El Camino High School softball players Celine Doerr (left) and Harmony Palmer worked out in the school's gym. The Wildcats have a new weight-training and conditioning program in place to battle late-season fatigue.

Olive Naotala worked out in the gym.

The El Camino softball team hopes the memory of last year's CIF semifinal loss lasts two more months – just long enough to push the Wildcats to their first CIF crown since 1994.

It's the only way to forget what could have been in 2007. What could have been – should have been, if you're a member of the Oceanside softball community – was a win over defending CIF champ Escondido in the semis and a march to the title.

Instead, a freak baserunning mishap and a fielding error in the late innings propelled the Cougars to an 8-7 extra-innings win and their second straight section championship. The Wildcats, meanwhile, were left with a long offseason and plenty of motivation for 2008.

“We really felt we had a good chance last year,” El Camino coach Ron Mizushima said. “We knew we'd come up short, but we knew good things would happen for us.”

Good things have been a long time coming for the Wildcats, who haven't sniffed a championship game berth since they won the second of two straight section titles 14 years ago.

“It's been a while,” said senior catcher Chelsea Troupe, “since the softball program has even been close.”

When Mizushima came to El Camino from Oceanside High School six years ago, the program drew a total of 33 players for three teams.

Courtney Craig, a returning All-CIF selection, will continue her softball career next year at the University of Texas.

“Then grades came out,” Mizushima said. “Oh boy. We had to call some freshman up (to varsity).”

In 2008, the Wildcats' most important number isn't 10 – the minimum number of players necessary to field a team. It's nine, as in the number of starters returning from last year's squad.

With that bounty comes confidence, and more than a measure of respect.

“There's only one team out there that can beat us, and it's ourselves,” Mizushima said. “I believe that in my heart.”

Big talk, considering the Cougars return a raft of talent themselves, including arguably the deepest rotation in San Diego led by senior Lisa Akamine.

But these Wildcats have title tunnel vision, and deservedly so. Troupe and senior ace Courtney Craig (University of Texas) are returning All-CIF selections. Senior first baseman Harmonny Palmer and junior shortstop Jerrin Faasua are reigning all-Avocado League performers.

“We've had the talent for a while,” Craig said. “It makes it more fun, finally getting the respect we deserve.”

With that respect comes a new standard for success. It's CIF or bust on Wildcat Way this season.

“It's not really pressure,” Craig said of the Wildcats' title hopes and their No. 3 preseason ranking. “It's motivation.”

With their sights set firmly on the month of May and the CIF playoffs, the Wildcats have a new weight-training and conditioning program in place to battle late-season fatigue, which Mizushima says was a factor last year.

Troupe says the players began their own conditioning long in advance of the preseason, so their biggest hurdle may be a psychological one.

“There are a lot of people out there pushing us,” she said. “We're not letting it get into our heads.”

For the first time in Mizushima's tenure, El Camino's first meeting with Escondido won't come until the posteason. A year ago, the Wildcats topped the Cougars twice before falling in the playoffs.

Is it possible to be the team to beat without ever getting to the championship before?

“I think the kids feel it,” Mizushima said. “They know they can do it. The girls who can move on (from last year) are the ones who are successful.”

Just give them two months.

 Zach Jones: (760) 752-6751; zach.jones@tlnews.net