The Sobrato softball team received four first-team and two second-team All-Santa Teresa Division honors following its best season in program history.
Shortstop and leadoff hitter Heather Johnson was named Senior of the Year and was joined by catcher Mackenzie Mitchell, pitcher Samantha Torres and second baseman Marissa Heffernan – all freshmen – on the first-team list for the Bulldogs (15-6, 12-2), who earned a share of their first league championship and first Central Coast Section playoff berth.
Sobrato lost 9-4 in the first round to eventual semifinalist Gilroy.
The Bulldogs’ second-team recipients were senior first baseman Nicole Kiles and senior center fielder Sam Ribeiro.
Gene Ciraulo, now in his third year with Sobrato, was named Coach of the Year.
“Early in the season, I told this team they can be 14-0, and we darn near did it,” said Ciraulo, whose team has been voted up to the Mount Hamilton Division for 2013. “It was just a blend of experienced older athletes with qualified and talented young athletes. They supported each other throughout the year. The camaraderie was there, and it all just gelled.”
Johnson led the league in slugging percentage (.667), on-base percentage (.557) and stolen bases (26). She also drove in 10 runs and scored 26 times.
Mitchell batted a league-best .458 with two home runs, 11 RBIs and 18 runs scored, while Heffernan batted .351 with 12 RBIs, 12 runs and a team-high seven doubles. Torres posted an ERA of 2.00 and had 37 strikeouts. Her 12 wins were the second most in the division. Torres also batted .327 with seven extra-base hits and scored 16 times.
With her speed, Ribeiro stole 20 bases and was one of the league’s best center fielders. Kiles was solid at first and batted .294.
Ciraulo said he and assistant coach Leonard Torres will swap positions next year.
Mount Hamilton Division
Live Oak seniors Katie and Jenny Obbema were named first- and second-team all-league, respectively.
Katie, who has signed with Humboldt State, started all but two games this year and was 7-7 in league with a batting average of .233 and an OBP of .302.
Jenny starred at first base and third and put up big numbers (.360 BA, .440 OBP) in the No. 3 spot.
The Acorns had two honorable mentions in junior interior infielder Rachel Ditta (.360 BA, .440 OBP) and freshman catcher and cleanup hitter Tiffany Moore (.244 BA, .311 OBP).
Live Oak finished 12-10 overall, 7-6 in league and narrowly missed the playoffs.
