GREENFIELD — It was a historic year for Greenfield High’s girls athletics, and this year’s softball team added to that run, winning the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Santa Lucia Division while going undefeated in league play.
The season didn’t start great for the Lady Bruins, going 1-3 at the beginning, but after a successful trip at the Watsonville Tournament, they went 18-3 to finish the season.
Due to the Lady Bruins’ success on the field this year, seven players made all-league, with two being named the pitcher and defensive player of the year.
First team Santa Lucia
Elena Garcia finished in the top five in every significant offense category for the Lady Bruins this year. She had 39 hits, 11 doubles, two triples and six home runs.
Andrea Parker might have had the best year at the plate in Greenfield history. Not only did she end the season owning four top-five offense categories on her team, but she also managed to be the top player in the Pacific Coast Athletic League (PCAL).
This year Parker had multiple hits in 20 games, finished second in doubles with 19 and first in triples with 19, leading the PCAL. She also led in home runs with seven.
Mikayla Sanchez was the ace for the Lady Bruins this year, with a record of 11-5. Sanchez showed early on that she would be one of the top pitchers in the league for the next couple of years, as she was able to throw four no-hitters this season.
What makes Sanchez one of the top players is her ability to pitch and hit. This year she finished with 12 doubles, three triples and five home runs, and earned the Santa Lucia’s Pitcher of the Year title.
Linda Ornelas, who had the best season as a Greenfield Bruin, only lost one league game in three sports this year for volleyball, basketball and softball. It’s no surprise that, once again, Ornelas had a great year on the softball diamond. She is one of the top hitters in the PCAL, and finished second in hits, first in doubles and third in triples.
What separates Ornelas from the other girls is her defense as a shortstop and pitcher. The sure-gloved shortstop earned Santa Lucia’s Defensive Player of the Year title. This year on the mounds, she went 6-2 while also throwing a no-hitter.
Second team Santa Lucia
Emily Soto finished in the top five in home runs and helped the Lady Bruins score 10 or more runs in every game in league play.
Kate Cordova was a hitting machine for Greenfield. She finished the season with 40 hits, 13 doubles and seven triples, finishing second in PCAL.
Valerie Martinez is expected to be a huge part of next year’s team and had a great season this year. In 12 games, she had two or more hits and a nine-game hitting streak this season.
