SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: All-Area Softball Team (UNDERCLASS)
The best of the best underclass players are highlighted on this team.
This All-Area Team is comprised of freshman, sophomore and juniors that performed well for there teams in 2023. There will be no individual honors, just a straight first and second team.
1st TEAM
PITCHERS
Kassandra Gewecke, Temple City – It was another virtuoso performance for the junior that has given a verbal commitment to Ohio State. Her pitching stats include a record of 12-2 with a 0.97 ERA and 112 K’s. When you add that she batted a hefty .443 with 27 RBIs, you better believe that Rams fans can’t wait to see her one more time before she departs for Columbus.
Robyn Guitron, Keppel – While many were surprised to see Keppel in the thick of the Almont League title chase, those with close knowledge were not surprised at all. A member of the powerful OC Batbusters club organization, this freshman dominated throughout the season with a 9-5 record with 1.19 ERA and 169 strikeouts. Aztec fans have a lot to look forward to for the next three years.
Sophia Herrera, Arcadia – It was felt that Tiara Westbrook was the ace of the staff for the Apache’s several years ago, that is no longer the case as this talented junior won Pacific League Pitcher of Year honors. She finished the season with a 16-5 record with 2.85 ERA and fanned 162 batters. She’ll be back for one more year in 2023.
Emma Mendizabal, Schurr – One of the more dominant pitchers in the area showed that she should on the short list of talented pitchers in 2023 as she produced an 18–2 record with an ERA of 1.36 and 168 strikeouts. This junior will be one of the top pitchers in the Whittier area to watch in 2023.
Monsterrat Reyes-Cardenas, La Mirada – Matadore fans had to wait until the second half of the season to see in her action, but she showed that it was worth the wait. The sophomore, who was a transfer from La Serna, proved to be tough to overcome in the circle as she put together an impressive 8-2 record with an ERA of 0.67. Many consider her the best pitcher in the area, and you can make a serious case for her. She’ll be back for a full season in 2024.
Olivia Torres, La Serna – One of the most consistent pitchers we saw all year. The junior was named Pitcher of the Year and danced every dance for the Lancers this year. She put together an impressive 11-2 record with an ERA of 1.80 with 68 strikeouts.
CATCHERS
Rebecca Eckart, La Mirada – The University of Notre Dame commit proved that she was clearly heads and shoulders above everyone in the Whittier area. Impressive offensive numbers with a .402 batting average with five home runs and 16 RBIs and she threw out five runners this year. The sky is the limit for the talented player.
Maya Venegas, Covina – You could have inserted several catchers in here, but we were impressed with her offensive output throughout the year. Her .521 batting average put her behind outstanding senior Samantha Centeno (.572). She led the team in home runs (5) and drove in 30 runs. She’ll be counted on for more production in 2024.
Samantha Womack, Temple City – Without a doubt, the best catcher in the west region of the valley – and it’s not even close. Not only was she a brick wall behind the plate, but she also was a tough out at the plate. She led the team in batting average (.562), hits (36), RBIs (34), and home runs (7). She was a first-team All Rio Hondo League pick.
INFIELDERS
McKenzy Becerra, Ayala – On a team that posted a 20-2-1 record, her star shined throughout the season. She finished the season with an eye-catching .425 batting average with a team-leading seven home runs and 20 RBIs. She only figures to get that much better on the club circuit this summer and will be a major force in 2024.
Joie Economides, South Hills – The first word that should be used for this player is POWER. South Hills’ version of the “Sultan of Swat” in the east region of the valley showed everyone again why she is going to Stanford. The junior hit a hefty .515 with a team-leading 7 home runs and 30 RBIs. If you have not seen her in action, make it a point in 2024.
Aleena Garcia, Whittier Christian – The mantel of team leader was passed from Brooklyn Carreon to this talented junior who tore apart Olympic League pitching with an insane batting average of .653 with 7 RBIs and 54 RBIs. In addition to her offensive production, she’s equally impressive with her glove. It is why she is a UCLA commit.
Daina Munoz, St. Paul – Looking for an old-school Pete Rose type of player, look no further than this talented sophomore who delivered key hits consistently. She had an impressive .387 batting average with 31 RBIs (second most on the team) and connected on five home runs. Her stock figures to rise on the club softball circuit this summer.
Kayla Sigala, South Hills – This Syracuse commit has shown that she can play at third base, shortstop, or second base. An impressive .431 batting average with five home runs and 26 RBIs in 2023. Another with a huge upside and should have a huge season in 2024.
Amanda Urbina, La Mirada – It is the consensus opinion of area insiders that Urbina is right there at the top of the area when it comes to elite infielders. She is the team leader in hitting (.425 batting average) and that says a lot when you consider the talent that is on this team. She also led the team in home runs with eight. Scouts have labeled her a high-caliber Division 1 prospect.
OUTFIELDERS
Izel Avalos, Diamond Ranch – This sophomore proved to be one of the top outfielders in the area with an impressive .456 batting average (second behind Emily McCoskey) and displayed terrific defensive prowess throughout the year (team-leading 12 assists on defense).
Ashley Hernandez, California – One of the crown jewels of the California High School team, the Boise State commit can not only deliver at the plate, but she is also one of the fastest outfielders in the area with a very strong arm. A first-team All- Del Rio League selection, Hernandez led the team in hitting (.513 batting average) and was the kingpin in many scoring rallies.
Alyssa Hernandez, La Habra – The Highlanders will be a major force in the years to come, and one of the main reasons why is because of this talented freshman. She had the third-best batting average (.366) with 12 RBIs. Her stock figures to rise on the club circuit this summer. She was a true diamond in the rough to emerge from the Whittier area.
Jazmine Leyva, South El Monte – The Eagles were the class of the Mission Valley League and this player was one of the main reasons why. Nothing wrong with an eye-catching .698 batting average with seven home runs and 36 RBIs. She is only a sophomore, which is not good news for those opposing teams in the MVL for the next two years.
Kate Nelson, Monrovia – The Wildcats made a deep run in the playoffs and this junior was one of the main reasons. Nelson was the team leader in hitting (.467) and runs scored (37). Along with her teammate Natalie Huelster, look for this team to be a serious contender for the Rio Hondo League title in 2024.
Sabria Ritto, La Serna – This junior was part of the Lancers’ impressive hitting attack at the upper third of Jason Clay’s batting lineup. She had huge performances against California in the two games that we were in attendance. She had an impressive .480 batting average and scored 24 times. Her upside can’t be denied.
UTILITY
Julianna Franco, La Serna – Of all the freshmen that we saw, this is one that we are projecting for bigger and better things for the next three years. She was called on to complete many games for Olivia Torres and had solid defensive prowess at first base. She hit a solid .344 and made 14 appearances in the circle with a 3-0 record, 0.97 ERA, and 36 strikeouts.
Elle Leckrone, La Canada – Without this player, it’s scary to think what La Canada would have been in 2023. She is that talented a player. Offensively, she led the team in hitting (.612), home runs (13), and struck out 86 hitters while in the circle. She was a bright spot for the Spartans this year.
Samantha Maldonado, Schurr – Despite being the leadoff hitter, this freshman posted an impressive .554 batting average with 26 RBIs. She often started game-changing rallies for the Spartans. Look for much of the same for the next three years.
Mia Martinez, California – Batting in the cleanup spot all season long for the Condors, this sophomore had the third-best batting average on the team (.365) with three home runs and a team-leading 27 RBIs. Look for her to remain in her usual spot next year while playing all over the infield on defense.
Valerie Vasquez, California – And while we are on the subject of the Condors, let’s also highlight one of the top designated hitters in the area. This junior was the catalyst of the big rally in the sixth inning against Marina in the playoffs. She had the second-best batting average on the team (.375) and in doubles (10). She’s another good one that should improve with a big summer on the club softball circuit.
(Photo: Al Salgado, Glendora Softball)
Kaylie Winovitch, Glendora – In a season that had many ups and downs for Tartan fans, this freshman gives coach Michael Quiroz something to look forward to for the next three years. She finished the year with a .296 batting average with 11 RBIs (the third most on the team). She’ll be the hallmark of an outstanding freshman class.
2ND TEAM
PITCHERS
California’s Pricilla Ramirez headlines the pitching staff for the second team.
Ariel Fierro, Northview
Sela Halaholo, Walnut
Giselle Mejia, Los Altos
Pricilla Ramirez, California
Alyssa Garcia, Duarte
Alexis Sumpter, Covina
CATCHERS
South Hills’ Madilyn Hernandez
Emily Ramirez, Duarte
Madilyn Hernandez, South Hills
Celeste De La Cueva, Baldwin Park
INFIELDERS
Sophia Pinedo, Bishop Amat
Brianna Alejandre, Los Altos
Angelyna Conde, La Mirada
Alyssa Doucette, Bonita
Mikayla Sta Ana, South Hills
Hannah Moreno, St. Paul
OUTFIELDERS
Jaydan Eaton, Nogales
Teri Williams, Walnut
Allison Michaels, Duarte
Arianna Saldivar, Bishop Amat
Georgia Rickenbacker, La Habra
Natalie Valiente, Rowland
UTILITY
Brooke Piwowar, Sonora
Elisa Gonzalez, El Monte
Mia Perez, Mountain View
Krystal Henriquez, Arroyo
Faith Hernandez, South Hills
Alexis Chavez, Nogales