CHULA VISTA
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Hilltop High softball coach Nancy Acerrio knows there are advantages to having a young team.
“I don't want to say they're immature, but they're not afraid because they don't know yet,” Acerrio said.
What the Lancers didn't know didn't hurt them.
Hilltop finished 12-0 in the South Bay League this spring, winning the team's first league championship in four years. The Lancers (20-10) were eliminated from the playoffs, but the disappointment hasn't detracted from what the squad accomplished during the regular season.
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Hilltop roster
Freshmen: Monica Arnas, Crystal Corona, Fiana Finau, Nikki Furuya, Natalia Rosales, Kameme Rose, Mary Sheridan.
Sophomores: Maura Cien-Mayer, Alysha Isaacson (sat out season because of transfer rules), Jordan Rhudy, Emily Scheet.
Junior: Danielle Torimaru.
Seniors: Sam McFadden, Alyson Merz, Gaby Zayas.
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Hilltop's roster lists seven freshmen, four sophomores, one junior and three seniors.
The girls have been known to have fun at each other's expense. One of this season's memorable moments occurred when a player's metal cleats caused her to slip on the concrete and take a tumble in front of the dugout.
“It was one of those slapstick things,” Acerrio said. “We just went into hysterics. I couldn't even yell at them.”
The girls love to play pranks on one another. One of their favorites is throwing any gear left out after practice into the freezer. Playing with a cold glove may not be comfortable, but it's an easy way to make teammates laugh.
Many of the Lancers are rookies in high school softball but veterans of the travel-ball circuit.
“It's just a blessing to have the talent and to mold it now to go in the right direction,” Acerrio said.
Hilltop's senior leadership has been provided by captain and left fielder Alyson Merz.
When the Lancers hit, Merz can be found sitting on a bucket of balls near the dugout fence. She tries to get as close to the action as possible. Merz is known for talking even when catching fly balls in the outfield. Her teammates feed off her energy.
“I tell her she's going to be a lawyer when she grows up because she's always advocating for everybody on the team,” Acerrio said.
Hilltop's leading pitcher is sophomore Jordan Rhudy, who began the playoffs with 10 wins in her last 11 starts. She went the distance in the regular-season finale, pitching with a painful blister as the Lancers defeated Mar Vista 1-0 in 14 innings. Rhudy also provided the game-winning hit.
Rhudy said Hilltop's ultimate goal is to win a San Diego Section championship, but the team is pleased to have captured the league title.
The Lancers' young roster gives them a chance to be a force for years to come. When the game is on the line, the girls usually perform as if they have ice water running through their veins.
Or at least through their gloves.
Mike Kranzler is a Union-Tribune intern.
