Bay Area News Group softball player of the year: Mitty's Kyleigh Mace

SAN JOSE — Winning the Central Coast Section Open Division requires an elite pitcher. It's just a fact.

So when Archbishop Mitty met Willow Glen in this year's Open title game, both Kyleigh Mace and Alanna Clincy knew what was at stake.

Mace, a BYU signee, had led Mitty to a share of the West Catholic Athletic League title as the Monarchs chased their first CCS Open championship in seven years.

And she ensured Mitty made history, outdueling Clincy – last season's Bay Area News Group player of the year and a Cal signee – to a 1-0 victory.

Minimal run support was pretty much all Mitty needed when Mace was in the pitching circle. She finished with an ERA of 0.83, meaning that on average, if the Monarchs scored one run, they would win the game.

Mace was a workhorse as well. She made 26 appearances in Mitty's 30 games and pitched 151 2/3 innings – averaging more than five innings per game, including those she did not pitch – and striking out 237 hitters against 42 walks.

For her sustained elite performance all season long and her ability to elevate even further in the biggest moments, Mace has been named this season's Bay Area News Group player of the year.

The earliest indication Mitty's resurgent season could be capped with a section title came on May 15, when Mace led the Monarchs to a 2-1 win over St. Francis to earn a share of the WCAL championship.

In that game, she outpitched the lethal pairing of the Lancers' dual aces, Mercedes Coller and Bianka Fisher, a sign of things to come.

Mace's elite form continued into the playoffs as she beat Los Gatos and then Hollister to move Mitty into the title game.

And in that final matchup, she was unbeatable, scattering three hits and three walks across seven innings with nine strikeouts to get the win.

"I wanted to win this one so bad," Mace told the Bay Area News Group after the game. "It was my last shot to do it. We got close my sophomore year but didn't quite seal the deal, so it was incredible to be able to do it (today)."

What stood out during Mace's historic run was not only her excellence but her willingness to embrace the moment.

She admitted after Mitty's win over St. Francis that despite her pedigree and track record, she still feels self-doubt in big moments.

It's her ability to navigate those emotions and excel in the midst of them that made her who she was this season for the Monarchs.

The ultimate difference-maker.

"It’s always a thing, especially when you feel like you have so much to live up to," Mace said. "I have these accolades because I worked hard for them, but they’re still there. Like, ‘I want to do it again.' I always want to do well, so I’m always competing for the best."

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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 7:18 AM.