A batch of region honors marks bright future towards a state title for Lady Shamrocks softball

Many Lady Shamrocks reach All-Region and All-Conference recognition after deep semifinal run

YUMA, Ariz., (KYMA, KECY) - Yuma Catholic softball laid heavy weight in the 3A level as we wind down the region and conference recognition on the softball diamond - with seven Lady Shamrocks making the All-Region lists following a run to the state semifinals.

The Shamrocks impressively reeling in some of the top honors throughout the league with a team assembled of mainly freshman and sophomore - paving the way to a bright future ahead in the program.

3A SOFTBALL

All-Conference 2nd Team

Alyssa Soto - Yuma Catholic (Position Player)

Soto, as a sophomore, not only marked the only Shamrock to make either the 1st or 2nd team list for the entire conference, but she did it on top of an All-Region 1st team nod with her .475 clip at the plate in only 17 games, chipping in five doubles and a home run.

All-Conference Honorable Mention

Cherish Trujillo - Yuma Catholic

Just missing the cut on the 2nd team All-Conference list, Cherish Trujillo made clear waves with her production in the circle and at the plate as another sophomore - leading to an even higher honor within her own region.

3A West Defensive Player of the Year

Cherish Trujillo - Pitcher

Trujillo tossed 109.1 innings in the circle where she sported a 2.81 ERA. She went 16-3 with six complete game shutouts and 105 strikeouts to show for it.

Despite taking home an impressive recognition, she gave a lot of the credit to her teammates behind her in the field - a group that learned a lot about their potential this season, striding towards a higher goal from here on out.

"It really means a lot because it's been a lot of hard work but I obviously didn't do it alone," said Trujillo. "I've had a lot of help from my team and I knew if I was there hitting my spots and changing up speed when needed that my defense would have my back. Just playing together and really having that high energy was special, but we also know that it's not going to get any easier."

3A West Coach of the Year

Jarred Lackey - Yuma Catholic

Lackey helped a very young squad flooded with underclassmen to a 26-win season and going a perfect (12-0) in region play en route to a 3A semifinals appearance. While season recognition is encouraging, Lackey believes it doesn't mean much given the ultimate goal of winning a state title.

But with the group in front of him that will return stronger next season, he knows they have the right formula to build it to that point.

"Honestly it doesn't mean a whole lot, at least not to me. I just want to try and get a program to win a state championship and be the head coach of it," said Lackey. "But I'm fortunate that we have a big group of very talented girls that have been playing softball a long time that all came in together and it showed. They worked their butts off, they play together and have really really good chemistry and they compete hard. That's the main thing."

3A West All-Region 1st Team

Cherish Trujillo (Pitcher)

Kodi Leigh (Catcher)

Mailyn Milan (Position Player)

Alyssa Soto (Position Player)

3A West All-Region 2nd Team

Mia Hernandez (Pitcher)

Alondra Cordova (Position Player)

Mikaela Gonzales (Position Player)