SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: SOFTBALL PREVIEW: El Rancho and Mark Keppel
El Rancho is looking to make inroads in the Del Rio while Keppel is the main challenger to Schurr for the Almont League title.
El Rancho High School
Coach: Stephanie Senteno-Tapia
Previous Season Record: 9-14
Number of Returning Players: 9
Number of All-League Players Returning: 2
Number of Returning Infielders: 3
Number of Returning Outfielders:1
Number of Starting Pitchers: 2
Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 2
Key Infielders Returning
Lesly Valdez 11 SS.444 BA/ All-League 1st Team 2023/ DRL Honorable Mention 2022/Team MVP 2023, Team Captain 2024
Key Outfielders Returning
Carissa Amaya12 CFBA .312/ All-League 2nd Team 2023, Team Captain 2024
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Noelie Guerrero11 RHP/OFBA .305/ Honorable Mention DRL 2023, Team Captain 2024
Key Relief Pitching Returning
Jaelynn Barragan 11 RHP/Ist; BA .348
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Reanna Ruacho 10, C/3B BA .300
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Lauren Cervantes 11; RHP/1st
Coach Senteno-Tapia Comments: “We have many returning varsity players this year, but we are still looking to become seasoned on the field. We will be led by Junior SS Lesly Valdez who has great power at the plate and is fast on the bases, Senior CF Carissa Amaya who will captain the outfield, and Juniors Noelie Guerrero and Jaelynn Barragan sharing starting duties on the mound. Behind the plate, we have Raeanna Ruachowho as a sophomore who will add both to our defense and offense this year. We have 2 players out this season due to injuries in Juniors Leila Leal-Robles and Audrinna Guevara who would have been great assets to our offensive line-up. Last year, we fell short in making the playoffs, but we are working hard every day to get a birth into CIF and make a great run down the road.”
CRYSTAL BALL: This is going to be an interesting year if you are a Dons fan. No coach is more respected than Senteno-Tapia and this season has the makings of a solid season. The Dons will have to find a way to replace the production from players such as Samantha Vargas and Alina Guerrero. The confidence that Senteno-Tapia has in Valdez is justified. She was one of the more productive players in 2023. She was in the two-hole last year behind Guerrero and don’t be surprised if she moves into the leadoff spot. Amaya produced a solid campaign in 2023 and don’t be surprised if she moves to the middle of the lineup from the #9 hole in 2023. The loss of Robles and Guevara is huge. Guevara was a pitcher who was also in the middle of the lineup. In a year that the Del Rio League is extraordinarily solid, El Rancho is going to have to play some special softball to make the playoffs in 2024. But we project them to have a 15-win season.
Mark Keppel High School
Coach: Jonathan Young
Previous Season Record: 16-10
Number of Returning Players: 10
Number of All-League Players Returning: 4
Number of Returning Infielders: 5
Number of Returning Outfielders: 2
Number of Starting Pitchers: 1
Key Infielders Returning
Sarah Lucero 10, SS; all league
Nevaeh Saldivar 11, 2B
Prex Barraza11 3B
Key Outfielders Returning
Jasmine Molina 12, CF; all league
Avigail Navarro 11
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Robyn Guitron 10 P; all league
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Lauren Young 11; all-league
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Grace Umemoto 9, P/inf
Bella Valdez 9, Inf/OF
Comments from Coach Young: “Our team has returners at key positions and new faces at others. Our starting pitcher and catcher return as a duo and our infield remains the same. The outfield is led by our senior and junior returners. As a team, we have our goals in place and are working hard to reach them. We look forward to making another run in CIF this spring.”
CRYSTAL BALL: Looking for the main challenger to the Schurr Spartans for an Almont League title? This is the team. The big revelation in 2023 was Roby Guitron. She threw several no-hitters and was nearly untouchable throughout the season. She is no longer the big secret, but reports are she is poised to be just as untouchable as she was in 2023. Sarah Lucero headlines a solid infield and Jasmine Molina is a returning outfielder that brings stability to the outfield. The Aztecs are in Division 5, which is the right division for them to make a deep run in the playoffs. Keep an eye out for the Aztecs in 2024.
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