Lady Vikings steal the show in Imperial Valley League softball awards after second straight crown

Holtville claims each of the top season honors, along with seven making All-League lists

EL CENTRO, Calif., (KYMA, KECY) - From the first pitch in 2023, it was clear that the Holtville Vikings were on a mission to defend their IVL crown and avenge their CIF title loss to Calexico with an experienced group back in the lineup.

Even with a very formidable Brawley Wildcat squad and a still impressive Calexico group in a "build back" season, the Vikings core of returning players deemed too tough to handle - eventually leading to a southern California Region State championship. 

And with that came high praises when the end of the season league honors rolled around. Each team had its fair share of stars making the list, while Holtville went on to claim a majority of the votes.



ALL-IMPERIAL VALLEY LEAGUE SOFTBALL

IVL Player of the Year

Kamryn Walker - Holtville

As if there were any doubt, Walker took home the Player of the Year after leading the entire league in nearly every single offensive category - roping 58 hits for a .569 clip and using a stellar .637 on-base percentage to launch her to 35 stolen bases and 46 runs scored. She also proved to be one of the flashiest gloves at shortstop for the Holtville infield. 



IVL Pitcher of the Year

Kalli Strahm - Holtville

Strahm cemented herself as undoubtedly one of the best to ever hit the circle over a fantastic four-year career. While she also did tremendous damage at the plate for the Vikings, she took matters into her own hands when pitching. In her senior season, Strahm tossed 209.2 innings, striking out 162 batters en route to a 26-5 record and a 1,34 ERA. She tossed six complete game shutouts - one of them being a one-hitter to send the Vikings to the Region State title game. 



IVL Coach of the Year

Melissa Snyder - Holtville

Under Snyder's leadership, Holtville softball rose to supremacy in southern California in a few short years which resulted in a pair of league titles and CIF titles - and now a SoCal Region State title. In 2023, Snyder and the Vikings won 26 games and completed the ultimate trifecta by winning the IVL, a CIF title and a state title. 



All-Imperial Valley League 1st Team

Dylan Baker - Brawley (Senior)

• 168.0 IP, 2.33 ERA, 21 K's 

Tamara Carranza - Brawley (Junior)

• .392, 29 hits, 12 RBIs, .675 slugging %, 1.116 OPS

Abbey Ruiz - Brawley (Senior)

• .357, 35 hits, 22 RBIs, 0.911 OPS

Carolina Chong - Calexico (Sophomore) 

Victoria Vallejo - Calexico (Junior)

Danica Acosta - Central (Junior)

• .400, 16 hits, 1.070 OPS 

Demi Johnston - Holtville (Senior)

• .385, 37 hits, 24 RBIs, 26 runs, 15 stolen bases, 0.937 OPS 

Brooke Strahm - Holtville (Junior)

• .379, 36 hits, 16 RBIs, 0.975 OPS 

Kalli Strahm - Holtville (Senior)

• 209.2 IP, 1.34 ERA, 26-5, 162 K's
• .292, 26 hits, 31 RBIs 

Kamryn Walker - Holtville (Senior)

• .569, 58 hits, 21 RBIs, 46 runs, .637 OBP, .833 slugging %, 1.470 OPS, 35 stolen bases



All-Imperial Valley League 2nd Team

Jocelyn Ubence - Brawley (Junior)

Isabella Yescas - Brawley (Sophomore)

Fernanda Cano - Calexico (Senior)

Isabella Esquer - Calexico (Sophomore)

Jacqueline Martinez - Calexico (Junior)

Arianna Galindo - Central (Senior)

Alexia Rubiokamry - Central (Sophomore)

Kaitlyn Havens - Holtville (Junior)

Sofie Irungaray - Holtville (Senior)

McKinzie Toth - Holtville (Junior)