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Liberty takes D-V softball title in upset of Riverdale
When the seedings were announced for the Central Section Division V playoffs, Liberty-Madera Ranchos softball coach Leslie Wood was disappointed. She hoped her Hawks would use it as motivation.
Her No. 10-seeded team delivered Thursday, scoring two runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat top-seeded Riverdale 5-3 and claim the D-V championship for the first time since 2005.
"By playing in the [North Sequoia League] it prepared us for the playoffs," Wood said. "It worked to our advantage."
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Alicia Hamlin
School: Kingsburg
Position: Pitcher
Year: Senior
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Saylah Barsarian
School: Clovis
Year: Sophomore
Events: Distance
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BRIANNY WILLIAMS
Hurdles, Edison
Grade: Junior
She’s qualified because: Williams excelled in the 100 hurdles and won the section title in 15.18. She registered the second-fastest time in the section this season, and held the ninth-best time of 47.37 in the 300 hurdles. Edison coach Danny Alberty said her personal best in the 100 hurdles ranks her 20th in the state as a junior.
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Victoria Burnell
Year: Sophomore
School: Liberty-Madera Ranchos
She's qualified because: Burnell scored an area-best 51 goals and led the Hawks to the D-V section final, where they lost 4-1 to Mission Prep. She took 157 shots and led in total points with 116. She was a first-team All-West Sierra League pick after earning MVP honors as a freshman. Burnell has led the Hawks to two league titles and the first section title in school history last season.
Vitals: Liberty-Madera Ranchos, junior, catcher
She's qualified because: Provided the thunder during the Hawks’ run to the Division V title with eight home runs and 39 RBIs.
Hit .590 on the season, .625 during league play to earn North Sequoia League MVP honors, and .800 during Liberty’s four-game playoff run.
Defensively, coach Bob Barber said Kochergen threw out 95% of would-be base stealers and picked another nine runners off base.
He said it: “I coached her when she was 8 and 9 years old. I’ve seen her grow over the years. She’s worked so hard to get where she’s at. Her No. 1 quality is she is an unselfish player. It’s all about the team, and she’s the leader on the field.” — Liberty coach Bob Barber
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