Etiwanda junior pitcher Alyssa Galindo and Ganesha junior pitcher Kalena Lemus were among those who earned division player of the year honors when the CIF Southern Section released its softball awards last week.
Galindo was selected the Division 3 player of the year after helping Etiwanda win its first section championship in 15 years. Galindo finished the season with a 10-2 record, a 0.90 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 101 1/3 innings. She also was one of the team’s top hitters with a .515 average, 12 home runs and 36 RBI. Galindo tossed a five-hitter and also hit a two-run homer in leading Etiwanda to a 3-1 victory over King in the Division 3 championship game.
Lemus was chosen the Division 6 player of the year for helping Ganesha win its second consecutive section title. She was the Division 7 player of the year last season. Lemus finished the season with a 15-0 record, a 0.74 ERA and 148 strikeouts in 76 innings of work. She tossed a four-hitter with 15 strikeouts in Ganesha’s 21-1 victory over Viewpoint in the Division 6 championship game.
Etiwanda’s Adrianna Brown and Ganesha’s Trish Goines were recognized for guiding their teams to section titles.
An additional 47 Inland players were selected to the first team in their respective playoff divisions.
CIF SOUTHERN SECTION SOFTBALL
Division 1
Player of the Year: Kaniya Bragg, Garden Grove Pacifica, Sr.
Championship coach: Tony Arduino, Pacifica
Inland players on first team: Miali Guachino, Great Oak, Sr.; Taelyn Holley, Murrieta Mesa, Jr.; Tamryn Shorter, Norco, Jr.; Corina Jaimes, Riverside Poly, Sr.
Division 2
Player of the Year: Natalia Hill, Gahr, Sr.
Championship coach: Rey Sanchez, Gahr
Inland players on first team: McKenzy Berrera, Ayala, Jr.; Cambria Salmon, Beaumont, Sr.; Koa Puppe, Bonita, Fr.; Olivia Chavez, Ramona, Jr.; Ashleigh Mejia, Santiago, Sr.; Alyssa Torres, Valley View, So.; Makenna Pettey, Yucaipa, Jr.
Division 3
Player of the Year: Alyssa Galindo, Etiwanda, Jr.
Championship coach: Adrianna Brown, Etiwanda
Inland players on first team: Mia Cortez, Arlington, Jr.; Savana Estrada, Aquinas, So.; Taylor Wren, Etiwanda, Jr.; Brooke Lebsock, King, So.; Lynette Vu, King, Fr.
Division 4
Player of the Year: Jamie Sencion, Paraclete, Sr.
Championship coach: Margaret Neill, Paraclete
Inland players on first team: Malia Cordova, Elsinore, Sr.; Ryanne Womack, Hemet, So.; Melody Acevedo, Hillcrest, Jr.; Jade Jorrin, North, So.; Angelina Martinez, North, Jr.; Macai Johnson, Orange Vista, Fr.; Iliana Mejia, Orange Vista, Sr.
Division 5
Player of the Year: Peyton Kingery, Cerritos Valley Christian, So.
Championship coach: Chester Kingery Jr., Valley Christian
Inland players on first team: Clarissa Castillo, Carter, Sr.; Janessa Giugliano, Liberty, Jr.; Attiana Thompson, Liberty, Jr.; Miley Gates, Patriot, So.; Selena Gallegos, San Jacinto, Sr.
Division 6
Player of the Year: Kalena Lemus, Ganesha, Jr.
Championship coach: Trish Joines, Ganesha
Inland players on first team: Kendall Valdez, Canyon Springs, So.; Stephanie DeLaCruz, Colton, Jr.; Alondra Hernandez, Eisenhower, Jr.; Mikayla Martinez, Ganesha, Sr.; Hannah Demoff, Ontario Christian, Jr.; Sarah Ledford, Ontario Christian, Sr.; Jaylen Anderson, Rancho Verde, So.; Leslie Hernandez, San Jacinto Valley Academy, Sr.; Jazmine White, San Gorgonio, Sr.; Kadence Bernard, Santa Rosa Academy, Jr.; Lillian Phelps, Tahquitz, Jr.
Division 7
Player of the Year: April Medrano, Eastside, Sr.
Championship coach: Eric Price, Eastside
Inland players on first team: Arianna Puga, San Bernardino, So.; Janessa Silva, San Bernardino, So.; Dayla Moreno, Vista del Lago, Fr.; Jazlyn Veyna, Vista del Lago, So.
Division 8
Player of the Year: Eden Skinner, Hesperia Christian, So.
Championship coach: April Skinner, Hesperia Christian
Inland players on first team: Samantha Amancio, Jurupa Valley, Fr.; Taylor Martin, Jurupa Valley, So.; Melody Bender, Mesa Grande Academy, Jr.; Emily Allred, Mesa Grande Academy. Sr.
