P2P NCS Softball Honors
Just a freshman, Danielle Williams is the Prep2Prep NCS Player of the Year. (P2P Staff)

ALL-NORTH COAST SECTION

Player of the Year
DANIELLE WILLIAMS, AMADOR VALLEY


By NATE SMITH
Prep2Prep

It was standard discussion entering the 2015 softball season – who would replace Amador Valley atop the plethora of talented teams in the North Coast Section now that Johanna Grauer and a talented senior class had left the Dons’ program? It turned out that nobody would replace the Dons, thanks to a talented freshman pitcher that took both the section and the state by storm.

"It's awesome that I was part of a team that exceeded everyone's expectations," Williams said. "Just being part of Amador Softball is awesome. It was so much fun. I knew they had my back."

In her inaugural high school season, Danielle Williams not only led the Dons to back-to-back section titles, but also to a shutout victory over the top Division I team in the Central Section (Clovis), and the top spot in Cal-Hi Sports and Prep2Prep's Northern California Softball Rankings. For her accomplishments, Williams is the Prep2Prep North Coast Section Player of the Year.

One of the most impressive things about Williams seemed to be her ability to rise to the level of competition she was facing, especially as the year grew longer.

“Her love for the pressure in big games helped all of the new players embrace the challenge as well,” said Amador Valley coach Teresa Borchard. “Her confidence and composure helped keep the team relaxed and focused, and her high strikeout numbers helped give the new players a cushion that allowed them time to adjust to this level of play.”

Prior to the section semifinals, Borchard spoke about her team’s need to adjust to the speed that Castro Valley had displayed in their first meeting, a 5-1 loss for the Dons, and Williams’ most difficult performance of the season.

“It was so impressive to see (Danielle) avenge the loss against (Castro Valley) with 14 strikeouts and only three hits allowed,” said Borchard. “They had 10 hits and five runs the first time we played them, so it really illustrated how much she matured as a player and pitcher during the season.”

That maturation led to some phenomenal numbers both in the circle and at the plate for Williams. The early Missouri commit had a 0.79 ERA for the season, notching 262 strikeouts while issuing just 21 walks. One of her top performances actually came in a loss, allowing just five hits to a Yucaipa team that many regard as the top team in the nation this year. Offensively, Williams also led the Dons by batting .519 with 20 RBI.

After her performance this season, Williams has set the bar high for her next three years, and will no doubt have Borchard pushing her to grow even further in the Dons’ program.

“She was a tremendous leader by example on the field this season,” said Borchard. “It will be rewarding to watch her develop into even more of a verbal leader as well over the next three years, and it’s very exciting to see how much she can continue to get stronger both mentally and physically.”

With her performance this season already cementing a growing Amador Valley legacy in the section history books, it must be scary for the rest of the region to contemplate her growth in the near future.


Coach of the Year
DAVID ALBINI, MARIN CATHOLIC

David Albini led Marin Catholic to its first section title in school history.

By NATE SMITH
Prep2Prep

Having led Marin Catholic to the first section title in school history, along with its first league title since 1996, David Albini is the choice for Prep2Prep North Coast Section Coach of the Year.

Upon taking over the Wildcats in 2013, Albini inherited a program that had suffered losing records in four of the previous five seasons, including a winless year in 2009. He immediately turned things around at Marin Catholic, posting a 17-9 record in his first season. In his three years at the helm, the Wildcats have a combined record of 59-19.

“He brings structure and consistency to the program,” said sophomore pitcher Carly Slack, who was the winning pitcher in 13 of the Wildcats’ final 14 games. “He’s a stable force, and really relates well to the girls and understands the game.”

It was a slight adjustment on the mound by Albini that helped trigger the Wildcats’ 14-game winning streak to finish the season. Having previously split pitching efforts between Slack and junior Julia Rabbitt, Albini went predominantly with Slack during the critical final stretch of the season.

The move proved to be a wise one, as Slack tossed four shutouts late in the season, and twice beat Redwood. The Giants, runners-up in Division II, had handed Marin Catholic its last defeat, a 13-2 shellacking that happened with Slack out of the lineup. Rabbitt, meanwhile, ended up hitting up .424 playing predominantly in the outfield.

The final shutout of the season came in the biggest game of all, the Division IV championship game against Fortuna, whom the Wildcats had beaten 3-1 earlier in the season. In the rematch, Slack and Huskies star pitcher Hailey Dolcini locked up both teams in a pitchers’ duel, combining for 26 strikeouts and only allowing five hits total for both teams. Albini never let his team worry about the outcome in a tense game that was decided by a lone Wildcats’ run in the top of the sixth inning.

“He just kept telling us to have fun and keep the same approach as we had all season,” said Slack, referring to Albini’s demeanor in the title game. “He stressed to just go with what we know, and we would be OK.”

The Wildcats were more than OK, and can now raise their first softball banner as a result of Albini’s guiding force.



Senior of the Year
LANI KALEIKINI, REDWOOD

Kaleikini was named the Marin County Athletic League Pitcher of the Year for the second consecutive season, while also serving as one of the top hitters in the MCAL, helping lead the Giants to a 27-3 record and a berth in the NCS Division II title game. She went 22-3 this season, striking out 210 batters with a 0.89 ERA. At the plate, Kaleikini slugged five home runs to go with her .344 average.

For her career at Redwood, Lani finished with a .375 batting average and 94 RBI at the plate, to go with 51 wins and over 500 strikeouts in the circle.


Junior of the Year
DELANEY HELLER, CASTRO VALLEY

Heller, who’s committed to the University of San Diego, was named the West Alameda County Conference-Foothill Division Player of the Year after a season in which she posted a 0.99 ERA to go with 156 strikeouts and just 15 walks issued in the circle.

Her efforts on the mound led the Trojans to the NCS Division I semifinals, where they dropped a tense 2-1 contest with eventual champion Amador Valley.


Sophomore of the Year
SABRINA NUNEZ, REDWOOD

Nunez exemplifies what a leadoff hitter should be, as the Marin County Athletic League Player of the Year led the league in batting average, on-base percentage, and runs scored. The early Cal commit hit .644 from the left side of the plate, to go with 50 runs scored and 23 stolen bases. Her 67 hits and nine triples were also tops in the section for all divisions, and she committed just one error in 69 chances at her shortstop position.

The Pac-12 bound sophomore was especially impressive in the post-season, as Nunez went 9-for-11 with a pair of triples in the Giants’ final three games.


Freshman of the Year
MEGAN BOWER, MIRAMONTE

The Matadors’ Player of the Year, Bower hit .672 in her first season of high school softball, with 11 home runs, 41 RBI, eight stolen bases, and a 1.426 slugging percentage. She struck out just three times all season as one of the top infielders in the DFAL.



FIRST TEAM ALL-NCS

Hailey Dolcini, Fortuna
Position: Pitcher
Year: Sophomore

Dolcini did everything for the Huskies this season, and was recognized as the Humboldt Del Norte-Big 5 Player of the Year for the second straight year as a result. In the circle, the UC Riverside commit went 23-5 with a 0.43 ERA, and registered 356 strikeouts while issuing just 35 walks, helping lead Fortuna to the Division IV section title game. She was no slouch at the plate, either, batting .439 with 33 runs scored.


Michaela Burpee, James Logan
Position: Catcher
Year: Senior

Of the 14 runners who attempted to steal against Burpee, the Mission Valley Athletic League Player of the Year threw out 10 of them, for an astounding 71 percent rate of runners caught stealing. The Colorado State-Pueblo commit also hit .391 with six home runs and 28 RBI, leading the Colts to the Division I championship game for the fifth time in the last six seasons.


Joelle Krist, Petaluma
Position: Infielder
Year: Senior

The Arizona commit hit .529 with six home runs and 11 doubles, to go with 46 RBIs and 40 runs scored. Krist totaled 17 home runs over the past two seasons, and finished her career with the Trojans sporting a .520 career batting average.


Bri Perez, Alhambra
Position: Infielder
Year: Sophomore

Perez was named Player of the Year in the Diablo Valley Athletic League after leading the Bulldogs to the Division II section crown. Her 14 home runs led the section for all divisions, while her 26 stolen bases were tops in her league. The UCLA commit also hit .608 with 42 RBI and 55 runs scored, while turning 11 double plays from her shortstop position.


Lindsay Rood, Monte Vista
Position: Infielder
Year: Senior

The Cal signee and unanimous first-team All-East Bay Athletic League selection hit .529 with five home runs and 20 stolen bases this season for the Mustangs, who advanced to the Division I semifinals.


Danielle Thomas, Campolindo
Position: Outfielder
Year: Senior

The Boston College signee led the Cougars’ offense with her stellar .684 batting average this season, along with five home runs, 28 RBI, and 31 runs scored.


Janae Adams, Saint Mary’s
Position: Outfielder
Year: Senior

Adams received first-team All-TCAL Rock Division honors after a season in which she hit .455 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs. The Alabama A&M commit also had a .984 slugging percentage and 12 stolen bases while helping lead the Panthers to the Division IV section playoffs.


Cara DiMercurio, Alhambra
Position: Outfielder
Year: Junior

DiMercurio was named first-team All-Diablo Foothill Athletic League after hitting .440 with seven home runs for the Division II champions. The Saint Mary’s College commit also had 34 runs scored and 28 RBIs to go with 13 stolen bases, while also playing error-free in the outfield with 42 putouts and four assists.


Sydnee Strong, Newark Memorial
Position: Outfielder
Year: Senior

The Sacramento State signee was named first-team All-MVAL for the fourth time in as many seasons, and led the Cougars to their first league title since 2009, along with a berth in the Division II semifinals. Strong hit over .400 in all four of her high school seasons.


Kortney Jones, Liberty
Position: Designated Hitter
Year: Senior

A career .484 hitter, Jones had a phenomenal season in which she hit .567 with 12 home runs, 32 RBIs, and 29 runs scored. The first-team All-Bay Valley Athletic League infielder hit over .440 in all four of her high school seasons, and accumulated 21 home runs over the past three years.


Meghan Bradbury, Salesian
Position: Utility
Year: Senior

The UC Davis signee was named the Tri-County Athletic League Rock Division Player of the Year after being named first-team all-league in each of her previous varsity seasons. The pitcher and infielder had a decorated career with the Pride, highlighted by Division IV section titles in both 2013 and 2014.



SECOND TEAM ALL-NCS

Carolyn Lee, Dougherty Valley
Position: Pitcher
Year: Senior

The Stanford signee sported a 0.99 ERA this season, with 273 strikeouts, and allowed opposing hitters to hit just .148. She was solid at the plate as well, batting .416 with 25 RBIs in leading the Wildcats to the Division I quarterfinals.


Melika Ofoia, John Swett
Position: Catcher
Year: Freshman

The Tri-County Athletic League-Stone Division Player of the Year burst onto the high school scene this season, hitting nine home runs while batting .783, giving her an amazing 1.804 slugging percentage. The California Grapettes catcher also slugged 10 doubles and five triples, while earning a 4.0 grade point average for her initial high school campaign.


Maddy Lewis, Alameda
Position: Infielder
Year: Senior

The UC San Diego signee hit .619 during the regular season with 27 RBIs, 10 stolen bases, and 39 runs scored. She was also named first-team All-WACC Foothill Division, as well as the Defensive MVP of the Queen of the Mountain tournament.


Sierra Mello, James Logan
Position: Infielder
Year: Senior

Mello received first-team All-MVAL honors for the third straight season after hitting .458 with three home runs and 40 runs scored for the Division I runner-up Colts. The University of Nevada-Reno signee also turned five double plays from her shortstop position.


Sammy Salustri, Amador Valley
Position: Infielder
Year: Senior

The Amherst-bound Salustri was a unanimous first-team All-EBAL selection after hitting .451 this season for the Division I champion Dons. She also played error-free defensively, flawlessly handling all 70 chances in the field.


Kim Trice, Heritage
Position: Infielder
Year: Senior

The Tennessee State-bound Trice was named MVP of the Bay Valley Athletic League for the second consecutive season, hitting .556 with four home runs and 35 RBIs for the league champion Patriots. The first baseman totaled 65 RBI over the past two seasons.


Courtney Hennings, Amador Valley
Position: Outfielder
Year: Senior

The Cal State Monterey Bay signee was a unanimous first-team All-EBAL selection after leading the Dons in home runs, walks, runs scored, and stolen bases.


Anyssia Ramirez, Heritage
Position: Outfielder
Year: Sophomore

Ramirez was named first-team All-BVAL after hitting .431 with two home runs, two triples, and 28 RBIs for the Patriots.


Hannah Rosenfeld, Bishop O’Dowd
Position: Outfielder
Year: Sophomore

The first-team All-WACC Foothill Division selection hit .485 with 40 RBIs and 35 runs scored to help lead the Dragons to a Division III section title.


Frankie Hammoude, Bishop O’Dowd
Position: Designated Hitter
Year: Freshman

Hammoude became one of the section’s premier power hitters in her first high school season, slugging nine home runs to go with 49 RBIs and a 1.175 slugging percentage. She was named first-team All-WACC Foothill Division for the Division III champion Dragons.


Samantha Whalen, Livermore
Position: Utility
Year: Senior

The Chapman commit was named first-team All-EBAL and MVP of the Livermore Stampede during a banner year in which she led the Cowboys to the Division II semifinals and the Stampede title. She was also the only pitcher from Northern California to shut out eventual section champion Amador Valley, handing the Dons their only loss in league play.





HONORABLE MENTION:

ACALANES: Zoe Marrott, Alex Grant-Hudd
ALAMEDA: Shannon Regan, Alanna Reyes, Bella Vick, Mira Piamonte
ALBANY: Sydnie Hersh, Isabel Lavrov
ALHAMBRA: Karlee Sparacino, Shelby Clemons, Regan Silva, Lindsey Osmer, Madi Cervantes
AMADOR VALLEY: Ashley Balestreri, Courtney Dinelli, Katey Moore
AMERICAN: Kalani Taylor, Myrissa Pinaula
ANALY: Emily Dreyer, Jayde Hill
ANTIOCH: Alexus Ponce, Ayanna Sanchez, Natalie Larsen
ARROYO: Reiley Ramos, Jen Thomas
BEREAN CHRISTIAN: Athena Golling, Tia Uyehara, Elyse Butterfield, Molly Kolander
BERKELEY: Claire Kaneko, Robyn Wampler
BISHOP O'DOWD: Promise Burnett, Alexis Scalzo
CALIFORNIA: Rachel Marchuk
CALISTOGA: Joyce Aquino, Jenna Franquelin, Citlali Montanez
CAMPOLINDO: Ashley Thoms
CARDINAL NEWMAN: Lexie Raasch, Sarah Knight
CARONDELET: Taylor Blair, Sierra Blair, Giovy Webb
CASA GRANDE: Brooklynne Hale, Lisa Nadell
CASTRO VALLEY: Traci Shaw, Tailor Goods, Krystyna Allman, Leilani Huey
CLAYTON VALLEY: Kimiko Zapanta, Sophie Wheeler
CLEAR LAKE: Rachel Wingler
CLOVERDALE: Jordyn Turner, Teanne Edens
COLLEGE PARK: Gabriella Zagone, Samantha Schoelkopf, Sophie Damianakes
COLLEGE PREP: Lila Jansen
CONCORD: Elvia Alvarado, Morgyn Wynne, Juliana Pichardo, Kaitlyn VanMotman
DE ANZA: Jennifer Campo-Vega
DEER VALLEY: Amanda Coley
DOUGHERTY VALLEY: Kaitlin Scheid
DRAKE: Riley Siegel
DUBLIN: Emily Barber
EL CERRITO: Grace Rusin, Miya Keilin
EL MOLINO: Haley Millerick
ENCINAL: Samantha Williams, Meida Tautalatasi
FERNDALE: Ashli Sines
FOOTHILL: Maddie Warren, Jennifer Ng, Katie Jefferies, Nalani Scates
FORTUNA: Courtney Christensen, Karlie Murray
FREEDOM: Marissa Gasca, Bri Ibarra, Vanessa Strong
GRANADA: Taylor Zehr, Jessica Johnston
HAYWARD: Alexandra Way
HEAD-ROYCE: Ruby Siltanen
HEALDSBURG: Keely Bullock
HERCULES: Alicia Chavez, Dierra Mize
HERITAGE: Alyssa Kirk, Kylee Barrios
IRVINGTON: Dahlen Dennis, Noellah Ramos
JAMES LOGAN: Deanne Garza, Allison Pelland, Jordan Davis, Kristen Kowaki
JUSTIN-SIENA: Shannon Esser, Nici Bell
KENNEDY-FREMONT: Kim Bartlett
KENNEDY-RICHMOND: Desirae Armstrong, Alejandra De La Torre
LAS LOMAS: Alissa Gardenal
LIBERTY: Jenna Chassie, Ashlyn Frits
LIVERMORE: Hannah Bennett, Madison Kahwaty, Rachel Laront, Missy Nunes, Samantha Trask
LOWER LAKE: Shelbie Harris
MARIA CARRILLO: Hannah Chew, Randi McMahan
MARIN CATHOLIC: Carly Slack, Hannah Politzer, Nicole Marino, Julia Rabbitt
MCKINLEYVILLE: Sierra Joyner
MIRAMONTE: Amanda DeVecchi
MISSION SAN JOSE: Alia Monges
MONTE VISTA: Mackenzie Murphy, Jordan Maddox, Natalie Parker, Alicia Yoshino
MONTGMOMERY: Sierra Shanoff
MOREAU CATHOLIC: Erin Hogan, Samantha Adami, Ally Carrizo
MT. EDEN: Jade Rodi, Yolanda Campos
NEWARK MEMORIAL: Jiana Rojo, Maricela Matos, Desiree Herrera
NORTHGATE: Hannah Brajkovich, Lucy Decker, Morgan Batesole
NOVATO: Zoe Hoover
OAKLAND MILITARY INSTITUTE: Emilie Rios
PETALUMA: Brie Gerhardt, Cassie Baddeley, Emily O'Keefe
PIEDMONT: Nicole Shoptaugh, Claire O’Connor, Kennedy Christensen
PINER: Cailyn Callison, Meghan Bogges
PINOLE VALLEY: Jessica Rogers, Brittany Martinez
PITTSBURG: Chanel LaFrades
POINT ARENA: Natalie Lawson
RANCHO COTATE: Brittney Scardina, Reilani Peleti, Katie Rohrer, Janaea Mason
REDWOOD: Kayla Rose, Mandy Weitenhagen, Shawn McCullough
REDWOOD CHRISTIAN: Jordan Huemoeller, Marissa Costa
RICHMOND: Amy Palomares
RINCON VALLEY CHRISTIAN: Carly Evans
SAINT MARY'S: Taylor McCracken
SALESIAN: Madison Pozzi
SAN LEANDRO: Yaewa Asabi, Dyemond Dye, Chelsea Sligh
SAN LORENZO: Katrya Traylor, Brenna Lopez
SAN MARIN: Hayley Gazdik, Samantha Tong, Tehya Wheeler
SAN RAFAEL: Olivia Dallara
SAN RAMON VALLEY: Emma Davitz, Jenna Liu, Peyton Riccio, Riley Salvo
SONOMA VALLEY: Hannah Herrick
ST. JOSEPH NOTRE DAME: Anekaila Crevani
ST. PATRICK-ST. VINCENT: Neenah Pagilinan, Taya deAlba, Jaydee Boursaw
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: Haley Antonini
SWETT: Kaitlyn Lourenco, Jessica Nunes
TAMALPAIS: Jessie Scarsella, Anna Reichenbach, Sophia Venables, Elodie Townsend
TENNYSON: Juliss Estrella, Veronica Tungui
TERRA LINDA: Savannah Jones, Ashley Bottomley
UKIAH: Delaney Kindopp, Anna Brazil
VALLEY CHRISTIAN-DUBLIN: Paige Sellick
WASHINGTON: Alyssa Montoya
WINDSOR: Kayla Oseguera
YGNAICO VALLEY: Brittany Pew, Celeste Foster