The spring softball season is more than a month old now, but the
awards continue to roll in for the San Benito Haybalers. Since
winning their sixth straight Central Coast Section Division I
Championship
— a 3-2 victory over rival Gilroy — the Balers have received
several honors, including one that named senior shortstop Jessica
Vest as one of six finalists for the 2011 Ms. Softball State Player
of the Year award, as well as another that named manager Scott
Smith the California State Coach of th
e Year. Both selections were made by ESPN RISE/Cal-Hi Sports,
and on Sunday, the awards continued. The online publication named
Vest first team All-California softball and teammate Jessica
Steigelman to the third team.
HOLLISTER
The spring softball season is more than a month old now, but the awards continue to roll in for the San Benito Haybalers.
Since winning their sixth straight Central Coast Section Division I Championship — a 3-2 victory over rival Gilroy — the Balers have received several honors, including one that named senior shortstop Jessica Vest as one of six finalists for the 2011 Ms. Softball State Player of the Year award, as well as another that named manager Scott Smith the California State Coach of the Year.
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Both selections were made by ESPN RISE/Cal-Hi Sports, and on Sunday, the awards continued. The online publication named Vest first team All-California softball and teammate Jessica Steigelman to the third team.
The two now-former Haybalers were among the 101 players selected. The list highlights the state’s best players, breaking the field down into five categories: catchers, pitchers, infielders, outfielders and multi-purpose.
Vest, a shortstop, and Steigelman, a first baseman, were both chosen as infielders.
The honor is one of many now for Vest, who will compete next season at Oklahoma University. Named the 2010 Free Lance/Pinnacle’s Most Outstanding Female Athlete of the Spring, Vest was named Most Valuable Player in the Tri-County Athletic League this past spring, and garnered finalist honors in the Ms. Softball State Player of the Year award.
As just one of three players to have played in all 30 games for San Benito this season, Vest 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 in stolen-base attempts and recorded a slugging percentage of .833 — the second highest on the team.
As for Steigelman, who is expected to be attending UC Davis in the fall, she batted .353 (30 of 85) with 26 RBI and six homers for the Balers, and was named first team all-league as well. She had 20 runs scored and, of course, the biggest hit of the season.
Steigelman’s bases-loaded walk-off in the bottom of the seventh against Gilroy on May 28 lifted the Balers to a 3-2 victory over their rivals in the Division I Championship.
Other notable players to make the All-California softball team include Breana Kostreba of Aptos, Vanessa Alvarez of Mitty, Tyler Walker of Valley Christian, Jazmyn Jackson of Mitty, Sarah Lira of Gilroy, Colleen Aubrey of Homestead, Janell LaRont of Valley Christian and Sammi Ridgway of Los Gatos.
