EL CAJON, CA- Three Grossmont College Griffins softball athletes were named as 2nd Team All-Conference in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC) (Alizah Jamison, Veronica Quirino, & Lexi Schmehr).
Freshman Middle Infielder/Pitcher #22 Lexi Schmehr and Freshman Pitcher/ First Baseman #7 Veronica Quirino were both ranked #17 in all of the PCAC at 0.444.
Freshman #22 Schmehr, with 41 plate appearances in conference, had an average of 0.444 with an on base percentage of 0.508 and 7 stolen bases. At 4'10, Schmehr dominated opponents with her ability to slap and swing away at the plate leading the team in RBIs (14) resulting in a 0.611 slugging percentage in conference. Schmehr has proven herself as a most dedicated and hard working player on the team, as she started pitching again after a four year break. Futhermore, Schmehr has shown her perseverance on the mound as she battled through multiple overuse and fatigue injuries with an average of 4.46 strike out per inning. We have great hopes and expectations for Schmehr on the field as she continues to further her education in Kinesiology and search for her next home at a university.
Freshman #7 Quirino (recruited as a pitcher) battled all season with a chronic injury to her throwing arm and was unable to help the Griffins at the mound, however, she showed tremendous assistance at the plate and at first base with a percentage of 0.519. Outstanding Quirino went all season with ZERO strikeouts against All-State level pitchers with a slugging percentage of 0.600! With 50 putouts Quirino was a solid wall at first base only allowing for one error all season long. Quirino plans for surgery in the coming weeks to repair the injuries to her shoulder. We wish her a speedy recovery and await her return to next season as a strong leader from the dugout during her recovery. Quirino continues to study Childhood Psychology in hope of furthering her softball career and education at a university once she has recovered.
Sophomore #1 Jamison with 61 plate appearances had an average of 0.396 with an on base percent of 0.467 and 13 stolen bases in conference. Jamison experience allowed her to become a triple threat at the plate to comfortably drive the ball to laying down a bunt for a hit. Jamison stepped up to help her team in time of injuries to step away from her outstanding outfield skills to play third base and shortstop. Jamison's hard work has paid off as she has accepted a scholarship to Ohio Valley University as a Fighting Scot to continue her softball career and education in Criminology. We wish Jamison the best of luck at her new school and warm thoughts during the frigid winters.
In addition, four Grossmont College Griffins were recognized as Honorable Mentions; Freshman Outfielder #19 Sierra Marty, Freshman First Basemen #15 Gabby Clippinger, Sophomore Second Basemen #5 Julissa Cardenas, and Freshman Outfielder/Pitcher #14 Ashley Nelson.
Freshman #19 Marty batted 0.408 with 55 plate appearances and an on base percentage of 0.453. Marty was one of the team leaders along with Schmher for RBIs (14) in conference earning her a slugging percentage of 0.469 with three stand up doubles. Marty battled at the plate only allowing for two strikeouts against all season which were against the top pitcher from Palomar with an ERA of 0.32. A dedicated player, Marty was one of the only athletes on the team this season to earn a GPA of 4.0. Marty's determination on and off the field has allowed her to become a great role model to younger players in the community. We have high expectations for Marty as she leads new Griffins in the outfield of G-House traditions. Marty continues to search for a university to future her softball career and education in Childhood Development.
Freshman #15 Clippinger persevered this season as she learned new defensive positions in the outfield to help the team in areas of need. Clippinger is a powerful lefty that batted 0.375 with 54 plate appearances and an on base percentage of 0.415. Clippinger was second highest in leading the team in RBIs (11) in conference earning her a slugging percentage of 0.521. This great athlete has matured into a fine athlete this past season, we have high hopes for this Griffin next season to become of the top leaders on the team leading the team to expected greatness. Gabby continues her education at Grossmont College as she looks into a future career and university best suited for her.
Freshman #14 Nelson had a great attitude all season as she learned two new positions. Nelson was recruited for her speed in the outfield but quickly become an asset in the infield as she learned shortstop and renewed her knowledge of pitching. Nelson batted an average of 0.367 with 53 plate appearances and an on base percentage of 0.415. Nelson was the team's leader in stolen bases (13) this season making her a great threat on the bases. After not playing for a couple of years, Nelson had a slow start but developed in a great clean up hitter for the Griffins with six doubles, four triples, and thirteen RBIs in conference. Nelson continues to work on and off the field to find a university suited for her to continue her softball career and education in Social & Behavioral Sciences.
Sophomore #5 Julissa Cardenas' season ended all top soon with an unknown knee injury. Cardenas performance in conference led her to become an honorable mention as seen in her average of 0.364 with 41 plate appearances. Earning her first collegiate career homerun, Cardenas had a slugging percentage of 0.545. Cardenas had made a huge improvement from the previous season proving herself worthy of being a Griffin and a well-rounded athlete. Cardenas plans to continue her education at SDSU in Sociology and supporting her Alma Mater as a Griffin alumni. We are proud of the achievements Cardenas has achieved as a Grossmont College. We wish her the best as she pursues her interest in understanding and helping people.