All-Madera Tribune Softball Team

Tyler Takeda/The Madera Tribune

Liberty’s Carly Jimenez has been named one of The Madera Tribune’s Softball Most Valuable Players. Both players hit over .500 for their respective teams while leading the Hawks and the Coyotes to league championships. Both players hold records for their program with Ricks holding six records. They, along with the other Players of the Year, received a certificate from sponsor, Perko’s Café for a free meal.

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This year was a banner year for softball in Madera. All four Madera-area teams had a league Player of the Year for the first time in history.

Madera’s Malea Ricks was the County/Metro Athletic Conference 1 Most Valuable Player. Liberty’s Carly Jimenez was named the Northwest Sequoia Conference’s Most Valuable Player. Each of them earned a fourth All-Madera Tribune selection.

Freshmen also earned the big honors at Madera South and Matilda Torres.

Dallas Chavira led the Stallions to a North Yosemite League title, and was named the league’s Player of the year.

Matilda Torres freshman first baseman Jazmin Gonzalez was also named the CMAC2 Player of the Year.

There are a record 29 players on the All-Madera Tribune team and nine earned first team All-League honors.

Most Valuable Players

Malea Ricks

Senior OF Madera

Stats: .521 BA, 46 runs, 50 hits, 4 2B, 32 SB

All-League: CMAC1 Most Valuable Player

Ricks is an obvious selection, and is a two-time All-Madera Tribune Most Valuable Player selection. It can be said that no player has been most valuable in recent years than Ricks. Not only is she probably the fastest player in the Central Section, but she is the best centerfielder in the Section, and the best lead-off hitter. Ricks set six Madera Coyote records during her four-year career — batting average, season (.552); batting average, career (.519); hits, career (179); runs, career (141); stolen bases, season (44) and stolen bases, career (133). Not only does Ricks hold the top mark, set in 2024, she holds the top three marks, and her freshman year ranked No. 7 all-time. She was also second all-time in hits in a season with 50 (two shy of the record) and runs in a season with 46 (one shy of the record). She also has four of the top seven stolen bases in season numbers. Ricks helped lead the Coyotes to the 2023 Central Section Championship in her freshman season. She is going to continue her playing career at Cal. She is a four-time All-Tribune selection.

Carly Jimenez

Senior C Liberty

Stats: .506 BA, 41 hits, 14 2B, 6 3B, 6 HR 49 RBI, 35 runs, 17 SB.

All-League: Northwest Sequoia Conference Most Valuable Player; NWSC North Division MVP

Jimenez had the unenviable task of following up one of the best players in Liberty history (Rylee Bocchini), both at the plate and behind the plate. However, Jimenez more than lived up to Bocchini’s shoes and helped carry the Hawks to the 2025 Central Section championship. Like Ricks, Jimenez’s name is littered in the Liberty Softball record books. She finished with a .426 batting average, but hit .506 this year and .479 last year. She set the school record for triples in a career with 19, and that record was set 19 years ago. She is ranked No. 3 in hits in a career with 149, No. 3 in doubles in a career with 37, tied for third with six triples in a season (twice), tied for fifth with 12 home runs, second in RBIs in a season (49) and second in RBIs in a career with 145. She also had 50 stolen bases, which is ranked No. 6. Jimenez was a force behind the plate, and an intimidating presence. She developed a great rapport with pitcher Macie Webster, and led the Hawks to the title last year. Jimenez is a four-time All-Tribune selection and The Madera Tribune’s Sportsmanship recipient. She will continue her collegiate career at CSU Monterey Bay.

Pitcher of the Year

Isabella Aguirre

Sophomore P Madera

Stats: 9-3 record, 2.36 ERA, 86 K, 33 BB, .219 BAA

All-League: CMAC 1st Team

At the beginning of the year, Viviana Nombrano was the ace of the staff. However, Aguirre kept plugging away and when Nombrano was injured, Aguirre became the to-to pitcher. She recorded a 1.08 ERA in the CMAC, while going 5-0. She struck out 38 batters in 32 1/3 innings while allowing just five earned runs. She started to gain confidence as the season went on. She picked up huge wins over Bullard and Sanger to lead the Coyotes to the CMAC1 Championship. She also tied the school record with 15 strikeouts in a seven-inning game in a win over Sanger West. She has two more years to cement herself into the Coyote record book.

Offensive Player of the Year

Jazmin Gonzalez

Freshman 1B Torres

Stats: .500 BA, 46 H, 23 2B, 33 RBI.

All-League: CMAC 2 Player of the Year

It has to take some player to move last year’s All-League first baseman J’Lynn Mitchell to left field. Gonzalez was that player. She easily led the team with a .500 batting average. Of her 46 hits, 25 went for extra bases, including setting the school record for doubles and RBIs in a season. She recorded a 1.353 on-base, plus slugging percentage. For good measure, she also stole nine bases. With three more years to come, Gonzalez will be a force for the Toros.

Underclassman of the Year

Dallas Chavira

Freshman P Madera South

Stats: .475 BA, 24 runs, 28 hits, 21 RBI, 3 2B, 10-8 record, 95 IP, 108 K, 33 BB, .161 BAA.

All-League: North Yosemite League Player of the Year

Chavira entered Madera South with some fanfare, and lived up to it in her first season in purple and black. She led a resurgent Stallion’s team that hit a program best. .337. She hit .475 during the season, and that was second best on the team. She was second on the team with 28 hits, and RBIs. She became the ace of the staff, starting 18 of the team’s 29 games. She led the team with 10 wins, and struck out more than a batter an inning. She will put her name into the Stallions record books with three more years left.

The Team

Macie Webster

Senior P Liberty

Stats: .443 BA, 31 H, 23 RBI, 16-10 record, 132 K-131 2/3 IP, 4.09 ERA

All-League: NWSC North Co-Pitcher of the Year, NWSC 1st Team

Like her battery-mate Jimenez, Webster stepped into big shoes two years ago when Karsyn Bauer graduated. However, Webster stepped into her shoes, and outgrew them. She led the Hawks to the Central Section championship last season, and was the ace of the team for two years. Her name is also among the top pitchers in the Liberty record book. She tied the school record last year with 22 wins. By mainly pitching the past two seasons, Webster has 42 wins, which is fifth-best in Liberty history. She is also fifth for innings pitched in a career, third for innings pitched in a season, and sixth in strikeouts in a career. She is a two-time All-Tribune selection and was last year’s Pitcher of the Year.

Jordyn Anaya

Freshman P Torres

Stats: .434 BA, 36 H, 14 2B, 3 3B, 9-2 record, 3.46 ERA, 91 IP, 90 K.

All-League: CMAC 2 1st Team

Anaya entrenched herself in the middle of the Torres line-up right from the beginning, and then took the ace status in the circle. She was second on the team in doubles, hits and RBIs. She also became the ace of the staff. With three more years left, Anaya has a chance to become one of Torres’ best players.

Brielle Villalobos

Freshman C Torres

Stats: .319 BA, 23 H, 11 RBI.

All-League: CMAC 2 1st Team

Villalobos and her best friend, Anaya, came in to become a freshman battery early in the season. Villalobos claimed the starting catcher spot early in the season, and never let it go. She controlled the pitching staff and the opposing running game. In her first year, she hit over .300 and only struck out seven times in 77 plate appearances. Look for the Torres battery to become one of the best in years to come.

Alana Garcia

Freshman C Madera South

Stats: .348 BA, 34 R, 23 H, 21 SB

All-League: NYL Honorable Mention

Garcia was a member of the resurgent Stallions’ squad. She played in 23 of the Stallions’ 29 games and became the team’s starting catcher. She led the team with 34 runs scored while she was third on the team in hits. She was also second on the team in stolen bases and walked 16 times compared to 13 strikeouts.

Destinee Avila

Senior 1B Madera

Stats: .278 BA, 29 hits, 5 2B, 14 RBI, 6 K, 8 BB.

All-League: CMAC 1 Honorable Mention

Avila not on at least the CMAC second team is a travesty. She was one of the best players on the field. She was also dependable, missing just four games in four years, mostly at first base. She started the season in a slump, but hit .350 after she got her first hit of the season. She came in clutch, hitting .320 with runners in scoring position. She was Madera High School’s Athlete of the Year, and the MHS recipient of the Kenny Taylor Athlete of Integrity, as well as The Madera Tribune’s Sportsmanship Award winner.

Xochil Miranda

Senior 1B Madera South

Stats: .359 BA, 27 runs, 28 hits, 21 RBI, 5 2B.

All-League: NYL 2nd Team

Miranda played a number of roles for the Stallions. She was the team’s starting pitcher early in the season until Chavira came along. She then anchored the middle of the line-up at first base. She was second on the team in hits, third in runs scored and second in RBIs. She also led the team with five doubles.

Brilynn Santiago

Senior SS-2B Madera

Stats: .403 BA, 31 hits, 23 runs, 18 RBIs, 10 SB.

All-League: CMAC 1 1st Team

Santiago began the year at the bottom of the order. However, she gradually worked her way up to No. 2 behind Ricks, and stood out. She hit .458 in the CMAC with five runs and eight RBIs, second on the team. She finished in the top five in five different offensive categories in Coyote history, including No. 2 in stolen bases and No. 4 in runs scored in her career. She also played center field and right field this season. She was also durable, missing just two games in her Coyote career. She is a four-time All-Tribune selection.

Mia Pompa

Junior 2B Madera South

Stats: .292 BA, 25 R, 19 H, 9 RBI, 22 BB, 32 SB

All-League: NYL 2nd Team

Finally settling on a position, Pompa became more comfortable at the plate. She got on base almost half the time (.495 on base percentage). She walked 22 times compared to 15 strikeouts. She was also hit by a pitch six times. The speedy Pompa led the Stallions in stolen bases and was third on the team in runs scored.

Kearney Opfergelt

Sophomore 3B Madera

Stats: .291 BA, 20 runs, 23 hits, 4 2B.

All-League: CMAC 1 2nd Team

Opfergelt was a fixture at third base for the Coyotes. She played in 29 of 30 games, mostly at third base. She has been in the middle of the Madera line-up for the past two seasons. She just does the little things to help the team succeed, whether it’s a sacrifice, moving the runners over or just hitting the ball hard and finding a hole. She hit .370 with a pair of doubles in CMAC play. She is a two-time All-Tribune selection.

Trinity Cervantes

Sophomore 3B Liberty

Stats: .384 BA, 28 H, 6 2B, 24 RBI, 23 runs

All-League: NWSC 1st Team

Cervantes cemented herself as a starter last year as a freshman, and didn’t disappoint as a sophomore. She was fifth on the team in batting average, but also third in RBIs with 23. She will anchor the middle of the line-up for the next two seasons for the Hawks. She is a two-time All-Tribune selection.

Ariana Garcia

Senior 3B-SS Torres

Stats: .388 BA, 38 runs, 33 hits, 17 RBI, 6 2B, 4 3B, 22 SB

All-League: NYL 2nd Team

Her numbers for the past four years aren’t too shabby for a player that relies a lot on her athletic ability. Although she doesn’t look like it, she is probably one of the best athletes on the Torres campus. She was a dominant force on the basketball court in leading the Toros to the Central Section title. She was even better on the softball diamond going between third and short. She was the team’s lead-off hitter all year long. She led the team in runs scored and was third in hits and doubles. She is a three-time All-Tribune selection.

Gianna Ruiz

Freshman SS Madera

Stats: .269 BA, 22 runs, 14 hits, 8 RBI.

All-League: CMAC 1 2nd Team

The word on the street for Ruiz was her game was defense. Her bat just needed to come around. It came around during the CMAC season when she started at shortstop. She hit. .400 during the CMAC season with 10 hits and 13 runs scored from the No. 9 spot in the batting order. She only struck out twice in the CMAC season, and made the play of the year with a 360-degree turn and throw out against Clovis West in the playoffs. Just a freshman, expect more from Ruiz in the years to come.

Leilah Uriarte

Junior SS Liberty

Stats: .542 BA, 45 hits, 9 2B, 5 3B, 3 HR, 31 RBI, 43 runs, 19 SB.

All-League: NWSC Defensive Player of the Year, 1st Team

If it weren’t for Jimenez’s great year, we would be talking more about Uriarte, who had a season to remember. Her season batting average ranked No. 3 all-time in Liberty history. She ended up with 17 extra base hits for a .880 slugging percentage. She led the team with a .608 on base percentage, and led the team with 16 walks against just seven strikeouts, mostly from the lead-off spot in the Liberty line-up. She is a two-time All-Tribune recipient.

Savana Cortez

Junior LF Madera

Stats: .455 BA, 32 runs, 40 hits, 4 2B, 7 3B, 3 HR, 41 RBI, 19 SB

All-League: CMAC 1 1st team

Something switched for Cortez in the middle of the season. Until then, she was the No. 2 hitter behind Ricks, and her main job was to move Ricks along, get on base and steal into scoring position. Then, something changed, and she became a run producer. She hit two home runs in a game and also drove in eight in one game. She broke the school record for most triples in a season and most RBIs in a season. She is a three-time All-Tribune selection.

Evelyn Solis

Senior OF Madera South

Stats: .295 BA, 28 runs, 18 hits

All-League: NYL Honorable Mention

Solis finally had the offensive season the Stallions were waiting for. She hit in the No. 2 spot behind Garcia, and helped moved her along the bases. She was second on the team in runs scored. Solis was one of the leaders behind an improving, and young, Stallions team.

Natalia Gutierrez

Junior OF-P Madera South

Stats: .382 BA, 16 runs, 21 hits, 26 RBI, 4 2B

All-League: NYL 2nd Team

Gutierrez kept improving as the season wore on, and became the leader of the bottom half of the Madera South line-up. She hit in the No. 6 spot and led the team in RBIs. She was also second on the team in doubles while providing solid numbers. She has one more year to exceed her numbers from this season.

Malorie Chapman

Freshman OF Liberty

Stats: .373 BA, 28 hits, 19 RBI, 10 2B

All-League: NWSC 1st Team

Chapman kept her family’s legacy going by entrenching herself in centerfield from Day 1 and never letting it go. Her older sister, Paige (2022), manned that position for four years, and Chapman will do the same. Chapman had a good freshman season with much to learn. However, she has a leg up on her sisters because she can turn to Paige and Lauren for any help she needs.

Macey Cox

Senior OF Liberty

Stats: .325 BA, 25 hits, 8 2B, 13 runs

All-League: NWSC 1st Team

Cox anchored the bottom of the Liberty line-up for the past four years, and excelled. She was sixth on the team in hits, but also hit eight doubles. Although she struck out 14 times this season, she also walked 10 times. Cox is a three-time all-Tribune selection.

Jillian Villalobos

Sophomore OF Torres

Stats: .412 BA, 36 runs, 35 hits, 9 2B, 22 SB

All-League: CMAC 2 2nd Team

Something must be wrong in the league office if Villalobos isn’t on the first team. She was an anchor in right field, and in the No. 2 hole behind Garcia. She was second to Garcia in runs and third on the team in hits. She was also third on the team in doubles and tied with Garcia for stolen bases. She came off a strong basketball season, and look for her to improve in both for the next two years. She is a two-time All-Tribune selection.

J’Lynn Mitchell

Senior OF Torres

Stats: .280 BA, 19 runs, 21 hits, 4 2B, 6 3B

All-League: CMAC 2 Honorable Mention

It took a powerhouse like Gonzalez to move Mitchell to the outfield. However, Mitchell used her athletic ability to make left field look natural. She was a hot and cold hitter, but when she was hot, she could carry the team. Mitchell earned her third All-Tribune softball selection. In volleyball, basketball and softball, Mitchell earned 10 selections, including a two-time basketball Most Valuable Player.

Makayla Medley

Freshman DP Madera South

Stats: .476 BA, 14 hits, 30 runs, 21 RBI, 4 2B

All-League: NYL 1st Team

What a way to make an entrance. Medley, anchoring the designated player spot, became the ultimate hitter. She led the team with a .476 batting average and hits. She tied for second in RBI’s and doubles. She has three more years to improve on those numbers.

Mylah Avila

Junior IF-P Torres

Stats: .348 BA, 28 runs, 24 hits, 27 SB, 3-5 record, 2.62 ERA, 34 K-26 2/3 IP.

Avila was snubbed by the CMAC 2 coaches. With numbers like that, how do they leave her off the first team, much less the second? Avila has been the team leader for the past three years and expect nothing less next year. She finished third on the team in runs and led the team in stolen bases. She was the team’s starting pitcher until Anaya got up to speed. She is a two-time All-Tribune recipient.

Viviana Nombrano

Junior DP-P Madera

Stats: .437 BA, 31 hits, 7 2B, 8 HR, 32 RBI, 10-6 record, 2.31 ERA, 89K-94 IP

All-League: CMAC 1 2nd Team

Nombrano had a hot start to the season and just cruised from there. She tied the school record with eight home runs in a season, but didn’t record one in the CMAC. She was the big bat in the middle of the line-up, finishing second to Cortez in RBIs and led the team in doubles. Of her 31 hits, 16 went for extra bases. She injured her ankle early in the CMAC season, and that bothered her the rest of the year. Expect a lot from a healthy Nombrano next year. She is a three-time All-Tribune selection.

Madison Bishel

Junior DP-P Liberty

Stats: .370 BA, 20 hits, 7 2B, 17 RBI, 1-1 record, 21 2/3 IP, 12 K.

All-League: NWSC 2nd Team

She learned under the wings of Webster this season, and is expected to lead the team next year. The transfer had to sit the first part of the season, but made up for it late in the year, especially in the NWSC season when she got consistent playing time to help with her confidence. She will be among the team leaders next season.