Michelle Floyd’s incredible numbers during her career as the ace of the San Marino High School softball team won’t soon be forgotten.
The record books prove as much.
Floyd capped off her four-year varsity career with a bang this spring. She struck out 299 batters in 160.2 innings pitched. She was also a force at the plate, hitting .429 to go along with 20 RBIs.
For those reasons, Floyd is the Star-News Softball Player of the Year.
“I’ve always wanted to get it, but I never got it until this year,” Floyd said of the award. “Just seeing the players who got it the past few years, I want to be up there with them. This is extremely exciting.”
Floyd’s numbers this season are just a microcosm of the staggering stats she put up during her career. Floyd ranks ninth all-time on the CIF-Southern Section’s career strikeouts list with 1,136.
Floyd fired seven no-hitters this season. She had 12 shutouts. Not bad for the once lanky freshman who was filled with potential bad had her doubters.
“Coming in freshman year, nobody knew what to expect,” Floyd said. “I love pressure. Part of the reason I’m a pitcher is because I love the pressure and attention that goes with it.
By the time I was a sophomore and junior, I showed that I was here and I wasn’t going anywhere.”
Floyd, now 6-foot-3, parlayed her prep career into a scholarship to play at Arizona where she will begin playing later this summer.
Even with an ace like Floyd, San Marino found itself caught up in a head-scratching race for the Rio Hondo League championship.
The Titans were swept by eventual league champ Temple City, but turned around and swept perennial power La Canada in what Floyd considered the highlight of the season.
The entire process was a growing experience.
“Being in the circle was my second home,” Floyd said. “I really developed a sense of self and confidence in the circle. I never really played to get somewhere. I played just to have a lot of fun.”
Coach of the Year: BOB ELLINGSWORTH, Temple City
After finishing dead last in the Rio Hondo League a year ago, there were many doubters around the Temple City softball diamond.
Rams head coach Bob Ellingsworth was not one of them. Ellingsworth told his team early in the season that he felt they could win the league title.
Of course, that would mean a major form reversal and holding their own against perennial power La Canada, pitching-rich San Marino and up-and-coming Monrovia.
It wasn’t picture perfect, but the Rams got the job done … for the most part.
Temple City swept San Marino and ace Michelle Floyd. The Rams won one out of three vs. La Canada and did the same against Monrovia.
But when the smoke settled, Temple City had done just enough to win the Rio Hondo by a game. Proving it was no fluke, when the playoffs came the Rams won their first-round game, something no other league team did.
In fact, Temple City was one of precious few teams in the area to make it out of the first round. Not bad for a club that won just six games a year prior.
Ellingsworth’s players made a major attitude adjustment and proved their coach prophetic. For those reasons, Ellingsworth is the Coach of the Year.
FIRST TEAM
Anjelica Amezquita, Jr., Pitcher, Maranatha
Amezquita posted a 9-3 record in the circle and helped lead the Minutemen to the Olympic League title, which also won her league MVP honors. Amezquita also took care of business at the plate by hitting .505 and smacking 11 home runs to go with 35 RBIs. She also scored 42 runs.
Dee Dee Logan, Fr., Pitcher, Pasadena Poly
Logan’s debut season was a special one and a sign of things to come. She earned MVP Pitcher in the Prep League after going 9-2 with a 2.15 ERA. At the plate, Logan was also a force, hitting .525 with four home runs. With Logan’s help, the Tigers tied for the league title.
Alexis Parker, Jr., Rio Hondo Prep, Catcher
Parker, also an All-Area basketball player, was a major reason why the Kares won the Prep League championship. She hit a whopping .479, belted four home runs and drove in 30 runs. She also scored 25 runs. Parker closed the season on a 12-game hitting streak.
Haylie Roach, Sr., Temple City, Infield
Roach was a major reason why Temple City emerged on top in a contentious Rio Hondo League race this season. Roach hit .389 and scored 21 runs as the spark plug of the Rams’ offense. She also stole 10 bases. Roach had 10 multi-hit games this season and had .993 fielding percentage.
Mary Rose Magnolia, Sr., Duarte, Infield
Magnolia was one of the most feared hitters around this season. She hit a whopping .554 to go along with five home runs, 15 RBIs and 26 runs. She also spanked nine doubles and two triples. Magnolia also stole 14 bases. Duarte won the Montview League and finished 18-5 overall.
Amy Zeronian, Sr., Marshall, Infield
Zeronian simply couldn’t be kept off base as evidenced by stellar .594 batting average. She also added 31 runs scored and 12 RBIs. Zeronian’s power numbers were also solid with six home runs, five doubles and three triples. Zeronian also stole 15 bases for the Eagles.
Caroline Knop, Jr., La Salle, Infield
Knop continued her tear as one of the area’s top athletes by shining on the softball field. The standout volleyball and basketball player hit .430, scored 25 runs and drove in 16 runs. Knop finished with 11 multi-hit games as the Lancers won 13 games.
Elise McCarthy, Jr., Monrovia, Outfield
McCarth was nearly impossible to get out as evidenced by her .556 batting average. She led the Wildcats in runs scored with 20. She also had eight RBIs. Once on the base paths, McCarthy was relentless, stealing 15 bags. McCarth had 13 multi-hit games this season.
Olivia Leyva, Jr., La Canada, Outfield
Leyva was one of the better bats around after hitting .405 to go along with six home runs, 30 RBIs and 28 runs scored. Leyva was also a perfect 6-for-6 on her stolen base attempts. Leyva had six games in which she drove in three or more runs. She also had nine multi-hit games for the Spartans.
Kelly Jacobs, Sr., Flintridge Sacred Heart, Outfield
Jacobs was one of several Tologs to put up huge offensive seasons. The senior outfielder hit .346 to go along with 14 runs batted in, and 18 runs scored. Jacobs had 10 multi-hit games and was also a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen base attempts. She only struck out eight times all season.
Sumner Hanula, Sr., Flintridge Sacred Heart, Utility
Was an across-the-board force at the plate. The senior put up a .529 batting average to go along with 33 RBIs and 28 runs scored. Hanula also stroked seven doubles, four triples and three home runs. Hanula had 13 multi-hit games and also managed to go 12-for-12 on stolen base attempts.
SECOND TEAM
P — Elisa Ponce, Temple City, Jr.
P — Adrienne Guerra, Monrovia, Jr.
C — Elysha McCallister, Maranatha, Sr.
INF — Cassandra Baca, South Pasadena, So.
INF — Katy Lee, La Canada, Jr.
INF — Madison Loomis, Rio Hondo Prep, Jr.
INF — Brooke Mann, Monrovia, So.
OF — Sara Kubo, Temple City, So.
OF — Beverlee Valerio, La Salle, Jr.
OF — Ileana Vilor, Alverno, Sr.
UTIL — Kenzie Grimes, Arcadia, Jr.
Here are the photos: http://photos.pasadenastarnews.com/2013/06/13/photos-pasadena-star-news-all-area-softball
