I knew we had the chance to be pretty good this year with
an incoming freshman battery of Lainey Stephenson and Kayla Gomez but a 21 and
0 start was totally unexpected.
Our success can be attributed to a strong freshman class
(Lainey Stephenson, Kayla Gomez & Akeely Hyland) along with an experienced
senior class (tri-captains: Katie Snyder, Liz Baier & Christy Baier) that
made the state tournament for the first time in Veritas history in 2011.
Freshman pitcher, Lainey Stephenson is a "five-tool
player" who will play in Division 1 college softball one day. Lainey is
one of the top Arizona pitchers, leading the nation and state with a 0.00 era
in 103 innings pitched. She also leads the state with 254 strikeouts and 19
wins. Lainey has 2 perfect games and 6 no-hiters this season and has been named
MaxPreps Player of the Week twice for the West Region. Lainey also leads the
team in hitting in 20 games (.646 avg, 31 RBIs, 10 doubles, 2 triples, 5
homers, SLG 1.092, OBP .693). Kayla Gomez is one of the top Division IV
catchers in Arizona with a rocket arm and power to spare (.540 avg, 28 RBIs, 13
doubles, 4 triples, 4 homers, SLG 1.063, OBP .603). Akeely Hyland is a new
softball player but the best raw athlete on the team who can outrun fly balls
in RF (.353 avg, 17 RBIs, 1 double)
The senior class is led by the tri-captains: 1B, Katie
Snyder who was named 2011 Offensive Player of the Year in the Veritas region.
Katie has signed to play softball at Benedictine University in Chicago (in 19
games: .508 avg, 32 RBIs, 7 double, 2 triples, SLG .694, OBP .580). Liz Baier
is one of the best shortstops in Division IV and was named 2011 Defensive
Player of the Year in the Veritas region. She has speed and power and leads the
state in runs scored with 49 as the Veritas lead-off hitter (.583 avg, 24 RBIs,
6 doubles, 2 homers, SLG .761, OBP .627). 2B/P Christy Baier is a seasoned
softball player who hits in the 2nd spot (.345 avg, 14 RBIs, 6 doubles).
Good team chemistry and commitment to excellence are what
co-coach, Mike Stephenson and I are the most proud of for this Veritas team and
what we hope will take us a long way in the state tournament in May.
Thank you,
Pat Snyder
