Sorcerer 18 Gold - Mumma

As the Amador Valley High softball team completed a historic season, sophomore Krista Williams found numerous ways to punish opposing teams.

Her versatility as a left-handed pitcher, center fielder and speedy leadoff batter helped the Dons reach new heights and earned her Bay Area News Group-East Bay Player of the Year honors.

Exactly where she was most valuable this season is up for debate.

Amador Valley coach Julie Marshall speaks highly of Williams' composure as a pitcher and prowess as a hitter.

"Offensively, she's a weapon," Marshall said. "She can hit for power, slap (hit), and has amazing speed. She's a complete athlete."

The James Logan softball team will remember Williams' speed on the bases and power at the plate. She tripled and scored the only runs in the Dons' 2-0 victory over the Colts in the North Coast Section Division I championship game. The win clinched the program's first section softball title.

Williams also was tough and crafty as a pitcher. She tossed a no-hitter against Antioch as Amador Valley won the Queen of the Mountain tournament title early in the season.

Carondelet's and Monte Vista's strong lineups also had difficulty facing Williams. She shut out both squads as part of her 7-0 league mark to help the Dons earn the East Bay Athletic League title.

Williams believes she's best in center as the leader of the outfield, but she knows her pitching also was vital to the team's success. 

She split time in the circle evenly with freshman Johanna Grauer, and the lefty-righty combination kept teams off balance during the Dons' 14 shutouts overall.

"I thought it worked really well because we were so opposite," Williams said. "A lot of girls say they don't like facing lefties. Especially with Johanna being right-handed, I think it really helped us."

Williams' breakout season coincided with a rebirth of the Dons' program. Williams and many of her teammates were just infants the last time Amador Valley had a highly successful softball season.