CAN'T SHY AWAY COCHRAN IS VALUED LEADER.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS - Because of the inexperience on either side of her, at third base and second, at first base and behind the plate, Jenny Cochran has no choice but to be a role model.

She prefers the good old days, when she was the pup on the Thousand Oaks High softball team, worshiping older teammates and friends like third baseman Sheridan Fowler and pitcher Nicole Angelo.

``I idolized them so much,'' said Cochran, who stepped into the Lancers' starting shortstop spot as a freshman. Only offseason shoulder surgery before her junior season has taken her out of the lineup. And even then she returned to become designated hitter last season and helped Thousand Oaks win the Southern Section Division II championship.

Angelo, Fowler and a talented senior class have moved on, leaving Cochran to do for teammates what Angelo and Fowler did for her.

Cochran's infield partners include just one varsity veteran, sophomore second baseman Megan Spehar. On the corners - Courtney Rudloff at third, Suzanne Cominski at first - are freshmen. Sophomore catcher Melissa Smith must replace standout Jenni Perez.

Cochran turned to Fowler so many times throughout their time roaming the left side of one of the region's best defensive infields in recent years.

``Whenever I needed help I'd ask her and she'd always help me out,'' Cochran said.

It's a natural for the freshmen and sophomores to pick the senior's brain. Cochran is as sound a defensive shortstop as there is. She's not as gregarious as her predecessors but understands the importance of setting a good example for a team with just two seniors in the starting lineup.

``I'm trying to do it. I'm extremely shy and I don't talk a lot,'' she said. ``(Coach Gary Walin) is trying to get me to be outgoing and tell them what to do and what they're doing wrong. It's hard for me because I feel like I'm bossing them around.''

But like a big sister, Cochran is teaching, and it's paying off in the Lancers' record. Starting slow, particularly on offense, Thousand Oaks (currently first with a 4-1-1 record) is in contention to win the Marmonte League for a fourth consecutive year. Cochran has an opportunity at a four-peat, an accomplishment no Lancer ever has achieved.

Her teammates realize Cochran is not always comfortable getting so involved in everyone else's game. So they appreciate her efforts to keep a young team composed despite the shaky start.

``I think she gives a lot of inspiration to a lot of the younger players,'' said Spehar, who also pitches along with Simi Valley transfer Mandy Kilionski. ``She does talk more to us. At first when I met her, she was a little shy. Then I got her to open up a little more.''

Cochran also continues to focus on her own game.

``I don't think her arm is 100 percent back from before the surgery, it's pretty darn close,'' Walin said. ``But she's so fundamentally good. She's in good position to make throws, she very seldom ever gets out of position to make a throw.''

Defense never has been a problem. But Cochran expected to have a big senior year on offense.

Though she'd already committed to a Division I program (Temple), Cochran began the season pressing at the plate. Her average plunged to barely better than .100 but rose steadily beginning with Thousand Oaks' run to the Righetti of Santa Maria tournament title.

``I was putting too much pressure on myself because I expected a lot,'' Cochran said. ``I couldn't help out the team like I was supposed to, and I felt it was my fault that we're not all hitting.''

Sounds like a true leader, shy or not, taking responsibility for her team's actions. She never asked for the job. But Angelo and Fowler always were there for her. Now she's there for the next generation.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Senior shortstop Jenny Cochran and Thousand Oaks are contending for a fourth consecutive Marmonte League title.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer