Glendale softball’s Fabian grabs another all-state accolade

Providing a standout presence at the top of the Glendale High softball team’s lineup went a long way for Sammy Fabian.

After a stellar junior season, the centerfielder earned All-Pacific League and All-CIF first-team recognition for the second straight season.

Fabian secured some more postseason hardware recently after being selected to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Medium Schools Underclassmen first team for the second consecutive season.

“It’s really satisfying to be recognized like that,” said the UC Santa Barbara-bound Fabian, who hit .656 with 10 doubles, four triples, three home runs and 22 runs batted in for the Nitros. “I felt like I put together my best season and I’m very happy with the ways thing went.

“It feels good to be recognized, but it wasn’t really a goal of mine that I focused on. I wanted to try to help the team win games and make the playoffs and we were able to do that.”

Fabian scored 40 runs, stole 18 bases and posted a 1.078 slugging percentage to help Glendale finish tied for second in league and reach the Division III playoffs. The Nitros finished 17-6, 11-3 in league to record their best mark since 2003.

Fabian was joined on the first team by Kayla Ketring of Oaks Christian, Livy Schiele of La Jolla Bishop and Mission Viejo’s Camryn Ybarra.

“There are so many great players in the state,” Fabian said. “You have to be able to push yourself and you’ll get good results.

“It will give me a little bit more reinforcement heading into next year. It will help me stick to my game plan.”

During her sophomore season, Fabian hit .615 with one home run, six doubles, four triples, 32 runs, 16 RBI and 17 stolen bases.

In her freshman campaign, Fabian batted .662 with 38 runs, 29 runs batted in and 27 stolen bases.

The Nitros have qualified for the postseason in two of the last three seasons after previously missing out on the postseason every year since 2006.