Foothill Softball Players Named All-Americans

Two Foothill athletes have been designated as 1995 high school All-Americans by the National Softball Coaches Assn., the organization announced Friday.

Sophomore outfielder Lauren Bauer--a two-time first-team All-Southern Section Division I pick and All-California academic team selection--earned first-team All-American honors by batting .430 in 28 games, with two home runs and a school record 27 runs batted in. She also stole 17 bases and made no errors in left field.

Shortstop Michelle Churnock, 18, a three-time All-Southern Section Division I first-team pick, made the second team. Churnock, who graduated this spring, batted .485 in 28 games with one home run and 16 RBIs, and stole 25 bases. She received a scholarship to Arizona.

Both were instrumental in leading Foothill (25-3) to its fifth consecutive Century League title, and a No. 2 ranking in the state polls. Foothill reached the playoff quarterfinals before losing to Westlake Village Westlake, 1-0.

“It doesn’t take the sting away from losing in quarterfinals, but I guarantee I’ll have a [championship] ring like Michelle’s before I graduate,” Bauer, 16, said.

Said Churnock, a member of Foothill’s 1992 Southern Section 4-A champions: “This caps my high school career. It’s a nice honor even though I don’t dwell on those things.”

Foothill Coach Joe Gonzalez said it was the first time the school has had two players on the All-American softball teams.

“Michelle was our first one; last year she was an honorable mention,” Gonzalez said. “I’m so proud of both of them. Michelle has been a real leader here for three years, and Lauren is a real fiery player who’s going to be absolutely outstanding.”