The All-County softball first, second and third teams, plus player of the year, pitcher of the year and coach of the year for the 2013-14 season:
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
ALYSSA PALOMINO
Mission Viejo, Jr., Outfielder
PITCHER OF THE YEAR
TAYLOR McQUILLIN
Mission Viejo, Jr., Pitcher
COACH OF THE YEAR
Mike Willey
Savanna
FIRST TEAM
TERA BLANCO
Marina, Sr., Pitcher
The back-to-back Sunset League MVP is one of the best all-around players in the nation. The Michigan signee went 22-5 in the circle, striking out 228 batters and posting a 1.14 ERA. A nightmare for hitters to face, she was equally as terrifying at the plate. Blanco hit .446 and finished with 23 RBI. The Vikings star drew 32 walks (tops in the county) and boasted a .622 on-base percentage (second in the county).
KAYLEE CARLSON
Pacifica, Sr., Pitcher
She is first-team All-County for the the third time in four seasons, but her senior campaign was undoubtedly the most gratifying. The right-hander notched career-bests in wins (22), strikeouts (220) and ERA (0.55). She also went out on top with a CIF-SS Division 1 championship, Pacifica’s first since 2007. The North Carolina-bound right-hander threw five straight shutouts in the playoffs, and ended her career tossing 46 consecutive shutout innings. She was the Empire League’s pitcher of the year.
HAYLEY COPELAND
Esperanza, Sr., Pitcher
The South Carolina-commit capped a stellar high school career with her third consecutive first-team All-County selection. Shas been at the heart of Esperanza’s domination of the Century League. The Aztecs have gone 44-4 against league foes since joining in 2011, and Copeland’s consistency allowed Esperanza to capture its fourth straight league crown this season. In addition to being the league’s pitcher of the year, the right-hander compiled a 23-4 record, 1.29 ERA and she was second in the county with 283 strikeouts.
HAILEY HILBURN
Canyon, Jr., Pitcher
The right-hander pitched every inning for Canyon, tallying an impressive 27 complete games. Hilburn hit her stride down the stretch, beginning with a 12-strikeout, three-hit shutout of Esperanza in late April. She proceeded to go 7-1 in Canyon’s last eight contests, pitching the Comanches to the Division 1 semifinals. With one of the best strikeout pitches in the county – a devastating changeup – Hilburn fanned a career-high 163 batters.
RACHEL SELLERS
Los Alamitos, Sr., Catcher
Teams refused to run on Los Alamitos because they knew more times than not, their base runners would be gunned down by Sellers. The senior displayed not only one of the best arms in the county, but demonstrated great defensive prowess and instincts behind the plate. Los Alamitos opened a number of eyes with a second-place finish in the Michelle Carew Classic despite starting a freshman, Ryan Denhart, in the circle. Sellers’ rapport with the young pitcher helped the Griffins tally 21 wins. A first-team all-Sunset League selection, Sellers hit .368 and drove in 22 runs.
SHIANNE YBARRA
Mission Viejo, Sr., First base
The Diablos senior consistently proved she was on of the county’s most versatile players. Hitting in the three-hole in Mission Viejo’s loaded lineup, Ybarra batted .405 and posted a .473 on-base percentage. Ybarra (Tennessee) was second on the team in runs scored (21) and led the squad with 11 stolen bases. She also flashed the leather throughout the year. In the Division 2 final against Chino, she made a brilliant diving grab that helped Mission Viejo win its first softball championship.
PAULINA ANASIS
Canyon, Jr., Infielder
Anytime the Comanches third baseman makes contact, watch out. Anasis is one of the most gifted hitters in O.C., being able to hit for both average and power. The junior batted a team-high .425 and also led the squad in hits (31), runs (21) and RBI (23). With Hailey Hilburn starting in the circle, Canyon will have a much-feared 1-2 punch in 2015. If Anasis continues to improve, she’ll be one of the top hitters in O.C. in 2015.
KRISTINA INOUYE
Huntington Beach, Soph., Infielder
The Oilers captured a share of its first league title since 1996 and finished with the best record (20-6) in the school’s history. She also helped the Oilers earn their first postseason win at home. A major reason for that was the consistently great play of Inouye. The shortstop led Huntington Beach in batting average (.527), hits (39), RBI (34), doubles (12) and homers (4). Inouye notched at least two base hits in 13 games and was named to the Sunset League’s first team.
NICOLE DeWITT
Pacifica, Sr., Infielder
The senior is going from one championship team to another. Days after Pacifica captured the CIF-SS Division 1 crown, the Florida Gators – DeWitt’s future squad – won the NCAA softball championship. The Empire League MVP batted .398, scored 30 runs and knocked in 22 from the leadoff spot. In addition to being one of the surest fielders around, DeWitt consistently showed she’s one of the best pure hitters in recent county history. She should be able to contribute in Gainesville right away.
ALYSHA EVERETT
Mission Viejo, Sr., Outfielder
While teammate Alyssa Palomino was the Diablos’ home run leader, Everett was their statistical leader in a number of other categories. Everett (Oregon State) was tops on the team in singles (27), doubles (9) and triples (2), and she was second with 38 hits. The senior right fielder went 26 games without striking out, only going down on strikes twice all season. Everett was one of four Diablos on the South Coast League first-team.
LAUREN GONZALES
San Clemente, Jr., Outfielder
San Clemente turned the page on a dismal 2013 season that produced a forgettable 5-20 record. The Tritons improved to 13-9 and advanced to the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs. Gonzales spearheaded the turnaround with one of the most dangerous bats in the area. The outfielder hit .500, scored 25 runs and blasted eight homers – all team highs. What made Gonzales even more impressive: her performance against the best local pitchers. The South Coast League first-team selection went 4 for 6 against Mission Viejo’s Taylor McQuillin, accounting for two of the three homers the Diablos ace allowed in league.
PAIGE VON SPRECKEN
Yorba Linda, Sr., Utility
Despite tossing 27 fewer innings than she did in 2013, the Mustangs accumulated 35 more strikeouts in her senior campaign (255). Von Sprecken averaged 1.8 strikeouts per inning, leading the Mustangs to a fourth consecutive playoff appearance. In addition to being top-three in the county in strikeouts, the San Diego-bound von Sprecken hit .360 and drove in 23 runs on 27 base hits.
JENAVEE PERES
Garden Grove, Sr., Designated hitter
The Argonauts star was neck-and-neck with Alyssa Palomino for the county lead in home runs throughout the season. While she finished second with 14 homers, Peres led the area in batting average (.662), on-base percentage (.689) and RBI (49). Those gaudy numbers earned Peres MVP honors in the Garden Grove League. She signed with San Diego State.
TAYLOR SWEARINGEN
Canyon, Sr., Designated hitter
Swearingen showed she was one of the most versatile first basemen in the county. The Michigan-bound senior led Canyon in on-base percentage (.506), stolen bases (10) and doubles (10) while tying for the lead in home runs (4). Her .391 average was second best on the team and she finished her career with four straight all-Century League team honors.
SECOND TEAM
P: Maddy Neales, El Modena, Sr.
P: Maddy Dwyer, Orange Lutheran, Fr.
P: Micaela Vierra, Huntington Beach, Sr.
P: Ashley Ross, Cypress, Jr.
C: Kayleen Shafer, Mission Viejo, Jr.
1B: Emili Olague, Marina, Jr.
Inf: Brooke Marquez, Pacifica, Sr.
Inf: Brynley Steele, Esperanza, Sr.
Inf: Chloe Sharabba, Aliso Niguel, Sr.
OF: Faith Canfield, Pacifica, Jr.
OF: Brianna Betschel, Canyon, Jr.
OF: Irieanna Naea, Pacifica, Soph.
Util: Brook Miko, San Juan Hills, Sr.
DP: Victoria Zamora, El Modena, Sr.
THIRD TEAM
P: Ryan Denhart, Los Alamitos, Fr.
P: Jezabelle Quintana, Savanna, Soph.
P: Vanessa Ledesma, Loara, Jr.
C: Noelle Hee, Orange Lutheran, Fr.
1B: Danielle Ingraham, Dana Hills, Sr.
Inf: Adrianna Milan, Orange Lutheran, Soph.
Inf: Pepper Lawton, Rosary, Sr.
Inf: Marshaylee Knighten, Sunny Hills, Jr.
Inf: Madison Killebrew, Dana Hills, Jr.
OF: Sammie Vandiver, Huntington Beach, Sr.
OF: Allie Wood, Cypress, Sr.
OF: Ally Dickman, Capistrano Valley, Jr.
Util: Kaitlyn Eveland, Loara, Jr.
DP: Priscilla Martinez, Mater Dei, Soph.
FOURTH TEAM
P: Kiana Pancino, Edison, Soph.
P: Amanda Flores, Fullerton, Jr.
C: Nikki Butler, La Habra, Soph.
1B: Haleigh John, Esperanza, Sr.
Inf: Mackenzie Boesel, Orange Lutheran, Soph.
Inf: Kolby Romaine, Rosary, Jr.
Inf: Sydney McCollum, Marina, Jr.
OF: Kacey Whitney, Cypress, Jr.
OF: Alyssa Horeczko, Huntington Beach, Soph.
OF: Keala Cordeiro, Marina, Sr.
Util: Kelsey Horton, San Clemente, Jr.
DP: Jenna Cone, Santa Margarita, Soph.
The Register’s All-County teams were selected using a combination of reporter observations and coaches’ input.
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com