Softball Stars to Showcase Talent

The idea, kicked around by a few for years, came to Grossmont High Coach Bud Muehleisen about two weeks ago: Most other high school team sports have a county all-star game. . . . Why not softball?

But unlike those before him, who for one reason or another never acted on the notion, Muehleisen did.

This afternoon at 3:30 at Grossmont High School, thanks to Muehleisen, San Diego County will have its first 3-A vs. 2-A senior all-star softball game.

“I think it’s a wonderful way for these girls to go out,” USDHS Coach Margaret Mauro said. “The boys (baseball) have been doing it for so long, why not the girls? I guess it just took us longer to get our act together.”

Though late getting started--the season ended on May 25--Muehleisen has put together two formidable teams.

Leading the 12-player 3-A team is Jackie Hill of Hilltop.

Hill, the 3-A player of the year, led Hilltop to its first championship since 1976--softball’s second year as a sanctioned section sport--with a 22-4 record, a 0.21 earned run average, 16 shutouts and a .298 batting average.

The shutouts were one shy of the section record set by Castle Park’s Dawn Wood in 1988.

In 12 Metro Conference and four playoff appearances, spanning 112 innings, Hill’s ERA was 0.00.

The 2-A roster consists of 13 players, including co-players of the year Ruth Henry of Escondido and Viki Vechinski of USDHS.

Henry, who led Escondido to its first championship while allowing only five hits in 21 playoff innings, was 13-1 with a 0.52 ERA.

Splitting assignments with junior Marquessa Penrod (9-1), Henry, a finesse pitcher, had back-to-back no-hitters, three overall, and went nearly the entire year without allowing an extra-base hit. In fact, Escondido went nearly the entire year without allowing an extra-base hit.

A double by an El Camino player, off Henry, in the final regular-season game was the only non-single allowed by the Cougars.

Vechinski was equally dominating, yielding only two earned runs in 112 innings (0.13 ERA) and finishing with a 14-1 record and 181 strikeouts.

Her one loss was to San Pasqual and Renee Williams in the 2-A quarterfinals.

During her four-year career, Vechinski was 50-12 with a 0.30 ERA and 515 strikeouts in 464 innings. She also had 29 shutouts and a record-tying eight no-hitters, including two perfect games.

Vechinski also had a team-leading .312 batting average this season.

Nancy Acerrio of Hilltop will coach the 3-A team and be assisted by Debi Daenzer of 3-A runner-up Chula Vista. Jeff Carlovsky of Escondido will lead the 2-A with Muehleisen serving as assistant.

Grossmont, which finished last in the Grossmont 2-A League last year, won the league this season before losing to Escondido in the finals. The Foothillers, however, will be represented only by Muehleisen. This game is for seniors only. Grossmont didn’t have any this year. In fact, Grossmont had only one junior.

Because of that, Muehleisen decided to begin the all-star game this season. That way no one could scrutinize his motives or objectivity.

“We’re hoping it becomes an annual thing,” Muehleisen said.

There were some glitches, however, that Muehleisen would like to eliminate next year.

Because of the late date, a few prominent players are unable to make it.

Annjannette Vitulli of Rancho Buena Vista, the 1990 3-A player of the year, and Alicia Gerken of Vista would have been selected to play, but both will be participating in graduation ceremonies.

All-Star Softball Rosters

3-A All-Stars Coach: Nancy Acerrio, Hilltop Assistant: Debi Daenzer, Chula Vista

Pos Player School P Tracy Andrews El Capitan UT Joey Bonilla Chula Vista IF Rachelle Evans Mira Mesa IF April Files El Capitan UT Apple Gomez Sweetwater OF Becky Gomez Hilltop P Jackie Hill Hilltop OF Sandra Meza Chula Vista C Gena Mullinex Granite Hills IF Christina Murguia Castle Park IF Janine Williams Monte Vista P-IF Dina Zinsli Morse

All-Star Softball Rosters

2-A All-Stars Coach: Jeff Carlovsky, Escondido Assistant: Bud Muehleisen, Grossmont

Pos Player School UT Jill Combe San Pasqual IF Karee Fluhardty Escondido UT Jamie Gabbard Escondido P Ruth Henry Escondido OF Vanessa Matel USDHS IF MichelleNagatalon Escondido P-IF Kelly O’Neill USDHS UT LeeAnn Taylor Madison P-OF Viki Vechinski USDHS UT Desiree Weiman Santana P Renee Williams San Pasqual IF Julie Woodley El Cajon Valley C Nadine Yacapin West Hills