Five softball players selected for All Palomar League team, Kailey Hill named League Player of the Year
By Bill Tamburrino
Five Ramona High School softball players made the 2012 All-Palomar League softball team and Kailey Hill was selected the 2012 Palomar League Player of the Year.
Sophomores Hill and Amber Davis were named to the first team. Hill was the go pitcher for the Lady Bulldogs. She had a 14-9 record with a microscopic 1.63 earned run average (ERA). Hill struck out 187 batters in 150 innings.
Hill’s hitting stats also stood out. She hit .425 and led the team with 37 hits and 32 runs batted in (RBI). Hill also led the league and North County with 11 home runs. She had three doubles and two triples for a team leading with a .885 slugging percentage. She has made a verbal commitment to the University of San Diego.
“Being the Player of the Year in the Palomar League is awesome. It is the best league in the CIF. Kailey had an amazing season and is deserving of the honor,” said Coach Antoinette Rodriguez.
Davis played third base and catcher for the Lady Bulldogs and led the team with a .431 batting average with 24 RBIs. She also led the Lady Dawgs with a .549 on base percentage. Davis had six home runs, five doubles and a game winning triple in a CIF game with a .778 slugging percentage. She also had six stolen bases.
“Amber is like that bunny. She just keeps going and going and going. She plays great defense and hits for an average and for power. Being first team in the Palomar League is a big honor for anybody especially for a sophomore,” said Rodriguez.
KK Melgoza finished a four year career as a starter by being selected to the second team All-Palomar League softball team.
Melgoza played centerfield. She made difficult catches look easy and had an accurate throwing arm. She will be attending Malone University on a softball/academic scholarship next year. Melgoza hit .255 with 10 RBIs, three doubles, two triples and one game-saving home run.
“KK held our outfield together and contributed on offense when it counted the most. She was a lot of fun to coach and will do well in college,” said Rodriguez
Senior Kim Whelehon and Christina Barrameda received honorable mention on the All-Palomar League 2012 softball team. Whelehon was one of the most versatile Lady Bulldogs. She played shortstop, second base and outfield.
Whelehon hit a solid .315 with 8 RBIs, a double, a triple and a home run. She stole five bases and missed nine games with an injury. Whelehon will be attending Southern Arkansas University on a softball/academic scholarship.
“Kim is a leader and team player. She played where we needed her and we needed to keep her bat in the lineup. She fought back from an injury and she will be missed,” said Rodriguez.
Christina Barrameda is the third sophomore to be selected All-Palomar League. Barrameda played third base, second base and shortstop. She hit .245 with eight RBIs and a double.
“With Kailey playing shortstop when she is not pitching, we need a versatile infielder and Christina can play any infield position and with her skills she could play in the outfield,” said Rodriguez.