2018 Rancho Softball Capsule

RANCHO

Head coach: Amanda Zunno, sixth season

2017 record: 24-14 (15-5 4A Sunrise/third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Twelve (seven)

Top players: SS Gianna Carosone (Sr.), C Yvette Sanchez (Sr.), CF Liliana Gutierrez (So.), P MacKenzie Perry (So.)

Outlook: Life without standout Sam Pochop begins for the Rams, who still have plenty of talent returning after qualifying for the Class 4A state tournament for the third straight year.

Pochop was the Review-Journal’s female athlete of the year after going 15-9 with a 1.24 ERA and 254 strikeouts in 175 ⅔ innings but has moved on to pitch at the University of Tulsa.

Perry will pick up at least some of the slack in the circle and has some big-time weapons around her.

Carosone, a second-team all-state selection last year, hit .356 with four home runs and 24 RBIs. Sanchez was a first-team All-Sunrise League pick, and Gutierrez earned second-team all-league honors.

“The Rams look to build upon previous years’ success,” Zunno said. “Senior captains Gianna Carosone and Yvette Sanchez provide veteran leadership for our team as we embrace younger talent this season.