Dos Pueblos and San Marcos softball earned automatic CIF-SS playoff berths out of a strong Channel League, showcasing the depth of softball talent in the Santa Barbara area.
The co-league champion Chargers headlined the All-League honors by sweeping the individual awards, while the Royals pulled in six All-League selections.
Senior center fielder Anastasia Brunner capped off her Dos Pueblos career with a Channel League Most Valuable Player season, as she hit .588 with 10 home runs, 60 hits, 37 RBI and 46 runs scored in 28 games.
Meanwhile, Dos Pueblos freshman Emily Morici made a grand entrance to the high school baseball scene, earning the Channel League Pitcher of the Year award. She pitched to a 2.19 ERA, striking out a whopping 223 batters and walking just 28 in 159 â…” innings of work.
Charger head coach Mike Gerken rounded out the team’s All-League individual awards with the Channel League Coach of the Year award after leading his team to a 21-7 overall record and a co-league title.
Dos Pueblos
Brunner and Morici were joined on the All-Channel League First Team by junior shortstop Zella Cassidy and sophomore third baseman Julianna Brunner, showcasing the Charger talent across all grade levels.
Meanwhile, senior catcher Kacey Hurley and junior outfielder Brooklyn Hedricks played critical roles in the Chargers’ team success and were rewarded as All-League Second Team selections.
The duo of senior infielder Aubrey Carreno and sophomore outfielder Kyanne Bechler made their impacts felt as well on their way to All-Channel League Honorable Mentions.
San Marcos
The Royals were led throughout the season by the hitting of senior third baseman Solana Sandoval and the pitching of junior Lucy Dessert, and they earned the team’s All-Channel League First Team selections as a result.
Senior first baseman Reese Large and junior shortstop Isa Malarkey found plenty of offensive success as well, picking up All-Channel League Second Team nods.
Junior outfielder/pitcher Caroline Wang and sophomore catcher Sutera Raring rounded out the local All-Channel League honorees as All-League Honorable Mentions.