Sports Briefs: Providence, Bell-Jeff players notch all-league awards
Providence softball trio named all-league
With some injuries and players graduating or departing the program, a group of Providence High players had to take on various and versatile roles for the 2017 season.
Three such players were senior Christy Hoffman and juniors Celeste Lee and Francesca Marvilla, who played multiple positions during the season. For their contributions, the three were named to the singular All-Liberty League team.
“They all had to fill in where we needed them,” Providence coach Joel Curtis said. “That’s kind of how things are at a small school, you have to be able to play a few positions.”
Hoffman, who caught, played third base and shortstop, proved to be the team’s offensive catalyst.
“I think she averaged about a .650 batting average for the entire season,” Curtis said. “On average, she was about two for three every game. She was really a great hitter for us.”
Marvilla and Lee took turns pitching for the Pioneers, as well as playing in the field.
“Celeste did a good job as one of our pitchers and in one game against Archer, who won the league, she only gave up three hits,” Curtis said. “For Frankie, a lot of teams would walk Christy to pitch to her and a lot of the times she made them pay for doing that. She came through in a lot of situations for us.”
Providence went 8-7 and placed second in the Liberty League behind Archer (7-0 in league).
Bell-Jeff softball players earn awards
Despite struggling during the Santa Fe League season, a group of Bellarmine-Jefferson High softball players was acknowledged with all-league honors.
The lone first-team recipient was sophomore pitcher Madison Gibson.
“She is definitely a natural and success will only skyrocket with her growth,” Bell-Jeff coach Claudia Villa said. “She is great at what she does and I loved the fear she put in batters going against here.”
Junior first baseman Valerie Zavala, senior pitcher/catcher Paige Losoya and junior third baseman Catherine Sunpayco earned spots on the second team.
Bell-Jeff finished 1-8 overall and in league. The Guards’ lone win came on May 9 in the final game of the season in a 10-1 league victory against St. Bernard.
Bell-Jeff volleyball player named all-league
One Bellarmine-Jefferson High boys’ volleyball player earned a spot on the All-Santa Fe League team.
The Guard honored was senior outside hitter Kyle Balmonte, who was named to the first team.
Bell-Jeff went 1-4 overall and in league, finishing third among four teams. The Guards’ lone win came May 4 against St. Bernard, 25-17, 25-23, 15-25, 25-25.