By Pete Marshall
In 2012, Natalie Calderas was an impressive sophomore on a plucky Jurupa Hills team that made a surprising run to the CIF-SS semifinals without any seniors.
By 2014, Calderas was one of the most feared hitters and pitchers in the area.
In leading the Spartans to the CIF-SS Division 5 title, the Cal State Fullerton-bound Calderas has earned all-Sun Softball Player of the Year honors.
Everywhere you look, Calderas’ statistics are impressive.
She was 26-2 with a 0.44 ERA and a whopping 334 strikeouts while walking only 22 in 174 1/3 innings, while holding opponents to a .096 batting average. As a hitter, she batted .567 with 11 home runs, 49 RBIs and 35 runs scored, and 18 walks, while striking out just five times in 109 plate appearances.
“I was really proud that I was able to work hard on the mound and be a hitter, too, and bring in runs,” Calderas said.
All that being said, there were a couple of playoff games in particular that earned attention.
“I think she saved her best for last,” Jurupa Hills coach Scott Cartzdafner said.
In a 9-0 first-round win against Bell Gardens, Calderas allowed just two hits, while striking out 21 batters in seven innings, tying for the second-best seven-inning striking total in CIF-SS history.
But Cartzdafner felt her best game of the year might have been the last of her high school career.
In facing Mountain Valley League rival Citrus Valley for the fourth time this season but this time for the CIF-SS championship, Calderas pitched a two-hitter, walking none and striking out 12.
“It was a big accomplishment,” Calderas said. “It had always been a goal for us to win CIF, It felt really good, especially beating Citrus Valley, our rivals, made it even better.”
While Calderas’ hitting was comparable to what she did as a junior, her pitching was much improved. A year ago, her ERA was 1.75 and allowed 11 home runs, this year, her ERA was about a quarter of that, and she allowed just one home run.
“I think I did a good job of hitting my spots this year,” she said.
The soft-spoken Calderas also became more of a leader, although it wasn’t usually yelling but involved passing along senior advice.
Now, she’s off to college where she hopes to make more history.
As for her legacy, Cartzdafner realizes he was fortunate to get a talent like Calderas at a school that graduated only its second senior class this year.
“She’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of player,” Cartzdaftner said. “I’ll probably never have another player like her.”
COACH OF THE YEAR: Scott Cartzdafner, Jurupa Hills
Two years ago a Jurupa Hills team without seniors made an unlikely run to the CIF-SS semifinals.
This year, the Spartans weren’t sneaking up on anybody.
But Cartzdafner, a former Kaiser High assistant, used a good preseason schedule to prepare his team for the playoffs and it worked.
In leading the Spartans to the CIF-SS Division 5 title, Cartzdafner is the all-Sun Softball Coach of the Year honors.
Jurupa Hills compiled a 26-5 record and was ranked No. 1 for a good portion of the season, earning the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
Player of the Year Natalie Calderas said Cartzdafner did change his style a little bit this year.
“Instead of doing the same drills, we worked on specific things that were giving us trouble, to make us better,” she said.
Jurupa Hills had hoped to make a playoff run last year, but a second-round playoff exit provided motivation for this year.
“We knew we were better than that last year,” Cartzdafner said. “We knew we could win it this year.”
FIRST TEAM
Brooke Bolinger, Jr., P, Yucaipa
Her performances for the CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinalists ranged from very good to incredible. Overall, the University of Nevada-bound Bolinger was 22-5 with a 0.65 ERA and 255 strikeouts in 162 innings. She did not allow an earned run in her final 10 games of the season and struck out 54 batters during a four-game stretch at the end of the regular season and beginning of the playoffs. She also contributed with the bat, batting .270 with two home runs, 12 RBIs and 12 runs scored.
Miranda Viramontes, Sr., P. Chino
In nearly leading Chino to a third straight CIF-SS title, Viramontes had another incredible season. She went 25-1 (losing only in the CIF-SS championship game) with a 0.28 ERA and 298 strikeouts and 45 walks in 175 innings, She also batted .415 with 10 home runs and 36 RBI, driving in the only run in a walk-off win over Yucaipa in the quarterfinals.
Kelly Martinez, So., C, Yucaipa
Martinez has become one of the premier catchers in the area, offensively and defensively. In handling one of the top pitchers in the area, Brooke Bolinger, Martinez committed only one error all season. As a hitter, she batted .419 with eight home runs, 34 RBIs and 32 runs scored, leading the league champions in home runs, RBIs and runs scored.
Eliyah Flores, Fr., INF, Grand Terrace
The Sunkist League MVP, Flores played far beyond her years for the Titans. A University of Oklahoma commit, Flores batted .515 overall with 11 home runs. She hit a walk-off home run to beat Fontana the last week of the regular season, moving Grand Terrace into sole possession of first place in the Sunkist League.
Linda Garcia, Sr., INF, Kaiser
Garcia, who is headed to play at Texas-El Paso, became one of the top sluggers in the area for the Cats. She was second in San Bernardino County in home runs, belting 13 in just 28 games. She also hit .421 and drove in 48 runs, fourth-best in the county.
Paige Halstead, Jr., INF, Los Osos
A first-team Baseline League selection who batted a team-high .500 (38 for 76) with 10 doubles, 3 triples, 6 home runs, 35 runs scored and 30 RBI all leading to an on-base percentage of 568 and slugging percentage of .947. The Grizzlies shortstop tallied 13 hits in the last five games of the regular season. Struck out just 4 times all season. Made verbal commitment to UCLA her freshman year.
Tannon Snow, Jr., INF, Chino Hills
A three-year starter and Co-MVP in the Sierra League with teammate Patricia Parks. Played shortstop batted leadoff for the Huskies. Hit .565 (61 for 108) with 22 doubles, one triple, 14 home runs, 43 runs scored and 58 RBI for a slugging percentage of 1.176. Her RBI total led CIF (Divisions 1, 2 and 3) while her doubles total broke a CIF record. Has committed to University of Washington.
Alexis Allan, Fr., OF, Grand Terrace Already committed to the University of Michigan, Allan was outstanding for the Sunkist League champions. Overall, she batted .471 with 11 home runs on the season. In the final game of the regular season, she belted a two-run homer in the first inning en route to a 14-0 win over Fontana that clinched the league title.
Zoe Casas, Jr., OF, Aquinas
The Florida State-bound Casas was the Sun’s Player of the Year last year and was no less impressive this year. She batted .644 with two home runs, 46 runs scored, 28 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. She also struck out only twice all year in 87 at-bats, and failed to get a hit in only one game this season, a playoff loss to Citrus Valley. In one Ambassador League win vs. Calvary Murrieta, she was 4-for-5 with five runs scored and five RBIs.
Sam Glover, Sr., OF, Citrus Valley
For the CIF-SS finalist Blackhawks, Glover was among the team leaders in several offensive categories, leading Citrus Valley with 36 runs scored, while finishing second with a .559 batting average, as well as three home runs and 25 RBIs. In the first two playoff games this season, she was 5-for-8 with four runs scored and five RBIs.
Brianna Cassidy, Jr., UTIL, Cajon
The Nebraska-bound slugger who caught and played some third base for the Cowgirls, Cassidy was a well-respected hitter. In one Citrus Belt League game against Redlands, she was intentionally walked three times in three plate appearances, including twice with the bases empty. Overall, she batted .556 with six home runs, 25 RBIs and 25 runs scored.
SECOND TEAM
P: Alyssa Burk, Jr,, Fontana
P: Patricia Parks, Sr., Chino Hills
C: Pamala Baber, So., Carter
INF: Marci Arevalo, Jr., Jurupa Hills
INF: Jackie Chairez, Jr., Citrus Valley
INF: Mallorie Cross, So., Yucaipa
INF: Halle Rosario, Sr., Redlands
OF: Kirsten Caudle, Jr., Cajon
OF: Madison Paige, So. Ontario Christian
OF: Monica Pasillas, Jr., Redlands
UTIL: McKenzie Long, Sr., Los Osos
HONORABLE MENTION
Kylie Dazalla, Jr., Aquinas
Randi Dominguez, Sr., Silverado
Julia Gilbert, Sr., Etiwanda
Alyssa Gonzalez, So., Chino
Angelina Gonzalez, Jr., Fontana
Destiney Henderson, Sr., Kaiser
Vanessa Hernandez, Sr., Hesperia
Allie Hotetz, Jr., Aquinas
Anissa Lopez, So., University Prep
Danielle Lopez, Jr., Redlands East Valley
Melanie Olmos, So., Grand Terrace
Kailey Richard, Sr., Citrus Valley
Chloe Romero, Fr., ACE
Taylon Snow, Fr., Chino Hills
Megan Stevens, So., Etiwanda
Taylor Troost, Jr., Citrus Valley
Alondra Vicary, Fr., Jurupa Hills
Brittany Vicary, Fr., Jurupa Hills
Daisy Vizcarra, Jr., Carter
Marissa Young, Sr., Los Osos
GAME OF THE YEAR
Grand Terrace 4, Fontana 3, May 14
With five San Bernardino County teams advancing to the CIF-SS softball finals, there were plenty of big games this season. But this critical Sunkist League game had a lot at stake. The teams were tied for first entering the final week of the regular season, with two head-to-head games remaining. This game, the second-to-last of the regular season, clinched at least a share of Grand Terrace’s first Sunkist League softball title. Grand Terrace held 2-0 and 3-2 leads, but Fontana tied it up each time, before Eliyah Flores hit a walk-off home run with one out in the bottom of the seventh to send the Titans to victory.
TOP 10
1. Chino (27-5-1)
2. Chino Hills (30-6)
3. Los Osos (26-5)
4. Yucaipa (24-5)
5. Jurupa Hills (26-5)
6. Grand Terrace (21-7)
7. Citrus Valley (20-9)
8. Ontario Christian (24-4)
9. Aquinas (23-4)
10. Carter (20-5)
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
AMBASSADOR: Ontario Christian, Aquinas
ARROWHEAD: Pomona Catholic
BASELINE: Los Osos
CITRUS BELT: Yucaipa
CROSS VALLEY: Academy of Careers and Exploration
DE ANZA: Shadow Hills
DESERT MOUNTAIN: Vasquez
DESERT SKY: Silverado
MAJESTIC: Packinghouse Christian
MOJAVE RIVER: Apple Valley
MOUNTAIN VALLEY: Jurupa Hills
MT. BALDY: Chino
SAN ANDREAS: Carter
SIERRA: Chino Hills
SUNKIST: Grand Terrace
VICTORY: Bloomington Christian
WARRIOR: Nuview Bridge