Ceres High varsity softball player Jode Johnson had one of the most productive seasons in the history of the Valley Oak League this year.
The junior shortstop ranked first in six of seven offensive categories, including batting average (.571), home runs (5), runs scored (21), RBIs (24), slugging percentage (1.119) and on-base percentage (.617). She also had nine stolen bases, the second highest total in conference play.
Johnson claimed the league's Most Valuable Player award on Wednesday.
"There were three other girls considered," Bulldogs head coach Donnie Donaldson said. "Jode got most of the votes."
Johnson had multiple standout games. She provided a dramatic end to a crucial VOL contest on Tuesday, April 28 at Ceres High. Jode hit a walk-off, three-run homer with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, rallying the Bulldogs to an 8-6 win against East Union.
"We wanted the bat in her hands," Donnie said. "She just thrives under pressure."
Donaldson was named VOL Coach of the Year for the first time during his three-year stint. The Bulldogs finished in a tie for second place with Sierra in the conference standings.
"The girls got it for me," said Donnie, whose team won 11 of its 14 games.
Kaycee Creek and Ryan Norton made the VOL first team.
Norton, a sophomore outfielder, batted .404 (19-for-47) with two doubles, six stolen bases, 12 runs and four RBIs.
Creek moved from third base to pitcher for the final 11 league games. The freshman ranked second in wins (9), third in shutouts (2) and strikeouts (69), and fifth in ERA (1.69) during conference play.
Kaycee also batted .366 (15-for-41) with four doubles, seven runs and seven RBIs.
"She did a great job," Donaldson said. "She beat everyone in league except for Oakdale."
Mika Johnson, Amanda Lampley and Taiylor Sakurada earned second-team honors.
Johnson, a senior outfielder, led the VOL with 16 stolen bases and ranked fourth in runs scored (13). She also hit .415 (17-for-41) with two doubles and six RBIs.
Lampley, a senior catcher, hit .282 (11-for-39) with one triple, seven runs and seven RBIs.
Sakurada, a sophomore third baseman/first baseman, hit .200 (6-for-30) with seven runs and two RBIs.
Shaye Farriester was named to the All-Defensive Team. The senior second baseman committed just three errors on her way to posting a .885 fielding percentage. She batted .364 (16-for-44) with two triples, one double, 10 runs and 10 RBIs.
The junior shortstop ranked first in six of seven offensive categories, including batting average (.571), home runs (5), runs scored (21), RBIs (24), slugging percentage (1.119) and on-base percentage (.617). She also had nine stolen bases, the second highest total in conference play.
Johnson claimed the league's Most Valuable Player award on Wednesday.
"There were three other girls considered," Bulldogs head coach Donnie Donaldson said. "Jode got most of the votes."
Johnson had multiple standout games. She provided a dramatic end to a crucial VOL contest on Tuesday, April 28 at Ceres High. Jode hit a walk-off, three-run homer with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, rallying the Bulldogs to an 8-6 win against East Union.
"We wanted the bat in her hands," Donnie said. "She just thrives under pressure."
Donaldson was named VOL Coach of the Year for the first time during his three-year stint. The Bulldogs finished in a tie for second place with Sierra in the conference standings.
"The girls got it for me," said Donnie, whose team won 11 of its 14 games.
Kaycee Creek and Ryan Norton made the VOL first team.
Norton, a sophomore outfielder, batted .404 (19-for-47) with two doubles, six stolen bases, 12 runs and four RBIs.
Creek moved from third base to pitcher for the final 11 league games. The freshman ranked second in wins (9), third in shutouts (2) and strikeouts (69), and fifth in ERA (1.69) during conference play.
Kaycee also batted .366 (15-for-41) with four doubles, seven runs and seven RBIs.
"She did a great job," Donaldson said. "She beat everyone in league except for Oakdale."
Mika Johnson, Amanda Lampley and Taiylor Sakurada earned second-team honors.
Johnson, a senior outfielder, led the VOL with 16 stolen bases and ranked fourth in runs scored (13). She also hit .415 (17-for-41) with two doubles and six RBIs.
Lampley, a senior catcher, hit .282 (11-for-39) with one triple, seven runs and seven RBIs.
Sakurada, a sophomore third baseman/first baseman, hit .200 (6-for-30) with seven runs and two RBIs.
Shaye Farriester was named to the All-Defensive Team. The senior second baseman committed just three errors on her way to posting a .885 fielding percentage. She batted .364 (16-for-44) with two triples, one double, 10 runs and 10 RBIs.
