Isabel Gallegos and Kat Tafoya each earned All-Southern California post-season honors as named by the California Community College Fastpitch Coaches Association this month. Gallegos earned the distinction as an outfielder while Tafoya was named all-SoCal as a pitcher.
Gallegos, who prepped at Ventura's Foothill Tech, roamed the outfield defensively while providing VC with punch at the plate. She slashed .407/.476/.722 on the year while leading the team with three triples and three home runs. She had a team best four stolen bases, adding speed to her power, and was second on the team with 20 runs batted in. Gallegos had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage defensively.
Tafoya, also an alumna from Foothill Tech, appeared in 11 games in the circle during the Covid-shortened season, starting eight with five complete games. She recorded 50 strikeouts in 51.2 innings for a 6.77 K/7 ratio. She gave up 44 hits and 30 walks during the year for a 1.43 WHIP and she posted a 4.06 earned run average as the Pirates No. 1 hurler. She also had a .970 fielding percentage. At the plate, Tafoya batted .302 with eight runs batted in.
The 2021 CCCAA softball season was one that will go down as one of the most unique ever.
Players faced challenges off the field that were just as trying as the ones they faced on the diamond. But the players from schools that opted in to the condensed 2021 season still performed at the level expected from softball players at their level.
And while every player who suited up in 2021 deserves recognition for making it through a season filled with uncertainties and extra health scrutiny, there were some who rose to the top, and were honored by the 3CFCA.