Kranz, Parker Honored : Softball: Saugus star named player of the year in Division II.

Kelli Kranz of Saugus High and Lindsay Parker of La Canada received the Southern Section’s top honor in their respective softball divisions.

Kranz, a senior shortstop who has signed to play with Southwest Texas State, was named the Division II player of the year.

Parker, who has signed to play with Fresno State, was named co-player of the year in Division IV. Parker shares the honor with junior pitcher Lana Moran of Cajon.

For Parker, who went 25-3, allowed just two earned runs and struck out 374 in 198 innings, the awards continue to pile up. She was also named the state player of the year for medium schools by Cal-Hi Sports.

But the attention is expected, according to La Canada Coach Tom Parker, also Lindsay’s father.

“I said all year long that I thought we had the best senior pitcher in the country,” Tom Parker said. “And as her year went along, she just proved she was that good.”

Parker’s two-hitter against Cajon fueled the Spartans’ 2-0 victory in the Division IV championship game.

“I think once you get to the finals, the MVP is heavily influenced by your championship game performance and she pitched great,” Tom Parker said.

Meanwhile, Saugus was upset in the second round of the Division II playoffs but coaches could not overlook the talent of Kranz, who batted .459 and had led area players (large schools) with 38 runs batted in.

Twenty-one other area players earned all-Southern Section distinction.

The five players in Division I include junior pitcher Kelly DeArman and senior outfielder Cathy Davie of Westlake, junior infielders Jessica Ziese of Camarillo and Michelle Scohen of Simi Valley, and senior outfielder Michelle Cordes of Buena.

Joining Kranz on the Division II team is junior outfielder Jill Passafiume of Saugus.

Pitcher Sophie Contreraz, infielder Tammy Alcantar and outfielder Tiffany Curcio of Alemany were named to the Division III team. All are seniors.

Senior infielder Jackie Tenerelli of La Canada earned Division IV honors.

Six area players were named to the Division V team. They include junior pitcher Jennifer Baltruzak and senior infielder Shane Anderson of La Reina; senior pitcher Melissa Krolik of Calabasas; junior infielder Deborah Abeles of Flintridge Prep; senior infielder Danielle Stines of Fillmore, and junior outfielder Kristal Nessa of Paraclete.

Those chosen in Division VI are junior pitcher Karen Breshears, sophomore infielder Julie Siefert and freshman infielder Julie Tamai of Cornerstone Christian; senior outfielder Jody Miller of Desert Christian, and sophomore outfielder Heather Sanchez of L.A. Lutheran.