star last season, Kalliam, who has been playing organized softball since she was 17 years old, collected an amazing 1,060 base hits during her remarkable amateur career before joining the WPSA. Most of her amateur playing days were spent with the Santa Clara Laurels. While with the Laurels, Kalliam earned All-American honors four times and copped the National batting title in 1974 with a lusty .444 mark.

JILL VON ADELUNG, Outfield

Jill Von Adelung’s all out hustle and team play earned the Southern California Gems’ Most Inspirational Player award last season. And it was her spirited play that earned her a spot on the 1977 San Jose Sunbirds’ roster. Von Adelung, another one of the many ex-Santa Clara Laurels on the Sunbird squad, will give San Jose another superb defensive outfielder to go along with the likes of Diane Kalliam and Diane Weiner.

While she hit just .176 last year with the Gems. Von Adelung still contributed heavily to the Southern California Gems effort, laying down 26 sacrifice bunts and stealing 13 bases.

Born in Phoenix, Arizona, the 21-year-old Von Adelung can also play first base in addition to the outfield. However, she saw action last season mainly as the Gems’ centerfielder, turning in several dazzling defensive plays. At the plate in 1976, Jill stroked 54 hits, scored 28 runs and drove in 16.

Von Adelung, who attended West Valley College this year, also is active in tennis, basketball and volleyball. She was a guard for the West Valley girls’ basketball team this past season.

DIANE WEINER, Outfield

After platooning in rightfield for most of the first half last season, Diane Weiner saw steady duty following the All-Star break and finished the year as San Jose’s fifth leading hitter with a .247 average. Weiner lashed 56 hits, seven for doubles, and drove in 14 runs.

But it was her defensive abilities that made it necessary for Weiner to be a regular in the Sunbird line-up. Possessor of one of the league’s strongest outfield arms, Weiner cut down several players attempting to take extra bases last year.

A physical education teacher at Sequoia high school in Redwood City, Weiner is one of several Sunbirds who played for the Santa Clara Laurels as an amateur. In three amateur season with the Laurels (1973-75), Weiner’s batting average steadily improved from .226 in 1973 to .250 in 1974 and finally to .278 in ’75.

Mainly a line drive hitter, Weiner can muscle up and hit the long ball on occasion. In 1973, she belted eight doubles, five triples and three homers. Weiner earned All-American honors with the Laurels in 1975 at the National tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah.

CHERYL STEWART, Pitcher

Cheryl Stewart was one of the WPSA’s hottest pitchers for a spell midway through the first half last year. At one stage of the season she posted three shut-outs in four starts and won five games in six decisions. But a nagging foot injury greatly curtailed her effectiveness late in the season, resulting in a second half slump.

Stewart who was 10-6 at one point, wound up with a 13-15 record and a 2.18 earned run average. The Sunbirds are hoping she can return to the form she displayed in the first half of the season. At the All-Star break last year, Stewart had a 9-6 record and a sparkling 1.33 ERA before her foot miseries returned.

At the All-Star break last year, Stewart completed 25 of 28 starting assignments and collected four shut-outs. She flipped a two-hit shut-out against Santa Ana on June 16, 1976, and later blanked the Sandpipers on four hits.

The highlight of Stewart’s amateur career was a perfect game she hurled in 1972 against the Phoenix Road Runners while a member of the Santa Clara Laurels

CINDY REYNOLDS, First Base

Although she has been playing competitive softball for only five years, Cindy Reynolds can hit with the best of them, as her .406 batting average with the M&R Packers two years ago will attest.

Reynolds, a first sacker-outfield, pitcher, began playing softball at the age of 18 at Lodi High School. She continued to play in college and finally graduated to Triple A ball with the Packers. While at Sacramento State, Reynolds earned several all-tournament honors.

Reynolds talents in college weren’t limited to the softball diamond, however. She also competed in AAU track for four years, establishing two high jump records and one long jump mark. She was a participant in a USSR-USA track meet and placed third in the high jump. Reynolds qualified for the 1972 National trials in the high jump.

Reynolds, who throws left and bats left, was born and raised in Lodi, California. After graduating from Lodi High, Reynolds attended Delta Junior College, Sacramento State and the University of the Pacific. Reynolds has an elementary teacher’s credential.

In addition to softball and track, Reynolds’s interests include gold, tennis and horseback riding.

MERRIBETH CARLSON, Catcher-Outfield

With the trade that sent Mary Lou Pennington to Santa Ana, Merribeth Carlson appears to have inherited the starting catcher’s spot for San Jose. Carlson, a Pete Rose-type hustler who thrilled San Jose Municipal crowds with her head first slides last season, will give the Sunbirds yet another aggressive base runner to upset opposing defenses.

A versatile player, Carlson saw action in all three outfield positions and at second base in 1976, in addition to catching. Used mainly as a utility player, Carlson’s batting average suffered. Nonetheless, Carlson still slapped out 19 hits, including three doubles. Carlson turned in several brilliant defensive plays, both in the outfield and behind the plate.

While with the amateur Santa Clara Laurels in 1975, Carlson laid down 27 sacrifice bunts, typical of her willingness to sacrifice her average for the good of the team. It was ex-Sunbird Pennington who first got Carlson interested in softball, convincing Merribeth to join the Roseville Lassies at the age of 18. After a year with the Lassies, Carlson played three years with the Sacramento Sonics before joining the Santa Clara Laurels in 1974.

DEBBIE MERRITT, Catcher-Infield

With the losses of Mary Lou Pennington and Janice Aubuchon during the offseason, one of the Sunbirds’ biggest needs was a back-up catcher for Merribeth Carlson. The Sunbirds fell they came up with a gem in the winter dispersal draft when they acquired the rights to catcher Debbie Merritt, who was formerly a part of the Southern California Gems organization.

Merritt, who resides in San Jose, ripped the ball at a solid .297 clip last year with the Sunnyvale Bandits in Triple A amateur ball. Merritt, who started playing softball at the age of 11, has been playing Triple A softball for the past five years after four successful seasons at Alhambra High School. Following her graduation from Alhambra High School, Merritt went on to attend Diablo Valley College.

Her five amateur seasons were spent with the Diablo Valley Saints and the Sunnyvale Bandits, earning several All-Star and regional awards along the way. In additional to softball, Merritt enjoys racketball, badminton, horseback riding, water and snow skiing. Nicknamed “Squatty” by her teammates, Debbie is one of the shortest members of the team.

SUE LINDH, Third Base

According to general manager John Bruno, Sue Lindh was the key player in the five woman deal that sent All-Stars Charlotte Graham and Mary Lou Pennington to the Santa Ana Lionettes over the winter. Lindh is being counted upon heavily to take over the third base bag for another Sunbird All-Star who had departed, Brenda Gamblin.

And from the way Lindh had played prior to the start of the 1977 season, there is no reason to think that the Sunbirds might have yet another All-Star in the making. Lindh comes to the Sunbirds with a highly successful amateur career behind her. In the last two seasons she has pounded out .394 and .387 batting averages with the Hayward Lifters in addition to playing sparkling defense.

Although she didn’t start playing softball until the late age of 18, Lindh has been active ever since. Her amateur career included stints with the Diablo Valley Saints (1969), Sunnyvale Stars (1970), Los Gatos Wildcats (1971-1973) and Lifters (1974-1976).

A graduate of Campo Lindo High School in 1969, Lindh later attended Stevens College in Missouri, San Jose City College and San Jose State University.

An All-Star in several amateur tournaments, Lindh was born in Oakland, California and currently resides in Lafayette.