Seven softball players receive First or Second Team
selections
San Benito’s highly talented softball team was represented well on the All-Tri-County Athletic Team this year, despite finishing in second place behind Notre Dame and losing in the first round of the playoffs.
Coach Scott Smith said it was the most talented softball team that the school has ever had.
“There is no comparison,” Smith said. “Unfortunately, we just couldn’t put it together, and I have to take responsibility for that. I’ll still state to this day that we never faced a team that was better than us in all the positions, even including Notre Dame. In the years past, we weren’t as talented but found ways to win. This year we found ways to lose.”
On the first team were Amy Baxter, Jenny Maheu, Kristen Archuletta and Danielle Hernandez.
Baxter, the team’s defensive MVP, has been on the varsity all four years. A broken jaw didn’t stop her from coming back and playing even when it was still wired shut.
“She is probably the best defensive catcher in the league – tough as nails,” Smith said. “We didn’t have to worry about teams stealing bases on us because they just didn’t try. I think the other teams might have been 2 for 4. We stole something like 60 bases. I think we were only thrown out four times ourselves.”
A big part of the base stealing game was Maheu. She had the knack for getting on base as the leadoff hitter. Often times the Balers would score first because of her ability to get something started.
Maheu, who was another four-year varsity player, led the league in hitting with a .400 batting average. She was the team’s offensive MVP.
Hernandez pitched in every game for the Balers this year and gave up just a handful of extra base hits. She was named as the team MVP for her consistency.
The three Baler outfielders were honored for their defense. Archuletta, the center fielder, was selected to the First Team. Right Fielder Julie Broyer was selected to the Second Team, and left fielder Rachelle Barrientos received honorable mention.
Archuletta, a sophomore who went to North Salinas last year, batted .367 and led the Balers in slugging percentage. She had seven doubles and five triples.
“Late in the year, when the team got some good hits off Dani, she was able to track them down well,” Smith said.
Broyer, in right field, batted about .320 this year and also played error-free ball. She had 28 assists to first base.
“She could have easily been on first team,” Smith said. “In all the years I’ve coached softball, I’ve never seen anyone play right field like that kid can.”
Barrientos, a junior, didn’t have as good of year offensively as in the past, but she had a good glove. She threw out a runner at home plate in the game against Notre Dame.
Williams, a senior second baseman, was selected to the Second Team. She was batting about .400 halfway through the year and played solid defense for the most part.
“In the CCS game, I asked her to be more selective and take a couple pitches, and she did a great job to get on base with a couple walks,” Smith said. “You could ask her to do something, and she would do it.”
Third baseman Megan C. Smith was selected to the Second Team primarily for her defense and quick reaction time.
In addition to Maheu, Baxter and Williams, Liz Stewart and Megan N. Smith were the senior captains.
Backup catcher Nicole Clay was named as the team’s most inspirational player.
Pitcher of the year:
Kim Reeder, Notre Dame
Player of the year:
Bria DeLorenzo, Gilroy
First team
Danielle Hernandez, San Benito, P
Amy Baxter, San Benito, C
Jenny Maheu, San Benito, SS
Kristen Archuletta, San Benito, OF
Brittany Armbruster, Salinas, P
Juliette Bowers, Live Oak, P
Justine McDonald, Live Oak, C
Alixis Villarin, North Salinas, C/3B
Jessica Boyle, North Salinas, P
Amy Tompkins, Notre Dame, SS
Lauren Schutzler, Notre Dame, CF/2B
Teri Ann Caoagan, Notre Dame, 3B
Second team
Hilary Williams, San Benito, 2B
Megan C. Smith, San Benito, 3B
Julie Broyer, San Benito, RF
Suzanne Riddleberger, Salinas, SS
Kalli Lemke, Salinas, C
Sarah Villar, Gilroy, P
Kayla Aldridge, Gilroy, SS
Alyssa Adamo, Live Oak, CF
Kaitlyn Rauschnot, Live Oak, 1B
Samantha Ferry, Live Oak, 2B
Ashley Eisemann, North Salinas, 3B/1B
Rachelle Morales, North Salinas, 2B
Liz Fleming, North Salinas, 1B
Tasha Stokes, Notre Dame, C
Alyssa Given, Notre Dame, RF
Honorable mention
Rachel Barrientos, San Benito, LF
Tiffany Ward, Salinas, CF
Erika Boquilon, North Salinas, LF
Jessica Whitaker, Notre Dame, 1B
Patricia Olvera, Gilroy, OF/P
Jackie Jacob, Live Oak, P
Katie Hillman, Live Oak, 3B
Sportsmanship award
Hillary Williams, San Benito
Kallie Lemke, Salinas
Kristen Campos, Gilroy
Catalina Rawers, Live Oak
Calla Yee, North Salinas
Lisa Kawaakoa, Notre Dame
