After one of the more successful seasons in recent program
history marred only by a narrow loss in the Central Coast Section
Division I championship game, the Gilroy High softball team
celebrated the players who made the championship run possible with
the release of the Tri-County Athletic League’s postseason awards
list.
After one of the more successful seasons in recent program history marred only by a narrow loss in the Central Coast Section Division I championship game, the Gilroy High softball team celebrated the players who made the championship run possible with the release of the Tri-County Athletic League’s postseason awards list.
A total of 10 players landed on the First-Team, Second-Team, Honorable Mention and Sportsmanship awards lists, including six seniors. But it was a team-Sportsmanship Award the Mustangs received from the league that manager Julie Berggren said capsulated the season her players produced.
“I’m really proud of that award. We talked a lot about what it’s like to enjoy the game and value all parts of the game,” Berggren said. “We talked about how sportsmanship is a big part of that.”
Seniors Sara Lorraine Lira, Melanie Morelos and Stephanie Rodriguez, along with junior Casey Lester, decorated the First-Team roster.
Lira, who lettered all four years at GHS and will play at St. Mary’s next season, consistently led the Mustangs in the circle, and added offensive punch in the middle of Gilroy’s lineup year in and year out. In 2011, Lira hit seven home runs, drove in 24 runs and compiled a .324 batting average.
“Sara is unbelievable. She steps up for us on the mound and, offensively, she is such a big threat,” Berggren said.
Morelos, who is headed to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, worked in conjunction with Lira to form a formidable battery during the last three seasons. Morelos belted six home runs, with 28 RBI and a .356 average. Berggren said Morelos was the team’s go-to vocal leader on the diamond.
Despite missing the latter month of the regular season with a shoulder injury, Lester still managed to post First-Team-worthy numbers out of the leadoff spot, hitting .471.
“She’s got speed and power at the same time, and a girl who can lead off with a triple is hard to defend,” Berggren said. Rodriguez had a breakout season at the plate (.411 average) as well as in the field at shortstop. Her strength, however, came from her work on the base paths and her knack of getting into scoring position. Rodriguez accounted for 20 GHS runs, good for second on the team.
“She works super hard to make herself better, for herself and her team,” Berggren said.
The Second-Team awards were just as plentiful for the Mustangs and included sophomore Kaylana Mah, freshman Holly Lam, junior Michelle Sosa and senior Dani Hemeon
A dependable utility player, Mah was asked to serve in a variety of roles during the season, whether it was pinch runner, pinch hitter or in the outfield.
“It didn’t matter what situation she was in, she came through for us,” Berggren said.
Lam, a freshman on the squad, became known as the force to be reckoned with during playoffs, coming up with two game-changing triples. “I’m excited to watch this girl grow and develop and mature into the athlete she is capable of becoming because already her freshman year she is so strong,” Berggren said.
Lam hit .377, with 10 RBI and one home run, all the while going 10-1 in the circle as the Mustangs No. 2 pitcher.
Sosa, who found her groove as the season wore on, collected a .380 batting average and 10 RBI.
Hemeon, perhaps one of the most talented athletes to ever come through the Mustangs corral, hit 16 RBI, .345 BA and one home run. Hemeon also served as one of the three captains on the team this year. Berggren said her positivity as a leader and spark offensively helped her team tremendously.
“Her natural talent is just amazing,” Berggren said.
The All-League awards also included two Honorable Mention recipients, Elaina Vasquez and Lindsay Holt.
Vasquez, a senior and one of three team captains along with Hemeon and Rodriguez, had the game-tying hit against San Benito High in the championship game and showed her leadership ability not only in the championship game but throughout the season.
“She is just a joy to have around, entertaining and amazing,” Berggren said.
Holt, who will play at Chapman next year, beside earning an honorable mention also received the individual Sportsmanship Award this season.
“I just felt Lindsay worked hard and was a great example of being positive and keeping the big picture in mind,” said Berggren of Holt’s sportsmanship demeanor throughout the season.
The Mustangs finished 25-5 overall. The stats show the players hard work they put in for the season, but Berggren said it was much more than just numbers.
“I think it all comes from how much they love the game and love each other,” she said. “I think they really just valued the way the game is supposed to be played.”
