After it compiled a 12-0 league record and earned its second
straight Tri-County Athletic League title earlier this spring, it
was perhaps no surprise when the San Benito High softball team
swept the league’s year-end awards as well last week.
HOLLISTER
After it compiled a 12-0 league record and earned its second straight Tri-County Athletic League title earlier this spring, it was perhaps no surprise when the San Benito High softball team swept the league’s year-end awards as well last week.
Senior Paige Miguel was named the TCAL’s Most Valuable Pitcher, senior shortstop Jessica Vest was named the TCAL’s Most Valuable Player, while 10 other Balers received all-league distinction, including a total of five first-team nods.
Follow Free Lance Sports on Twitter.
Senior first baseman Jessica Steigelman, senior right fielder Brittany Hoff and sophomore second baseman Samantha Puentes were each named to the All-TCAL first team, along with both Miguel and Vest, who helped lead the Balers to their perfect league season.
On the mound, Miguel finished with a perfect 18-0 record in 22 appearances, allowing 59 hits and 17 earned runs in 116 complete innings for the Balers. Tossing 14 complete games and five shutouts as well, Miguel finished her senior season with 47 strikeouts and a 1.02 earned-run average.
As for the TCAL MVP in Vest, who was just one of three players to have played in all 30 games for San Benito this season, she compiled a .381 batting average (32 of 84) and a team-high 29 RBI. She also tied for a team-high in home runs with eight and chimed in with 33 runs scored.
Vest was also a perfect 13 of 13 on the base paths and recorded a slugging percentage of .833 — the second highest on the team.
Impressive numbers were widespread on the Balers this season, though. The senior Steigelman batted .353 (30 of 85) with 26 RBI and six homers, while Hoff compiled a .488 average (40 of 82) with 26 RBI and a team-high 12 doubles.
Hoff was also a perfect 18 of 18 on the base paths, slugged .780, and didn’t strike out once in her 82 at-bats during the season.
Puentes, too, posted statistics worthy of a first-team selection. The sophomore second baseman led the Balers at the plate with a .597 average (43 of 72), compiled a team-high eight triples, a team-high 43 hits, a team-high 39 runs scored, a team-high .659 on-base percentage, a team-high 1.222 slugging, and was a perfect 13 of 13 on the base paths.
She also had 26 RBI and tied Vest with eight home runs.
The five first-team selections only highlighted an extensive all-league list dominated by the Balers, including three second-team selections in junior catcher Marissa Adame (.324 avg., 19 RBI), senior center fielder Mari Vallejo (.326 avg., 12 RBI, 16 of 16 stealing) and sophomore left fielder Brittany Sparrer (.340 avg., 13 runs, 5 of 5 stealing).
San Benito was awarded three Honorable Mention selections as well, including sophomore third baseman Brittani Newman (.266 avg., 14 runs, 5 of 5 stealing), senior flex player Nicole Rianda (.417 avg., 5 doubles) and sophomore pitcher Megan Sabbatini (11-1), who threw 71 complete innings and gave up 11 earned runs on 32 hits, striking out 109 batters en route to a 1.08 ERA.
San Benito senior Julie Morcate, meanwhile, was awarded with the sportsmanship honor.
As a team, the Balers’ 12-0 league record included a 100-7 run differential against their opponents, while for the entire season, which saw San Benito go 29-1 and win its sixth straight Central Coast Section title, the team outscored its opponents by a 222-41 margin.
Tri-County Athletic League
Most Valuable Pitcher: Paige Miguel, San Benito, 12.
Most Valuable Player: Jessica Vest, San Benito, 12.
First Team
San Benito: Jessica Vest, 12; Paige Miguel, 12; Jessica Steigelman, 12; Brittany Hoff, 12; Samantha Puentes, 10.
Gilroy: Sarah Lira, 12; Melanie Morelos, 12; Casey Lester, 11; Stephanie Rodriguez, 12.
Salinas: Justine Armento, 11; Casey Watt, 11; Brittany Enny, 12.
Notre Dame: Giovanna Kolofer, 10; Auburn Carpenter, 12.
Notre Salinas: Danielle Nieto, 11.
Alvarez: Rebeka Davidson, 12.
Alisal: Gaby Pantoja, 12.
Second Team
San Benito: Mari Vallejo, 12; Marissa Adame, 11; Brittany Sparrer, 10.
Gilroy: Kaylana Mah, 10; Holly Lam, 9; Michelle Sosa, 11; Dani Hemeon, 12.
Salinas: Samantha Moore, 10; Alyssa Razo, 12; Victoria Lobado, 11.
Notre Dame: Aireal Rivera, 9; Elizabeth Ray, 9; Liz Wyrsch, 12; Ashley Pippin, 12.
North Salinas: Alicia Wallace, 12; Tyana Macias, 11.
Alvarez: Isabella DeLeon, 11.
Alisal: Gianna Hermosillo, 11.
Honorable Mention
San Benito: Brittani Newman, 10; Megan Sabbatini, 10; Nicole Rianda, 12.
Gilroy: Lindsay Holt, 12; Elaina Vasquez, 12.
Alisal: Brenda Gomez, 12; Valeria Marquez, 11.
North Salinas: Jessica Shipman, 12; Devyn Duran, 9; Adriana Garza, 12.
Notre Dame: Olivia Carnazzo, 10; Daisy Valladares, 10; Tiffany Cardinale, 10.
Salinas: Marissa Bravo, 10.
Alvarez: Hanna Elander, 11; Breanne Martinez, 10.
Sportsmanship
San Benito: Julie Morcate.
Gilroy: Lindsay Holt.
Salinas: Desiryn Gonzalez.
Notre Dame: Daisy Valladares.
Alvarez: Hanna Elander.
Alisal: Yesenia Lopez.
North Salinas: Jordan Doyle.
