Despite a four-game losing streak to end the regular season and
doom the Acorns
’ postseason chances, the Live Oak High softball team enjoyed a
resurgent season that included a top three finish in league after
winning just one league game the year before. And, the Acorns were
rewarded for their efforts in the form of Tri-County Athletic
League postseason awards, placing their
fine battery of pitcher Juliette Bowers and catcher Justine
McDonald on the all-league first team.
Despite a four-game losing streak to end the regular season and doom the Acorns’ postseason chances, the Live Oak High softball team enjoyed a resurgent season that included a top three finish in league after winning just one league game the year before.
And, the Acorns were rewarded for their efforts in the form of Tri-County Athletic League postseason awards, placing their fine battery of pitcher Juliette Bowers and catcher Justine McDonald on the all-league first team.
Five more Live Oak players were named to the all-league second team and honorable mention squads.
Sophomore outfielder Alyssa Adamo, sophomore first baseman Kaitlyn Rauschnot and junior second baseman Samantha Ferry were named all-TCAL second-teamers, while senior pitcher Jackie Jacob and senior third baseman Katie Hillman earned all-league honorable mention.
In addition, senior shortstop Catalina Rawers was a winner of the league’s Pursuing Victory with Honor sportsmanship award.
According to Live Oak coach Barry McDonnell, Bowers and McDonald had the biggest impact on the team’s huge improvement from last year.
Bowers, who didn’t play softball last year, compiled a 9-7 record with a 0.83 ERA, and led the team with three home runs and four multi-hit games at the plate.
“Juliette really made a big difference on our team, not just because she’s such a good all-around player — she had some of the best velocity in the league (on the mound) and she was a good hitter and a good baserunner — but because she was a real team leader,” McDonnell said.
McDonnell said McDonald “just sort of matured as a senior” this year after struggling last year when she transferred from Santa Teresa.
“You have to have your catcher step up — it’s so important — and she really stepped up into that position this year,’ McDonnell said.
McDonald led the team in batting average, hitting .250 with seven RBIs.
Second-teamer Adamo, who led the team in batting last year, hit .247 with two doubles and four multi-hit games this season.
Rauschnot, who showed “tremendous power” this season according to McDonnell, had four doubles to lead the team and also tied for the team lead with four multi-hit games.
And, Ferry displayed her fundamental acumen by leading the team in an often overlooked but essential category, sacrifice bunts with 13, and showed a propensity for the clutch hit.
“She’s just a real solid player,” McDonnell said. “And, she always seemed to get the clutch hit when we needed it.”
Notre Dame’s junior superstar Kim Reeder was named TCAL Pitcher of the Year, while Gilroy senior catcher Bria DeLorenzo earned TCAL Player of the Year honors.
Meanwhile, the Live Oak junior varsity softball team finished its season with a 19-8-1 over record, including a 10-5 league record. The team outscored opponents 184-61, had a ,457 on-base percentage and had eight home runs.
Pitcher Tricia Goularte had eight wins, including a no-hitter and five shutouts, while fellow pitcher Vanessa Mata had 10 wins with one shutout.
