SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: SOFTBALL PREVIEW: La Mirada and St. Paul
Both squads look very strong and are inline for huge seasons.
La Mirada High School
Coach: Brent Tuttle
Previous Season Record: 18-9
Number of Returning Players: 12
Number of All-League Players Returning: 5
Number of Returning Infielders: 3
Number of Returning Outfielders: 3
Number of Starting Pitchers: 2
Key Infielders Returning
Amanda Urbina (Oregon Commit) 11 5' 6", SS; D 1 All CIF / League MVP
Angelyna Conde 11 5' 5" 3rd 1st Team All-League
Alyssa Avila 11 5' 1" 2nd; 2nd Team All-League
Key Outfielders Returning
Angelina Ratzlaff 11 5' 1"
Angelie Kennedy (Harding U. Commit) 11 5' 7"
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Monsterat Reyes-Cardenas (San Diego State) 11 5' 5" All league Pitcher of the Year
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Rebecca Eckart (Notre Dame Signee) 12 5' 9"; 1st Team All-League
Amber Valdez (Ottawa-AZ U. Signee) 12 5' 7"
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Riley Hillard 9 5' 8" C/1st
Reese Hillard 9 5' 7" Utl.
Allison Ortega 9 5' 8" P
Megan Avila 9 5' 1" OF
Comments from Coach Tuttle: “We are a year older and returning 8 of 9 starters. One of our strengths is our ability to hit the ball. We also added a couple of arms to our pitching staff that will get us through our tough pre-season. This team has been working hard in the weight room and we are seeing the results on the field. Our ladies know that now our age doesn't matter and it's time to take the next step. Losing 2 close games in the playoffs the last 2 years to the eventual CIF D1 Champs has taught us a lot. League will be tough as always and we pride ourselves on being at our best when it comes around. In the Gateway League, you always have to be ready for a great game.”
CRYSTAL BALL: Could this be the number-one team in the area when our rankings come out next week? The probability level is high. When you return 8 of the 9 players on the starting lineup from last year, you better believe this team is number. When you then added the D-1 star power of Eckart (Notre Dame), Urbina (Oregon), Reyes-Cardenas (San Diego State) along with Kennedy (Harding U) and Valdez (Ottawa-AZ U), the resume starts looking better and better. The cherry on the top? A freshman class that could be the best that the program has seen in years. Riley Hillard could be the area’s next great elite catcher. All in all, the pieces are there for a huge season. And these guys are not hiding from anyone. A nonleague schedule that includes Serra, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Millikan, and their usual trip to Bullhead City for the Tournament of Champions during the spring break. This should be a memorable year for Matadores fans.
St. Paul High School
Coach: Charles Gandara
Previous Season Record: 22-7
Number of Returning Players: 11
Number of All-League Players Returning: 2
Number of Returning Infielders: 5
Number of Returning Outfielders: 1
Number of Starting Pitchers: 2
Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 0
Key Infielders Returning
Hannah Moreno (Oregon State Signee) 12 SS.469 BA 46 H 36 RBI 5 HR Del Rey League MVP, All-CIF, All-Area
Daina Munoz 11 1B.387 BA 36 H 31 RBI 5 HR 1st Team All-League, All-Area
Andrea Tellez (Cal State Dominguez Hills Signee) 12 3B(Injured last season) Soph year hit .337 30 hits 12 RBI
Key Outfielders Returning
Audrey Prado 10 CF.480 BA 24 H 8 RBI 8 SB
Kailee Mejia (Georgia State Commit)11 LF; .290 BA 18 H 14 RBI
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Abbey Duarte 12 RHP Soph Year 3.55 ERA 47 K
Gabby Gomez (University of Minnesota Crookston Signee) 12 LHP 4.43 ERA 19 K
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Hailey Rice (Fort Hayes University Signee) 12 C/1B
Comments for Coach Gandara: “We graduated 8 seniors last year but have a solid senior class this year which includes two-time Del Rey League MVP and two-time All-CIF infielder Hannah Moreno. Junior slugger Daina Munoz brings power to the lineup and senior Andrea Tellez, who missed last season due to a torn ACL, will also produce. We lost all three of our starting outfielders to graduation and will be replacing them with a couple of highly talented infielders in junior Kailee Mejia and sophomore Audrey Prado. In the circle, seniors Abbey Duarte and Gabby Gomez will handle the majority of pitching duties. Both saw limited pitching time last season but split all the innings their sophomore year. We added a senior transfer Hailey Rice who will bring a big bat to the lineup and will handle most of the catching duties. The Del Rey League is super competitive once again and we look to be in contention for a league title.”
CRYSTAL BALL: This team, on tape, was so talented last year that we made them the number-one team in the area. Well, that didn’t last long when La Mirada roughed them up pretty well in a 16-1 loss in the season opener. But they did find their best strides late in the year in winning the Del Rey League title and finished the year 22-7. Among the players who have departed due to graduation are Gagy Gandara and Elisa Gulfin. Gabby Gomez (4.43 ERA) moves up the #1 pitcher spot and the Minnesota Crookston signee had a big summer and should be a major piece on Charles Gandara’s chessboard. Hannah Moreno is another elite shortstop who will be relied on heavily. She is an Oregon State signee and the Del Rey’s league MVP. We also love Daina Munoz, one of the more underrated players in the area who can get it done on the dirt and in the batter’s box. Andrea Tellez is also another player who is very talented and sports a CS Dominguez offer. Prado and Mejia are outfielders who could hit for power. What does this all mean, probably another top-5 spot in the preseason rankings. Would be nice for this team to come out of the gates running.
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