2017 All-Madera Tribune Softball team
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Madera’s Aaliyah Cuevas recorded the second highest batting average in school history this year and tied a school record for doubles while extending her RBI record total to 105. She is a three-time winner of The Madera Tribune’s softball Most Valuable Player award.
Most Valuable Player
Aaliyah Cuevas Senior OF Madera
Stats: .437 BA (2nd all-time), 31 R (t-6th), 38 H, 13 2B (t-1st), 25 RBI, 21 SB (t-4th) All-League: Second team All-CMAC
Cuevas began her assault on the Madera Coyote softball record books when she first stepped foot onto Zimmerman Field. She banged out 27 RBIs during her freshman season and by the time she ended her junior season, she was the school’s career leader in RBIs and ended her career with 35 more RBIs than second place. Cuevas finished either first or second in seven offensive categories, including first in batting average, doubles and RBIs. She recorded the second highest batting average in Coyote history this season while also hitting a school-record tying 13 doubles. She scored 31 runs, which tied for sixth most all time to go with 21 stolen bases. She was a fixture in left field during her four years at Madera. This is her third All-Madera Tribune Most Valuable Player selection and is just one of two players to get the MVP award in the last six years. Pitcher of the Year
Arianna Guzman Senior P-1B Liberty
Stats: 9-2, 1.08 ERA, 11 GS, 8 CG, 85 K, 65 IP, 14 BB, .486 BA, 34 H, 30 RBI, 3 HR All-League: Pitcher of the Year, NSL
Guzman is the second straight Liberty pitcher to earn the All-Madera Tribune Pitcher of the Year award. However, she is also a three-time All-Madera Tribune team selection and earned serious consideration for MVP honors. She walked just 14 batters in 65 innings pitched with a 1.08 ERA. She was the ace of the Liberty staff and the most feared batter in the lineup. She batted almost .500 with a team-leading 30 RBIs and three home runs. Newcomer of the Year
Valerie Ornelas Freshman C Madera
Stats: .333 BA, 31 H, 6 3B (t-1st all-time), 4 HR (t-4th), 33 RBIs (t-4th) All-League: 1st team All-CMAC
Ornelas became a feared bat in the Coyote lineup and proved to be the perfect complement to Cuevas in the clean-up spot. She finished third in the All-League voting for the league’s MVP voting. Despite getting moved to designated player midway through the season, she worked her way back to the starting catcher spot. During that time, she never let her bat waver and kept the Coyotes in many ball games by going with the pitch. She hit a school-record tying six triple, all to the opposite field. Ornelas batted .469 in the CMAC. She recorded 16 of RBIs, three triples and two home runs in the 10-game CMAC season. The Team
Kaylee Dawson Junior P Madera
Stats: 12-11, 146 2/3 IP, 2.82 ERA, 80 K, 22 BB, .276 BA, 3 2B, 17 RBI All-League: 2nd team All-CMAC
Dawson became the ace of the Madera Coyotes, unexpectedly. Despite suffering through some growing pains, she became the pitcher head coach Judy Shaubach could rely on. She tossed 14 complete games in 24 games she started to go with four shutouts. She also provided a solid bat near the bottom of the Coyotes’ order. Although she dealt with growing pains, Dawson put herself in fine position to have a dominant senior year. She is a two-time All-Madera Tribune selection. Makenna Nevarez Senior C Madera South
Stats: .318 BA, 21 H, 12 RBI, 4 2B
Nevarez started 27 of Madera South’s 30 games and was the catcher in all of them. She was solid in the middle of the Madera South lineup, batting .318 to go with 12 RBIs. She provided stability for the Stallions’ pitching staff that had three different players toe the rubber this year. Hollee Brown Junior 1B-DP Madera
Stats: .343 BA, 24 H, 13 RBI, 6 K. All-League: Honorable mention, CMAC
Brown struck out just four times in her sophomore season. By the time the Coyotes entered the Washington Union Tournament, Brown had already struck out four times. She told this reporter she wasn’t going to strike out again. She was wrong. However, she only struck out twice more, but had 19 of her 24 hits after that statement and batted .407 in 10 CMAC games while playing first base or at designated player. She is a two-time All-Madera Tribune selection. Tea Layne Senior 2B Madera
Stats: .344 BA, 27 R, 32 H, 2 3B All-League: 1st team All-CMAC
Although Layne had to move from shortstop to second base this season, she didn’t let it show offensively or defensively. Her experience showed defensively and demonstrated a lot of range and became the most reliable defender for Shaubach. She also moved into the No. 2 slot in the Coyotes lineup between Taylor Brooks and Cuevas and was a force, whether it was moving runners over or getting on base herself. She was third on the team in batting average and on base percentage while also batting .452 with runners in scoring position. She also led the Coyotes with a .484 batting average in the CMAC. She finishes her career as a three-time All-Madera Tribune member. Camille Vestal Freshman 2B-Uti Liberty
Stats: .300 BA, 18 H, 8 RBI All-League: 2nd team All-NSL
Vestal headed into her freshman season at Liberty unsure of what role she would play. She could catch, play second or the outfield. By the end of the season, Vestal entrenched herself at second base, providing solid defense. She also put herself into the starting lineup by hitting an even .300 at the bottom half of the Hawks’ order. Jessie Maciel Junior 3B Madera South
Stats: .455 BA, 40 H, 17 RBI, 8 2B All-League: 2nd team All-CMAC
Without the presence of big bat Mealeah Galvan for most of the season, Maciel became the top run producer for the Stallions. She was second on the team in hits and runs scored and led the team in RBIs and doubles while playing solid defense at third base. Maciel earned her second All-Madera Tribune selection. Madison Devine Junior 3B Liberty
Stats: .255 BA, 12 H, 2 2B All-League: 2nd team All-NSL
Devine didn’t get a lot of playing time during last season, but rose as the team’s best third basemen this season. She is the only Madera, Madera South or Liberty athlete to receive an All-Madera Tribune award for three sports. Although softball isn’t her best sport, she became a rock at the hot corner while anchoring the bottom of the Liberty order. Savaanah Garcia Sophomore SS Madera South
Stats: .447 BA, 27 R, 42 H All-League: 1st team All-CMAC
Garcia started every game for the Stallions and head coach Pete Gallegos could use pen in writing Garcia’s name at the top of the line-up. Garcia provided what you need from a lead-off hitter. She was on base more than half the time (.514 on base percentage) with a .447 batting average and 42 hits. She also stole 11 bases while drawing nine walks. She also logs the most miles while remaining constantly in motion at shortstop. Carli Duke Senior SS Liberty
Stats: .379 BA, 25 H, 16 R, 5 2B, 19 RBI All-League: 2nd team All-NSL
Duke more than lived up to the family name. She followed in her sister’s (Darbi) footsteps with an All-League performance during a tumultuous senior season. She batted .379 and provided the other big bat in the Liberty lineup behind Guzman. She was second to Guzman with 19 RBIs and also led the team in doubles. She provided team leadership as one of three seniors on the Liberty team. This is her fourth All-Madera Tribune selection. Gennahlyn Sanchez Freshman SS Madera
Stats: .383 BA, 18 H, 2 HR, 11 R All-League: Honorable mention, CMAC
Sanchez showed off her potential with two no-doubt, line drive home runs in the Washington Union tournament. She also showed off a cannon of a right arm. Her throws to first base sometimes have more movement than a pitcher. Although she was held out of some games at the plate, she was solid defensively for the Coyotes. She also batted. 429 in CMAC. Taylor Brooks Junior OF Madera
Stats: .429 BA, 30 R, 45 H, 24 SB All-League: 1st team All CMAC
Brooks started the season at the lead-off spot in the line up and never left that No. 1 spot. She started all 30 games and led the Coyotes in hits. She also set the school record for stolen bases in a season. She provided solid centerfield defense and covered a lot of ground. She was second on the team in runs scored and led the Coyotes with 43 singles to go with a .455 on base percentage. She is a two-time All-Madera Tribune selection. Brianna Burgess Sophomore OF Liberty
Stats: .493 BA, 35 H, 20 R. All-League: 1st team All-NSL
With the absence of the Lewis twins at the top of the order, head coach Steve Uyeda had to find another top of the order and found that with Burgess and Karli Fien. Burgess led the Hawks in batting average and hits while scoring the second-most runs on the team. She was solid in centerfield for the Hawks, recording a great catch in a loss to Stockdale early in the season. She also had 12 stolen bases while recording a .513 on base percentage. She also earned an All-Tribune selection as a freshman. Karli Fien Junior OF Liberty
Stats: .444 BA, 24 R, 28 H All-League: 1st team All-NSL
Fien became a starter and didn’t let it go. She was third on the team in batting average and hits and led the team in runs and with stolen bases. She was put into left field and never let go of the position. She provided Guzman plenty of RBI chances by getting on base and getting into scoring position. Erica Valdez Sophomore P Madera South
Stats: .292 BA, 14 H, 2 2B All-league: Honorable mention, CMAC
After receiving her transfer from Liberty, Valdez had to wait until almost midway through the Madera South season to step onto the field. When she did, she pitched, played second, played first and caught when Nevarez was absent. She finished 25 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings pitched. She also earned an All-Tribune selection last season with Liberty.
