Phoenix -- If Phoenix College softball coach Heinz Mueller coaches much longer, there will definitely need to be a change. The change will have to be in the size of his office.

The walls of Coach Mueller's office are covered with plaques of each Lady Bear softball player that has progressed to a four year school. Entering the 2003 season, the number of plaques stands at 55, with certainly more to come.

With over 500 career wins and a pair of National Championships in the past three seasons, Coach Mueller looks forward to another successful season with the number one goal being winning the Region.

"Our number one priority is winning our Region and to do that our pitching and defense have to play well," says Mueller. "These are normally the keys to winning a championship and these are two strengths of our team."

In the pitching circle, the Lady Bears will rely on the trio of sophomore Chris McGee (pictured to the right) and freshmen Ramie Garcia and Alexis Wheeler.

McGee, the lone returning pitcher, garnered ALL-ACCAC honors in 2002. The Trevor Browne High School product completed her freshman season with a 17-6 record and a 2.35 ERA.

Garcia, from Chapparal High School, and Garcia, a graduate of Greenway High School, will both be counted on to get batters out.

Catcher Sonia Medina (pictured to the right), a 2002 NJCAA All-American, returns after finishing second in the ACCAC in hitting with a .485 average.

Corrie Long, a freshman from Horizon High School, will display her great defensive skills at first base.

Juliette Martinez will handle the duties at second base, while at shortstop will be Diana Mendez. Mendez hit .318 last season and was the Bears' best defensive player. At third base will be Janette Martinez, Juliette's twin sister, who has great hands to play the "hot" corner.

Delane Oscarson will patrol left field for the Lady Bears in 2003 after earning All-ACCAC honors a year ago with a .443 batting average and 31 stolen bases. Samantha Zadel brings great speed and an excellent arm to the centerfield position, while Sierra Hannum, who batted .386 in 2002, rounds out the outfield trio in right field.

While the starting lineup seems to be pretty set as the season begins, there is depth on the bench just looking for a chance to break into the lineup. Freshman Melissa Nieman, a graduate of Greenway High School, has proved to be a very good clutch hitter, while sophomore Chrissy Mensior has the strength to provide the Lady Bears with long ball power. Deanna Camacho, an all-around utility player, hit .400 last season, while backup catcher Denise Emmons returns after hitting .367 last season. Kortny Hall, a transfer from Eastern New Mexico, will play several different positions as well.

The Lady Bears will face the strongest competition ever in Division 2, with teams such as Mesa, Glendale, and first-year program Paradise Valley providing much of the punch. So, before Coach Mueller gets to another Softball World Series, he will have to win his fourth straight Region 1 title.