By Dick Dornan
MyBurbank Sports Editor
For the second consecutive season, Burbank softball star Caitlyn Brooks has been named the Pacific League’s Player of the Year. Brooks led the Bulldogs (24-4, 14-0) to back-to-back league championships going undefeated in 2013 and 2014.
This season Brooks compiled a 21-4 record with a 1.18 era. She struck out 258 batters, walked only 22, and recorded seven shutouts. Not only was she the most dominant pitcher in the league, Brooks was also the best hitter.
The junior Notre Dame-commit hit a whopping .513 with 42 RBIs, seven doubles, six triples and five home runs. She led BHS in RBI’s, doubles and home runs.
“It was well-deserved,” Burbank coach Mike Delaney said. “She is a difference maker both offensively and defensively. She is a hard working athlete that always strives to get better.”
Joining Brooks on the first team were junior third baseman Lily Winn, sophomore first baseman Julia Duarte and junior catcher Bridgette Pisa.
Winn had a phenomenal season batting a team-high .535 with a team-best 46 hits. She also drove in 34 runs with five doubles, eight triples and three home runs. Duarte hit .374 with 34 RBI’s, five doubles, five triples and four home runs. Pisa had a .410 avg. and a team-best 30 runs scored.
Senior Kaitlin Brooks (.303, 17 RBIs) and junior Jazmin Orozco (.360, 31 hits, 22 RBIs) were named second-team and sophomore Cailey Stevenson (.296, 16 runs) received honorable mention.
“It was a great season and I am very proud of our team,” Delaney said.
Burroughs (19-7-1, 11-3) had an outstanding season finishing second behind Burbank in the Pacific League.
The Indians were represented on the first team by junior catcher/third baseman Michelle Santiago and senior pitcher Cheyenne Steward.
The battery mates had a productive year with Santiago on fire with a team-best .531 average, 43 hits, 32 runs, 21 RBI’s and 10 doubles.
Like Brooks, Steward had a strong season in the circle and at the plate. She went 9-5 with a 2.95 era, four shutouts and two saves. Steward batted .516 with 32 hits, a team-high 32 RBIs, seven doubles, four triples and a team-best five home runs.
Senior Sidney Ortega (.518, 43 hits, 21 RBIs) and sophomore Kaitlin Okimoto (.485, 30 runs, 27 RBIs) earned second-team honors.
Sophomore Danielle Ryan (.456, 36 hits, three home runs) was named honorable mention.
