Before the season, Live oak High softball coach Barry McDonnell
knew he would have a young team. He also knew that he had three
talented returners, veteran players who would have to serve as role
models for the rest of the team. This season, those three
players
– the section championship team’s captains, and its heart and
soul – all earned all-Tri-County Athletic League first team honors.
Senior pitcher Juliette Bowers, junior Alyssa Adamo and junior
catcher April Herrera were joined on the all-league team by three
second-teamers, an honorable mentio
n, and a sportsmanship award winner.
Before the season, Live oak High softball coach Barry McDonnell knew he would have a young team. He also knew that he had three talented returners, veteran players who would have to serve as role models for the rest of the team.
This season, those three players – the section championship team’s captains, and its heart and soul – all earned all-Tri-County Athletic League first team honors.
Senior pitcher Juliette Bowers, junior Alyssa Adamo and junior catcher April Herrera were joined on the all-league team by three second-teamers, an honorable mention, and a sportsmanship award winner.
Sophomore first baseman Brittney Ondich, sophomore Kelly McDonald and freshman second baseman Sarah Locarnini earned second-team all-league status, while sophomore leftfielder Sabrina LaCorte was named honorable mention.
Junior centerfielder Danielle Austin was named to the TCAL’s Pursuing Victory With Honor roster.
Among the three all-TCAL first-teamers, Bowers was the team’s lone senior and its ace pitcher. Bowers, who received MVP consideration, was also a first team all-leaguer last season.
McDonnell said Bowers’ positive attitude was every bit as essential to the team’s success as her on-field contributions.
“To not only have the talent but to have that great attitude is a great advantage for a coach,” McDonnell said. “She’s a great kid and we’ll miss her next year, for sure.”
Bowers pitched nearly every game for the Acorns and compiled a stellar 21-8 record with a 0.66 ERA and 252 strikeouts.
Hitting second, Bowers batted .290 with 12 runs scored.
Adamo, a third-year varsity starter and three-time all-leaguer, hit third and batted .333 with 11 RBIs and 12 runs scored.
McDonnell said Adamo, who moved from centerfield to short this season, provided a steadying influence for a brand new infield.
“Alyssa was a real key for us,” McDonnell said. “She really brought that varsity experience.”
Herrera, who played outfield last season, replaced all-league first-teamer Justin McDonald behind the dish and became one of the best catchers in LO history, according to McDonnell.
“We didn’t miss a beat with April,” McDonnell said. “She has a real strong arm, and people stopped running on her after word got around. She did a phenomenal job for us.”
Herrera hit .329 with 14 runs scored and 14 RBIs.
Sophomores Ondich and McDonald took over at the corner infield slots and excelled, McDonnell said.
Ondich led the team in batting average (.345), on-base percentage (.427), hits (30) and RBIs (16). She also led the team in fielding percentage.
McDonald hit .311 with eight runs scored and eight RBIs, and had the team’s second highest on-base percentage (.415).
Locarnini hit lead-off and batted .267 with an on-base percentage of .404. She led the team in runs scored with 19.
