NCS Sophomore of the Year
JESSE JUINIO, CARONDELET
After taking over behind the plate for the Carondelet softball program during her freshman season, Jesse Juinio thrived as a sophomore, leading the Cougars at the plate and on the field as they made a successful move into Division I and faced elite competition all season long.
Carondelet was moved up in divisions after winning the 2018 NCS Division II title, utilizing a post-season stretch in which the Cougars allowed just one run in four playoff games, with Juinio handling the pitching staff like a savvy veteran. In 2019, she took that experience and combined it with an increased power approach at the plate, serving as one of the top hitting and fielding catchers in a loaded group across the section.
“Jesse began calling the pitches for our pitching staff midway through her freshman year, and was instrumental in leading that team to our program’s first NCS title in 52 years,” said Carondelet coach Michael Creecy. “This year, she continued her leadership behind the plate, and her maturity and leadership both on and off the field helped our young team play at the highest level in the EBAL.”
Indeed, the Cougars played seven freshmen and sophomores in 2019, all while playing in the deepest league in one of the deepest sections in the state. And as for Juinio, the verbal Saint Mary’s College commit also thrived at the plate in her sophomore year, hitting .493 with 11 home runs, eight doubles and 27 RBIs. She was a unanimous first-team All-EBAL selection and displayed consistency for a young team, at one point hitting safely in 14 straight games, and 19 out of 20 games.
“Our young team is in the perfect place for the next two years, having a mature leader like Jesse behind the plate as our captain of the infield,” Creecy added. “I look forward to her getting even stronger as a hitter and as a leader.”
Playing with a young team this season, Juinio served as the rock when there were bumps in the road. The Cougars won seven straight early in the season, but struggled right after that at the elite Livermore Stampede, except Juinio. The sophomore kept Carondelet poised during the rough stretch, pounding out 10 hits, including five home runs, in the five games to keep the team competitive. As the Cougars emerged from those tests, they won five of six games when getting back into league play, including an emphatic 10-1 win over Granada in which Juinio homered twice and drove in four runs.
With Carondelet having moved up into Division I for the post-season, the Cougars opened the playoffs against a strong Vintage-Napa team. Once again, Juinio proved to be the difference maker, drilling a three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning to give her team an early three-run lead which would hold up during a 5-2 victory.
The Crushers did not let her swing the bat again, walking her in both of her final plate appearances. The approach was indicative of the respect that Juinio had earned with her ability to change the game offensively and defensively.
For her efforts throughout the season, we are pleased to recognize Jesse Juinio as the Prep2Prep North Coast Section Sophomore of the Year.
Other players considered include Marin Catholic’s Annabel Teperson, St. Joseph Notre Dame’s Caroline Evans, Acalanes’ Morgan Salmon, College Park’s Morgan Crosby and Antioch’s Haley Painter.
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