Could there be any more important player in the Tri-County
Athletic League to her team than Acorn senior Juliette Bowers? The
tall right-hander is not only the Live Oak High softball team
’s best, and pretty much only, pitcher, but she’s also the
Acorns’ lone returning senior and its clean-up hitter. For all
intents and purposes, as Bowers goes, so goes LO this season. And,
what a player to rely on. Bowers is a returning all-TCAL
first-teamer and a contender for the league’s
MVP award. She’s one of the league’s hardest throwers who can
locate her pitches effectively, and also has a repertoire of
off-speed pitches in her arsenal.
Could there be any more important player in the Tri-County Athletic League to her team than Acorn senior Juliette Bowers?
The tall right-hander is not only the Live Oak High softball team’s best, and pretty much only, pitcher, but she’s also the Acorns’ lone returning senior and its clean-up hitter.
For all intents and purposes, as Bowers goes, so goes LO this season.
And, what a player to rely on.
Bowers is a returning all-TCAL first-teamer and a contender for the league’s MVP award. She’s one of the league’s hardest throwers who can locate her pitches effectively, and also has a repertoire of off-speed pitches in her arsenal.
And, she’s a big-time team player, too, according to LO coach Barry McDonnell.
“She has such a great attitude on the field and off,” McDonnell said. She’s a really, really great leader and keeps everybody focused.”
The Acorns will need that focus this season because, though talented with a solid contingent up from a top-notch JV squad, the team is even younger than last season. And unexpectedly so as a result of losing several key potential returners, including Kaitlyn Rauschnot, who transferred to Valley Christian, and seniors Jackie Tennant, Eileen Grove and Samantha Ferry, who decided not to play softball this season.
However, LO does have several key returners, including last year’s leading hitter, junior Alyssa Adamo, who makes the switch from centerfield to shortstop, and catcher April Herrera, who takes over behind the plate after playing outfield last season.
And, the Acorns also have a talented crew of underclassmen who are regular club softball players.
Among them are standout freshman second baseman Sarah Locarnini, a speedy player who will bat leadoff, and junior centerfielder Danielle Austin, who also has great speed and will hit second.
Locarnini and Austin will be expected to set the table for Adamo and Bowers, while Herrera will provide protection and contribute RBIs in the fifth spot.
“We’re a little less experienced but we have much more speed and we’re more aggressive,” McDonnell said. “I think we’ll be better offensively.”
Other regulars will include sophomores Kelly McDonald (3B-LF), Sabrina LaCorte (3B-RF), and Brittney Ondich (1B), along with juniors Amanda Rosevear (3B-LF) and transfer Kim Reinke (OF-P).
LO plays in the Circle of Champions tourney at Twin Creeks beginning Friday and doesn’t begin TCAL play until March 22 at North Salinas.
In JV softball action, Sobrato collected its first win by beating Kings Academy 14-8 Monday. The Lady Bulldogs improved to 1-1 overall with the victory.
