Nation's No. 3 softball team Archbishop Mitty hasn't missed a beat

Buying in
Though the offensive numbers are big, Yocke said it's the team's unselfishness which paves the way.

"Everyone is buying in," he said. "Everyone is giving quality at-bats and setting up teammates. If we put up the bunt sign, there's no hesitation. The girls are executing and happy to do so."

That also goes for their best player, Jackson, who has already committed to Cal. Blessed with a tremendous arm to go along with speed and hand-eye coordination, Jackson is among the team's hardest workers. Just like Alvarez was over her career.

"As much talent as she has, she's blue collar," Yocke said. "She works her tail off. She's always pushing to get better. … If you ask her to bunt, she's glad to do it. She's an unselfish athlete."

She leads the team in a number of offensive categories: batting average (.529), hits (36), runs (25), doubles (5), sacrifice flies (3) and stolen bases (12). She's struck out just three times in 80 plate appearances.

"You add her arm plus her speed plus her defensive plus her bat plus her attitude and it's all plusses for our team. You name it and she has it," said Yocke.

The Monarchs have it all away around the horn, starting behind the plate with the sophomore duo of Madeleine Kim (.353 average, 15 RBI, seven extra base hits) and Megan Nordin (.333) who split time. When one is starting behind the dish, the other fills in at DH.
They are two of six sophomores on the roster.

"They are totally interchangeable," Yocke said. "We never lose a beat."

The Monarchs are blessed with nothing but experience on the infield with seniors Ashley Chestnut (first), Catherine Callaway (second) and Kiersten Nordin (third).

Chestnut is hitting .304 with 19 RBI, Callaway is hitting .371 with 23 hits (eight for extra bases) and Kiersten Nordin is at .311.

All three will play in college. Chestnut is headed to UC San Diego, Callaway to Harvard and Nordin to Cal Poly.

Combined with Jackson, Mitty might have the best infield in Northern California.

"Kiersten is a four-year letterman and been all-league the last two years," Yocke said. "Cat is a great kid and hard worker and Ashley has given us clutch hits all year."

The outfield is led by sophomore right fielder Danielle Bowers, also a pitcher, who is hitting .379 with 22 hits, 16 RBIs and five doubles. Bowers was all-WCAL as a freshman and hits cleanup.

"She's really fast. She's a switch hitter, can slap or hit for power," Yocke said.

Center fielder Haley Wymbs, another sophomore, is hitting .444, second on the squad. She's contributed 24 hits and 20 RBIs and great range in the outfield.

Senior left fielder Rachel Silva is tremendous with the glove and is the captain of the outfield.