Veronika Gulvin and Lani Evans were a potent one-two punch for the Dos Pueblos softball team.
The Division 1-bound players dominated on the mound and tore it up at the plate, leading the Chargers to a 26-5 record, the Channel League title and the CIF Division 4 semifinals.
The UCSB-bound Gulvin (16-3) struck out 206 batters, allowed only 14 walks and posted a sparkling ERA of 0.66 for 127 innings. Opponents batted a measly .135 against year. As a hitter, she batted .388, with three homers and five doubles.
Evans led the Chargers in hitting with a .420 average. She shared the team lead in home runs with eight, had 22 RBI and a slugging percentage of .827. On the mound, opponents hit only .128 against her. As a pitcher, Evans struck out 91 in 64 innings and opposing teams hit only .128 against her. She is headed to Iona University in New York.
“I have been really fortunate this year to have two No. 1 pitchers on our team,” DP coach Jon Uyesaka said. “Both Veronika Gulvin and Lani Evans are excellent softball players, and sharing the award truly reflects their partnership on the field. Either one of these dominant players have the ability to lead the team independently but I decided to have them share duties at pitcher and first base as well as hitting interchangeably numbers 3 and 4 in our lineup.”
Both players finished their prep careers on high notes after missing seasons with injuries. Gulvin was out last season with torn ankle ligaments; a hip fracture forced Evans to miss all of 2013.
Based upon on-court performance and team leadership, the All-City All-Star Teams are selected by Presidio Sports to recognize the top high school student-athletes competing on the South Coast in Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Carpinteria. Each All-City selection will receive a special award certificate and be recognized in a pre-game ceremony at a Santa Barbara Foresters baseball game on Tuesday, June 23.
The 2015 All-City Softball Team:
Co-MVP Lani Evans
Co-MVP Veronika Gulvin
Co-MVP — Veronika Gulvin
Co-MVP — Lani Evans
Kai Uyesaka, Dos Pueblos, Sr. — Blessed with a great glove and a strong throwing arm at third base. Uyesaka also produced at the plate. She batted .338 with two homers and 16 RBI. “She’s the hardest worker on the team, usually fielding 150 balls after practice,’ said her coach and father, Jon Uyesaka.
Jade Sinskul, Dos Pueblos, Jr. — She caught DP’s outstanding pitching staff. “She is tough behind the plate,” said coach Uyesaka. Sinskul was one of the leading run producers for the Chargers. She belted eight homers, drove in 32 runs, batted .351 and had a slugging percentage of .727.
Ali Milam, Dos Pueblos, Jr. — A golden-glove right fielder and a pitcher’s best friend. She made several outstanding plays, including two over-the-fence catches. She produced on offense, too, hitting .288 with four homers and 15 RBI. Milam has committed to Marist College.
Hailee Rios, San Marcos, Soph. — The second-year player batted .429 in Channel League play and was solid as a pitcher and shortstop. She struck out 60 in 51 innings and didn’t commit an error during league play.
Aliyah Huerta-Leipner, San Marcos, Fr. — She led the team in batting for the season with a .449 average and runs scored with 28. An outstanding athlete, Huerta-Leipner also pitched and played shortstop for the Royals.
Lindsay Bosio, Bishop Diego, Sr. — A four-year varsity player, Bosio hit .438, with 28 hits, nine doubles, a triple and 9 homers. Her on-base percentage was .532 and slugging percentage an impressive 1.031. “She is a true team leader and will be truly missed next year,” said coach John Ceriale.
Isabella Gregson, Bishop Diego, Jr. — “She was the workhorse for us this year as she pitched all but six innings,” said coach Ceriale. At the plate, Gregson hit .418, with nine doubles, a triple and three homers, including a grand slam. She and Bosio were instrumental in the Cardinals winning two CIF playoff games.
Natalie Saito, Carpinteria, Sr. — The multi-sport athlete batted .412, drove in 25 runs and had slugging percentage of .500. Defensively, she had a fielding percentage of .948. “Natalie is a tremendous athlete with a work ethic to match,” coach Henry Gonzalez said. “She could play anywhere on the field and succeed. Her leadership was invaluable.” Saito will be attending BYU next year.
Scarlett Pettine, Carpinteria, Sr. — The fleet-footed outfielder batted .312 and stole 18 bases. “She’s athletic and fast, which allowed her to steal many bases and run down fly balls in the outfield,” said Gonzalez. She will be attending Cal Lutheran.
