A memorable season for Antelope Rams softball capped off by a long list of region accolades
Lady Rams pull in eight All-Region honors after winning most games in program in seven years
WELLTON, Ariz., (KYMA, KECY) - Memorable and unforgettable.
That was the 2023 season on the softball diamond for the Antelope Lady Rams - who accomplished to get their program on the map again in 1A softball.
For the Lady Rams, 15 wins was the most in the program since they won 14 back in 2016 - and the most in over a decade and a half (dating back to as far as 2007). Those wins bought them a trip to the 1A state playoffs, as well.
But at the end of the season region honors is where that talent came to the surface on paper - with the Rams sporting eight players to reach the All-Region 1st and 2nd Team lists.
A representation of not only the individual success of each player at the plate or in the circle, but the bond they all shared in pushing each other to one of the best season's they could've asked for.
"When you're putting on a Rams jersey, you know what you're representing and you know where you're coming from," said junior Kylee Richmond. "It feels really good to come from a team that we have because we're all really close. So knowing that while I'm putting on that jersey, I'm coming from a good team that supports me and supports all of our accomplishments. It feels very, very good."
Topping the list of major accomplishments sat four Lady Rams that took home All-Region 1st Team honors - and capped that with Honorable Mentions at the All-Conference level.
1A SOFTBALL
1A West All-Region 1st Team (and 1A All-Conference Honorable Mentions)
Yareli Manriquez - Pitcher
Manriquez tossed 58.1 innings for the Rams, ending the year with a 3.48 ERA and 55 K's in the circle with seven wins to go along with it. She was also a big part at the plate, hitting .491 with 20 RBIs.
Marissa Carrillo - Pitcher
Carrillo was the next in the one-two punch in the circle for the Rams. While slashing at the plate offensively with a 5.69 clip and 29 hits - the senior was very valuable on the hill, tossing a 4.69 ERA over 28.1 innings where she went 5-0.
Jimena Arana - Position Player
Arana lit up the offensive side for the Lady Rams hitting .588 with 40 hits and and team-high 41 RBIs - also one of only three players with double-digit extra base hits (10 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs). She contributed on the base path, as well, stealing 23 bags.
Alaina Jaime - Position Player
Jaime rounded out the 1st Team list as the only sophomore - making the mark for a bright future for the the coaches daughter. She hit a staggering .642 at the plate, driving in 39 RBI's and doing damage on the base path with 40 stolen bases and a team-leading 53 runs.
1A West All-Region 2nd Team
Jocelyn Guillen - Catcher
- .588, 30 hits, 28 RBIs
Katie Williams - Position Player
- .569, 37 hits, 22 RBIs, 44 stolen bases
Kylee Richmond - Position Player
- .460, 23 hits, 18 RBIs
Karyme Arana - Position Player
- .641, 25 hits, 16 RBIs
