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.

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Player of the Year

 UTL KRISTA WILLIAMS, Amador Valley, So. -- Williams was named the EBAL MVP after leading the Dons to the league title with a .512 batting average and 0.51 ERA. Speedy and versatile in the field as a pitcher and center fielder, she was a big part of the Dons' first NCS Division I title.

First team

 IF KYLEE PEREZ, Alhambra, Fr. -- In her debut season, Perez was a major offensive force for the DFAL and NCS Division III champions. She hit .628 with 41 runs, 29 RBIs, nine home runs and 35 stolen bases. The shortstop was named the DFAL MVP.

OF MEGAN AVERITT, Alameda, Sr. -- Averitt was the co-MVP of the ACCAL as one of the league's top hitters. She missed part of the season with an injury, but in 20 games hit .527 with 18 runs and 21 stolen bases.

Second team

C Mia Monopoli, Acalanes, So.

IF Katelyn Mamizuka, Monte Vista, Sr.

IF Ali Ramirez, Heritage, So.

OF Tylyn Wells, Carondelet, Sr.

Third team

IF Christa Castello, Carondelet, Jr.

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Defensive Player of the Year

Ashlee Sills, Napa junior OF

Sills hit safely in a team-high 22 of 27 regular-season games and had a team-best 11 multi-hit games. She led the team in runs (29), hits (36), walks (12), batting average (.404) and on-base percentage (.480). She tied for first in triples (two).

Indians coach John O’Connor said Sills stopped multiple runners from taking extra bases or scoring with her “laser-like” throws from center field. She was selected to the All-Monticello Empire League team.

“She showed her maturity in what had to be a pressure situation for her, facing her old team and friends,” added O’Connor of Sills’ impressive performances against rival Vintage. In two games against the Crushers, Sills was 5 for 6 with a triple and three runs scored. She reached base seven of eight times.

Lexi Wagoner, Napa junior C - 2nd Team All County

Wagoner missed the first six games while recovering from surgery and still put up some solid numbers overall. She hit safely in 15 out of 21 games, had 22 hits, 16 RBIs (third on the team), six doubles (first), one triple and two home runs (tied for second).

Wagoner batted .324 and powered a grand slam against Sacred Heart in the Napa Tournament.

On defense, she made 25 plays without an error, and in 20 games as Napa’s catcher, only three bases were stolen.

“Lexi is a tremendous contact hitter,” said Indians coach John O’Connor. “She is rock-solid behind the plate, allowing only one passed ball in over 1,500 pitches. You can go several innings without noticing her behind the plate, because nothing bad ever happens there and almost nobody attempts to run on her.”