Babasa Leads Ten Hawks Named All-Big 8

To cap a historic season, ten members of the Cosumnes River softball team received honors from the Big 8 Conference, led by Big 8 Player of the Year Malia Babasa. The Hawks had four players named to the first-team, three to the second-team, and three were given honorable mention. 

Babasa, CRC's shortstop was named Big 8 Conference Player of the Year as a result of her well-rounded performance in league play. Babasa led the league with 39 hits, was second in batting average at .470, second in on-base percentage at .531, third in stolen bases at 15, and fifth in runs scored, 19. 

"I'm excited for Malia. We have probably the top softball conference in the state, so it's a big honor," commented head coach Kristy Schroeder. "It's well-deserved.  She really came on strong at the second half of the season when it was necessary."  

Babasa was joined on the first-team by teammate. Tatiana Blas, Brooke Hanson, and Sarah Babby. Blas was dominant in the circle for the Hawks. She led the state in strikeouts with 204 and was fourth in wins with 23. Her ERA of 1.23 was top in the Big 8.  Hanson hit .427 during conference play, good for fourth and had 26 of her 35 RBI against Big 8 opponents placing her third. Babby, a repeat first-team all-conference player, hit .419 in conference play which was seventh in the league.  

Anjalina Dahdouh, Eden Hobart, and Abagail Woodfill, were named to the Big 8's second-team. Dahdouh was awarded as a utility player for the Hawks. In the circle, Dahdouh went 10-4 and struck out 88 batters during the season. Offensively, she hit .310 and scored 20 runs. Hobart, an outfielder, hit .304 for the season and scored 22 runs, good for second on the team. Woodfill was one of the top power hitters in the Big 8. She hit .411 for the season and was second on the team in RBI with 29. She had 16 extra base hits including 2 home runs.

 Layla Towner, Kaile Toy, and Isabelle Vela earned honorable mention from the Big 8. On the season, Towner hit .321 and had 15 RBI at third base. Toy, the Hawks' second baseman, had a .291 average and scored 19 runs. Vela hit .327 good for fifth on the team. She also caught five runners as the Hawks' catcher.

"I'm really proud of these players and this team. I look forward to this group leading us to a deep run in the playoffs," added Schroeder.

 CRC opens up the CCCAA playoffs Friday, May 3 hosting Monterey Peninsula College.