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BEST OF THE BEST
Walljasper earns third all-league MVP honor
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Sierras Allie Walljasper delivers a pitch to Kimball batter Angelique Vega during the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs at Arnaiz Field in Stockton last week. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO

Allie Walljasper has already won two section titles, three Valley Oak League MVP awards, two VOL crowns and was named this year’s all-league Pitcher of the Year for the first time.

And the Sierra softball standout still has one more year left.

“(Walljasper) has been MVP since her freshman year,” said Sierra head coach Nick Olmo, who led the T’Wolves to their second Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV title in three years. “She was co-MVP the last two years, but this year she also got Pitcher of the Year, and that’s a pretty special thing.”

Walljasper, who has verbally committed to LSU, finished the regular season with a 0.47 ERA. She went 18-2 as a starter, not including her four playoff wins. She gave up 36 hits and just 15 runs. She also tossed 227 strikeouts and batted .481 with four home runs, 20 RBIs and 26 hits. Her strikeout total did not include the 42 she tossed during the team’s four-game, post-season run, either.

“Allie was just an obvious choice as far as Pitcher of the Year (went),” Olmo added. “We weren’t here to pad the stats like other teams. Since I’ve been a coach, this is the first time I’ve seen a player receive two top-honor awards on their own.”

Sierra senior Sommer Wilson, who is headed to UC Riverside this fall, was recognized as the Offensive Player of the Year.

This was Wilson’s first full year back after suffering a knee injury that ended her junior campaign. She bounced back in impressive fashion and led her ball club in nearly every offensive statistical category including batting average (.484), hits (30), RBIs (28), runs (22) and home runs (six).  She was also a huge factor in Sierra (12-2 VOL, 25-2) winning the school’s second section-championship banner.

Wilson also pitched the two innings during the tournament and finished the year earning three wins while boasting a 1.59 ERA.

“(Wilson) was just very determined,” coach Olmo said of his soon-to-be graduated, UC  Riverside-bound senior. “Even a month after the injury she was all about wanting to get back in the gym so she could get back to playing the game. The kid works hard and puts in long hours. She’s still putting in mileage and hits on a daily basis. You knew she was going to succeed at some point.”

Sierra’s Virginia-bound senior first baseman Iyana Hughes was also named to the All-League first team. Hughes batted .471 this season with 32 hits and 14 RBIs. She also had seven doubles and two homers.

Sierra’s senior third baseman Gabby Olmo was the team’s fourth player to make the first-team list. She led the team in putouts and batted .273 with 12 RBIs on the year. She hit .375 against the VOL.

“All of the girls did a great job this year,” coach Olmo said. “This was one of the more difficult years to decide who would go on the list because we had so many girls that contributed. Basically it came down to the full-time players and the stats they put up (during league).”

East Union’s junior third baseman Jordan Vinson was named Defensive Player of the Year. Despite her batting .472 with 34 hits and 11 RBIs, East Union went 9-5 in the VOL and missed the playoffs.

The Lancers’ sophomore center fielder Cherish Burks was named to the first team as well. Freshman pitcher Michelle Castro (13-7) was the third EU player honored as a first teamer.

Weston Ranch juniors Naomi Thurman (catcher) and Vanessa Contreras (third base) were the last two area players that made the first team.

Eight players from the area were also named to the second team. Sierra junior Lexus Barnes (catcher), Weston Ranch freshman Elysia Hernandez (shortstop) and EU freshman Samantha Owen (utility) were on the second team.

Manteca had four players recognized. Senior Selena Gonzalez was a second-team shortstop while Celina Cooper (third base), Peyton Rose (pitcher) and Anissa Gonzalez (outfielder) were also mentioned.

Lathrop’s Desiree Mendola (SS) was on the second team. The Spartans’ sophomore Regina Juarez was recognized on the all-defensive team.

Sierra junior Gianna Lenoci was on the all-league defensive team and so was Mia Thurman of Weston Ranch, the Cougars’ only representative.  EU freshman Alejandra Rascon and Manteca senior Monique Colunga also made the all-defensive squad.