SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: 2025 All-Area Underclass Team - SOFTBALL
The best underclassman in softball are highlighted in this team.
Pitchers
Samantha Almaraz, Arcadia, Junior: Almaraz, who comes from a highly competitive athletic family, shined in the circle for the Apaches with a 10-4 record and a 3.06 ERA.
Liliana Acosta, Junior, Ayala: We saw this pitcher three times during the playoff run, and she looked strong in all her appearances. She made 14 appearances in 2025, maintaining a 10-0 record and a 1.65 ERA. Her fastball was consistently clocked between 64 and 65 MPH across all three appearances.
Kaylahni Duenas, Los Altos, Freshman: All we needed was to see her one time to know that she will be the face of Los Altos softball for the next three years. With a fastball between 63-64, she’ll be a force to be dealt with in 2026. She finished the season with 108 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.02.
Robyn Guitron, Keppel, Junior: A repeat selection for this team, Guitron more than earned her spot with an impressive 12-4 record and a 1.51 ERA.
Gianna Messick, Glendora, Junior: A pitcher who emerged in front of everyone’s eyes in 2025, Messick posted an impressive 10-3 record with a 2.03 ERA, ranking among the best for underclass pitchers.
Parker Milton, South Hills, Junior – It was a tough decision, but we chose to recognize the junior because of the competition she faced in 2025. She finished the season with a 2-4 record, 96 strikeouts, and a 3.38 ERA.
Alison Ortega, La Mirada, Sophomore: The future is bright for the Matadores and Ortega is one of the reasons why. She has one of the fastest fastballs in the area at 66 MPH, and looked superb throughout the season.
Madison Payne, La Habra, Junior: In every game, Payne excelled in the circle and was a key factor in the Highlanders winning the Freeway League title. She appeared in 26 games, finishing with a 17-2 record and a 1.47 ERA.
Alexis Salas, California, Junior: We feel like we’ve grown up watching this University of New Mexico commit in front of our eyes. She was part of an impressive 1-2 pitching combo in the circle for the Condors. She made 19 appearances in 2025, striking out 111 batters with a fastball that consistently hits between 63-64 MPH on radar devices.
Catchers
Hailey Chavolla, California, Junior: Don’t let the .304 batting average fool you; Chavolla is among a select group of elite catchers in the area. She led the team in home runs with seven and will return next year for one final season. She is a UC Davis commit.
Kennedy Bowers, Glendora, Sophomore: There were many top catchers in the East SGV, but Bowers stood out among the competition. She finished the season with an impressive .338 batting average and led the team in home runs with four.
Riley Hilliard, La Mirada, Sophomore: It was the unanimous opinion of everyone in the softball world that Hilliard was the best catcher in the area. Her ability to throw out runners, combined with her impressive presence on the offensive side, made her an obvious choice. Look for her to commit to a Power Four college over the summer.
Infielders
Aubrie Baruch, La Serna, Junior: To say that Baruch had an outstanding season is stating the obvious. She led the team in hitting with an impressive .588 batting average, accumulating 26 RBIs and three home runs. Defensively, she contributed to a team-leading seven double plays. She will be one of the most sought-after college recruits this summer on the club circuit.
Mya Beserra, St. Paul, Junior: One of the most consistent players on a talented St. Paul roster, Beserra posted a .308 batting average with 27 RBIs and three home runs.
Sofia Hernandez, Whittier Christian, Junior: The Heralds always seem to come up with an elite softball player and this one fits the bill. The Arizona State commit had a healthy .482 batting average and led the team in triples with four. She also has tremendous defensive skills. She played a pivotal role in the success of Whittier Christian this year,
Reese Hillard, La Mirada, Sophomore: Hillard made it difficult for pitchers to get her out in 2025. A prime example was the Ayala game, where she was one of only two hitters to record multiple hits against a talented pitching staff. She will be a highly recruited college prospect in the club circuit this summer.
Sophia Medina, sophomore, South El Monte: Medina is a talented infielder from a program renowned for producing skilled prospects. She also plays catcher, but we wanted to make sure that she made the team. Medina recorded the second-highest batting average on the team, standing at .462, and achieved 31 RBIs. Don’t be surprised if she catches the attention of college coaches this summer.
Isabella Ochoa, Northview, Junior: Ochoa answered the call many times for the Vikings as they won 20 games in 2025. She concluded the season with a .489 batting average and led the team in home runs, hitting four.
Isabella Sanchez, La Serna, Junior: Among all the underclass third basemen in the area, we believe Sanchez stands out as the best – and it's not even close. She earned the title of Co-Offensive MVP for her team and is a UCSB commit.
Mikayla Sta Ana, South Hills, Junior: A repeat selection for this team, Sta Ana posted the second-best batting average (.481) and led the team in doubles with 11. She has committed to North Dakota State.
Tiffany Villegas, San Dimas, Sophomore: Those who watched San Dimas this year said she was the best player on the field for the Saints. The numbers support this claim, as she led the team in multiple categories, including batting average (.519), RBIs (35), doubles (13), and home runs (8).
Outfielders
Eliana Corona, La Habra, Freshman: Get ready, La Habra fans, because this freshman is going to be special. In a team filled with outstanding players, Corona led the team in hitting (.412), on-base percentage, and home runs (8). Her star shone throughout the season.
Makayla Encinas, Chino Hills, Freshman: And speaking of freshmen, Encinas easily joins the list of talented newcomers who will face strong opponents for the next three years. She recorded the second-best batting average at .409 and also hit four home runs.
Delilah Gonzalez, El Rancho, Junior: Dons coach Stephanie Sentano-Tapia consistently has a talented underclassman, and Gonzalez is her latest standout. Gonzalez also has the second-best batting average (.484) along with an impressive total of 12 doubles.
Morgan Gonzalez, Glendora, Junior: Gonzalez is another reason Glendora should challenge Ayala for the Palomares League title. The junior led the team in several offensive categories, including batting average (.429) and RBIs (20).
Alyssa Hernandez, La Habra, Junior: Here is another talented underclassman from the talent-rich Whittier area. She led the team with 32 RBIs and 8 home runs while achieving an impressive .343 batting average.
Riley Labrecque, La Canada, Junior: Here comes the next great softball player from the Rio Hondo League. Labrecque boasted an impressive .434 batting average and successfully stole 10 bases. Expect her stock to rise during the club circuit this summer.
Brianna Sanchez, South Hills, Junior: Sanchez is a player who often goes unrecognized, but she is incredibly talented. She recorded a team third-best 20 RBIs and contributed to three double plays.
Melinda Sanchez, Schurr, Sophomore: Sanchez solidified her status as one of the top outfielders in the Whittier area with impressive offensive production. She led the team in hitting with a .537 batting average, along with 20 RBIs and 12 doubles.
Designated Players
Shirley Acevedo, California, Junior: The goddess of swat once again lived up to her reputation with a team-leading six home runs and an impressive .352 batting average. This spot affirms her status as one of the top hitters in the area in 2026.r
Gigi Butler, Muir, Junior: Not far behind Acevedo is Butler, the standout player on the Mustangs squad. She led the team in hitting with a .486 batting average, six home runs, 25 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases.
Utility
Jasmine Campos, Los Altos, Sophomore: While all the attention focused on Brianah Alejandre and Duenas, this sophomore remained under the radar. She maintained a .300 batting average and is recognized as one of the top utility players in the East SGV.
Samantha Garcia, Bishop Amat, Sophomore: Take a good look at the next great player at Bishop Amat. Garcia posted impressive numbers in 2025 (.554 batting average, 24 RBIs, 10 HRs), and her star should rise during the summer club circuit.
Samantha Jaimes, Sonora, Sophomore: With the graduation of Brooke Piwowar and Baylee Hunnicutt, the responsibility of leading the Raiders falls directly on Jaimes. She recorded the second-best batting average on the team (.375) along with an impressive .670 slugging average.
Bret Lambrecht, Chino Hills, Freshman: Here is another freshman from the Chino Hills program who will be watched closely for the next three years. Among her accolades, she led the team in hitting (.482), on-base percentage (.538), and doubles (11).
Charli Moreno, South Hills, Sophomore: The MVP of the Hacienda League had a tremendous year in 2025. She led the team in hitting (.506), RBIs (32) and home runs (9). At the pace she is going, she will be one of the more sought-after college prospects during the summer club circuit.
Koa Puppe, Bonita, Sophomore: Puppe once again filled the cups of Bearcats fans to the brim with her offensive talent and an outstanding glove at third base. She finished with an impressive .453 batting average, a team-leading 11 home runs, and 31 RBIs. Any discussion of the top players in the East SGV starts with this talented athlete.