STOCKTON — Delaney Pamplin can now walk away from her decorated prep career satisfied.
The East Union graduate was named the South’s MVP in the 27th annual All-Star Classic at Delta College’s Bucky Layland Softball Complex after helping her team coast to a 13-6 victory Friday. Franklin’s Casandra Webb was selected MVP for the North. Both players received $500 scholarships for their efforts.
Pamplin pitched four innings, giving up three walks, a hit and an unearned run to go with four strikeouts. She also went 2 for 2 with an RBI at the plate.
“This feels really good, especially with how I ended the high school season,” Pamplin said.
It was her first appearance in any competitive setting since East Union’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division III semifinal against Benicia on May 26. Pamplin left the game with a foot injury and never returned for the postseason. The Lancers made it to the championship round and lost in their rematch with Benicia 11-1 while Pamplin watched from the dugout with crutches.
East Union coaches Brian Goulart and Randy Friend were part of the South coaching staff along with Lathrop’s Brian Keeney. Former East Union teammates Alexis Erich and Kristina Mojica also contributed to the South’s win.
Erich started at second base before shifting to center field and right field. The Valley Oak League’s Offensive Player of the Year went 2 for 2 with a run. Mojica, who played catcher and first base, contributed an RBI. Erich has signed with Liberty, and Mojica with William Peace University.
“I’m glad I was able to get one last game with them,” Pamplin said.
Pamplin even got to share the experience with future teammates. She’s heading to Notre Dame de Namur along with Ripon’s Jennica Baldwin and Tawny Deerinck of Manteca. Deerinck and fellow Buffalo Sierra Martinez were the lone area players competing for the North.
“We came here and we didn’t know what to expect,” Deerinck said. “Even though we weren’t on the same team (as the rest of the all-stars from the area) we still wanted to try our hardest.”
Although she was on the losing side, Deerinck got the better of her college teammates-to-be. Pamplin walked her twice, and Deerinck robbed Baldwin of a base hit for the final out of the fifth inning. The two met with smiles and a high-five before jogging to their dugouts. Deerinck earned Defensive Player of the Year in the VOL.
“I was like, ‘Of course, Tawny, you would get my hit,’” Baldwin said. “She’s really athletic. I have to give her props for that.”
Baldwin finished 1 for 2 with a run. Ripon’s Mikaela Ferreira (1 for 2) and Hoku Lee (three runs) also had productive outings. Ferreira is the two-time reigning MVP in the Trans-Valley League and bound for St. Mary’s College.
The contest ended with a terrific 5-3-2 double play started by Lee at third base and turned by Mojica at first.
“This was the last time we could put on our Indians jerseys before parting ways,” Baldwin said. “It was really fun, and that’s really what we’re here for. Of course, you want to win but it was fun hanging out with all these girls and meeting people I didn’t already know.”
The North tried to mount a comeback in the top of the eighth. Martinez had an RBI single and a run, but that was all the team could muster. Martinez is moving onto Kansas Wesleyan.
“Just to be able to come out here was a blessing, and I’m happy I was able to produce for my team,” Martinez said.
While the rest of the local participants will continue playing at the next level, this marked the end for Lathrop’s Adelina Moreno, who chipped in a run-scoring single.
“Coming from Lathrop, it was good to have someone come here to represent and do well,” Moreno said.
Brittany Johnson (Lathrop), Haighley Kissee (Manteca) and Mikayla Bongi (East Union) were also invited but could not make the event.