To say that the Vine Valley Athletic League champion Napa softball team received a boost from the arrival of verbal UCLA commit Caity Newburn would be an understatement, after the freshman was at or near of the top of the section in virtually every key offensive category and was a rock behind the plate for the Grizzlies.

Newburn hit safely in Napa’s first 22 games of the season, finishing the year with a .649 batting average and put up tremendous power numbers despite also being walked 25 times. Of her 37 hits during the year, 20 of them went for extra bases, including 11 home runs. And despite opponents giving her fewer opportunities as the season went along, she still led her team with 33 runs driven in.

“Caity is probably the most disciplined hitter I have coached,” said Napa coach Ron Walston. “She is also the hardest-working player I have coached in my career.”

Perhaps no game better illustrated Newburn’s all-around approach at the plate than the Grizzlies’ first-round NCS playoff game against Clayton Valley. She singled and homered to drive in three runs, and then took three free passes. Of her five plate appearances, she scored runs following four of them and her plate presence ensured good pitches to hit for the Napa lineup surrounding her, which delivered with 25 total hits during a 23-13 victory. Her first two walks each loaded the bases, but when the Eagles chose to pitch to her rather than load them again, she delivered with a three-run home run.

The only game all year in which Newburn did not hit safely was Napa’s last game of the season, a five-inning loss to eventual Division I champion Foothill, in which Newburn had just two plate appearances against Oklahoma commit Nicole May. She still reached base safely in the game, drawing a walk against May in the first inning.

Aside from Newburn’s keen eye for the strike zone, which resulted in a .759 on-base percentage, her combination of ability to hit for contact and power could be considered unique. She struck out just twice all season, and even in each of those two games, it was the only time all game she did not reach base. Yet, all of this only describes her offensive impact on games.

Defensively, Newburn took over behind the plate for Napa, and played error-free for the season, threw out six runners and discouraged virtually all others from running against her.

“Few teams even attempted to run against us,” Walston added. “She is an excellent ball blocker with a very strong arm.”

The overall sentiment regarding her all-around ability was shared by others who watched her play.

“Caity is the most impressive player I have seen in my years covering high school softball,” said Napa Sports News executive editor Kyle Foster. “You came to expect a home run in nearly every at-bat, and her defense cannot be overlooked because of her top-notch arm.”

For her efforts throughout the season, we are pleased to recognize Caity Newburn as the Prep2Prep North Coast Section Freshman of the Year.

Other players considered include Clayton Valley’s Jordan Woolery, Heritage’s Tianna Bell, Encinal’s Madeline Leung, El Cerrito’s Mia Souza and St. Vincent de Paul’s Sophia Skubic.

NOTE: We would like to thank our media partners, coaches, parents, players and fans for contributing photos for our all-section features. We salute all of the players that have made this a wonderful season of NCS softball.