The Monte Vista girls softball team culminated a fantastic season, winning its first league championship in 17 years, and was recently crowned 2005 East Bay Athletic Champions.
The 21-4 season record was the first 20-win season in school history. The team also recorded the best two-year win-loss record in school history, with 39 wins and 11 losses. The Mustangs were also awarded the North Coast Section Scholar Award with an average GPA exceeding 3.25.
The 2005 season began with a good omen when the Lady Mustang softball team members became Queens of the Mountain for the first time ever in the tournament’s history.
The Queen of the Mountain tournament is an annual high school softball invitational tournament featuring 16 of the top high school teams in the region. The tournament was founded 20 years ago by former head coaches from San Ramon Valley High School and Monte Vista and kicks off the spring high school softball season.
This year the Mustangs beat rivals Foothill High School in the semifinals and San Ramon Valley High in the championship game. In addition to winning the tournament, they also won it with class, being awarded the “Team Sportsmanship Award.”
Head coach Joe Callaway has coached the Mustangs for three years. Asked why this team was so great, he said, “Experience, teamwork, believing in themselves and each other, and never giving up, winning seven extra-inning games in 2005.”
Some of the stars of the team include Stephanie Bregante, a junior and EBAL most valuable player, as a pitcher. She also led Monte Vista in hitting. Second leading hitter was Whitney Erickson, EBAL first team All League catcher. Heather Zygutis was first team All League outfield, and Sarah Axelson was first team All League third base.
In addition, Monte Vista only has two seniors graduating this year, Whitney Erickson and Danielle Sangiacomo. Erickson is the first Monte Vista softball player to ever receive a Division I scholarship and will be playing for the Toledo Rockets in the Mid America Conference next year. Sangiacomo will be playing junior college softball at Ohlone College next year.
The future looks bright for the Mustangs as there will be seven returning starters and three others with significant experience. As a result, they will be favored to repeat as EBAL Champions, expected to be one of three top teams in the NCS playoffs, and in good position to defend their prestigious title at the annual Queen of the Mountain Tournament.
