SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: SOFTBALL PREVIEW: Schurr, San Dimas
Spartans looking to capture another Almont League title. San Dimas looking to make inroads in 2024.
Schurr pitcher Emma Mendizabal. (Escarcega)
Schurr High School
Coach: Bobby Madrid
Previous Season Record: 24-4
Number of Returning Players: 13
Number of All-League Players Returning: 10
Number of Returning Infielders: 5
Number of Returning Outfielders: 3
Number of Starting Pitchers: 1
Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 1
Key Infielders Returning
Samantha Maldonado 10, 3BAlmont MVP / All CIF/All-Area
Kayla Rodriquez 11, SS 1st Team All-League
Jenna Franklin 11, 2B 1st Team All-League
Mia Gonzalez 11 1B 1st Team All-League
Key Outfielders Returning
Brianna Bailon 12, OF 1st Team All-League
Jessica Soriano 12 OF 2nd Team All-League
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Emma Mendizabal 12, P; Almont Pitcher of Year/All-Area
Key Relief Pitching Returning
Amanda Gonzales 10, P
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Jayda Magana 12, C; 2nd Team All League
Sarah Cervantes 10, C/DH; 2nd Team All League
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Melina Sanchez 9, P/1B/OF
Sophia DeSantiago 9, OF/P
Comments from Coach Madrid: “Experience. We are a year older and our experience should be a key to success for us, of course, it doesn't hurt to have Emma in the circle and Maldonado leading the offense. We have great depth in all Positions. Our weakness goinginto the Season is having consistency with the 6-9 in the lineup, once we figure that out, I think we gonna be a solid sound group. We stood in D4 and lost in Qtrs, so we gonna have to grind it out once again. Big expectations for this group.”
CRYSTAL BALL: Here are your favorites for the Almont League title…. again. Bobby Madrid has done a solid job of making the Spartans relevant as one of the top teams in the area. It helps to have an ace in Mendizabal who deserves to be one of the top pitchers in the area. She is tough in the circle and we are mystified that she doesn’t have an offer. The infield is rock solid with Almont League POY Samantha Maldonado returning at 3B, with Rodriguez (SS), Franklin (2B) Gonzalez (1B), all first-team players rounding out a powerhouse infield. The outfield is solid with seniors Bailon and Soriano returning. Throw in 2nd team All-League catcher Magana returning and a quality second pitching arm in Gonzalez and the pieces are in place for a huge season. We know that Keppel is vastly improved, but the Spartans are still the overwhelming favorites to capture another league title.
San Dimas High School
Coach: William Eklund
Previous Season Record: 9-18
Number of Returning Players: 9
Number of All-League Players Returning: 1
Number of Returning Infielders: 6
Number of Returning Outfielders: 2
Number of Starting Pitchers: 1
Key Infielders Returning
Maya Medina 11, 1b
Haleigh Jacobs 12, SS
Key Outfielders Returning
Morgan Haygood 11, OF
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Jenna Santellan 11 P
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Jasmine Marquez 10, C; 2nd Team League Honors
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Audrey Schlim 10 P
Adrianna Rosales 9, 3B
Tiffany Villegas 9, SS
Coach Eklund’s Comments: “Team defense and speed will be the strength. Youth will be a concern this season. With 6 departing seniors they are being replaced with 6 incoming freshmen so development will be key this season.”
CRYSTAL BALL: Last year was the first year that Coach Eklund took over for long-time area coach Don Pollard and it was a bit of a tough year as the Saints only won three games and didn’t make it to the postseason. And while we see Charter Oak and Covina as the favorites to win the VVL, don’t be surprised if the Saints are in the mix. The key to success for the Saints will be the production that Eklund gets from his freshman. They have a quality starter in Santellan (who will be the ace this year) and solid hitters in Medina (.318 BA) and Haygood (.288 BA). Projecting this team to earn an automatic qualifier to the playoff and make some much-needed momentum for Eklund.
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