The Pacifica High School softball team, a perennial powerhouse, recently wrapped up another stellar season, finishing in the semifinals in the CIF playoffs as one of the top-ranked teams in the state.
Some of the senior players will no doubt go on to successful college careers. But … you can bet the team, with a number of returning players, will be tough again next season.
The Pacifica High School softball team, a perennial powerhouse, recently wrapped up another stellar season, finishing in the semifinals in the CIF playoffs as one of the top-ranked teams in the state.
Some of the senior players will no doubt go on to successful college careers. But … you can bet the team, with a number of returning players, will be tough again next season.
Following are some highlights from a memorable and sometimes thrilling 2013 campaign.
–Junior pitcher, Kaylee Carlson, who was sidelined with tendonitis in her right elbow while practicing in early November, had a season for the ages. Making her debut in the third-place game at the Tournament of Champions in Mohave against Canyon High School in March, she tossed a two-hit shutout with six strikeouts, which would mark the beginning of a 19-game game winning streak for Carlson.
Kaylee came in during the semi-final game of the Michelle Carew Classic to earn the save with three strikeouts when her teammate, Kaley Winegarner, sustained a season-ending injury to her knee. Kaylee finished the tournament with a three-hit shutout with eight strikeouts in the 4-0 championship victory over Yorba Linda, earning her placement on the All Tournament Team and second consecutive Most Valuable Pitcher award.
In league play, Kaylee combined with Katya Duvall on a no-hitter and later tossed her first perfect game with 17 consecutive strikeouts against Valencia of Placentia. With a 9-0 league record and 0.25 ERA, Kaylee received First Team All Empire League honors as well as her second Empire League Pitcher of the Year award. Carlson ended the season with her only loss coming in the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinal game against Norco in a 10-inning dogfight that ended the Mariners' winning streak and season with a 3-2 loss.
Kaylee finished her junior season with 19-1-1 record, 0.62 ERA, 138 strikeouts and .154 OBA. She received the Pacifica Softball Most Valuable Player award and made the OC Varsity All County first team as well as top honors as the Orange County Register's Pitcher of the Year.
Through her three years as a varsity starter, Kaylee totes a 0.80 ERA with 359 strikeouts and an OBA of .156. Kaylee will sign her National Letter of Intent this fall to play softball at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill).
–Senior infielder Rebecca Lee also had a banner year, batting .495 with 36 runs scored, nine stolen bases, 11 doubles, nine home runs, 19 walks and 43 RBI.
A first-team All County player and the OC Varsity Senior Player of the Year, Rebecca also received first team All Empire League honors for the second straight year and was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year for Pacifica softball.
Rebecca’S most notable games came against Murrieta Valley in the second round of CIF playoffs when she belted three home runs, including a grand slam which accounted for nine RBI in the 11-0 victory and in the Empire League championship against Yorba Linda where she made three critical defensive plays in the sixth inning to hold Yorba to one run and seal a Mariner victory.
Through her three years as a varsity starter, Rebecca finished her career as a Mariner batting .441 with 84 runs scored, 24 doubles, one triple, 18 home runs and 101 RBI. Rebecca played on both OC All Star teams and is nominated for the coveted CalHiSports Ms. Softball Player of the Year award.
She will continue her softball career this fall at Ohio State.
–Last year's sophomore All American and second team All State honoree, junior infielder Nicole DeWitt, did not disappoint as she continued to be red-hot, surpassing her 2012 numbers, batting .490 with 36 runs scored, 14 stolen bases, 12 doubles, one triple, seven home runs and 26 RBI.
The Co-Offensive Player of the Year for Pacifica softball and second team All County honoree was also named the OC Varsity JR. Player of the Year as well as First Team All Empire League for the second straight year.
Nicole's post-season performance was unmatched as she batted .833 with a .880 OBP, two doubles, three home runs, 10 runs scored and nine RBI which earned her placement on the Division I All CIF team.
Through her three years as a varsity starter, Nicole is batting .429 with 88 runs scored, 23 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs and 57 RBIs.
Nicole will sign her National Letter of Intent this fall to play softball at the University of Florida.
–Ruby Rivera and Sydney Hart both had stellar senior years and received first team All Empire League honors.
Ruby, a four-year varsity starter and the Pacifica Softball Defensive Player of the Year was also named to third team All Orange County and to both OC All Star teams.
She belted her only home run of this year, pushing the OC All Stars over Riverside with the two-run blast. The game ended in a 9-6 victory.
Ruby batted .384 with 25 runs scored, six doubles, nine stolen bases and 16 RBI.
Ruby will continue her softball career at University of Illinois.
Sydney is a three-year varsity player who received the Pacifica Softball Most Improved Player award. She batted .318 with four doubles and 10 RBI.
With her leadership and sunny personality, Sydney was a positive role model who kept her teammates calm and focused throughout the season.
Sydney will continue her softball career at Utah State.
–Rounding out the Mariners’ top performers are sophomores Faith Canfield, Katya Duvall, Nicole Wise and junior Brooke Marquez.
Second team All Empire League honorees, each played a critical role in the Mariners’ success.
Brooke, a two-year varsity starter, is one of the best infielders in the county. Her range at second base is phenomenal and her never-quit attitude on the field and in the dugout is unmatched.
Brooke batted .263 with 16 runs scored, three doubles, one triple, one home run and 16 RBI and she will sign her National Letter of Intent this fall to play softball at Northwestern University.
Faith, a two-year varsity starter and starting center-fielder, is a consistent hitter who bats third in the Mariners’ star-studded line-up. She tied the game in the top of the seventh inning against Norco, pushing the playoff game into extra innings.
Faith batted .345 with 28 runs scored, seven doubles, one triple and 21 RBI and is verbally committed to the University of Michigan.
Nicole, a first-year varsity outfielder, played a key role in league, batting .304 with two doubles and a .273 average, with 12 runs scored and 11 RBI.
Katya received the Pacifica Softball Rookie of the Year award and played a major role both in the circle as the go-to relief pitcher and at the plate.
Katya batted .308 with three doubles and 10 RBI. She was 6-0 in the circle with a 1.81 ERA, four shutouts and 46 strikeouts in 27 innings.
She combined with Kaylee Carlson on the no-hitter against Valencia and tossed another no-hitter against Tustin in league play. Katya is verbally committed to Ohio State University.