Regular cast closes careers with authority in '09

The usual suspects are back.

Monache’s Jessica Simmonds and Porterville’s Tanaya Williams finished their stellar careers off this season. So it shouldn’t come as a shock that both are making their third straight appearances on the All-Orange Belt Team.

Lindsay’s jane of all trades Cassie Manning is back for her second appearance on this roster.

The senior Cardinal led her team to an ESL championship, winning the league’s MVP award in the process.

The girl with the Barry Bonds-esque on-base percentage (Exeter junior Niki Zeibak), is here too.

Those were the obvious picks.

Simmonds led the Marauders, who were thought to be in rebuilding mode, to a 9-3 league record and a first-round playoff victory.

The Fresno City College-bound center fielder could hit for average, power, and possessed the speed to run down flies and steal bags.

Williams, who will go to Porterville College, was one of Simmonds’ toughest adversaries, as she was the city’s dominant pitcher with the Orange Belt’s best fastball.

In addition to her .571 batting average, Zeibak stole an astounding 43 bases.

Manning, while fanning 163 hitters, led all six schools with 45 runs scored.

Simmonds’ teammate Chandra Jones makes her first appearance on the team after a season that saw her become possibly the most clutch hitter around. 

Jones victimized Porterville in the two games, going 5-for-7 with a double, triple, four runs and three RBIs in the rivalry series. 

Granite Hills, despite finishing 3-9 in EYL play, landed its two best players on this team — senior Stacey Campos and junior Zoe Kisling. Campos led the EYL with 30 stolen bases while Kisling hit .396 against mostly larger-school competition.

Others on this year’s roster include the OB’s RBI champ, Kelcey Knutson. Lindsay’s left fielder was the only underclassmen to make this team. Her 33 RBIs made that decision easy. 

Teammate Nicole Bolanos and Exeter’s Ashley Wilson nabbed the corner infield spots by mashing 24 doubles and 52 RBIs between them. 

The final spot came down to Exeter’s Nicole Aldrich vs. Porterville’s Katelyn Ogas. Ultimately the junior Monarch outfielder’s Orange Belt-leading four home runs coupled with a .391 average gave her the nod over the Panthers’ top bomb threat.

All-Orange Belt Softball team ’09

Pitchers

Tanaya Williams, Sr. - Porterville - First-Team All-EYL

2.53 ERA, 109 IP, 127 K’s/20 BBs. .537 BA, 18 RBIs, 6 doubles, HR

Porterville’s ace thrived on .500 team, sporting the Orange Belt’s best fastball and impeccable control

Cassie Manning, Sr. - Lindsay - ESL MVP

2.80 ERA, 135 IP, 163 K’s/111 BBs. .375, 19 RBIs, 5 doubles, 3 triples, 20 SBs, 45 runs

Best all-around player in the ESL, led the Cardinals to a league title and led the Orange Belt in strikeouts in her final season 

Infield

Nicole Bolanos, Sr. 1B - Lindsay - First-Team All-ESL

.329 BA, 26 RBIs, 14 doubles, triple, HR, 42 runs

Three-sport athlete saved best for last, leading the OB in doubles 

Chandra Jones, Jr. SS - Monache - Second-Team All-EYL

.462 BA, 16 RBIs, 3 doubles, 5 triples, HR

Came through in biggest games, as Porterville and Garces can attest. Will be a force in the EYL next season

Niki Zeibak, Jr. SS - Exeter - First-Team All-CSL

.571 BA, 11 RBIs, 6 doubles, 3 triples, 43 SBs, 24 runs

Speaking of forces, Zeibak was the CSL’s and OB’s toughest out in her junior year. Speedy shortstop shattered Exeter’s batting average and stolen base records

Ashley Wilson, Sr. 3B - Exeter - First-Team All-CSL

.443 BA, 26 RBIs, 10 doubles, 2 HRs, 23 runs

The Monarchs’ middle-of-the-order threat specialized in extra-base knocks

Outfield

Jessica Simmonds, Sr. - Monache - First-Team All-EYL

.512 BA, 15 RBIs, 2 doubles, 5 triples, 2 HRs, 20 SBs, 31 runs

Best all-around threat hit from both sides of the plate with consistency in loaded league for pitching

Kelcey Knutson, Soph. - Lindsay - First-Team All-ESL

.377, 33 RBIs, 13 doubles, 12 SBs, 30 runs

Youngest team member had injury troubles in the second half but still managed to lead the region in RBIs. Should be fixture in middle of Lindsay lineup

Nicole Aldrich, Jr. - Exeter 

.391 BA, 21 RBIs, 5 doubles, triple, 4 HRs, 18 SBs, 17 runs

Quietly posted solid season, leading the Orange Belt in round-trip shots

Catcher

Zoe Kisling, Jr. - Granite Hills - Second-Team All-EYL

.396 BA, 4 RBIs, 3 doubles, HR

One of the team leaders, Kisling helped guide sophomore pitcher Kaitlin Fife while leading all OB catchers in batting average despite playing in the EYL

Utility Player

Stacey Campos, Sr. SS - Granite Hills - First-Team All-EYL

.452 BA, 10 RBIs, 8 doubles, triple, HR, 30 SBs

Making her second straight appearance in utility spot, Campos was the Grizzlies’ top player. She led the EYL in base thefts as well.