Sobrato’s Larson named Junior of the Year
MORGAN HILL — Live Oak softball has added four all-league nods to its best season in three years.
The Mount Hamilton Division awards were announced recently and included first-team selections Kayla Cisneroz and Katie Obbema, and second-team honorees Priscilla Orona and Hailey Nelson, who helped Live Oak place fourth at 9-5 in league.
The Lady Acorns reached the Central Coast Section playoffs for the first time since 2007.
“They earned it,” second-year manager Alex Sutton said of her award winners Tuesday. “All the league coaches voted on it, so they deserved every bit of it.”
Obbema and Cisneroz comprised an all-league battery that was critical to their team’s success. Obbema, a sophomore, averaged 5.5 strikeouts a game in league and batted .347 with eight RBIs and a club-best 15 hits.
Cisneroz, a junior catcher, drove in seven runs, scored six times and stole seven bases. She averaged .351 at the plate with a .486 slugging percentage.
Orona returned to the second-team list after an impressive junior season, starting at shortstop and batting in the lead-off spot. She scored 10 runs, stole six bases and had a slugging percentage of .465.
Nelson, a senior, was one of the team’s biggest leaders as a co-captain. She batted .305 and collected five RBIs.
Having three all-league underclassmen left Sutton excited for next spring. Live Oak nearly reached the Division III quarterfinals this season, falling 2-1 to San Lorenzo Valley in a first-round playoff.
“We’ll have a lot of girls back next year, so we’re expecting to do even better,” Sutton said.
Nicole Larson has been named first-team all league for the third straight season — this time with an added bonus. The Sobrato shortstop is Junior of the Year in the Santa Teresa Division.
Larson earned top honors in her class after leading the Lady Bulldogs to a share of third place at 9-5 in league, their best finish since 2008. Batting .427 with 25 RBIs and a .744 slugging percentage, Larson was runner-up for division MVP.
“Nicole had an overall very good season,” first-year manager Gene Ciraulo said. “We’re looking forward to next year with her.”
Larson was joined on the first-team list by senior pitcher Frankie Kellett and sophomore infielder Heather Johnson. Sophomore Nicole Kiles (.362 BA and slugging, .469 OBP, 10 stolen bases) made second-team all league for Sobrato.
The Lady Bulldogs’ team awards also have been announced. Larson and Johnson were recognized for Best Defense and Best Offense, respectively, and Kellett received the Coach’s Award. Kallie Klinger was named Most Outstanding Freshman, and Allyson Stoner earned Player/Coach honors.
Johnson led the team in batting average (.466), on-base percentage (.614), slugging percentage (.836), home runs (4), walks (14), stolen bases (19) and hits (37).
