MaxPreps 2017 California Large Schools All-State Softball Teams

Video: Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year
See Taylor Dockins receive the Gatorade National Player of the Year award from softball legend Jennie Finch.

MaxPreps 2017 California Large Schools Player of the Year — Taylor Dockins, Norco (Calif.), Sr.

Dockins led Norco to a 33-1 record and No. 2 ranking in MaxPreps final Top 50 Rankings. And she did so after undergoing five surgeries last fall in her battle with liver cancer.

Norco won its first 33 games and top ranked in the MaxPreps Xcellent 50 Softball Rankings for a dozen weeks because losing 3-1 to Los Alamitos in the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section D1 finals.

Dockins pitched every one of those games to finish at 33-1. During the season, the 5-foot-5 right-hander set the Southern Section record for all-time wins with 108 and consecutive wins with 33, which is also the single-season record for wins.



Dockins was MaxPreps 2017 National Softball Player of the Year, as well as the National Gatorade Softball Player of the Year.

Dockins didn't overpower opponents, recording 186 strikeouts in 203 innings. But she walked 28 and pitched 15 shutouts against one of the most challenging schedules in the country. Dockins also batted .454, scored 30 times, had a .546 on-base percentage and a .649 slugging percentage.

During the prestigious Michelle Carew Classic, Dockins threw four shutouts in five games over three days, including back-to-back shutouts over nationally ranked Los Alamitos and Orange Lutheran in the semifinals and final.

Dockins and Norco were also unbeaten champions of the Dana Housley Tournament and the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions. Previous California Large Schools Players of the Year
2016: Camryn Ybarra, Mission Viejo
2015: Tannon Snow, Chino Hills
2014: Johanna Grauer, Amador Valley (Pleasanton)
2013: Erica Romero, Santiago (Corona)
2012: Emily Lockman, Norco
2011: Lauren Sweet, Santiago (Corona)

California Team of the Year — Los Alamitos, 28-3 CIF Southern Section champion

The Griffins ended the year on a 13-game winning streak and had 20 wins in their final 21 games, including 3-1 over Norco for the Southern Section title. In the final 21 games, Los Alamitos allowed just 20 runs and avenged early season setbacks to Orange County powers LaHabra (4-0) and Mission Viejo (2-0).



Los Alamitos was the MaxPreps national champion. The Griffins schedule was arguably the most difficult in the nation.

Previous Large Schools Teams of the Year
2016: Sheldon (Sacramento)
2015: Yucaipa
2014: Amador Valley (Pleasanton)

Large School Coach of the Year — Rob Weil, Los Alamitos, 28-3 CIF-Southern Section champion

At first glance, coaching a team with 21 players who have signed or committed to play collegiately might seem like an easy coaching task. Weil even joked before the season began that he would "try to stay out of their way." A closer look reveals one of the toughest schedules in the country and only 31 games to share playing time.

And, yes, there were three hiccups along the way, but the Weil-coached Griffins won their final 13 games, including the CIF-Southern Section D1 championship. They finished No. 1 nationally in the MaxPreps Xcellent 50 National Softball Rankings.

The Griffins notched 20 wins in their final 21 games. In those 21 games, they allowed 20 runs and avenged early season setbacks to Orange County powers LaHabra and Mission Viejo.



Previous Large Schools Coaches of the Year
2016: Mary Jo Truesdale, Sheldon (Sacramento)
2015: David Kivitt, Yucaipa
2014: Teresa Borchard, Amador Valley (Pleasanton)
2013: No recipient
2012: Teri Johnson, Logan (Union City)
2011: Travis Roebuck, El Diamante (Visalia)

P — Hanah Bowen, Ramona, Sr.
The Arizona-bound Bowen had an impressive senior season, hitting .489 with 15 doubles and 33 RBIs. In the circle, she finished 24-1 with a 0.94 ERA. She had 20 complete games in 25 starts, pitched 151 innings, walked 23 and finished with 184 strikeouts. With Bowen in the circle, Ramona reached the finals of the San Diego Section Open Division finals, a 3-0 loss – Bowen's lone setback of the season.

P — Maddy Dwyer, Orange Lutheran (Orange), Sr.
The Stanford-bound Dwyer led Orange Lutheran to a 28-5 record and a trip to the Southern Section D1 semifinals. She led Orange County in innings pitched (171), strikeouts (203), shutouts (14) and was second with a 1.15 ERA. Winner of 23 games, Dwyer was named the Orange County Register's Pitcher of the Year.

P — Megan Faraimo, Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), Jr.
Faraimo finished the season 27-1, including a 3-0, 10-inning win over Ramona in the San Diego Section Open Division title game. She had 251 strikeouts and walked 12 in 175 innings with 14 shutouts, 22 complete games and a 0.60 ERA. She also hit .402 with 26 RBIs. She has committed to play for UCLA.

P — Ryan Denhart, Los Alamitos, Sr.
The Maryland-bound ace finished the year with an Orange County-best 25 wins and a 0.94 ERA. Denhart struck out 11 in a four-hit shutout against Orange Lutheran in the D1 semifinals before tossing a three-hitter against previously unbeaten and No. 1 ranked Norco to win the Southern Section D1 championship and the MaxPreps national championship. Denhart was named the Sunset League's Pitcher of the Year.

P — Nicole May, Foothill (Pleasanton), Fr.
An Oklahoma commit, May lead Foothill to the North Coast Section DI championship. She struck out 293 batters and finished with a 0.84 ERA. She was selected by the All-Bay Area News Group to its first team All-Star team.



P — Danielle Williams, Amador Valley (Pleasanton), Jr.
The Missouri commit led the Dons to a deep playoff run by batting .456, but more importantly was her pitching. She won 21 games and struck out 245 batters in 144 innings with a 0.53 ERA. She allowed 11 runs and 46 base hits (and only one home run).

P — Sydney Hornbuckle, Stockdale (Bakersfield), Fr.
Hornbuckle helped lead the Mustangs to an unbeaten Southwest Yosemite League title with a 20-2 record and a 0.75 ERA. She pitched 11 shutouts, 21 complete games and batted .386 with 18 RBIs as the Mustangs went 29-2.

P — Alicia Estrada, Rio Mesa (Oxnard), Fr.
Estrada led Rio Mesa to a 26-3 season, losing 1-0 to Dana Hills in the Southern Section D2 playoffs. Estrada was 19-2 with a 0.89 ERA and in 133 innings, struck out 279 batters. She had eight no-hitters and allowed 36 hits on the season.

P — Shea O'Leary, Valencia, Sr.
O'Leary produced a stifling campaign, posting a 24-6 record against a back-breaking schedule with a minuscule 0.24 ERA. O'Leary, who totaled 240 strikeouts and 30 walks in 211innings, was named the 2017 Daily News co-softball players of the year. She has signed with Texas.

P — Analise De La Roca, Port of Los Angeles (San Pedro), Sr.
The New Mexico State-bound De La Roca went 28-2 in the circle with a 0.60 ERA and 357 strikeouts, while also hitting .609 with nine home runs and 32 RBIs in being named the Los Angeles Section DI Pitcher Of The Year for the second straight year.

P — Kyra Snyder, Mission Viejo, Sr.
Snyder was named South Coast League co-MVP as she won 22 games with a 1.82 ERA, and batted .391. Snyder helped Mission Viejo compile a 105-12 record over the past four seasons and will play for Louisville next season.

P — Danielle Lung, Clovis, Jr.
Lung led Clovis to the Central Section D1 title and was named Tri-River Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year. She was 24-4 with an ERA of 1.04. In 184 innings, she struck out 263 batters and tossed 10 shutouts. Lung, who has committed to Fresno State, has pitched Clovis to two Central Section D1 titles.



P — Taliyah Miles, Sheldon (Sacramento), Sr.
Miles went 21-1 with a 1.33 ERA as Sheldon won the Sac-Joaquin Section D1 title for the third-straight season. Miles, who has signed with Delaware State, also batted .422 with 35 RBIs.

C — Missy Nunes, Livermore, Sr.
The Oregon State-bound Nunes batted .514 and drove in 31 runs with six doubles, four triples and eight home runs. Her on-base percentage was .598 and her slugging percentage was 1.027. She did not commit an error as Livermore reached the North Coast Section D2 finals.

C — Allysa Shipman, Valencia, Jr.
The Tennessee recruit batted .613 with a .726 on-base percentage and 1.363 slugging percentage. She hit 15 home runs and walked 33 times with no strikeouts in 113 at bats as the Vikings went 24-8 and reach the quarterfinals of the Southern Section D1 tournament. She was the 2017 Daily News co-softball Player of the Year.

C — Mary Iakopo, Los Alamitos, Sr.
A member of the USA National Girls Juniors team, Iakopo signed with Oregon and was named the Sunset League's top player. She batted .373 with a team high 26 RBIs for the National Champion Griffins.

C — Kinzie Hansen, Norco, So.
Hansen was Dockins' battery-mate and batted .456 with 15 extra base hits. She had team-high 43 RBIs and 47 base hits. With Dockins and Hansen, Norco finished the season 33-1. She has committed to Oklahoma.

C — Madison Huskey, Gahr (Cerritos), Jr.
Huskey led Gahr to a 26-1 season as she hit .549 with 53 RBIs and 43 runs scored. She homered 16 times and knocked 15 doubles to finish with a 1.263 slugging percentage. She did not commit an error and was honored by being named All-California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section's D2 top player. She has committed to Washington.



C — Lilly Bishop, Grand Terrace, Sr.
Bishop, who has signed with North Carolina State, batted .524 with 11 home runs and 45 RBIs. She drove in runs in each of her final seven games. She also had a stretch in which she hit six home runs in a six-game span and eight in a 10-game stretch.

IF — Camryn Ybarra, Mission Viejo, Sr.
Ybarra, who has signed with Oregon State, lead the Diablos with a .500 average and had 17 multi-hit games. She struck out once in 90 at-bats and was 31-for-52 in her final 14 games. During one stretch, Ybarra went 9-for-9 with eight RBIs and five runs.

IF — Bri Perez, Alhambra (Martinez), Sr.
Perez, signed with UCLA, is a three-time MaxPreps All-American. The smooth-fielding shortstop hit .595 with six home runs, 42 runs scored, 24 steals and a 1.095 slugging percentage. She led 20-6 Alhambra to the CIF North Coast Section DI quarterfinals.

IF — Taylon Snow, Chino Hills, Sr.
Signed by Auburn, Snow is a three-time MaxPreps All-American. As a senior she batted .479, scored 47 times and drove in 27. She had 22 extra base hits in 32 games and is a member of the Junior National Team.

IF — Eliyah Flores, Grand Terrace, Sr.
Flores batted .494 with 11 doubles, three triples, eight home runs, 31 RBIs and 43 runs. She led the team in runs and extra-base hits. In the Southern Section semifinals, Flores batted .563 in the playoffs, while scoring 10 runs and driving in six. She ended the season on a 10-game hitting streak and went 4-for-4 in a quarterfinal win over Mission Viejo. She has signed with Oklahoma. She is also a member of Mexico's Junior and Senior National Teams.

IF — Ivy Davis, Huntington Beach, Sr.
The Arizona-bound standout hit .416 with eight doubles and seven home runs. She was tied for the team lead with 29 RBIs and scored 25 runs. She earned All-California Interscholastic Federation, all-Orange County first team, Sunset League first team, and Orange County All-Star honors. IF — Alyssa Palacios, La Habra, Sr.
Palacios hit a team-best .477 and 16 of her 31 hits went for extra bases. La Habra had wins over National Champion Los Alamitos and highly-ranked Orange Lutheran. Palacios will attend Utah in the fall.



IF — Danielle Gibson, Murrieta Valley (Murrieta), Sr.
Gibson was named Southwestern League MVP and All-Inland Empire by the Riverside Press-Enterprise. She had a 25-game hitting streak to end the season and ended with a .530 average plus eight homers and 29 RBIs. She will play next at Arizona State.

IF — Lauren Lopez, Burroughs (Burbank), Sr.
Lopez led Burroughs with 45 hits and 30 runs scored. She hit .500, drove in 19 runs and had eight doubles with a .526 on-base percentage and a .666 slugging percentage. She has signed with Wilmington University.

IF — Mikayla Coelho, Tracy, Sr.
The California-bound Coelho led the Bulldogs to the Sac-Joaquin Section D1 title game with a .558 average. She also had 53 hits, 21 doubles and 35 RBIs. As a pitcher, the Stockton Record Player of the Year went 10-2 with a 2.20 ERA.

IF — Cameron Kondo, Carlmont (Belmont), Sr.
Signed by California, Kondo batted .493 and knocked in 43 RBIs. She hit nine doubles, nine homers and scored 36 times as the Scots reached the North Coast Section Open Division title game.

IF — Neli Casares-Maher, Mater Dei (Santa Ana), Sr.
Casares-Maher batted .460 with 27 RBIs and 18 extra base hits. Signed by Syracuse, she was named the Trinity League co-MVP and the Orange County Register All-County first team.

OF — Naomi Hernandez, Norco, Sr.
Hernandez batted .509 with 58 base hits for the No. 2 team in the country. She scored 43 runs and drove in 27. She has signed with Long Beach State.



OF — Alexa Schultz, Los Alamitos, Sr.
Signed with Oklahoma, Schultz was the leading hitter for the National Champion Griffins. She hit .438, drove in 23 and scored 21 times.

OF — Megan Delgadillo, Poly (Riverside), So.
Delgadillo batted .539 and her 69 hits to go along with 53 runs and 28 steals as Poly won 28 games. She was chosen to the Inland Valley League first team. She has committed to Brigham Young University.

OF — Maci Fines, Sheldon (Sacramento), Sr.
Named the Sacramento Bee Player of the Year, Fines batted .496 with 61 hits, 26 RBIs, 47 runs, 11 triples and 11 doubles. Fines led Sheldon (30-2) to its third-straight Sac-Joaquin Section D2 title. She has signed with California.

OF — Lauren Lopez, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose), Sr.
Helping the Monarchs capture the inaugural Central Coast Section Open Division championship, Lopez batted .469 and scored 27 runs while not getting caught in 28 stolen base attempts. She has been named by the All-Bay Area News Group as its South Bay/Peninsula Player of the Year and was the CCS Player of the Year by Prep2Prep.

OF — Bri Bowers, Napa, Jr.
Bowers batted .512 with 44 hits, 20 RBIs and 23 stolen bases to lead Napa to the Sac-Joaquin Section D2 title. She had two singles, a double, a triple and three RBIs in the title-game win. She was Player of the Year on The Napa Valley Register's 2017 All-Napa County softball team and has committed to San Diego State.

UTIL — Lauren Espalin, Orange Lutheran (Orange), Sr.
The Trinity League co-MVP ended the season on a 15-game hit streak, and over the course of 33 games, accounted for 13 multi-hit efforts. Espalin finished with a .432 batting average, racking up 41 hits, 31 RBIs and 19 extra base hits. She has signed with California.



UTIL — Gianna Mancha, Central (Fresno), Sr.
Mancha struck out 234 with a 0.73 ERA en route to a 17-4 season that ended in the Central Section D1 title game. Three of her four losses were by one run. Against West Clovis in April, she threw a no-hitter and fanned 21 batters. She also batted .478 for a team that batted .280 and scored just 119 runs. Mancha scored 20 and drove in 22. She has signed with Boise State.