San Benito shortstop selected first team for softball by Cal-Hi
Sports
HOLLISTER
San Benito shortstop Jessica Vest had an impressive season for the Balers softball team last spring, and it didn’t go unnoticed.
The incoming senior, who made a verbal commitment to the University of Oklahoma following her freshmen year at San Benito High, was named first team all-state by Cal-Hi Sports last week after helping the Haybalers to their fifth straight Central Coast Section title.
Vest was one of just 30 players selected from across the state, only 11 of whom were juniors.
“Every person on that list is a really good softball player,” said Vest, who was notified of her all-state selection last Thursday while on a bike ride.
“I had no clue. I was on a bike ride and my mom texted me and told me,” Vest added. “I was just really surprised. It’s a great honor to be on that list.”
Vest, who was a first team all-league selection in the Tri-County Athletic League as well, batted .352 (31 of 88) for San Benito this past season with 27 runs scored and 27 RBI. She had 10 multi-hit games — including a 4 of 4 performance on May 6 against Alisal in which she hit for the cycle — and connected on five doubles, three triples and five home runs.
Boasting a .648 slugging percentage as well as a perfect 9 of 9 percentage on the base paths, Vest was always a tough-out; she struck out all of three times during her 88 at-bats this season.
In the playoffs, Vest batted .444 (4 of 9) with five RBI and three runs scored in three games, and had a role in seven of San Benito’s nine postseason runs scored.
Currently competing with her club team, Sorcerer Gold 18, which won the 2009 ASA Gold National Championship last year, Vest’s first-team selection also included a spot on the all-state first team for underclassmen as well.
She was also one of the few selected from Northern California, joining, among others, Sammy Albanese of Castilleja, Victoria Hayward of Mountain View and Kasey Stancheck of Oak Ridge, each of whom competes on Sorcerer Gold 18.
“It’s really just an honor,” Vest said. “It’s really … I don’t even know what kind of word to use.”
