Prep lands four on all-league list

GLENDALE — Strong pitching, defense and a variety of offensive attributes all contributed to the Flintridge Prep softball team’s second-place finish in the Prep League this season.

Those aspects of the Rebels’ success were recognized in each of the four players recently named All-Prep League — first-team picks pitcher Denise van der Goot and first baseman Emma Vine, as well as third baseman Abby Deckop and shortstop Kelly Wang, who made the second team.

Van der Goot, a junior, was Prep’s workhorse in the circle, logging 84 1/3 innings and compiling a record of 8-5 with a 1.16 earned-run average.

She also punched out 146 batters to just 21 walks.

“Denise had a phenomenal season,” said Rebels Coach Julie Jaime, who guided the team to a 10-11 record with a 7-5 mark in league. “She kept us competitive in every game she was out there and the number of strikeouts she had on the season was absolutely amazing.”

At the plate, van der Goot slugged .435, drove in eight runs, while scoring 10, and had a home run and a team-high three triples.

“She did a great job in the circle and, on top of that, she was definitely a threat in the batters’ box, as well,” Jaime said. “She is a great player. I’m glad she was able to come out and do some damage for us this year, overall, and it’s nice that she’s only a junior.”

Seniors were few and far between on the Rebels’ roster this season, but Vine provided the experience and offensive punch to anchor the Rebels’ lineup.

She led the Rebels in batting average (.377) and runs batted in (12), while slugging .415 and scoring 13 runs.

“She was pretty much our only senior out there and that’s hard to do,” Jaime said. “It was just really nice to see after four years because she put in a lot of work. She’s been our No. 3 batter since her freshman year, she’s just a solid first baseman.

“We are going miss her offensive power and the leadership she had this year, also.”

Deckop wasn’t far behind Vine in leading the Rebels’ offense. The junior batted .367 with nine RBIs and nine runs scored and slugged a team best .551 with a homer, a triple and four doubles.

“Abby Deckop just had an outstanding year, she was right on Emma’s heels in a lot of those [offensive] categories,” Jaime said. “She was doing some great things with the bat and she’s one that definitely stepped up this year.”

Wang, a junior, adjusted well to taking over a starting role this season, providing agility on defense in the outfield and speed on the base paths from the top of the batting order.

On the season, she led the team in runs scored (16) and stolen bases (11) and also doubled twice and drove in four runs.

“She was a solid shortstop,” Jaime said. “Kelly shifted right over [to shortstop] and has a great arm there.

“In the batting lineup, we needed a leadoff or solid two hitter and she provided that.”

The league’s most valuable player award went to Pasadena Poly senior Megan Latta, while the most valuable pitcher honor went to Mayfield’s Katie Clancy.