Berliner earns pitcher of year

Windsor's Duran named All-Colorado player of the year

Paul Willis, Special to the News

Thursday, November 9, 2006

Cory Berliner is becoming adept at modifying plans.

When the final day of the state softball tournament was postponed two days because of wind-driven snow and brutal temperatures, the Rocky Mountain pitcher had to alter flight plans for a trip to the East Coast, where she visited three prospective colleges.

She hung around Colorado long enough to help the Lobos to their first state championship, a 2-1 win against Wheat Ridge in the Class 5A game Oct. 23, then headed straight to the airport.

Berliner decided to commit to the University of Pittsburgh and planned to make the announcement Wednesday in conjunction with teammate Jamie Winsor, who will sign with Regis. But again, another conflict.

It turned out the Rocky Mountain News All-Colorado photo was scheduled for the same time Berliner and Winsor were to announce their signings.

But this obstacle seemed minuscule in comparison. With the blessing of Pitt and the Winsor family, Berliner moved the signing to today, and the All-Colorado pitcher of the year was able to appear in the photo.

Things seemed to work themselves out in similar fashion this year for the Lobos (24-1), who avenged an upset at state in 2005. And for Berliner, who went 18-1 with a 0.17 ERA this season, no modifications were necessary when choosing Pitt.

"It was the first college I went to where I really felt that it fit me perfectly," said Berliner, joined on the All-Colorado team by teammate Corinna Gonzalez. "It was an obvious choice, really."

Speaking of obvious choices, the All-Colorado player and coach of the year fall into that category.

Outfielder Mallory Duran received honors as 2006's top player for helping Windsor win the 4A championship.

As she was all season from the leadoff spot, Duran was the catalyst in the 6-4 title-game win against Northern League-rival Berthoud. She capped her season with her sixth home run, a blast off Spartans all-stater Kassie Haubert, and also finished the campaign with 27 RBI and a .553 average.

All this from a junior whose Wizards squad barely was visible on the statewide radar entering the season.

"It was cool, because we love to prove people wrong," said Duran, adding that her team should be back in the mix next season after losing only three seniors.

Co-coach of the year designation goes to Glen Ramos of Holy Family, who teamed with Bill Burke to achieve what was believed to be the impossible: The Tigers beat Erie 6-0 in the 3A championship game, putting to rest Erie's six-year stranglehold on the title.

"It's sinking in now," said Ramos, joined by pitcher Sara Baumberger on the All-Colorado squad. "It's exciting to see how well the girls have handled themselves as champions. Walking into the school pep rally was an emotional experience for us."

Berliner is joined by Melisa Ryba of Highlands Ranch and Ashli Holland of Pomona as repeat selections to the squad, a team chosen by News staff with input from coaches statewide.

Two sophomores were chosen for the team (Kelsey O'Brien of Columbine and Mikey Kenney of Arvada West) and one freshman, Alyssa Zimmerman of Wheat Ridge. Zimmerman's sister Giana also was selected.

Baumberger was the lone 3A player selected, while Duran and Brooke Bails of Cherokee Trail represented 4A.

All-Colorado softball

Pos. Player School Yr. HR RBI Avg.

C Lauren Hainlen Chaparral Sr. 6 26 .519

1B Corinna Gonzalez Rocky Mountain Sr. 1 13 .494

2B Ashli Holland Pomona Sr. 5 21 .446

SS Brooke Bails Cherokee Trail Sr. 4 28 .569

3B Alyssa Zimmerman Wheat Ridge Fr. 3 20 .453

OF Mallory Duran Windsor Jr. 6 27 .553

OF Mikey Kenney Arvada West So. 4 20 .414

OF Melisa Ryba Highlands Ranch Jr. 6 27 .574

DH Reanna Trottier Grand Junction Sr. 9 47 .424

U Giana Zimmerman Wheat Ridge Jr. 2 24 .403

Pos. Player School Yr. W-L ERA K

P Sara Baumberger Holy Family Sr. 21-3 0.97 205

P Cory Berliner Rocky Mountain Sr. 18-1 0.17 215

P Kelli Henderson Cherry Creek Sr. 19-4 0.51 183

P Kelsey O'Brien Columbine So. 16-6 0.87 269

U Giana Zimmerman Wheat Ridge Jr. 9-1 1.17 133

• Player of the year: Mallory Duran, Windsor.

• Pitcher of the year: Cory Berliner, Rocky Mountain.

• Co-coaches of the year: Glen Ramos and Bill Burke, Holy Family.

All-state softball

Class 5A

• First team

Pos. Player School Yr.

C Lauren Hainlen Chaparral Sr.

1B Corinna Gonzalez Rocky Mountain Sr.

2B Ashli Holland Pomona Sr.

SS Megan Hamilton Pomona Sr.

3B Alyssa Zimmerman Wheat Ridge Fr.

OF Jayci Jeffress Brighton Jr.

OF Mikey Kenney Arvada West So.

OF Melisa Ryba Highlands Ranch Jr.

DH Reanne Trottier Grand Junction Sr.

U Giana Zimmerman Wheat Ridge Jr.

Pos. Player School Yr.

P Shelby Babcock Legacy Fr.

P Cory Berliner Rocky Mountain Sr.

P Kelli Henderson Cherry Creek Sr.

P Kelsey O'Brien Columbine So.

• Player of the year: Ashli Holland, Pomona.

• Pitcher of the year: Cory Berliner, Rocky Mountain.

• Coach of the year: Mike Crockett, Rocky Mountain.

• Honorable mention

P Kelsey Ayers, Chaparral, Sr.; C Stacy Ball, Dakota Ridge, Sr.; SS Chava Bobb, George Washington, Sr.; P Holly Bopp, Lakewood, Sr.; C Amanda Buck, Mountain Vista, Sr.; P Dani Chaplin, Brighton, Jr.; SS Molly Clark, Lakewood, Sr.; P Jackie Corley, Air Academy, Sr.; SS Lauren Cross, Mountain Vista, Sr.; OF Christy Evans, Horizon, Sr.; OF Caitlin Fields, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; P Cristy Grubbs, Arvada West, Sr.; OF Joy Hamilton, Cherry Creek, Sr.; SS Danni Hedstrom, Fort Collins, Sr.; OF Carrie Henry, Lewis-Palmer, Sr.; C Brenna Hokanson, Denver East, Sr.; P Jamie Juelfs, Fort Collins, Sr.; OF Mickey Kane, Rampart, Sr.; SS Brigette Kirschmer, Eaglecrest, Sr.; 1B Alaina Larson, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; SS Sarah Lindquist, Poudre, Sr.; INF Madelyn Maestas, Grandview, Jr.; P Kyla Nelson, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; 3B Kelly Pearson, Bear Creek, Sr.; P Jordyn Randolph, Pomona, So.; SS Lyssa Roberts, Douglas County, Jr; P Kayla Rupa, Ponderosa, Sr.; C Jordan Oyler, Overland, Sr.; 2B Julianne Scarpella, Legacy, Sr.; C Sami Springer, Cherry Creek, Fr.; SS Jamie Winsor, Rocky Mountain, Sr.; P Kaitlin York, Highlands Ranch, So.; P Kendra Zornacki, Pine Creek, Sr.

Class 4A

• First team

Pos. Player School Yr.

C Allyson Goniea Falcon Sr.

1B Nicole Haberkorn Mullen Jr.

2B Lauren Duran Mullen Jr.

SS Brooke Bails Cherokee Trail Sr.

3B Ashley Langoni Pueblo West Jr.

OF Mallory Duran Windsor Jr.

OF Danielle Jagodzinski Ralston Valley So.

OF Alec Voci Widefield Sr.

DH Ivory Allen Thomas Jefferson Sr.

U Mandy Pounds Liberty Sr.

Pos. Player School Yr.

P Kassie Haubert Berthoud Jr.

P Caitlin Jenks Ralston Valley Sr.

P Alex Neely Widefield Jr.

P Nicole Russell Conifer Sr.

• Player of the year: Mallory Duran, Windsor.

• Pitcher of the year: Kassie Haubert, Berthoud.

• Coach of the year: Sandi Cumings, Windsor.

• Honorable mention

P Kelsey Apodaca, Pueblo Central, Sr.; 3B Regina Aragon, Northridge, Jr.; 2B Amber Aragon-Autobee, Pueblo West, Sr.; C Lucy Bell, Thomas Jefferson, Jr.; OF Reagan Best, Northridge, So.; C Candice Cary, Palisade, Sr.; 3B Jasmine Cervantes, Berthoud, Jr.; 2B Michelle Cuellar, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; OF Katie Eickelman, Pueblo East, Jr.; 2B Kristen Felten, Ralston Valley, Jr.; SS Dani Finkelstein, Windsor, Sr.; 1B Rachel Foltz, Widefield, Sr.; 2B Kelly Ganousis, Niwot, Sr.; 2B Erin Geddis, Skyline, Jr.; SS Shaina Gulbranson, Liberty, Jr.; 3B Amanda Hathaway, Liberty, Sr.; C Alisa Heronema, Berthoud, Sr.; P Bianca Holley, Mullen, Sr.; INF Sarah Hudak, Evergreen, Sr.; P Brittany Howington, Falcon, Sr.; OF Kaylyn James, Pueblo South, Sr.; OF Kayla Jones, Rock Canyon, Sr.; C Melissa Lujan, Pueblo County, Sr.; U Megan McWilliams, Rifle, Jr.; SS Hannah Miller, Conifer, Jr.; 3B Jenny Motte, Conifer, Sr.; P Kelsey Musselwhite, Greeley West, Sr.; P Jessica O'Connor, Golden, Jr.; C Danielle Oliva, Pueblo Central, So.; SS Amber Pacheco, Pueblo Central, Jr.; P Alissa Skinner, Rifle, Jr.; SS Caitlan Stem, Broomfield, Sr.; P Stephanie Thurston, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; P Chelsea Wells, Thomas Jefferson, Sr.; C Erin Wilkinson, Windsor, Jr.

Class 3A

• First team

Pos. Player School Yr.

C Axie Estrada Erie Jr.

1B Ashley Campbell Limon Sr.

2B Lara Mathewson Holy Family So.

SS Lindsey Halligan Holy Family Sr.

3B Mary Lucero Rocky Ford So.

OF Glory Benson Faith Christian Jr.

OF Megan McGinnis Holy Family Jr.

OF Destiny Saffer Lamar Sr.

DH Amber Roundtree Faith Christian Sr.

U Amanda Nutting Middle Park Sr.

Pos. Player School Yr.

P Sara Baumberger Holy Family Sr.

P Kelsey Dutton Limon So.

P Rachel Lovato La Junta Sr.

P Whitney Young Middle Park Sr.

• Player of the year: Ashley Campbell, Limon.

• Pitcher of the year: Sara Baumberger, Holy Family.

• Co-coaches of the year: Glen Ramos and Bill Burke, Holy Family.

• Honorable mention

SS Amanda Brown, Limon, Sr.; 1B Ericka Buscovick, Gunnison, Jr.; INF Alicia Carrigan, Platte Canyon, Sr.; P Maribeth Cloud, St. Mary's, Sr.; U Sandy Corliss, Burlington, Sr.; OF Tiffany Cross, Middle Park, Sr.; C Dara Dillon, Rocky Ford, Jr.; SS Katelyn Durham, Strasburg, Jr.; P Marissa Elsberry, Lyons, Sr.; 1B Stacie Erbes, Platte Valley, Sr.; C Brittany Freauff, Brush, Sr.; P Linsey Haight, Faith Christian, Jr.; 1B Lindsey Hubbard, Valley, Fr.; U Chelsea Hughes, Eaton, Sr.; P Reesa Larson, Brush, Sr.; INF Alexa Lock, Holyoke, Sr.; C Kelsey Lock, Middle Park, Sr.; INF Amber Lowther, Rocky Ford, Fr.; OF Justine Madrid, La Junta, Sr.; P Sunny Maestas, Lamar, Sr.; 2B Ailena McDonald, Machebeuf, Jr.; C Carly Potock, Alexander Dawson, Sr.; C Malinee Powell, Lutheran, So.; INF Jordan Ruiz, Erie, Fr.; P Robyn Shoemaker, Strasburg, Sr.; SS Lauren Stenger, Platte Canyon, Jr.; P Katie Smith, Erie, Sr.; DH Alyssa Sommers, Holy Family, Sr.; C Amilia Stephens, Faith Christian, Jr.; C Morgan Waugh, Cheyenne Wells, Sr.