In any given year there are some players that slip through the cracks. Surprisingly Livermore sophomore Jae Cosgriff is one of those players.

Cosgriff didn’t grace any of the all-state teams or even any of the local media honors. However, after the kind of season the Cowboys leadoff hitter and centerfielder had, and the numbers she put up against some of the toughest competition in not only the North Coast Section but all of Northern California, Cosgriff has been named the 2022 Prep2Prep North Coast Section Sophomore of the Year.

“Awesome. Thank you. That’s so cool,” Cosgriff said when told she was being honored. “I’m kind of speechless.”

“I really don’t know what to say. It’s a huge honor and very humbling,” Cosgriff continued. "There were so many great sophomores like Saskia Rabb of Granada, Madison Evers-Lyles of Freedom, Mikaela Mortimer of Heritage, Jessica Delatorre of College Park, and the list goes on. We all play in travel ball at All American Sports Academy so I get to see how great they are every weekend. To get chosen among athletes like that makes me very thankful.”

Not only did the Cosgriff put up some great numbers at the plate, but Livermore head coach Andy Paulazzo claimed she had the best arm of any centerfielder in the East Bay Athletic League and felt she was equal in fielding to Granada centerfielder and Notre Dame-bound senior Makayla Winchell. Besides using her speed in the outfield to make plays on balls other players can’t even get to, she also flashed her speed on the base paths.

“Jae has all the tools and checks all the boxes,” Paulazzo said. “In the leadoff spot all season, she was a good sneak bunter and has great speed on the bases.”

“Her defense took away several home runs from opponents with the one against Granada and (Makayla) Winchell,” Paulazzo continued. “On top of that she made several diving catches and has the best arm in the league by a long shot. She’s also working her way in at shortstop.”

“Thanks to Coach Andy for saying that about me since I’m definitely proud of my ability as an outfielder,” said Cosgriff when told of Paulazzo’s remarks. “I’ve learned a lot over the years when it comes to making reads off the bat, depending on if the hitter is right or left handed.”

“My speed helps me track down a lot of fly balls and take away some hits,” Cosgriff continued. “I’ve also worked a lot on arm strength by playing long toss, so I feel like I have a decent arm too. I just love going out there and leaving it all on the field.”

On a Livermore team that went 24-4-1 and tied for first place in the EBAL at 12-1 with cross-town arch rival Granada, Cosgriff was third on the team with a .367 average, second with four home runs, third with 21 RBIs, tops by far on the Cowboys with 33 runs scored, led the team with 11 walks, and she only struck out four times in 106 plate appearances.

In the field, Cosgriff had a .976 fielding percentage with only one error in 41 total chances. She also led Livermore with 11 stolen bases.

Despite only being a sophomore, Cosgriff sees herself as a leader.

“I’m pretty vocal out there because I love softball and want to be a good teammate, but I really like to lead by example off the field before and after practice,” she said. “I get as many reps as I can to help myself get ahead. I also do a kit at home off the tee, soft toss and playing catch. I hope my teammates will see the extra work I put in and try to do the same.”

Paulazzo wholeheartedly agrees.

“Her work ethic is everything,” Paulazzo said. “She stayed an hour after practice just about every day hitting with our hitting coach or her dad. Jae is a total team leader and player.”

Speaking of her dad and the rest of the family, Jae comes from a family of athletes.

Her father, Julian Cosgriff, played college baseball, but in his youth he played with former major leaguer Dontrelle Willis and even lived with him for a time when Willis played for the Florida (now Miami) Marlins. Willis, whom Jae calls Uncle Dontrelle, is her godfather.

Her mother, Monique Cosgriff, played basketball in high school and grew up in Sunnyvale with former major leaguer Troy Tulowitzki, who married her sister, making him Jae’s real uncle.

Her sister, Devin Cosgriff, is one of the top incoming freshmen basketball prospects in California. She will be attending Bishop O’Dowd, but despite not playing a game in high school, she already has eight Division I offers with UCLA being the latest.

The NCAA has stopped schools from offering softball players until their junior year, but if Cosgriff had a wish list what schools would be on it?

“This is a tough one,” Jae said. “Right now, I would just love an opportunity to play at a good school where I can compete on the field and receive a degree. I’ve watched a ton of softball on TV over the years and have always been a fan of UCLA, Texas, Stanford, Cal and Arizona State. An opportunity to play for any of those schools would be a dream come true.”

Cosgriff wanted one last chance to say thank you.

“Thank you again for this amazing honor,” she said. “I really appreciate the recognition but I would not be here without amazing teammates, coaches and the support of my family. Go Cowboys."

Way to go Jae, the 2022 Prep2Prep North Coast Section Sophomore of the Year.

Others considered for the award: Freedom's Madison Evers-Lyles, American Canyon's Jaida Fulcher, Benicia's Kyra Mason and Granada's Saskia Rabb.

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.