By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

Hailey Yoshida has accomplished so much in her high school career.

And yet she just turned 15.

Yoshida (and her teammates) led Westridge to the CIF-SS Division 7 title game for the first time in school history.

The Tigers won postseason games over Coastal Christian, Vasquez, Whitney and Mayfield, before dropping a 3-0 contest to Western Christian in last Friday’s title game.

The Tigers outscored their opponents in the playoffs by a margin of 35-10.

Westridge won 13 games in 2019, which is the most since at least 2005, which is how far back records and statistics are kept on the website, MaxPreps.

Their eight losses were their least in 11 years.

As her freshman season ended literally just one week ago today, Yoshida’s numbers were staggering.

She finished the season with a 13-7 mark in the circle, with a 1.40 ERA.

Over the last three months, Yoshida racked up four shutouts, one perfect game and a pair of no-hitters.

In 124 2/3 innings in the circle, Yoshida struck out 209 batters, while walking 30.

In the playoffs alone, Yoshida struck out 12 against Coastal Christian, 18 versus Vasquez, 13 against Whitney, 12 in the semifinal showdown with Mayfield and five in the title game against Western Christian.

In last week’s 3-0 loss to Western Christian, Yoshida held a Fighting Lancers’ offense that had averaged 14 runs per game in the playoffs to just three.

And all three runs were unearned.

At the plate, Yoshida did damage as well.

She batted .370 with 17 hits, scored 20 runs and had 17 RBIs.

Her batting average, runs scored and hits total were second best to senior captain Deijah Bradley, who led the Tigers offense with a .397 average, 25 runs and 23 base hits.

Yoshida’s RBIs and five doubles was second to Julia Valenzuela, who drove in 19 runs and had seven doubles.

Her .574 on-base percentage, .586 slugging percentage and 14 stolen bases were tops among all Westridge players.

And for all of that success, Yoshida was named the 2019 Prep League’s Most Valuable Pitcher.

Poly’s Breenah Bronk was named the Prep League’s Most Valuable Player, after an amazing senior year in which the Panthers won the Prep League championship.

Her buddies, Deijah Bradley and Julia Valenzuela were also first-team all-Prep League.

Before stepping on the Westridge campus, Yoshida competed on the Cal A travel ball team.

She acknowledged in a phone interview this week that she didn’t know what to expect in her first year competing at the high school level, nor did she know much about her Prep League opponents.

Regardless of expectations or experience, though, what most have come to understand about Westridge student-athletes is to not overlook them as an opponent.

If a young lady is able to keep up with the rigorous demands in the classroom at the school, anything she does on a court or a field is not only secondary, but also far less of a challenge.

Yoshida loved being part of a group of girls, all of whom she considers good friends, and she wanted to make sure every player in Westridge green got credit for their success.

She very much appreciates her mom, Stacy, and father, Ross, who have always pushed and yet supported Hailey to not only be the best in everything she does, but to also keep raising the bar of expectations as a student, person and athlete.

And with the return of many of their core players (other than Deijah Bradley, who will compete for Pomona Pitzer), the Tigers should be a very difficult opponent in 2020.

“I can honestly say that as both an athlete and a member of this program, my expectations going into the season were easily surpassed by everything we accomplished as a group,” Yoshida said. “I had so much fun competing with these girls and I am so thankful and appreciative of all their support.”

When asked how far into the season it was before she realized this team could be special, Yoshida recognized that even in losses against Prep League powers, the Tigers were in every game and were very competitive.

And there was no question what her favorite moment was in 2019.

“When we beat Mayfield in the semifinal round, it was a very exciting moment for all of us,” Yoshida said. “They came back and made things a lot closer than we wanted, but we stuck together and finished off the victory.”

And for anyone who might think for even a fleeting moment that 2019 will be the high-water mark for Yoshida, think again.

Yoshida has already picked out a number of area’s in which she intends to focus on, with the hopes of raising her level of play as both a pitcher and a threat with a bat in her hands.

But as far as 2019 goes, Yoshida put herself in very rare air among the most elite of San Gabriel Valley freshman in recent memory.

And the best part for Westridge fans, as hard as it may seem to believe, is knowing the best is likely still to come from this intelligent and driven young lady.

Quotable:

Westridge coach Karen Hanselman: “I met Hailey for the first time during our summer practices this past year. I was immediately struck by her dedication and work ethic. I knew she was special, as she was just 14. I didn’t recognize then just how special.

Hailey’s talent is surpassed only by her desire to play her best and help her teammates succeed. When she was congratulated at the end of each game, Hailey remained modest and humbly said, “There is always room for improvement.” She is a freshman in high school, yet plays like an upperclassman in college. While she never takes herself too seriously, her poise, maturity, demeanor and respect for her teammates and coaches is top notch and rare for a player of her age.

This season’s team success can be directly attributed to Hailey’s talent as a pitcher, but also at bat. Her success in the circle was due to her talent, coachability and the other half of the battery—senior, Deijah Bradley. The two of them have a very special relationship, and it shows. Deijah calls the pitch, Hailey trusts her experience behind the plate, throws, and magic ensues. Hailey is the total softball package, and you can’t help but love her!”

Westridge senior/captain Deijah Bradley: “Hailey is a standout, impact player because not only is she a supportive teammate, but she’s also a strong leader. I also admire her hard work and passion on and off the field. As a freshman, Hailey still has all of high school to grow and the fact that she had 200+ strikeouts already leaves me speechless. She’s a great pitcher and knows how to pitch around batters. I have no doubt in my mind that she will break records in the coming years. I’m happy I got to end my senior year making school history with Hailey.”

Westridge junior/captain, Julia Valenzuela: “First off, Hailey is an amazing pitcher and teammate. Hailey is the type of teammate that works hard on the field and is respectful to her coaches and gives so much encouragement to her teammates. She’s the first to group chat her team about what they did great and we all appreciate that coming from a player who gives 110% on the mound every game.

They say, behind every great pitcher is a great catcher. Hailey and Deijah worked very well together . With Hailey’s sick pitching movement, Deijah did a great job with the frames. Next year, I will be catching for Hailey and look forward to working with her and hopefully get another chance in the finals. With Hailey, we have a great opportunity to do so.”

Westridge records, 2005-2019:

2019: 13-8
2018: 5-11
2017: 5-10
2016: 7-9
2015: 4-12
2014: 8-10
2013: 8-9
2012: 7-9
2011: 4-12
2010: 6-11
2009: 3-13
2008: 7-12
2007: 11-7
2006: 10-7
2005: 8-7

2019 Prep League Standings:

Poly (15-5, 10-2)
Mayfield (13-9, 9-3)
Westridge (13-8, 7-5)
Chadwick (8-8, 7-5)
Rio Hondo Prep (11-10, 6-6)
Flintridge Prep (4-12, 3-9)
Providence (2-15, 0-12)

* Thanks to Melanie Horn for the photo.