DAILY NEWS ALL-AREA SOFTBALL 2024
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ilove’a Brittingham, Oaks Christian, Senior
Oaks Christian softball player Ilove’a Brittingham says she’s always been a strong hitter. She and her dad have spent hours in the garage hitting off a tee and into a net and working on her swing.
It culminated in a senior year that featured a .540 batting average, 47 hits, 42 runs and 38 RBIs. She struck out three times and hit 19 home runs in 25 games while holding a fielding percentage of .972 in the outfield.
“You always have to swing at good pitches,” Brittingham said during the season. “When you have good pitch selection and your technique is right, the ball will go.”
Brittingham’s bat helped Oaks Christian to a third straight Marmonte League title and an appearance in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals. The Lions lost to eventual champion Pacifica, but Brittingham was still named to the All-CIF-Southern Section team.
“She’s incredibly strong,” Lions coach Cheyenne Coyle said during the season. “In (batting practice) she’ll probably hit like 40 home runs. She just barrels the ball. Definitely a hitter that you should be afraid of.”
Coyle added that Brittingham, a BYU commit, is the strongest player in the weight room and can nearly hit without a stride. The power hitter turned on her swings to help Oaks Christian get to a 22-5 overall record.
The Lions have returned the favor by helping her grow as a player.
“I’ve definitely grown to be more humble about myself,” Brittingham said. “I’m definitely a more loving person in this environment. These girls have really had a good impact on me in my life.”
PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Addison Moorman, Granada Hills, Junior
Addison Moorman was the core of the Granada Hills Charter softball team this season. She went 14-3 in the circle and held a 1.14 ERA as she led the Highlanders to the Los Angeles City Section Open Division championship game and the CIF Southern California Regional Division II semifinals.
The Lehigh University commit was named to the LA City Section Open Division first team after recording 195 strikeouts. She pitched 14 innings in the City Open Division championship game and two complete games in the CIF SoCal Regional tournament.
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Janessa Gutierrez, Newbury Park
Janessa Gutierrez gave the Panthers an offensive boost this season with a .397 batting average, 12 hits, 14 runs and 10 home runs. She also had a .444 on-base percentage.
In Newbury Park’s second Marmonte League game against Oaks Christian, she hit a grand slam to give her team the advantage and eventually the win.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Margaret Neill, Paraclete
Margaret Neill guided the Spirits to their third CIF-SS title and first since 2016 as Paraclete won the Division 4 championship. It was Neill’s third championship since taking over as head coach in 1980. Paraclete was the Del Rey League champion and lost only three games overall.
ALL-AREA TEAM
PITCHERS
Taylor Cook, Newbury Park, Sr.
All-CIF-SS Division 4, Marmonte League Pitcher of the Year, 16-3, 1.25 ERA, one no-hitter, four shutouts, 192 K
Meaghan Coyle, Flintridge Sacred Heart, Sr.
Angelus League Most Valuable Pitcher, 11-8, 2.51 ERA, 129 K
Sophia Debs, Sierra Canyon, Fr.
Mission League Most Valuable Pitcher, 6-2, .65 ERA, 59 K
Madison Finnerty, Moorpark, Sr.
All-CIF-SS Division 1, Coastal Canyon League co-MVP, 8-4, 1.94 ERA, 107 K
Carly Kearns, Valencia, Sr.
All-CIF-SS Division 2, Foothill League Pitcher of the Year, 20-5, 1.86 ERA, 125 K
Emjay Peck, Viewpoint, So.
All-CIF-SS Division 6, 17-3, 1.88 ERA, 303 K
Jamie Sencion, Paraclete, Sr.
All-CIF-SS Division 4
FIELD PLAYERS
Alyssa Anaya, Chavez, Fr., center field
All CIF LA City Section Open Division, .500 BA, 44 hits, 51 runs, 27 RBIs, 18 doubles, .12 stolen bases, .976 fielding %
Amaya Del Olmo, Agoura, So., catcher
Marmonte League Defensive Player of the Year, .452 BA, 33 his, 26 runs, 42 RBIs, eight home runs, .524
Dylan Fischer, Harvard-Westlake, So., infield
All-CIF-SS Division 6, Angelus League MVP, .438 BA, 28 hits, 21 runs, 22 RBIs, three home runs, .nine stolen bases
Mia Gomez, Agoura, Jr., first base
Marmonte League MVP, .597 BA, 40 hits, 35 runs, 37 RBIs, 13 home runs, .697 OBP, 117 put-outs
Lily Kougher, Louisville, Sr., infield
All-CIF-SS Division 3, All Mission League first team, .535 BA, 23 hits, 21 runs, 19 RBIs, three home runs, .672 OBP
Delailah Lopez, Providence, Jr., catcher
All-CIF-SS Division 5, .553 BA, 42 hits, 35 runs, 33 RBIs, 16 doubles, .660 OBP, 27 stolen bases, 110 put-outs
Rebecca Lozano, Birmingham, Sr., pitcher
All-CIF LA City Section Open Division, West Valley League Player of the Year, .544 BA, 31 hits, 21 runs, 31 RBIs
Rylee McCoy, Oaks Christian, Sr., infield
All-CIF-SS Division 1, All Marmonte League first feam, .512 BA, 43 hits, 40 RBIs, nine home runs, 13 doubles, 94 put-outs
Isabella Mertes, Notre Dame, Sr., infield
All Mission League first team, .487 BA, 38 hits, 43 runs, 27 RBIs, nine home runs, .600 OBP, 13 stolen bases
Hailey Shuler, Sierra Canyon, Sr., shortstop/pitcher
Mission League MVP, .558 BA, 24 hits, 30 runs, 18 RBIs, 12 home runs
Phoebe Spangler, Burroughs, Sr., infield
All-CIF-SS Division 3, .689 BA, 51 hits, 32 runs, 36 RBIs, 11 home runs, seven stolen bases, .721 OBP
Kaylie Stauffer, Saugus, Sr., catcher
Foothill League Player of the Year, .494 BA, 42 hits, 20 runs, 53 RBIs, 14 home runs, .533 OBP, 138 put-outs
Addison Vandecar, Paraclete, So., infield
All CIF-SS Division 4,
Krista Viereck, West Ranch, Sr., outfield
All-CIF-SS Division 5, All-Foothill League first team .512 BA, 41 hits, 28 runs, 25 RBIs, five home runs, .981 fielding %