Lynn Burke
06-29-2007, 11:36 AM
DAILY PRESS ALL-STARS: Softball
Daily Press
Player of the year
Stephanie Coates, Gloucester, junior
As good as she is, Stephanie Coates is unlikely to reach her ultimate goal. Then again, when you shoot for the stars, you're bound to wind up at least a few feet short.
"I want to be the best in the world," said Coates, Gloucester's virtually untouchable softball pitcher. "Of course, that's a pretty tough thing to master. But having that goal makes me want to work harder, to be the best I can be."
While she might not rule the world, Coates at least rules this part of it. She won 21 of 24 decisions in her junior season and posted an ERA of 0.75. She struck out 312 batters in 157 2/3 innings -- that's two per frame and 13 per game.
Opposing teams batted .093 off her, and Coates herself hit .388 as Gloucester's clean-up batter.
Was there any other choice for the Daily Press Softball Player of the Year, her second in a row?
"She has very clearly demonstrated what hard work can get you," Dukes coach Red Lindsay said. "She's a special player."
So special that she's already considered among the all-time greats on the Peninsula.
For her career, she is 65-7 with 820 strikeouts and an ERA of 0.53. In only three seasons, those numbers put her ahead of an elite group that includes Micki Rodriguez and Holly Miller of Woodside, Kim Rowe of Bethel and Kim Pankoke of Poquoson. And Coates will be coming back for another year.
FIRST TEAM
Becca Mills, New Kent, pitcher, junior: Was the biggest reason the Trojans won 15 of their last 16 games and reached the Group AA state championship game. She finished 25-4 with an 0.46 ERA and 218 strikeouts in 199 innings pitched.
Travonna Byrd, Warwick, pitcher, junior: Hit her stride late with two outstanding games in the Eastern Region playoffs, including a one-hit shutout of Churchland. Won 10 of 13 decisions and batted .418 as the Raiders' leadoff hitter.
Laura Bauer, New Kent, catcher, junior: Had team-highs in seven categories, including batting average (.425), hits (37), RBI (25), extra-base hits (13), slugging percentage (.632), fewest strikeouts (six) and on-base percentage (.505).
Taylor Saulman, Gloucester, first base, senior: Batted .360 as the Dukes' No. 3 hitter and drove in 32 runs in 24 games. Had an even higher average (.419) against the five other teams that made the Peninsula District tournament.
Sarah Atkins, Warwick, second base, junior: Solid athlete batted .427 and drove in 38 runs, which matches the third-highest total in the VHSL's record book. Went 4-for-5 in two Eastern Region playoff games. Ideal No. 3 hitter and a dependable glove.
Anush Mooradian, New Kent, shortstop, senior: Was the top power-hitter in the Bay Rivers District with six home runs. She hit .347, scored a team-high 26 runs and had just 10 errors while displaying the best shortstop range and arm in the district.
Amanda Julian, Tabb, third base, senior: One of the most versatile players in the Bay Rivers District. Hit .421 with 10 doubles, two home runs, 23 RBI, a .757 slugging percentage and a .530 on-base percentage.
Va King, Warwick, outfield, junior: Was batting over .500 toward the end of the season before settling for a mere .459. Her three-run homer was the difference in the Raiders' 3-1 win over Bethel in the Peninsula semifinals. Gets to a lot of balls in the outfield.
Stephanie Strother, Grafton, outfield, senior: Finished with a .346 batting average and a team-leading 18 RBI. Had only one error all season, and that was at third base. Is playing in the VHSCA All-Star game and at George Mason next year.
Catherine Clavin, Poquoson, outfield, freshman: Only freshman on the All-Bay Rivers first team. Led the Islanders in average (.338), RBI (15), doubles (six), triples (two) and slugging percentage (.648).
Kristie Hoeffer, Woodside, freshman, utility: A legitimate utility player who started at least four games at all four infield positions. Batted .499 for the Wolverines and went 5-of-9 in three games against Gloucester's Stephanie Coates.
SECOND TEAM
Katie Bruce, Lafayette, senior, pitcher
Melissa Hudgins, Mathews, senior, pitcher
Gaby Gonzalez, Bethel, senior, catcher
Gabby Andino, Woodside, freshman, first base
Taylor Walker, Poquoson, junior, second base
Kristin Tunno, Grafton, senior, shortstop
Shanickqua Ballard, Denbigh, senior, third base
Brenna Thomas, Gloucester, junior, outfield
Brittany Hicks, Bethel, senior, outfield
Kristen Dudney, Smithfield, junior, outfield
Casey Mansfield, Isle of Wight, junior, utility
Daily Press
Player of the year
Stephanie Coates, Gloucester, junior
As good as she is, Stephanie Coates is unlikely to reach her ultimate goal. Then again, when you shoot for the stars, you're bound to wind up at least a few feet short.
"I want to be the best in the world," said Coates, Gloucester's virtually untouchable softball pitcher. "Of course, that's a pretty tough thing to master. But having that goal makes me want to work harder, to be the best I can be."
While she might not rule the world, Coates at least rules this part of it. She won 21 of 24 decisions in her junior season and posted an ERA of 0.75. She struck out 312 batters in 157 2/3 innings -- that's two per frame and 13 per game.
Opposing teams batted .093 off her, and Coates herself hit .388 as Gloucester's clean-up batter.
Was there any other choice for the Daily Press Softball Player of the Year, her second in a row?
"She has very clearly demonstrated what hard work can get you," Dukes coach Red Lindsay said. "She's a special player."
So special that she's already considered among the all-time greats on the Peninsula.
For her career, she is 65-7 with 820 strikeouts and an ERA of 0.53. In only three seasons, those numbers put her ahead of an elite group that includes Micki Rodriguez and Holly Miller of Woodside, Kim Rowe of Bethel and Kim Pankoke of Poquoson. And Coates will be coming back for another year.
FIRST TEAM
Becca Mills, New Kent, pitcher, junior: Was the biggest reason the Trojans won 15 of their last 16 games and reached the Group AA state championship game. She finished 25-4 with an 0.46 ERA and 218 strikeouts in 199 innings pitched.
Travonna Byrd, Warwick, pitcher, junior: Hit her stride late with two outstanding games in the Eastern Region playoffs, including a one-hit shutout of Churchland. Won 10 of 13 decisions and batted .418 as the Raiders' leadoff hitter.
Laura Bauer, New Kent, catcher, junior: Had team-highs in seven categories, including batting average (.425), hits (37), RBI (25), extra-base hits (13), slugging percentage (.632), fewest strikeouts (six) and on-base percentage (.505).
Taylor Saulman, Gloucester, first base, senior: Batted .360 as the Dukes' No. 3 hitter and drove in 32 runs in 24 games. Had an even higher average (.419) against the five other teams that made the Peninsula District tournament.
Sarah Atkins, Warwick, second base, junior: Solid athlete batted .427 and drove in 38 runs, which matches the third-highest total in the VHSL's record book. Went 4-for-5 in two Eastern Region playoff games. Ideal No. 3 hitter and a dependable glove.
Anush Mooradian, New Kent, shortstop, senior: Was the top power-hitter in the Bay Rivers District with six home runs. She hit .347, scored a team-high 26 runs and had just 10 errors while displaying the best shortstop range and arm in the district.
Amanda Julian, Tabb, third base, senior: One of the most versatile players in the Bay Rivers District. Hit .421 with 10 doubles, two home runs, 23 RBI, a .757 slugging percentage and a .530 on-base percentage.
Va King, Warwick, outfield, junior: Was batting over .500 toward the end of the season before settling for a mere .459. Her three-run homer was the difference in the Raiders' 3-1 win over Bethel in the Peninsula semifinals. Gets to a lot of balls in the outfield.
Stephanie Strother, Grafton, outfield, senior: Finished with a .346 batting average and a team-leading 18 RBI. Had only one error all season, and that was at third base. Is playing in the VHSCA All-Star game and at George Mason next year.
Catherine Clavin, Poquoson, outfield, freshman: Only freshman on the All-Bay Rivers first team. Led the Islanders in average (.338), RBI (15), doubles (six), triples (two) and slugging percentage (.648).
Kristie Hoeffer, Woodside, freshman, utility: A legitimate utility player who started at least four games at all four infield positions. Batted .499 for the Wolverines and went 5-of-9 in three games against Gloucester's Stephanie Coates.
SECOND TEAM
Katie Bruce, Lafayette, senior, pitcher
Melissa Hudgins, Mathews, senior, pitcher
Gaby Gonzalez, Bethel, senior, catcher
Gabby Andino, Woodside, freshman, first base
Taylor Walker, Poquoson, junior, second base
Kristin Tunno, Grafton, senior, shortstop
Shanickqua Ballard, Denbigh, senior, third base
Brenna Thomas, Gloucester, junior, outfield
Brittany Hicks, Bethel, senior, outfield
Kristen Dudney, Smithfield, junior, outfield
Casey Mansfield, Isle of Wight, junior, utility