Player of the Year

PALMDALE — Colleges can begin offering softball scholarships to seniors-to-be on July 1.

“I’m so nervous nobody will call me,” said catcher Ashlie D’Errico of Highland High.

Fat chance.

D’Errico will get calls. She’ll get letters. She’ll be lucky to if recruiters aren’t camped on her front porch.

D’Errico, The Times’ Valley player of the year, established herself during a season when junior catchers were in the spotlight.

Christina Enea of El Camino Real, Sara Dean of Hart and Lauren Watson of Valencia, members of The Times’ All-Valley team, will also receive a lot of attention from colleges.

They also had better numbers than D’Errico’s .387 batting average, three home runs and 14 runs batted in.

But nobody, at any position, was as crucial to her team’s success.

When she missed some games early in the season, Highland struggled.

With D’Errico in the lineup, the Bulldogs captured their first Golden League title and advanced to the second round of the Southern Section Division I playoffs.

D’Errico batted .444 with 23 RBIs as a sophomore, earning respect from opponents who pitched around her this season.

That respect carried over to defense, where her arm was rarely challenged. She threw out seven of 14 baserunners attempting to steal.

“In the big games and important situations, she came up with the big hits and the big plays, big time,” Coach Glenda Potts said of D’Errico, the Golden League player of the year and an All-Southern Section selection.

D’Errico is also one of the smartest players in the region.

She had a 4.4 grade-point average while taking a full schedule of honors classes. She’s a candidate to become the school’s 2001 valedictorian.

D’Errico’s savvy behind the plate convinced Potts to allow her to call the pitches, a role usually assumed by the coach.

“We never worry about [her pitch selection],” Potts said. “She’s one of the most knowledgable catchers I’ve ever seen. She carries the smarts in the classroom out onto the field. It’s all academic to her.”

Strong arm, potent bat, impressive grades.

Will colleges call?

Call it a sure thing.