Before heading off to respective colleges in the fall, four seniors from Woodland competed in the 47th Optimist All-Star Softball Game.
All three high schools were represented in the Sac-Joaquin Section showcase on Tuesday evening at Folsom Lake College. Pioneer second baseman Briana Parker, Woodland first baseman Maddie Burkhart and the Woodland Christian duo of left-handed pitcher Emily Garcia and shortstop Macie Timothy played for the South All-Stars in the small school game.
“It feels great knowing that I’ve made it so far to be able to play in this game. Two years ago when I was at Pierce, I never would’ve thought that I would be anywhere near this game,” Burkhart said. “I’m very proud of myself being able to see how much I’ve really grown. It was really fun playing with different girls because you get a new environment of people.”
The graduating quartet joined five players from Dixon, three from Rosemont and many others. The South team was coached by four familiar faces. Pioneer head coach Linda Merrida and assistant Bryan Merrida were joined by Dixon coaches, Matt Boykin and Eric Graham.
“It was a lot of fun. I played travel ball with lots of girls so it was fun to get back on the field with them all. It’s a fun environment when you know people and don’t get to play with them every day,” Timothy said. “Bryan was my hitting coach for a long time, he helped me on the side. I played travel ball for the Lady Magic and All-American with Boykin and Graham, they were my coaches so I grew up with them.”
The opposition featured five players from state champion Sutter. The North All-Stars scored 2 runs in the first inning and 4 in the second to ultimately win 6-0.
“I really enjoyed it. I didn’t really expect to be out here. After being off for a couple of weeks, it was nice to have one last game. We just came out here to have fun and were not worried about any stress. Playing with girls from different teams, it was fun,” Garcia recalled. “I love playing with Macie and have played with her for years. I played with Bri for a couple years. Getting to play with Maddie too was exciting and a good way to end our senior year. For me and Macie, this was it for softball.”
Merrida, who has been the Patriots coach since their inaugural season, was in the dugout for her third senior showcase this week. Linda and Bryan had also coached in 2006 and 2018. The Merrida’s were joined in 2006 by Wolves coach Mieko Mendenhall, who is now at River City in West Sacramento. Chad Clay from Christian Brothers joined six years ago.
“It felt amazing and was a great experience. I actually have some of my travel ball teammates on the other team so it was cool to play against them,” Parker said. “It was cool to see the competition and some of the girls that we didn’t face. The Sutter girls are pretty good and it was great to see what the small school section has.”
Parker’s travel ball teammates on the North team were Guinaiya Ayuyu Garcia and Alexa Carino from Sutter, Summer Stephens of Foresthill and Adriana Nebuloni from East Nicolaus. All four players from Woodland said they liked playing with the Rams from Solano County the most.
“I enjoyed playing with Camryn Elliot, Aemonn Rosenberger and Audrey Graham. Those are my travel ball girls that I use to play with when I was little. I played with them from 10U up so it was fun,” Timothy explained. “I stopped playing travel though when I was going into my freshman year just to play high school ball. I knew I wasn’t going to go do it in college. It was fun to see them and get back with them before they go on and do their fun stuff in college.”
Pioneer and Dixon shared the Golden Empire League championship the last two years.
“I’ve actually never gotten to know Maddie, I already knew Macie and Emily. It was great getting to know Maddie because I didn’t really know her, we didn’t talk, we just played against each other. It was great to experience playing with Macie and Emily again because I haven’t played with them since I was little,” Parker recalled. “I know they’re our big rivals but I love the Dixon girls! I love Audrey, she’s an amazing player and such a sweet person. Felesha (LePenske) is sweet and works very hard. I really appreciate talking to them. I love their coaches as well, they have really taken me in with open arms and I really like that.”
Parker earned back-to-back All-GEL team selections as an upperclassman. She will be continuing her softball career at Southern Oregon.
“I’m most excited about starting my future,” Parker foreshadowed. “Being able to continue my education and keep playing softball, I’m really excited to play up there. It’s a really great school and competitors. I love coach (Jessica Pistole). I’m so excited to play with the girls, it’s a very welcoming school. They have great programs for what I want to major in, which is health administration. I want to get my nursing certificate after and there are great programs for that. My ultimate career goal is to go into health admin and work in finance.”
Burkhart is going to play softball at Coalinga College. Woodland has had at least one player selected to four consecutive All-Star games. With a pair of Wolves last year, Woodland was the only school from the City of Trees represented at the 46th annual contest.
“I really enjoyed playing with the Dixon girls because playing them in league is definitely rough every year. We know that they’re a competitive team. Being able to be on their side playing with them feels really nice,” Burkhart said. “I’m really excited to meet new people and live in a new environment.”
Garcia and Timothy took the diamond for the final time Tuesday night. Timothy was recently chosen as the Central Valley California League MVP. Garcia was named to the All-CVCL team. The dynamic duo each received an All-CVCL nod in 2023 as well.
“I’m most excited to be rooming with Emily, hopefully. We’re going to have lots of fun I think,” Timothy foretold. “Just to live the college experience!”
Both Cardinals will be attending Fresno State and plan to be roommates.
“I’m excited to hopefully room with her, we’re putting our names in for a request, we’re pretty sure. Also just going somewhere new, getting out of my comfort zone and meeting new people,” Garcia foreshadowed. “They have really good sports programs so we’re going to go to some games and cheer their teams on.”
