2016 All-East County, All-CIF, All-League teams
- Updated: June 3, 2016
2016 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL – ALL-EAST COUNTY TEAM
By Adam Paul
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (6-2-16) — In a season where no real team dominated which it made more fun and interesting all across the county, the East County showed they could play with the so called powers of San Diego.
East County itself was very well represented in the San Diego CIF Playoffs with 9 teams getting in and the majority making deep runs including Christian winning the Division IV championship and Grossmont claiming the Division III championship. What fueled all of the teams and their success was all the talent that each team had including a ton of underclassman along with the coaching playing a big part of why many of the teams went on to have the success they did.
Turning things to the coaches it was these two that really stood out in the season of craziness. Because of this both coaches are tabbed EastCountySports.com co-Coaches of the Year.
Lerud
First off at Grossmont, the 20+ year veteran JERRY LERUD guided the Foothillers to the Cougar Classic Gold Bracket Division Championship and to cap it off, running the table through the Division III playoffs all the way to the CIF Division III championship for the first time since 2011. The Foothillers matched their win total of their previous championship of 2011 by winning 23 games this season.
It wasn’t just the playoffs. The Foothillers rolled through but during the regular season with victories over many of the Counties top teams including 7 teams that made the tournament in their respective divisions. Among those victories, include 3 against CIF Championship finalists including a champion. Coach Lerud did an excellent job getting his girls prepared for everything they saw during the season and it showed in their play.
Failla
The other coach who really stood out was veteran coach JOHN FAILLA, who guided the Sultans to an 18 win season and also tied for second place in the very tough Grossmont Hills league, which by the way was the second toughest league in San Diego County.
The win total for the Sultans marked a 12-win improvement from last year when they only won 6 games. His ability to get his players prepared showed as the Sultans were very competitive and in every game over the course of the season.
The big award for the region goes to three players who really helped propel their teams to the seasons each team had with both their offense and defense. These are the reasons why these three players were named EastCountySports.com tri-Players of the Year.
Bennett
First up is MACKENZIE BENNETT (Santana). Only a sophomore, she really came into her own as her ability to throw runners out was a main reason why a few coaches decided on not running against her when they played the Sultans.
Besides the defense, offensively batting from the second spot, she had 51 hits on the season which puts her in the CIF record book for hits in a season, batted .520, drove in 34 runs and belted 9 homers which also goes into the CIF record book and also is up there in Grossmont Conference history.
On top of this she also hammered 14 doubles which also is up there in the record books for CIF all-time in a season.
McEwen
Next up is HANNAH MCEWEN (Patrick Henry). The Junior outfielder really did everything on both ends both offensively and defensively. Defensively in the outfield she committed no errors and really was a force with the glove.
Offensively she batted .519, with 56 hits on the season which puts her name in the upper portion of the CIF record book for hits in a season, hit 3 homeruns along with driving in 33 runs and also scoring an amazing 49 runs which again puts her in the upper half of the CIF record book for runs scored in a season.
On top of these feats, she also caused chaos on the bases as she swiped 26 bases and was never caught stealing. It was her ability from the leadoff spot to get on base that really set the tone for the Patriots and helped propel them all the way to the No. 1 seed in the Division I playoffs and to the Finals.
Camarero
Finally, CHLOE CAMARERO (Grossmont). The Junior third baseman set the tone for the Foothillers offensively as for the second consecutive year banged out 60+ hits all from the leadoff spot.
This year she had 61 hits which puts her in the top 5 for a season in CIF history and also in Grossmont Conference history as well. Those hits translated to a .521 clip. To go with the amazing average she belted 6 homers, drove in 29 runs and scored 37 runs, also banged out 18 doubles which will be a top mark in the CIF record book for a season and swiped 9 bases.
Defensively at third, she was a rock as she made the plays necessary to keep the opponents from scoring. Camarero was one of the main cogs for the Foothillers as they rolled to the No. 1 seed in the Division III playoffs and capturing the CIF Championship for the first time since 2011.
When it came to pitching this year there were so many worthy candidates to choose from but these three really stood out as they each played a big role in their teams’ success. It is because of this these three are named EastCountySports.com tri-Pitchers of the Year.
Kyler
HALLE KYLER (Granite Hills) a Junior, who helped the Eagles win the Grossmont Hills League crown in a winner take all contest on the very last day of the regular season against Santana and earned the No. 2 seed in the CIF Division II playoffs.
On the year she went 12-5 while posting an impressive 1.90 ERA in 129 innings of work. Kyler was one of the main reasons why the Eagles were able to have the success they did as she shut down the potent Steele Canyon Cougars offense in league play and showed why she was an ace in the playoffs as the Eagles made the Semi-Finals.
Roope
SAMARIA ROOPE (Grossmont) – Only a Freshman, she showed why she was a big part of the crop of Freshman who came into their own this year. On the season,
Roope posted an 18-7 record along with a 2.38 ERA. Being a freshman she could have folded in many of the situations she was in from being down to West Hills in the Cougar Classic and coming back to shut them down and win, to the next day going up against a powerful Patrick Henry offense and pretty much shutting them down in the victory to the extra innings affair in the Gold Bracket Championship against the Rancho Bernardo Broncos in which the Foothillers eventually won.
Her poise came again in the CIF Division III playoffs as they were the No. 1 seed and had a close game against High Tech San Diego which they won 6-5. Finally in the CIF Division III Championship against the #5 seed UC City when leading 5-1 in the top of the seventh inning, giving up a couple of hits and a couple of runs scoring with 2 outs to make the score 5-3 and the bases still loaded. However she was able to get the very next batter to hit a weak comebacker and get the final out. Because of these traits, Roope will be a force for the next three years and showed why she was a top pitcher.
McCarthy
MAKAYLA MCCARTHY (Steele Canyon) – The Senior fire baller posted a record of 17-9 along with an impressive ERA of 1.98 in 176 1/3 innings of work. She also struck out 101 batters.
McCarthy kept the Cougars league crown hopes alive as she showed she was the workhorse by being able to work out of many of a jam which helped them finish tied for second in the Grossmont Hills League. Her pitching helped the Cougars earn the No. 6 seed in the CIF Division II playoffs and make it all the way to the Semi-Finals.
It was her ability to dominate in the circle which helped the Cougars win 20 games on the season.
Like last year, this year was no different in that there was not a shortage of very talented freshman in the East County. In fact this year every team seemed to have talented freshman on their squads. So without a do it was this duo that really shined and are named EastCountySports.com co-Rookies of the Year.
Bagge
AUDREY BAGGE (Steele Canyon) – The Cougars on the year had a potent offense and Bagge was one of the reasons why they scored as much as she got on base for the big boppers from the leadoff spot.
On the year from the leadoff spot, she batted .375, registered 39 hits, drove in 20 runs while also crossing the plate 28 times, banged out 8 doubles and 2 triples to go with the 2 stolen bases. It was her ability to do what she did that made her a tough out all season long. She had 11 games where she had multiple hits including a 4 hit effort against UC City and drove in a high of 5 runs against Hilltop.
Defensively she made the plays necessary and showed she will be a force at the hit corner for the next three years. Overall Bagge during the season showed why she was a big part of the talented freshman crop of 2016.
Mendez
MADISON MENDEZ (Santana) – A duel threat for the Sultans in which she won 16 games in the circle, struck out 81 batters on the season.
Offensively from the leadoff spot, Mendez wreaked havoc with a solid .426 average. Her ability to get on base allowed the Sultans offense to motor to an average of a tad over 7 runs a contest. Not only did she hit, she hit for power as she jacked 5 homeruns.
On the year she pounded out 44 hits including 7 doubles, drove in 26 RBI and scored 11 times. Batting wise she also had 12 multi-hit games including 3 hits in the Mayor’s Cup rivalry game victory against West Hills. Again a big part of the crop of freshman who will make things exciting in East County the next three years.
The final award goes to a player who contributed the most and was considered stealth during the season contribution wise. This award goes to a player who doesn’t get all the credit they deserve as they might be part of a bigger picture. Earning the EastCountySports.com Unsung Hero award was because this player did just that.
Wilson
RACHEL WILSON (Santana) – The reason why she earned this award is because she had to sit out sometime after transferring to Santana, and this year as a Junior had an immediate impact for the Sultans.
Wilson proved to be deadly from the cleanup spot in the lineup as she had the duty of protecting Vates. Would compare it to Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris in that it was basically pick your poison when it came to facing those two for the Sultans.
Offensively she batted .347 while pounding out 34 hits. In the cleanup spot, Wilson hammered 5 homeruns and drove in 39 RBI and scored 17 runs and even swiped 3 bases. She created the opportunities for Vates because if you pitched around her or she got on Wilson would made you pay with her hitting prowess.
Wilson wasn’t just a big cog offensively but also on the defensive side at the hot corner known as third base with her trusty glove, pretty much vacuuming up anything that came her way. Her play was part of the big reason the Sultans were in the winner take all game for the Grossmont Hills league crown on the last day of the season and also their run in the playoffs and also the wins improvement from the year before.
2016 ALL-EAST COUNTY SOFTBALL TEAM (As selected by Eastcountysports.com Staff) FIRST TEAM Name School Yr. Hannah McEwen Patrick Henry Jr. Halle Kyler Granite Hills Jr. Chloe Camarero Grossmont Jr. Sydney Vates Santana Sr. Anna Sherburne Christian Sr. Alexis Herrera West Hills Sr. Cristiona Caccamise Patrick Henry Jr. Mackenzie Bennett Santana So. Danielle Romero Patrick Henry Sr. Rachel Shelstrom Valhalla So. Destini Bullock Helix Sr. Amber Wozniak Serra Sr. Madison Mendez Santana Fr. Samaria Roope Grossmont Fr. Makayla McCarthy Steele Canyon Sr. Silent Rain Espinoza Christian So. Jessie LaPierre Granite Hills Sr. Sierra Schlichting West Hills Jr. Destiny Bacon Grossmont Jr. Rachel Wilson Santana Jr. SECOND TEAM Name School Yr. Anya Vandersip Patrick Henry Sr. Ashley Carter Christian So. Cassidy Shew Granite Hills Jr. Makayla Stromenger Steele Canyon Jr. Gabriela Olivarria Helix Jr. Andrea Wright Patrick Henry So. Audrey Bagge Steele Canyon Fr. Taylor Baez Grossmont Jr. Alex Guay West Hills Jr. Kayla Mack Granite Hills Jr. Jordan Teegardin Santana Sr. Darby Tibbetts Serra Sr. Grace Burkett El Capitan Jr. Cassie Van Til Patrick Henry Jr. Carly Pearson Grossmont Sr. Paige Bowler West Hills Sr. Karen Creech Granite Hills Jr. Gentry Hoffman Steele Canyon Jr. Megan Malwitz Grossmont Sr. Kennedy Labshere Valhalla So. Moana Pisia West Hills So. Cassidy Matthie Santana Jr. Coaches of the Year Jerry Lerud, Grossmont John Failla, Santana Players of the Year Chloe Camarero, Grossmont Hannah McEwen, Patrick Henry Mackenzie Bennett, Santana Rookies of the Year Audrey Bagge, Steele Canyon Madison Mendez, Santana Pitchers of the Year Halle Kyler, Granite Hills; Samaria Roope, Grossmont; Makayla McCarthy, Steele Canyon. Unsung Hero Rachel Wilson, Santana
2016 ALL-CIF SOFTBALL TEAM
By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (6-9-16) — Following is a list of San Diego County high school softball players who were selected to the 2016 All-CIF Breitbard Hall of Fame team.
SOFTBALL
First Team
P-Kellie White, Mater Dei Catholic, Sr.
P-SAMARIA ROOPE, Grossmont, Fr.
P-Megan Faraimo, Cathedral Catholic, So.
P-Payton Tidd, San Marcos, So.
C-Sharlize Palacios, Eastlake, Fr.
C-CRISTIONA CACCAMISE, Henry, Sr.
Inf-Malia Martinez, Poway, Sr.
Inf-Xstaviana Augur, Torrey Pines, Jr.
Inf-Jessica Alexander, Vista, Sr.
Inf-CHLOE CAMARERO, Grossmont, Jr.
Inf-Deshea Hill, Carlsbad, Jr.
OF-Gabrielle Callaway, Poway, Sr.
OF-Livy Schiele, Bishop’s, Jr.
OF-Mikaila Reyes, Torrey Pines, Sr.
OF-Hannah McEwen, Henry, Jr.
Second team
P-Hanah Bowen, Ramona, Jr.
P-Haley White, Torrey Pines, Fr.
P-Devyn Magnett, Cathedral Catholic, Sr.
P-Samantha Manti, Eastlake, Sr.
P-Kasey Cazares, Calexico, Sr.
C-MACKENZIE BENNETT, Santana, So.
Inf-Kayla Krantz, Escondido, Sr.
Inf-DESTINY BACON, Grossmont, Jr.
Inf-Kelsey Munoz, Mater Dei Catholic, Jr.
Inf-Kate Braunsdorf, Clairemont, Jr.
Inf-Lexi Osowski, Scripps Ranch, Sr.
Inf-Carmina Nicolas, High Tech High San Diego, Jr.
OF-Aaliyah Jordan, Bonita Vista, Sr.
OF-Sydny Poh, Torrey Pines, Jr.
OF-TAYLOR BAEZ, Grossmont, Jr.
Player of the Year: Malia Martinez, Poway
Coach of the year: JERRY LERUD, Grossmont
2016 ALL GROSSMONT HILLS LEAGUE SOFTBALL TEAM CHAMPION: GRANITE HILLS (Selected by League Coaches based on Conference Statistics only) FIRST TEAM Name School Yr. Madison Mendez Santana Fr. Halle Kyler Granite Hills Jr. Alexis Herrera West Hills Sr. Rachel Shelstrom Valhalla So. Chloe Camarero Grossmont Jr. Jessie LaPierre Granite Hills Sr. Mackenzie Bennett Santana So. Makayla McCarthy Steele Canyon Sr. Sydney Vates Santana Sr. Sierra Schlichting West Hills Jr. PLAYER OF THE YEAR: HALLE KYLER, GRANITE HILLS PITCHER OF THE YEAR: MADISON MENDEZ, SANTANA SECOND TEAM Name School Yr. Samaria Roope Grossmont Fr. Kennedy Labshere Valhalla So. Makayla Stromenger Steele Canyon Jr. Taylor Baez Grossmont Jr. Moana Pisia West Hills So. Destiny Bacon Grossmont Jr. Kylie Minshew Steele Canyon Sr. Madison Caldwell Granite Hills Jr. Rachel Wilson Santana Jr. Cassidy Shew Granite Hills Jr. Honorable Mention Grossmont: Jessica Wilson (Jr.), Alexis Collins (Jr.), Megan Malwitz (Sr.). Amber Allman (Jr.), Carly Pearson (Sr.). West Hills: Brooke Roberts (Sr.), Paige Bowler (Sr.), Ryleigh Dobyns (Sr.). Alex Guay (Jr.), Kendall Marinesi (Sr.). Steele Canyon: Gentry Hoffman (Jr.), Audrey Bagge (Fr.), Jessica Venzor (Fr.) Emma Dodson (Jr.). Valhalla: Sammy Green (Fr.), Brandi Kohel (Sr.), Emily Howard (Sr.), Lillian Metsch (So), Tori Bassette (Jr.), Victoria Villegas (So.). Santana: Cassidy Matthie (Jr.), Jordan Teegardin (Sr,), Erica Reid (So.). Granite Hills: Karen Creech (Jr.), Haley Budvarson (Sr.), Sydney Huse (Fr.) Rachel Riley (Sr.), Kayla Mack (Jr.). 2016 ALL GROSSMONT VALLEY LEAGUE SOFTBALL TEAM CHAMPION: HELIX and EL CAPITAN (Selected by League Coaches based on Conference Statistics only) FIRST TEAM Name School Yr. Shareena LaChance Helix So. Destini Bullock Helix Sr. Gabriela Olivarria Helix Jr. Grace Burkett El Capitan Jr. Zandra Ragale El Capitan Jr. Amanda Vasquez El Capitan Jr. Cheyenne Rolles Mount Miguel Fr. Kiara Morris Mount Miguel Jr. Ionna Upham Monte Vista Fr. Geena Henderson Monte Vista Jr. PLAYER OF THE YEAR: DESTINI BULLOCK, HELIX PITCHER OF THE YEAR: SHAREENA LACHANCE, HELIX SECOND TEAM Name School Yr. Faith King Helix Fr. McKenzie Flores Helix So. Nicole Vacarro El Capitan Jr. Tessa Lohman El Capitan Sr. Neddie Barrios Mount Miguel Jr. Deja Glasa El Cajon Valley Sr. Rashonna McCoy Mount Miguel Jr. Allyson Von Yokes El Capitan Fr. Brianna Reed Helix So. Emily Bodtke Monte Vista Sr. Honorable Mention Helix: Frankie Martinez (Fr.), Victoria Cyman (Sr.), Emily Coale (Jr.) Mount Miguel: Adrianna Mendez El Cajon Valley: Melissa Contrera El Capitan: Baily Olaveson (Fr.), Elena Laddon (So.), Kim Garcia (So.) Maria Lotta (Jr.). 2016 ALL EASTERN LEAGUE SOFTBALL TEAM CHAMPION: SCRIPPS RANCH (Selected by League Coaches based on Conference Statistics only) FIRST TEAM Name School Yr. Hannah McEwen Patrick Henry Jr. Lexi Osowski Scripps Ranch So. Cristiona Caccamise Patrick Henry Jr. Danielle Romero Patrick Henry Sr. Hannah Matteson Scripps Ranch So. Alyssa Vilke Scripps Ranch Fr. Silent Rain Espinoza Christian So. Anna Sherburne Christian Sr. Amber Wozniak Serra Sr. Madison Casiano Mira Mesa Sr. PLAYER OF THE YEAR: HANNAH MCEWEN, PATRICK HENRY LEXI OSOWSKI, SCRIPPS RANCH SECOND TEAM Name School Yr. Darby Tibbetts Serra Sr. Ashley Carter Christian So. Taylor Tompkins Mira Mesa Jr. Kasidy Nowakowski Mira Mesa Fr. Anya Vandersip Patrick Henry Sr. Andrea Wright Patrick Henry So. Veronica Quirino Morse So. Lauren Lipe Scripps Ranch Sr. Delaney Kelly Scripps Ranch So. Shawn Blalock Scripps Ranch Jr.
