Mari Vallejo leads team in batting during TCAL season
After compiling a 10-2 record and earning a share of the
Tri-County Athletic League title, the San Benito Haybalers garnered
five first-team selections when the TCAL recently announced its
year-end awards.
Jessica Vest, Paige Miguel, Jessica Steigelman, Marissa Adame
and Mari Vallejo were each named first team all-league this season
for the Balers.
Mari Vallejo leads team in batting during TCAL season
After compiling a 10-2 record and earning a share of the Tri-County Athletic League title, the San Benito Haybalers garnered five first-team selections when the TCAL recently announced its year-end awards.
Jessica Vest, Paige Miguel, Jessica Steigelman, Marissa Adame and Mari Vallejo were each named first team all-league this season for the Balers.
Vallejo batted .450 (18 of 40) during the 12-game league slate with three triples, a double, eight stolen bases and eight RBI, while Steigelman produced a .412 (14 of 34) batting average with two doubles, two homers, three stolen bases and eight RBI.
Sophomore catcher Marissa Adame garnered first-team honors after she compiled a .351 (13 of 37) batting average with a double, a triple, three stolen bases and seven RBI, while junior shortstop Jessica Vest did the same after batting .317 (13 of 41) for San Benito with two doubles, two triples, two homers, five stolen bases and nine RBI.
Meanwhile, junior pitcher Paige Miguel led the team in the circle with a 5-2 record this season, and even scored a save opportunity during San Benito’s 2010 campaign, which saw the Balers share the TCAL crown with rival Notre Dame.
The senior-heavy Spirits also earned five first-team selections, but took home the top two awards as well when Tiffany Meeks was named Most Valuable Player in the league and Shanae Gasperson garnered Most Valuable Pitcher recognition.
Other first-team selections included Notre Dame’s Caitlyn Pura, Carly Falconer and Giovanna Kolofer; Gilroy’s Casey Lester, Melanie Morelos and Sarah Lira; Jaynie MacDonald and Brittany Enny from Salinas; Rosa Perez of North Salinas; Mandee Flores of Alisal; and Rebeka Davidson of Everett Alvarez.
San Benito also earned three second-team selections, too, as freshman left fielder Brittany Sparrer, freshman second baseman Samantha Puentes and junior right fielder Brittany Hoff were each recognized by the TCAL.
Julie Morcate, meanwhile, was named to the league’s Sportsmanship team.
San Benito finished its season with a 25-4 overall record, and earned its fifth straight Central Coast Section Division I championship by defeating Fremont 2-1 in eight innings.
Tri-County Athletic League
TCAL Most Valuable Player — Tiffany Meeks, Notre Dame
TCAL Most Valuable Pitcher — Shanae Gasperson, Notre Dame
First Team All-League
Notre Dame — Tiffany Meeks, senior; Caitlyn Pura, senior; Shanae Gasperson, senior; Carly Falconer, senior; Giovanna Kolofer, freshman.
San Benito — Mari Vallejo, junior; Jessica Vest, junior; Paige Miguel, junior; Jessica Steigelman, junior; Marissa Adame, sophomore.
Gilroy — Casey Lester, sophomore; Melanie Morelos, junior; Sarah Lira, junior.
Salinas — Jaynie MacDonald, senior; Brittany Enny, junior.
North Salinas — Rosa Perez, senior.
Alisal — Mandee Flores, senior.
Everett Alvarez — Rebeka Davidson, junior.
Second Team All-League
Notre Dame — Kaleigh Keating; Morgan Balestreri
San Benito — Brittany Sparrer; Brittany Hoff; Samantha Puentes.
Gilroy — Alissa Castro; Dani Hemeon
Salinas — Marissa Bravo; Alyssa Razo; Casey Watt.
North Salinas — Danielle Nieto; Megan Brents; Alisha Wallace.
Alisal — Gaby Pantoja; Gianna Hermosillo.
Everett Alvarez — Genevieve Ramirez; Faith Valenzuela; Tirssa Salmeron.
Sportsmanship Team
Notre Dame — Carly Falconer.
San Benito — Julie Morcate.
Gilroy — Michelle Sosa.
Salinas — Melina Nobusada.
North Salinas — Marissa Pena.
Alisal — Valeria Marquez.
Everett Alvarez — Faith Valenzuela.
