Even the Regents are surprised. Though they flew under the radar this preseason, everyone now knows about the La Reina softball team, ranked No. 1 in the latest CIF-Southern Section Division 3 coaches’ poll released this week.

The Regents have enjoyed quite a resurgence.

They were roughly .500 last season. First-year head coach Bob Creamer took over after a broken leg forced previous coach Bob Sisco out of the dugout.

Several players defected, and not enough student-athletes tried out to field a junior varsity team.

Question marks loomed.

“There were no real expectations because no one expected us to get anything,” Creamer said.

Now everything’s clicking for La Reina—pitching, hitting and defense.

La Reina (17-3 overall, 7-2 in the Tri-Valley League) had won 10 straight games before Oaks Christian beat them in 11 innings Tuesday. The Regents play host to Oak Park today at 3:30 p.m. in another big TVL showdown.

Speaking of expectations, Sarah Fox didn’t anticipate La Reina playing this well.

“I did not expect us to be this good,” said the Humboldt Statebound first baseman.

“The coaching staff has upped the talent and kept us motivated. We play as a team. We play together. We don’t necessarily have the best softball players out there, but we work together. Working together is our strength.”

The senior Fox is this team’s leader, Creamer said.

“She stays on the girls,” the skipper said. “She’s like a coach herself out there. She knows what to do.”

Fox propels the team with a .548 batting average and 28 runs. She’s added 17 RBI, five doubles and two triples—and she’s struck out once in 69 plate appearances.

The senior takes a relaxed approach at the plate. Fox said before this year she never realized she was putting extra pressure on herself.

“I take a deep breath before I get in the box,” she said. “It’s paying off.”

The Regents reflect the personality of their manager.

Creamer is relaxed and calm. His players follow suit; they behave and play with composure.

During a recent practice, music blared while players hit. Others waded in the shade shagging fly balls. It looked like everyone was having—oh my gosh—fun.

“All my teams play loose and have fun,” Creamer said. “If it’s not fun, what’s the point of being out here? It’s a lot more fun when you’re winning, obviously.”

When asked about the possibility of playing for a section championship—La Reina won section titles in 1980, 1981, 1991, 1992 and 2000—the players took the same adage as their coach.

“We’ll take it one game at a time,” Jordan Needle said. Each Regent who was asked the question offered a similar reply.

Needle has been mashing the ball all season.

The junior shortstop leads La Reina with 31 RBI, eight doubles, four home runs and a 1.077 slugging percentage. She’s batting .538 on the season.

“We’re really stepping it up,” Needle said. “We’re starting to turn into a good team. I’m looking forward to what the future holds.”

The slugger hit a walk-off grand slam against St. Bonaventure, then mashed two more bombs against Santa Clara for three taters in six at-bats.

Needle is expected to sign a scholarship by late summer.

Senior center fielder Maija Ehlinger, who will play at Emory University in Atlanta next year, is also enjoying a fine season.

“It’s been great to play with this team and represent our school,” said Ehlinger, who ran cross country in the fall. “It’s been very exciting. We like playing with each other. Every day we’re having fun—that’s the key. This year has been special.”

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Christine Costello is one of two aces. If freshman Dani Marietta’s in the circle, Costello provides solid defense at second base or shortstop.

“I love helping my team in different ways,” said Costello, who played volleyball as a freshman.

Costello is 10-1 with 88 strikeouts and a 0.58 ERA. She’s hitting .438 with 22 RBI.

Marietta is 7-2 with one save, 99 strikeouts and a 0.48 ERA. Marietta is also a force at the plate, batting .310 with 11 RBI.

Creamer likes having two solid, young pitchers.

“I try to match them up with who, in my mind, will do better on a given day,” the coach said.

Creamer has a strong coaching staff. Michelle Smith, a former star at Agoura High and Stanford, works diligently with the girls on hitting and is a big reason for the Regents’ success at the dish.

Dave Kaupp and Kevin Letson also aid the Regents.

Kelly Broihier, Alanna Dantona, Katherine Dorosk, Lara Felixson, Megan Garcia, Kelly Garcia, Janelle Garza, Delaney Kaupp, Nicole Quance, Michelle Smith and Katie Trockey all contribute on the diamond.

Creamer, who coaches the Thousand Oaks-based SoCal Diamonds travel-ball squad, knows tough teams like Ayala and Glendora loom ahead in the Division 3 playoffs.

“I don’t want to say we’ll win it all. You never know,” he said.

“We’ll show up and see what happens.”