“Gianni Gals” celebrate season! Six Ladybirds named All-Region

By Pete Mohr | May 28, 2008 | Vol. 14 No. 22

CSHS – At home, Monday, April 7, the Softball Lady Falcons, 1-14, hosted the McClintock Lady Chargers. The “Gianni Gals” could’ve tanked it – but they didn’t. They beat “Mac,” again on Thursday (away), then swept, home-and-home, (in order) Saguaro and Shadow Mountain. Six quality Region wins in a row before dropping a 1-0 heartbreaker at Paradise Valley and stubbing their toes, at home, against the Lady Trojans, 8-1, in the season’s finale. That, softball fans, is a recap not of a comeback – but a get-off-the-deck roar-back!

Legitimate cause for an Awards Evening celebration, Friday, May 9, hosted by Captain Ali Bernard and her parents, Jeanne & Mick Bernard. Head Coach Danica Gianni, ever the enthusiastic (and comic!) emcee, could not have enjoyed more announcing the following awards:

Desert Sky All-Region:
• 2nd Team - Kilee Ferguson (JR), Gracie Goulder (FR)
• Honorable Mention - Lauren Clepper (S0), Maria Carranza (SO), Tia Jorde (JR), Carey Riner (JR)

Team Awards:
• Top honor, Coach’s Award, to pitcher Ferguson, who unbelievably hurled every game for the Lady Falcons! Coach Gianni: “She never let up! Our most unselfish player. Truly, a ‘Woman-of-Steel’!”
• Best Defensive Player - Goulder (shortstop)
• Best Offensive Player - Jorde (1st base)
• Most Improved Player - Riner (3rd base)
• Senior Bobbie Morris earned recognition by the Arizona Interscholastic Association as the team’s Scholar-Athlete.

“The girls are already so excited about next season!” Coach Gianni enthused to Sonoran News.

Congratulations, Ladies. You toughed it out to bring Cactus Shadows Softball back!