April 24, 2009

All-Orange Empire Conference Softball Team Announced

Complete list at bottom of page

The Orange Empire Conference fastpitch softball coaches selected Fullerton College second baseman Natalie DeLeese as its Most Valuable Player and Cypress College pitcher Natasha Ruiz as its Pitcher of the Year for the 2009 season during its end-of-the-season meeting on Thursday at Irvine Valley College.

DeLeese led the conference in hitting this season with a .522 average, including 10 doubles, a pair of triples, and three home runs for the Hornets.  She also scored 19 runs and drove in 14 runs while only striking out twice in conference games, helping Fullerton to an 18-3 conference record and a 30-8 overall mark as the Hornets finished as conference runners-up.

Ruiz was a perfect 15-0 in conference games while pitching Cypress to the conference title and a 20-1 conference record with a 41-8 overall mark.  She started 18 games, pitched a conference-high 88.8 innings, and posted a 1.97 ERA with 48 strikeouts and 20 walks.

Joining the pair on the first-team all-conference list where Cypress third baseman Kim Frazier, first baseman Vanessa Alvarado, center fielder Kayla Van Dieren, and shortstop Roni Alvarado.  Fullerton shortstop Diana Payan, Santiago Canyon shortstop Chloe Valenzuela, and both Riverside center fielder Jackie Serna and pitcher Felicia Mendoza also made the first-team, along with Saddleback pitcher Lauren Molina and catcher Sarah Bosshart.

Fullerton’s Kelsey Marker, Elyse Parr, and Chelsie Schaal were named to the second-team all-conference list along with Riverside’s Olivia Wilcox and Afton Williamson.  Saddleback’s Kelly Bosshart and Starr White made the list along with Golden West sophomores Marissa Baker and Jessica Lupinetti.  The list was rounded out with Breanna Dravis of Santa Ana and Nicole Silva of Orange Coast.

Cypress head coach Brad Pickler and Fullerton head coach Lisa Bassi will share the conference Coach of the Year award.

ORANGE EMPIRE CONFERENCE
2009 All-Conference Fastpitch Softball Team

#  not submitted for all-state honors

2009 Orange Empire Conference Standings