‘Every little thing counts’

Despite an eye-popping .531 batting average, it would be easy to overlook Crescenta Valley High junior center fielder Stephanie Ziemann — all 5 feet, 3 and 3/4 inches of her — with the star-studded lineup that is the Falcons’.

But, whether it’s her everpresent ear-to-ear smile, her vocal nature, her all-out hustle or just her all-around talent, Ziemann forces people to take notice.

“She plays with a lot of heart and she lays it on the line,” senior left fielder Caitlyn Cox says of Ziemann. “She’s a player you know will fight ‘til the end.”

Ziemann says she foresaw a lengthy CIF run for the Falcons, but an unblemished 29-0 record has, admittedly, been surprising.

Nevertheless, as Cox referred to, Ziemann won’t relent until a CIF title is to be had.

“It’s something I pride myself on,” says Ziemann of her all-out approach. “I want to be the first one on the field and the last one off it. I’m trying to show off the Falcons, what we do.”

For 12 years now, Ziemann has been a small softball player with a big heart, picking up the game at age 5. She played soccer and basketball at an early age, as well, eventually giving up soccer to concentrate on the other two.

A starter on the Crescenta Valley girls’ basketball team as well, Ziemann has been a mainstay in the Falcons starting lineup since her freshman season.

The one hitch was a transition from playing the infield — where she says she’d played throughout her younger years — to the outfield.

“It’s very hard to move from infield to outfield,” says fellow Falcons junior Baillie Kirker, who’s known Ziemann for a decade. “The throws are different, the range is different.”

But three seasons later, Ziemann’s prowess in the outfield looks second nature. Book-ended by Cox and right fielder Zarah Montes, Ziemann is the centerpiece of a talented and speedy outfield that has become a valuable asset in the Pacific League champions’ run.

“It’s a very large asset, it gives the pitchers an opportunity to make chancy pitches,” Cox said. “Fortunately for us, everyone in the outfield has speed. Also, we communicate very well with each other.”

Evidence enough of just how important Ziemann’s fleet feet and endless range are came during the Falcons’ 1-0 win against Burbank on April 30. With the Falcons clinging to a 1-0 lead, Burbank’s Megan Schafer led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a towering shot to center field. In almost-routine fashion, Ziemann covered the ground needed to take away what first appeared to be an automatic extra-base hit.

“I looked at it and thought, ‘It’s in the air, it’s an out,’” says Falcons Coach Dan Berry, who’s grown to count on Ziemann’s athleticism in center. “Stephanie’s ability to read and react is what makes her a special outfielder.”

But on a team that boasts such gaudy offensive numbers — a .439 team average and 11 runs per contest — Ziemann more than fits in offensively, as well.

She’ll fit in anywhere, too.

Over the past three seasons, she’s hit in the lead-off spot and clean-up. Currently, she’s residing in the No. 6 hole.

“She’s our second No. 3 hitter,” Berry says. “We expect her to be up with people on base, that’s the way I set up the lineup.”

Her .531 average, 11 doubles, three home runs, 34 runs and 25 runs batted in are statistical support to her importance on the team. Alas, it is the aforementioned intangibles that have contributed to make her the player she is, and seem to be just as important to the Falcons as her play.

“Her loose persona is a relaxing tool for the whole team,” Berry says.

Kirker refers to Ziemann as the player anybody can go to when they’re having a down day, as she’s quick to cheer them up and keep the team going. But like everybody that describes Ziemann and her cheerful ways, they’re quick to talk about her work ethic and aggressive nature.

“She’s a very determined player, she works very hard,” Kirker says. “[She has the attitude of] You’re not gonna beat me and she’s gonna do whatever she can to beat you.”

So it goes that Ziemann’s grin can do nothing to mask her intensity. The one who seems to be cheering the loudest, makes just as much noise with her bat and glove.

Small as her stature may be, it certainly hasn’t held back Ziemann from being a total package.

“I’d describe her in three words: speed, grace and power,” Berry says. “She’s put a combination of that and you get that aggressive style of play.”

And Crescenta Valley has clearly been the recipient of that good fortune. Indeed Ziemann has done her best to do everything she can to better herself and her Falcons.

“I enjoy all the intensity that comes with [softball],” Ziemann says. “Every at bat is a big deal. ...Every little thing counts.”