SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: SOFTBALL PREVIEW: Temple City, Santa Fe
Both teams will be fielding solid teams in 2024.
Kassandra Gewecke (Escarcega)
Temple City High School
Coach: Eric Arreola
Previous Season Record: 19-4
Number of Returning Players: 8
Number of All-League Players Returning: 5
Number of Returning Infielders: 4
Number of Returning Outfielders: 2
Number of Starting Pitchers: 1
Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 1
Key Infielders Returning
Sheridan Gonzalez 12, SS; 3 time All League RHL
Mya Aaris Gonzalez 12, 3B; 2 time All League RHL
Key Outfielders Returning
Amaris Valenzuela 12 OF; 2 time All League RHL
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Kassandra Gewecke, 12, P; RHL Pitcher of the year and 2 time RHL MVP and 3 time all CIF and CIF Player of the year.
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Samantha Womack 12, C/OF; 3 time RHL 1st Team All League
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Iliannie Carrillo 10, OF; Transfer from San Marino who was an All League player as a freshman
Taylor Thomas 9, C/OF; Will play as a freshman
Mel Lansford 9, 2B/SS; Will play as a freshman
Comments from Coach Arreola: “We will be lead by Kassandra Gewecke (Ohio State) on the mound. Kass was the freshman League Pitcher of the year and 2 time RHL MVP, All CIF for 3 years and CIF Player of the year as a Soph D4. Sheridan Gonzalez (Cal State Northridge) will anchor our defense at SS and is also a 3 time All RHL League player. Samantha Womack (UC San Diego & 3 time 1st Team RHL) will lead the way offensively as well as provide solid defense at C & OF. Mya Arias Gonzalez: 2 time All RHL player will be a good bat in our line up. Two time All RHL outfielder Amaris Valenzuela OF is also back for us. Our team will be good this year and we should compete for a 4th straigh RHL title and deep run in CIF. Much like last year we need to improve on hitting the higher level pitching during playoffs. A strength this year will be our depth. We are very excited about 3 new players in the program who will make immediate impacts on the field for us. Freshman: Taylor Thomas (C/OF) & Mel Lansford (MIF). Sophmore transfer Iliannie Carrillo (OF) who was ALL RHL as a freshman last year. “
CRYSTAL BALL: What a three-year run it has been for those involved with Temple City Softball. A CIF Southern Section title in 2021 and another successful season in 2022. The Rams are back in Division 2, which is one of the more stacked divisions that involves our area teams. Kassandra Gewecke, an Ohio State signee, is back for one more fling and reports are that she’s even more nasty than she was for the past two years - which should be a cause for concern if you are facing her. The best part about Temple City is that hitters 1-4 on last year’s starting lineup is back. That includes leadoff hitter and Cal State Northridge commit Sheridan Gonzalez (who has made significant improvements in 2023), catcher and UC San Diego commit Samantha Womack (the second-best catcher in the area), and Gewecke. The Rams did pick up a transfer in Illiannie Carillo from San Diego, we’ll see if she makes the lineup. Replacing Giselle Sasaki will be a challenge, but make no mistake, this team should easily capture the Rio Hondo League - as for making a deep run in the playoffs… let’s check back with them during the year.
Miranda Gonzales, Santa Fe (Instagram)
Santa Fe High School
Coach: AJ Reyes
Previous Season Record: 18-13-1
Number of Returning Players: 12
Number of All-League Players Returning: 4
Key Infielders Returning
Miranda Gonzales 12 SS; All CIF, 1st Team All League
Saryah Razo 10 1B Honorable Mention
Brooklyn Coppin 11 3B; 2nd Team All League
Key Outfielders Returning
Dahlila Hall 12, CF, 2nd Team All League
Mya Laroya 11 RF; Honarable Mention
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Ava Galvan 11, P All Area, 1st Team All League
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Sophie Garcia 9, 2nd/SS
Comments from Coach Reyes: “This year's team is a very experienced (12 returners), led by Senior Captains Miranda Gonzalez (Long Beach St commit) and Dahlila Hall (Chico St commit). After losing in the Semi Finals of CIF these ladies are hungry to make it back to playoffs and make it to the finals. With Junior Ava Galvan in the circle, it gives us a great chance of makingthat happen. It is gonna be another fun year and it is gonna be exciting to see thisladies perform.”
CRYSTAL BALL: Want to know why I love covering Del Rio League softball? It’s because of teams like this. In any other league (with maybe the exception of the Palomares League) Santa Fe would be the favorite to win. However, in the Del Rio League - well that is another story. But Santa Fe will make Cal Hi and La Serna earn their wins this year. Ava Galvan (23 appearances, 2.72 ERA) is back in the circle for the Chiefs and she had a sneaky good year in 2023. The player that the coaching staff is counting on for a big year is Long Beach State signee Miranda Gonzales who had a team-leading .462 batting average. She’ll either be the leadoff or the #2 hitter this year. Another player that could be sitting on a nice season is outfielder Dahlila Hall (.326 BA). She’ll be patrolling center field and should find herself in the middle of the lineup card. The program is very highly on freshman Sophie Garcia. Many think that she is a natural shortstop, but since Gonzales is there, she’ll slide on over to second base. Many think that she is the next great player at Santa Fe. Throw in Coppin and Laroya and you can see this team earning 20 wins this year. We’ll find out how good the Chiefs are right away as they take on Long Beach Wilson and Sonora early in the season. One thing you better not do and that is sleep on this year - you might regret it.
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