All-Area Softball First Team
Mia Acosta, Sophomore, Pitcher, Bellarmine-Jefferson
Transfer made an immediate impact in leading the Guards back to the CIF final. The All-CIF Southern Section Division VII first-teamer and Santa Cruz League MVP allowed just one run in the playoffs and none in league play, while posting a 13-3 record.
Caitlyn Brooks, Freshman, Utility, Burbank
Had a terrific debut season, as the All-CIF and All-Pacific League first-teamer posted a 16-5 record in the circle in leading the Bulldogs to the CIF quarterfinals. Also notched a 1.95 ERA with 180 strikeouts in 147 innings. She was just as impressive at the plate, with a .429 average, 23 RBI and 22 runs.
Hailey Cookson, Freshman, Infielder, Crescenta Valley
Standout shortstop was a second-team All-Pacific League pick who hit .551 with 17 doubles, 14 RBI and 36 runs scored.
Hannah Cookson, Soph., Outfielder, Crescenta Valley
It was another season and another line of astronomical numbers for the All-CIF Southern Section Division III and All-Pacific League first-team pick. Cookson led the area with 16 home runs and a mind-spinning .731 average on 49 hits. She added five doubles, five triples, 53 RBI and 41 runs scored.
Michelle Floyd, Junior, Pitcher, San Marino
University of Arizona-bound flamethrower was an All-CIF Southern Section Division V first-teamer and the Rio Hondo League Most Valuable Player. Posted a 16-7 record and a 0.88 ERA while striking out 288 over 160 innings. Wasn’t bad at the plate either, hitting .444 with 32 hits, 19 runs, eight doubles and five home runs.
Katie Hooper, Junior, Outfielder, Burbank
One of the most feared hitters in the area, she came back from shoulder surgery and was an All-Pacific League first-teamer with .467 batting average. In addition, she had 42 hits, 39 RBI, 11 home runs and 45 runs scored during the Bulldogs’ second-place league run.
Catherine Horner, Senior, Catcher, La Cañada
CIF Southern Section Division V Player of the Year was equally crucial to the Spartans’ title run behind the plate and at it. First-team All-Rio Hondo League pick hit .418 with 39 runs, 29 RBI, 15 doubles and a .735 slugging percentage — all team-highs. The Tulsa-bound backstop also threw out seven of 12 runners that tried to steal on her, while playing error-free ball for the last two seasons.
Colleen McWilliams, Senior, Outfielder, La Salle
Center fielder hit .420 with 34 hits, 21 RBI, 19 runs, seven doubles and three home runs on her way to first-team All-Del Rey League honors for the Lancers.
Shannon Trujillo, Senior, Utility, Burroughs
Ultra-talented backstop ended a phenomenal Indians career with a .429 average with 27 RBI, 10 doubles, five home runs and 28 runs scored in a first-team All-Pacific League season for league-champion Burroughs.
Alexis Watanabe, Senior, Infielder, San Marino
Second baseman was a first-team All-Rio Hondo League and All-CIF Southern Section Division V honoree, putting up a .493 batting average to go along with 24 runs, nine RBI, eight doubles and eight stolen bases. Will play at Lehigh University.
Kaitlyn Williams, Junior, Infielder, Hoover
Quickly becoming a mainstay on the All-Area team, she was once again a first-team All-Pacific League pick. She hit .478 with four home runs, nine stolen bases, eight doubles, five triples, 25 RBI and 20 runs scored.
Amy Zeronian, Junior, Infielder, Marshall Fundamental
An All-CIF Southern Section Division VI and Alpha League first-teamer, Zeronian posted huge numbers. The Belmont University-bound shortstop collected 41 hits on her way to a .594 average with 33 runs driven in and 38 scored. She added nine home runs and stole 15 bases in 17 attempts.
COACH OF THE YEAR
KC Mathews, La Cañada
It’s often said that the hardest thing about getting to the top is staying there. Mathews was able — despite the loss of his top two players from 2011 — to lead the Spartans back to the CIF Southern Section Division V championship. The victory came after La Canada won yet another Rio Hondo League title and marched to the CIF crown as the No. 1 seed before defeating Beaumont, 7-3.