SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: SOFTBALL Preview: California, La Serna
Condors and Lancers are poised for big seasons.
California pitchers Pricilla Ramirez. (Escarcega)
California High School
Coach: Jason Ramirez
Previous Season Record: 21-9-2
Number of Returning Players: 15
Number of All-League Players Returning: 9
Number of Returning Infielders: 4
Number of Returning Outfielders: 3
Number of Starting Pitchers: 2
Key Infielders Returning
Valerie Vasquez 12, 1B .375 BA, Honorable Mention
Mia Martinez 11, 3B.370 BA, 3 HR/28 RBI, 1st Team All League
Isabella Salas 11, 2B.355 BA, 5 HR, 2nd Team All League
Shirley Acevedo 10, DH/1B .293 BA, 4 HR, Honorable Mention
Key Outfielders Returning
Ashley Hernandez 12, OF .519 BA, 1st All League, Boise State Commit
Jessica Gurule 11, OF, .292 BA, Honorable Mention
Amaya Vasquez 11, OF .270 BA
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Pricilla Ramirez 11, SP, 11 Wins, 1.4 ERA, 1st Team AL, Long Beach Commit
Alexis Salas 10, SP, 6 Wins, 2.70 ERA
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Hailey Chavolla 10, C, .342 BA, Honorable Mention
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Skyler Minor 10, SS/OF
Comments from Coach Ramirez: “Our strength will be our starting pitching. We have 2 great pitchers which are led by Pricilla Ramirez (Junior) who is a Long Beach State commit. Last season she had 11 wins with a1.44 ERA. Alexis Salas (Sophomore) will also have a great impact and contribute on the mound. Last season she had 6wins with a 2.70 ERA. Offensively, we are led by AshleyHernandez who hit .519, had 41 Hits and 13 SB. Leading off we will have Bella Salas who hit .355, with 39 Hits & 5 HR. Ourmiddle of the order will provide lots of pop as Valerie Vasquez, Mia Martinez and Shirley Acevedo combined for 68 RBI's. Overall, we have high expectations for our team as we return8 starters from last years team.”
CRYSTAL BALL: What a run it was for Jason Ramirez and his group of talented girls in 2023. With Ramirez continuing his battle with ALS, it’s just great that he’ll be with for another season. And what a year it should be for the Condors. Ramirez and Salas return to the circle and the lineup should be off the charts again with Vasquez, Martin, Acevedo (who had a terrific fall season) and Salas patrolling the infield. Ashley Hernandez is one of the premier outfielders in the area, (she is a weapon on the field and in the batters box) and keep an eye out for Gurule, we feel that she is sitting on big season. When you look at this profile, you can understand why expectations are very high within this program. They’ll be part of the Bonita tournament that starts on February 10th. Look for this team to give La Serna all they want in 2024. And speak of La Serna….
La Serna pitcher Olivia Torres. (Escarcega)
La Serna High School
Coach: Jason Clay
Previous Season Record: 21-6
Number of Returning Players: 14
Number of All-League Players Returning: 7
Number of Returning Infielders: 8
Number of Returning Outfielders: 4
Number of Starting Pitchers: 2
Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 1
Key Infielders Returning
Aubrie Baruche 10, SS
Julianna Franco 1, SS/1B
Kenzi Young 12, 2B, Bethel University
Emma Apadaca 10, 1B/3B
Key Outfielders Returning
Sabria Ritto 12, CF, Middle Tennessee State University
Mika Yuge 12, OF Loyola Marymount University
Eva LeBlanc 12, OF
Maya Lotti 10, CF
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Olivia Torres 12 Harvard University
Julianna Franco 10
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Elissa Guerrero 11, C, Long Beach State University
Alyssa Sanchez 12, DH, Mississippi Valley State University
Jaylyn Renteria 11, C
Isabela Sanchez 10, DH
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Jayda Maldonado 12, 3B/1B
Mikaela Galicia 9, OF
Candace Puig 10, P
Comments from Coach Clay: “I am Very excited for this upcoming season, We have a greatpreseason schedule and League Champs is always a tough one with Cal. For the last few years it always comes down toour 3rd game, and these games are exciting and very competitive. You get to see a lot of the Top players in the areaall on one field at the same time. AJ at Santa Fe is always a Top Contender, and had a great run in CIF last year they are definetly a threat. Stephanie at El Rancho is going to be toughthis year she has been doing a great job and her program is building. Erica at Whittier has made some tremenous strides with her presence, and that program will be up and coming.”
CRYSTAL BALL: We should be shocked that La Serna will, once again, be fielding one of the elite teams in the area. We loved the improvement that Olivia Torres showed in 2023. The fact that she is going to Harvard tells you how smart she is. And if that is not enough, coach Jason Clay has one of the top sophomore pitchers in the area in “Juju” Franco. Quite a 1-2 punch. Then you throw in a infield that is lead by Bethal University signee Kenzi Young and an outfield that has prolific hitters Sabria Ritto and Mika Luge. As if that is not enough, let’s pencil in Elissa Guerrero (one of the top hitting catchers in the area) and the sweet swinging Alyssa Sanchez and you can see that La Serna deserves to be the premier teams in the area. They’re. matchups against Cal.and La Serna should be off the charts.
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