MURRIETA — Murrieta Mesa softball coach Antonio Romero has watched Taelyn Holley play for three seasons now, and yet he still continues to be marveled by the amount of discipline his leadoff hitter and center fielder shows at the plate.
“Tae will have a 3-2 count on her and she’ll take a close pitch for ball four. And all I can say to myself sometimes is ‘Man, that one would’ve gotten me out for sure.’” Romero said. “Her softball IQ is just off the charts. She knows what is a ball and what isn’t, and she is not going to chase many bad pitches. She know how to work the count and does her job well.”
And her primary job since arriving at Murrieta Mesa has been to spark one of the state’s most explosive offenses. And Holley’s junior season was her best yet. Holley led the Rams with a .598 batting average and .708 on-base percentage and led all state players with 59 runs scored. She tied for the team lead with 11 home runs and also knocked in 32 runs. Holley, who has committed to Tennessee, helped Murrieta Mesa win a fourth consecutive Southwestern League crown.
And for those reasons, Holley has been selected the IE Varsity Softball Player of the Year for the 2024 season.
Holley knows one of her most important roles as the team’s leadoff hitter is to set a tone in that first plate appearance of every game. Holley saw an average of 4.2 pitches per plate appearance this season. However, that average was 5.2 pitches in her first trips to the plate. And Holley reached safely in her first plate appearance in 23 of 29 games (79.3%).
“I go up there that first at-bat looking to make the pitcher throw as many pitches as possible,” Holley said regarding her approach to open a game. “That way everyone on the team gets an opportunity to see everything that might be coming.”
Holley reached base 80 times this year, tallying 49 hits and 24 walks while also being hit by a pitch seven times. Holley was a tough matchup for opposing pitchers because of her versatility. She has the speed to beat out a bunt for a hit. And her power output increased. Holley had more home runs this season (11) than her first two years combined (10).
“She can do everything up at the plate,” Romero said. “I’ve always put my best hitters at the top of the lineup. I want that first run on the scoreboard and the early lead. And with Tae leading things off the way she does, that usually happens.”
Holley wears the No. 27 jersey and tries to model her game after a famous center fielder who also dons that number.
“I have always admired Mike Trout. He’s an amazing player who has shown a lot of players in this generation how to be a leader on the field,” Holley said. “And as a hitter, he’s patient and always is looking to do what’s best for the team.”
Holley already has set the program’s career record with 143 runs scored, and her 127 career hits ranks third and is only 14 shy of the record held by Alexis Watts. Holley said she has a handful of goals for her senior season.
“It’s going to be my final year here at Mesa, so I think the most important thing is trying to enjoy each and every moment,” Holley said. “Getting a five-peat in league is definitely a goal and hopefully getting Mesa another CIF title.”
IE VARSITY COACH OF THE YEAR
Adrianna Brown, Etiwanda
The Eagles had a historic campaign in Brown’s third year at the helm. Etiwanda won the CIF Southern Section’s Division 3 title, the program’s third section championship and first since 2009. The Eagles also captured the CIF State’s Division II regional championship, making them just the second San Bernardino County team to win a regional softball title since the format was introduced in 2021. Etiwanda dropped two games during the first round of Baseline League play, but the Eagles bounced back and avenged both losses during the second round to claim a share of the league championship, the program’s first in eight seasons. And the winning streak didn’t stop. Etiwanda won its final 13 games of the season and finished the campaign with a 31-5 record, breaking the program’s previous record for wins in a season (29 wins in both 2009 and 2016).
IE VARSITY FIRST TEAM
C: Makenna Pettey, Yucaipa, Sr.
C: Alyssa Torres, Valley View, So.
IF: Paige Bambarger, Murrieta Mesa, Sr.
IF: McKenzy Becerra, Ayala, Jr.
IF: Corina Jaimes, Riverside Poly, Sr.
IF: Koa Puppe, Bonita, Fr.
IF: Xiane Romero, Temescal Canyon, Sr.
OF: Savanna Estrada, Aquinas, So.
OF: Taelyn Holley, Murrieta Mesa, Jr.
OF: Ashleigh Mejia, Santiago, Sr.
OF: Tamryn Shorter, Norco, Jr.
P: Miranda De Nava, Riverside Poly, Sr.
P: Miali Guachino, Great Oak, Sr.
P: Lilly Hauser, Murrieta Mesa, So.
P: Cambria Salmon, Beaumont, Sr.
P: Coral Williams, Norco, Fr.
UT: Alyssa Galindo, Etiwanda, Jr.
UT: Priscilla Llamas, Roosevelt, Sr.
IE VARSITY SECOND TEAM
C: Macy Clark, Murrieta Mesa, Fr.
IF: Melody Acevedo, Hillcrest, Jr.
IF: Mia Cortez, Arlington, Jr.
IF: Leilani Bustamante, Aquinas, Sr.
IF: Khila Estrada, Vista Murrieta, Jr.
IF: Brooke Lebsock, King, So.
IF: Taylor Wren, Etiwanda, Jr.
OF: Olivia Chavez, Ramona, Sr.
OF: Kaley Cook, Norco, Sr.
OF: Victoria Prado, Murrieta Mesa, Sr.
OF: Attiana Thompson, Liberty, Jr.
OF: Sophia Tice, Chino Hills, So.
P: Kalena Lemus, Ganesha, Jr.
P: Camryn Ortega, Etiwanda, Sr.
P: Jada Villegas, Cajon, Sr.
UT: Marilyn Beauvais, Western Christian, Sr.
UT: Skye Johnson, Valley View, Sr.
UT: Ryanne Womack, Hemet, So.
