SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: SOFTBALL Preseason Top-10

La Mirada, South Hills and La Serna headline a quality group of teams

La Mirada’s Rebecca Eckart. (La Mirada softball)

1. La Mirada (Division 1, Gateway, 2023 record, 18-9, MaxPreps Rating: 17-8-1)

It is a grave understatement to say that this team is stacked. 8 of the 9 starters from this year’s team are back and they are extremely talented players. You can start with Univ. Of Notre Dame signee Rebecca Eckart. She is a stud and runners trying to steal are urged to tread lightly. Then you have Montserrat Reyes-Cardenas, who will get a full year of action in the circle after having to sit out last year because of her transfer from La Serna. We get a Pac-12 signee in the infield with Amanda Urbina, who was the league MVP; an outfield that is led by Harding University commit Angelie Kennedy, and a freshman class that is led by Riley Hillard, who many inside the program think is the next talented player. As is always the case, coach Brent Tuttle is throwing his team into the deep area of the pool with a very tough schedule. Hard not to make this team number 1.

South Hills’ Kayla Sigala (Escarcega)

2. South Hills (Division 1, Hacienda, 2023 record: 23-3-1, MaxPreps Rating: 25.93)

When it comes to softball in the east SGV, there is this team and then there will be everyone else this year. Coach Ralph Navarro will once again present a team that will be very formidable in 2024. It starts with All-Area Underclass first-team selection and Stanford signee, Joie Economides, who can unleash a bomb from the plate at any given moment. Then there is talented third baseman/shortstop Kayla Sigala (a Syracuse signee) who is as talented a shortstop as you will find. She was also a first-team All-Area Underclass selection. Throw in second-team All-Area catcher Madilyn Hernandez, and Mikayla Sta Ana (another second-team pick) and we could go on for a good long minute. The question becomes if they can go on a deep run in the playoffs – on paper, you can make a case for it.

La Serna’s Sabria Ritto (Escarcega)

3. La Serna (Division 2, Del Rio, 20233 record: 21-8, MaxPreps Rating: 21.52)

Profession wrestler Ric Flair said it the best, “To Be the Man, You Gotta Beat the Man!” Until someone thrones this team, there is no way you can put anyone in the Del Rio League above this team. They are the defending DRL championship and many of the parts that were a part of this team are back. They include starting pitcher and first-team All-Area Underclass selection Olivia Torres, who had an impressive 11-2 record, 1.80 ERA, 68 strikeouts, and an infield. That includes Bethal University signee Kenzi Young, talented sophomore and first-team All-Area Utility player Julianna Franco, and outfield led by first-team All-Area Underclass pick Sabria Ritto and Loyola Marymount signee Mike Yuge. Throw in Long Beach State commit Elisa Guerrero at catcher, along with Alyssa Sanchez (a Mississippi Valley State signee) and you can see why we still like the Lancers to win the Del Rio.

California’s Ashley Hernandez (Escarcega)

4. California (Division 2, Del Rio, 2023 Record: 21-9-2, MaxPreps Rating: 22.44)

It was a memorable season last year for the Condors as they made the quarterfinals and were the talk of Southern California because of coach Jason Ramirez’s fight against ALS. The Condors are here to prove that last year’s postseason run was not a fluke. They will attempt to do with many of the cast of characters that were part of last year's team. Nine all-Del Rio League picks return from last year’s squad. In the circle this year will be second-team All-Area Underclass pick Pricilla Ramirez (a Long Beach State commit) who got better as the season progressed, along with junior Alexis Salas. The infield has star power written all over it with first-team all-area Underclass Team picks Mia Martinez and Valerie Vasquez. Ashley Hernandez, who many feel is the best outfielder in the area, is another first-team All-Area Underclass pick who signed with Boise State. Before they can think about any playoff run, first on the agenda, beat La Serna twice.

St. Paul’s Daina Munoz (St. Paul HS)

5. St. Paul (Division 2, Del Rey, 2023 Record: 22-7, MaxPreps Rating: 20.36)

We had lofty expectations for the Swordsmen, and they underwhelmed us in 2023. This is not an indictment against them, we would buy a lot of stock into this team if they hit the ground running in 2024. On paper, this team is exceptionally talented and should have no trouble replacing recent graduates Gaby Gandara, and Elisa Gulfin. Hannah Moreno, an Oregon State signee, and Del Rey League MVP, returns to the lineup along with Cal State Dominguez signee Andrea Tellez and talented Daina Munoz. The outfield will be led by Georgia State commit Kailee Mejia and look for recent transfer Hailey Rice (who will not have to sit out in 2024) to make a significant impact. The big question is who the catalyst in the circle will be – Prado or Gomez. All the pieces are in place – we'll need to follow this team closely from the start.

Ayala’s McKenzy Becerra

6. Ayala (Division 2, Palomares, 2023 record: 20-2-1, MaxPreps Rating: 24.45)

Just like in baseball, since Ayala is in our coverage area, we must throw them in the mix, and from all indications, it looks as if the Bulldogs are the favorites to win the Palomares. McKenzy Becerra, a first-team All-Area Underclass pick whop is a verbal to Southern Utah University, was a hitting machine in 2023, as she hit seven home runs and sported a hefty .425 batting average. Taelor Walker, a verbal commit to Loyola Marymount, is a talented infielder who led the team in hitting with a .452 batting average. And you can make a serious case for Lilanna Acosta as one of the top sophomores players in Southern California. The big question becomes who replaces talented pitcher Karson Zavala on the mound. However, that should not be a problem for Ayala as University of Pittsburgh commit Allie Lukaszewicsz, who sported a 5-1 record in 2023, projects to have a huge season in the circle for the Bulldogs. If there is one team that can climb the rankings at lightning speed, it is this team.

Whittier Christian’s Aleena Garcia (Escarcega)

7. Whittier Christian (Division 2, Olympic, 23-5, MaxPreps Rating: 22.37)

Anytime that you have a UCLA signee in Aleena Garcia, well that takes your team to another level. She picked up the baton from Brooklyn Carreon and ran with it. She is a multi-tool player who is sitting on a big season. UC San Diego Commit Victoria Hinostro headlines a solid infield. The big question is the production they will get from junior pitcher Bobby Lozano. We are big fans of Dale Van Duyne and no question who the heavy favorite is to win the Olympic League. They add more quality depth to Division 2.

Temple City pitcher Kassandra Gewecke. (Escarcega)

8. Temple City (Division 2, Rio Hondo, 2023 record: 18-4, MaxPreps Rating: 19.61)

Speaking of exceptional pitchers, it’s hard to believe that this is the final year that we get to see the great Kassandra Gewecke on the mound for the Rams. It just seems like yesterday that she was leading Temple City to a CIF Southern Section title. She is back and the Rams are one of the sure-fire picks to win the Rio Hondo League. Gewecke will have the luxury of having first-team All-Area Underclass pick Samantha Womack behind the plate – does not get better than that. Sheridan Gonzalez and May Aaris Gonzalez, first-team all-Rio Hondo League picks, are back as well as outfielder Amaris Valenzuela. And the Rams got another nice nugget in San Marino transfer Illiannie Carrillo. The Rams look formidable once again in 2024.

9. Bonita (Division 1, Palomares, 2023 record: 18-10, MaxPreps Rating: 20.11)

It is no secret that the Bearcats will have to replace one of the program’s most dominant pitchers, Brooklyn Shroyer. However, coach Darren Baumunk will attempt to do that with senior Kaitlyn Maaske and junior Skyler Lee. The power-hitting Alyssa Doucette returns along with second-team all-league pick Serenity Reyes. It will be the newcomers, including junior Mia Guerrero that could make the difference in this team being a serious contender to Ayala for the league title. In a top-heavy league, let’s see what the Bearcats do in their tournament that is scheduled to start on Saturday.

Schurr pitcher Emma Mendizabal (Escarcega)

10. Schurr (Division 4, Almont, 2023 record: 24-4, MaxPreps Rating: 15.23)

Ah yes, we always have a team that the mainstream media ignores that makes a big run in the playoffs, and this year we nominate this team as the one that no one knows about that will be playing in Irvine for a sectional championship. Emma Mendizabal might be the best pitcher that you may not know about. She was amazing in the circle in 2023 and was easily a first-team All-Area Underclass selection. And get to know the name of Samantha Maldonado, the Almont League’s Most Valuable Player and was a first-team All-CIFSS pick... as a freshman! Franklin and Gonzalez should be simply fine patrolling the infield and Bailon, a first-team, all-Almont League pick, returns in the outfield. They will battle it out with Keppel for the league title, but from the looks of it all, Sparty fans should be ready for a memorable ride that could finish in Irvine in May.

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