A dynamic CR infield was recognized for a big season in softball this week, with three Corsairs named all-conference.
Shortstop Amy Reyes and second baseman Adriana Chavez were each named to the all-Golden Valley Conference first team, while third baseman Juliana Ortega-Miranda was named to the second team.
“They’re all infielders and that was our strength,” Redwoods head coach Maggie White said. “I thought we had the best infield in conference.”
All three are freshmen and expected back in 2020, and that’s good news for a CR program that had 10 H-DNL all-stars commit this week to play next year.
Chavez enjoyed a big season both in the middle infield and at the plate.
The Benicia High product started the season at shortstop before switching to second base and led the team with a .379 batting average, fifth best in conference.
“She brings speed, has a great arm and really good hands,” White said of Chavez, adding that “she’s just kind of a team kid.”
Reyes began the season in the outfield, before team injuries forced the coaches to move her to shortstop where she had an immediate impact.
“She took it on and was strong,” White said of the Bakersfield native. “And she’s probably our most excited kid.”
Reyes also had a big impact at the plate, hitting .319 with 16 RBIs, and was involved in the winning run in both of the team’s walk-off home wins this spring.
She also was tied for the team lead in stolen bases with 13.
Ortega-Miranda, meanwhile, was named all-conference second team, although White believes she got a raw deal.
“She’s the best third baseman I’ve ever had,” the long-time head coach said. “She’s ridiculously good. I was really mad she only made second team.”
Ortega-Miranda, who hit .333 with a team-best 25 RBIs, as well as blasting two home runs, was also named all-conference as a goalkeeper in soccer in the fall.
“She’s just an extremely good athlete,” the head coach said, adding that her average at the plate would have been higher had the conference teams not pitched around her.
Ortega-Miranda also pitched for the Corsairs, posting the fifth-best ERA in the conference (.360) in limited action.
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Ray Hamill writes at humboldtsports.com, where you can read lots more about sports in Humboldt County.