Central Valley’s softball program relied heavily on Brooklynn Steeley during the Western Athletic Conference season.

The junior starred at pitcher and logged playing time at first base.

She was also a major contributor on offense.

Steeley made program history last month by becoming the first player from Central Valley to be voted Most Valuable Player during conference play.

“I didn’t know that,” she said. “That’s something I’m really proud of. It’s really meaningful. All the work I put in paid off.”

“I definitely thought BB (Brooklynn) was the best player in our league,” Hawks’ head coach Jimmy Bates stated. “It was nice seeing the other coaches agree with that. She worked really hard for it (MVP).”

Steeley and fellow Central Valley starters Selah Chesney, Reylena Herrera, Gabriela Delatorre, Monster Prudhel, Abigail Krauss and Selene Valencia were recognized during the WAC’s year-end head coaches’ meeting on May 12 in Los Banos.

The Hawks compiled a 12-2 record en route to a second-place finish in the league standings.

“All of the coaches put their biases aside and made sure the right kids got recognition,” Bates stated.

Steeley batted .609 from the plate with two home runs, two triples, 11 doubles, 32 RBIs, nine runs and five stolen bases.

She had on-base plus slugging, slugging and on-base percentages of 1.713, 1.065 and .648, respectively.

She ranked first on the team in hits, home runs and RBIs, slugging percentage, on-base plus slugging percentage, second in batting average, triples, doubles and on-base percentage, and fifth in stolen bases.

Steeley posted a 7-1 record at pitcher with a 3.18 earned-run average, 43 strikeouts, 12 walks, one no-hitter and one complete game in 55 innings.

“BB (Brooklynn) had an amazing year,” Bates said. “She did everything for our team. She made a big jump from sophomore to junior year in her confidence and ability. She was more aggressive. I don’t think there’s a kid that works harder in our league. Outside of school, she takes hitting and pitching lessons. Softball is truly her life.”

Chesney, a freshman shortstop, was voted the WAC’s Offensive Player of the Year.

“I was surprised,” Bates said. “It was cool seeing her get that recognition as a freshman. She’s a special player.”

Chesney batted. .574 from the plate with one home run, three triples, six doubles, 16 RBIs, 28 runs and eight stolen bases.

She had on-base plus slugging, slugging and on-base percentages of 1.498, .894 and .604, respectively.

She ranked first on the team in triples, second in hits, home runs, runs and slugging percentage, third in batting average, stolen bases and on-base plus slugging percentage, fourth in doubles and on-base percentage, and fifth in RBIs.

She didn’t strike out a single time in 47 at-bats.

“Selah was a really hard out,” Bates said. “She constantly put the ball in play.”

Herrera, Delatorre, Prudhel and Krauss were selected to the WAC First Team.

Herrera, a junior third baseman, batted .479 from the plate with one triple, 14 doubles, 22 RBIs, 30 runs and three stolen bases.

“She consistently hit the ball hard,” Bates said. “She did a really good job driving in runs all year long. She was always steady for us. She’s super competitive.”

Delatorre, a senior pitcher/rightfielder, batted .468 from the plate with two home runs, one triple, eight doubles, 29 RBIs, 25 runs and 10 stolen bases.

She amassed a 5-1 record in the circle with a 3.42 ERA, 30 strikeouts, 11 walks one shutout and two complete games in 282/3 innings.

“Bella (Gabriela) embodies everything you want from a Hawk player,” Bates said. “She’s super selfless. She’s meant a lot to the program.”

Prudhel, a sophomore catcher, batted .511 from the plate with six doubles, 18 RBIs and four runs.

“Monster is a really good player,” Bates said. “She can be intimidating.”

Krauss, a senior first baseman, batted .444 from the plate with two triples, six doubles, 11 RBIs, 19 runs and three stolen bases.

“Abigail is the best first baseman I’ve been able to work with,” Bates said. “Defensively, she’s amazing. She also lit it up for us at the plate.”

Valencia was named to the WAC Second Team.

The sophomore leftfielder batted .375 from the plate with 10 RBIs, 14 runs and 6 stolen bases.

“She was our clutch hitter,” Bates said. “When we needed something to happen, she came through every single time.”

Steeley, Chesney, Herrera, Delatorre, Prudhel, Krauss and Valencia helped lead Central Valley to a second-place finish in the WAC standings (12-2).

The Hawks enjoyed a major turnaround from a season ago.

Central Valley (7-7) took fourth in league play in 2025.

“It’s a product of hard work,” Bates said while talking about the Hawks’ improvement this spring.

Delatorre and Krauss graduated from Central Valley last week.

Delatorre and Krauss played varsity softball for four and three years, respectively.

“They showed up to work every single day,” Bates said. “They’re going to be missed.”