Five members of the Cuesta Softball have been selected to the 2022 All Western State Conference teams. Shortstop Alura Neill (Felton- pict) and Catcher Katelin Eccles (El Dorado Hills-Pict) were both selected to the all-WSC First Team. The Cougars also placed Outfielders Mara Mazanec (Easton) and Emily Valdez (Carmel HS) on the all-WSC Second Team, while Third Baseman Madelyn Mata (Sanger HS) was accorded all-WSC Honorable Mention. The Cougars landed in 4th place in the Western State Conference and posted a 14-23 record on the season, along with a 5-7 mark in the WSC.
Freshman Alura Neill began the season in Centerfield but transitioned to Shortstop and solidified the Cougars' infield. The all-WSC 1st Teamer posted a team leading.376 average, while also pacing the club in Runs (35), Hits (44) and Stolen Bases (20).
Freshman Catcher Katelin Eccles returned for a full season, after playing only half of the Cougars 10-game schedule last Spring. Eccles settled in behind the plate and guided the Cougars' three-woman staff to a 4.93 ERA and threw-out 31% of would-be base-robbers. Eccles also did her job on offense, as the slugging Backstop led the team with three round-trippers on the season.
Outfielders Emily Valdez and Mara Mazanec were both named to the 2022 All-WSC Second Team. Valdez posted 32 hits, all singles, on the season and hit at a .296 clip. She made up for her lack of power with 18 Stolen Bases and was 3rd on the team with 28 Runs. Mazanac joined Valdez to give the Cougars two of the best defensive outfielders in the WSC, as well as another top of the order run producer. She batted .307, while posting a .408 on-base percentage.
2021 Team MVP Madelyn Mata (Sanger HS), was accorded all-WSC Honorable Mention this season. Mata still powered the Cougars' offense and led the team with both 17 extra-base hits and 36 runs batted in. Her 36 RBI (9th) and five triples (5th) both rank in Cuesta's all-time Top 10. In the previous two seasons, Mata had logged 68 innings in the pitching circle, but hurled only 7.2 frames this year, despite a team-best 3.65 ERA.
2022 WSC Softball Awards
Katelin Eccles-All-WSC First Team
Alura Neill- All-WSC First Team
Mara Mazanec- All-WSC Second Team
Emily Valdez- All-WSC Second Team
Madelyn Mata- All-WSC Honorable Mention
