AVC NOTEBOOK: POSTSEASON POSTPONES COACH'S RETIREMENT.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

Gene Pagliaro entered the season knowing it would be his last as coach of the Antelope Valley College softball team. Now it appears the 15-year veteran's retirement plans are going to have to wait a little longer.

After finishing Foothill Conference play undefeated (31-11 overall), AVC earned a No. 10 seed in the Southern California Regional playoffs, which begin Saturday. The Marauders will play No. 7 Cuesta at Cypress College followed by a game Sunday in either the winners' or losers' bracket.

``It's been an amazing season, one that I hope doesn't end any time soon,'' said Pagliaro, who was voted the conference coach of the year for the third time. ``Besides, I'd have too much free time on my hands.''

The regional is a four-team, double-elimination format - which includes Cypress, the second-ranked team in the state. The winner of the bracket advances to the May 11-12 state championship at the Buchanan Softball Complex in Clovis, hosted by Fresno City College.

--The honor roll: Tami Ortiz was selected the Foothill Conference's Player of the Year after batting .512. The Paraclete High of Lancaster graduate is the Marauders' sixth player of the year and the first since Teri Tilley in 1997.

Candy Johnson (Lancaster) was named the conference Pitcher of the Year after finishing 8-0 in conference and 13-4 overall. In addition, six other Marauders - Tina Carrillo, Lauren McDonald, Jennifer Province, Keri Pulcifier, Monique Saldana and Monica Tantlinger - were named to the all-conference first or second teams.

--First and 10: The football team began its spring workouts last week with plenty of freshmen. And that, combined with a decent class of returning sophomores, has coach Brent Carder pleased with the turnout.

Entering his 33rd season, Carder had reason to be concerned initially.

Eighteen sophomores graduated from last season's team that finished 7-4 and lost to Bakersfield in the Potato Bowl, the Marauders' first postseason appearance in four years.

``This time last year, we had a high percentage of returners. And considering the vast majority of the kids are new to each other, we feel good about this year's group,'' Carder said. ``We have a handful of experienced sophomores, so there's no reason for us to be anything other than optimistic at this point.''

Perhaps nobody is more optimistic that Jerome Wright, who missed last season after being shot in the hip, back and arm in an altercation at a party in August.

The 6-foot wide receiver from Highland High set several AVC records as a freshman and is poised for a more productive sophomore season.

``He looks fine and he's worked very hard to get back in shape,'' Carder said. ``He'll do fine. He's a good, solid young man.''

Wright has been timed in the 4.4-second range in the 40-yard dash.

Wide receiver James Laurence, offensive lineman Eric Bonney and running back Teddy Monroe are among the returning starters.

According to Carder, the freshman brother tandem of Brian and Steve Pugh, who are 6-5, 310 pounds and 6-3, 300, respectively, could see playing time on the offensive line. Quartz Hill's John Arslanian (6-2 275) is another probable impact freshman.

--Change of scenery: Several athletes who had been practicing with College of the Canyons' football team last season are now attending AVC's spring practices.

Cornerback Raymond Allston and linebacker Mark Sutton, both Antelope Valley High graduates, and Bobby Stanley, a running back from San Fernando, have been working out in an attempt to stick with the Marauders.

Carder, however, insists that there's no controversy.

``The reality of it is that it doesn't matter where you play,'' Carder said. ``It could be Pasadena, Pierce, Valley or Canyons. These kids just want to play - they want to do well and why not have them do that here.''