San Jose Sting

The Archbishop Mitty softball team has all the makings of a champion: sterling defense, timely hitting and speed to burn. But the ingredient that sets this group apart — and makes the Monarchs the No. 1 team in the nation — is an intimidating left-handed pitcher with the equivalent of a 100 mph fastball.

Keilani Ricketts, a 6-foot-3 senior with a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, has been nearly unhittable this season. And the Monarchs have been simply unbeatable. They are 30-0 and ranked No. 1 by USA Today and ESPN Rise.com.

"Being ranked first in the country is awesome," said Sarah Thomas, in her fifth year of coaching the Monarchs. "But our season is almost over, so we're trying to focus on what we can control: winning a Central Coast Section title."

 Mitty has moved up the national rankings by playing a rugged non-league schedule that includes victories over Sheldon-Sacramento and Freedom-Oakley, both ranked in the top 10 by ESPN Rise.com and USA Today.

"A lot of things have happened to help Mitty get to the top," said CalHiSports editor Mark Tennis, who compiles the ESPN Rise rankings. "They've beaten some of the best, while top teams from Texas and Florida have lost. And they've got Ricketts; as a pitcher and hitter she may be the best in the country."

Slick-fielding second baseman Miyuki Navarrete is batting .412 and has struck out once all season. Junior left fielder Jillian Andersen is batting .429 from the leadoff spot and already has a full scholarship to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. Freshman shortstop Vanessa Alvarez is batting .349 and serves as the No. 2 pitcher. All three, along with sophomore third baseman Sylvia Llamas, joined Ricketts on the All-West Catholic Athletic League first team.

Go to  http://www.mercurynews.com/hssports/ci_12456096?nclick_check=1  for complete article...

Sting 16's well represented in CCS finals for Mitty and San Benito! 

Mitty already was ranked No. 1 in the nation. And for the fifth consecutive year, the Monarchs are No. 1 in the Central Coast Section.Keilani Ricketts pitched a two-hitter and Mitty recorded its 25th shutout of the year, defeating Presentation 3-0 on Saturday in the CCS Division II championship game at PAL Stadium.

It was Mitty's fifth straight CCS title, all under Coach Sarah Thomas. The Monarchs broke through with a pair of runs in the second inning and an insurance tally in the sixth.

With two outs in the second and nobody on, Vanessa Alvarez singled, Sylvia Llamas belted a triple to the wall and Jillian Andersen drove her in with a single to right. Mitty added its final score on Shannon King's double.

"We knew our pitching and defense would hold us in the game," Thomas said. "And our hitting has been clicking on all cylinders the last few weeks." 

San Benito clinches CCS Division 1 final with dramatic come from behind win!

The clock struck midnight on Cinderella Gilroy (16-13-1) late in the CCS Division I final. The eighth-seeded Mustangs led most of the way but third-seeded San Benito (27-4) overcame a two-run, sixth-inning deficit on Jessica Steigleman's two-out, three-run triple for a 4-3 victory and its fourth straight championship. 

3-25-10
Emily Gibson (16U-Tellez-pictured right) got it done from both sides of the plate in Washington High Schools 9 inning, 3 hour and 15 minute game vs. league opponent American High School. Under ominous cloudy skies and with the wind creating freezing conditions,  Gibson created her own storm of strikeouts, recording 9 k's in the contest. And to ensure the victory, Emily unleashed her bat, going 3 for 5 at the plate, with 3 rbi's, in the 12-7 win. Washington is currently 2-0 in league play.

4-8-2010
Playing in the Standley tournament in Hayward, Washington High school got all the help they needed from 2 Sting players - Emily Gibson (16U-Tellez) and Katie Hoffman (18G-Smith) (pictured right). Gibson was dominant in the circle, recording 10 K's and only allowing 2 hits. Emily again contributed with her bat going 1 for 3, with an rbi. Katie went 2 for 3 with a triple and 3 rbis.
 

The Sting congratulates Haley Douglas for being named Bay Area News Group Atlete of the Week for 4-1-10.  Haley pitches for Amador High in Pleasanton and has signed to play softball at Central Florida in 2011.

SCHOOL: Amador Valley

SPORT: Softball

YEAR: Senior

POSITION: Pitcher

THE STAT LINE: Douglas threw a three-hit shutout in the Dons' 2-0 win against Concord and pitched three innings in relief during Amador's 7-1 win against Liberty.

3-30-10
In a league game at Washington High School on Tuesday, the Huskies came out on top 2-0, remaining unbeaten in league play. Emily Gibson (16U-Tellez-pictured right) pitched a gem, striking out 10 and only allowing 1 hit and 1 walk. For Irvington High school, Kendra Campbell (18G-Smith) held the Huskies scoreless for 5 innings before Emily Gibson (16U-Tellez) crushed a triple to get a run on the board! This is Emily's second game where she provided both the offense and defense for the Husky softball team. Way to go Em!!