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The Register’s All-County softball team for 2023.
Orange County Player of the Year: Zoe Prystajko, Huntington Beach, Jr., P/1B
Orange County Pitcher of the Year: Brianne Weiss, Orange Lutheran, Jr.
Orange County Coach of the Year: Tony Arduino, Pacifica
FIRST TEAM
Pitcher: Madi McDonnell, Capistrano Valley, Jr.
The Cougars road McDonnell’s arm and bat to their first CIF-SS title. The Division 3 player of the year went 16-5 with a 2.55 ERA in the circle and hit .469 with seven home runs and 36 RBIs.
Pitcher: Brynne Nally, Pacifica, Jr.
The Long Beach State commit was clutch in the Division 1 playoffs, going to 5-0 to lead the Mariners to the title. The Division 1 player of the year finished 15-7 with a 1.87 ERA and 172 strikeouts in 142 1/3 innings.
Pitcher: Berkley Vance, Los Alamitos, Sr.
The Seattle commit returned from a knee injury to go 16-3 in the circle to help the Griffins recapture the Sunset League title. The Carew Classic’s Most Valuable Pitcher finished with 122 strikeouts in 115 1/3 innings and a 2.06 ERA.
Catcher: Delaina Ma’ae, Pacifica, Jr.
The catcher/left fielder led the Division 1 champion in hitting with a .440 average and five home runs, and added 26 RBIs. She was selected first-team all-Empire League and All-CIF.
First base: Makenzie Butt, Fountain Valley, Jr.
The Boise State commit led Orange County with 13 home runs to help the Barons reach the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs from the Sunset League. An All-CIF pick, Butt hit .512 and drove in 54 runs, which tied Riley Laygo of Whittier Christian for the county lead.
Infield: Giselle Alvarez, Los Alamitos, Sr.
The Sunset League MVP anchored the Griffins’ defense with a .950 fielding percentage at third base. The Washington commit hit .321 with a team-high eight home runs and earned All-CIF Division 1 honors.
Infielder: Kaniya Bragg, Pacifica, Jr.
The slicking fielding, All-CIF and all-Empire League shortstop anchored the defense for the CIF-SS Division 1 champion. The UCLA commit also hit .378 and scored a team-high 34 runs thanks to a .545 on-base percentage,
Infielder: Aleena Garcia, Whittier Christian, Jr.
The UCLA committed shortstop hit an eye-popping .653 with seven home runs and 39 RBIs to help the Heralds defend their title in the Olympic League and reach the Division 2 quarterfinals. Garcia was selected Olympic League MVP and All-CIF.
Outfield: Sophia Knight, Huntington Beach, Sr.
The leadoff batter and center fielder hit .481 to help the Oilers finish second in the Sunset League and reach the Division 1 quarterfinals. The Boise State commit was selected first-team all-league and all-tournament at the Carew Classic.
Outfield: Kai Minor, Orange Lutheran, So.
The speedy center fielder and leadoff batter hit a team-leading .430 and stole 24 bases to help lead the Lancers claim an undefeated Trinity League title. Minor was selected Trinity League MVP and All-CIF in Division 1.
Outfield: Taylor Shumaker, Esperanza, Jr.
The Crestview League MVP and Florida committed center fielder hit .471 with 12 home runs and 30 RBIs to lead the Aztecs to the outright league title. The All-CIF selection in Division 1 also scored 41 runs and had 15 stolen bases.
Utility: Auddrey Lira, Villa Park, So.
The All-CIF selection went 17-9 with a 2.21 ERA in the circle and hit .482 with nine home runs and 38 RBIs to lead the Spartans back to the Division 1 playoffs. The All-Crestview League selection struck out 156 in 169 innings.
SECOND TEAM
P: Madie Granados, Cypress, Jr.
P: Eva Hurtado, JSerra, Jr.
P: Kylie Loertscher, El Toro, Jr.
P: Malaya Majam-Finch, Fullerton, Fr.
C: Allyssa Ramos, Los Alamitos, Jr.
1B: Annika Sogsti, Pacifica, Jr.
Inf: Kiara Cisneros, Tesoro, Jr.
Inf: Sharyn Duncan, Esperanza, Sr.
Inf: Breana Townsend, Cypress, Jr.
OF: Julie Holcomb, Los Alamitos, Sr.
OF: Tessa Jerue, Orange Lutheran, Sr.
OF: Jillian Torres, Santa Margarita, So.
Utility: Katelyn Dunakin, Aliso Niguel, Jr.
THIRD TEAM
P: Jessalyn Gallegos, Canyon, Sr.
P: Lauren Mendez, Foothill, Jr.
P: Alexis Perez, Sunny Hills, So.
P: Mia Valbuena, Marina, Fr.
C: Kennedy Proctor, Tesoro, Jr.
1B: Chloe Lesko, Aliso Niguel, Sr.
Inf: Tea Gutierrez, Huntington Beach, So.
Inf: Olivia Pedraza, Sunny Hills, Jr.
Inf: Jasmyn Yessian, Beckman, Sr.
OF: Daniella Contreras, Kennedy, Sr.
OF: Sofia Elliott, Mission Viejo, Jr.
OF: Danica Silvestri, Rosary, Sr.
Utility: Riley Laygo, Whittier Christian, Sr.
