Jackson senior Iyanla de Jesus was named the state’s Gatorade Softball Player of the Year.
The two-way star led the Timberwolves to their second consecutive Class 4A state title last month, compiling another dominant season both in the circle and at the plate.
de Jesus, who was The Herald’s All-Area Softball Player of the Year for the second straight season, tossed seven no-hitters this spring and posted a 1.03 earned-run average in 141 1/3 innings pitched. The Coastal Carolina-bound right-hander recorded 302 strikeouts and 62 walks, averaging more than 2.1 strikeouts per inning.
de Jesus also batted .582 with 11 home runs, three triples and eight doubles. She posted a .741 on-base percentage and a 1.284 slugging percentage, totaling 22 extra-base hits in 63 at-bats. She drew 43 walks, with nearly all of them being intentional.
In addition to athletic excellence, the award also recognizes “high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field.” de Jesus maintains a 3.57 grade-point average and has volunteered as a peer math tutor and a youth softball coach, according to Gatorade’s press release.
As the state player of the year, de Jesus is a finalist for the Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year award, to be announced later this month.
Wesco nominates players for all-state baseball games
Nine local prep baseball players were nominated to play in the All-State Baseball Series this Saturday and Sunday in Yakima. The players were chosen following the Wesco senior all-state feeder game last Wednesday at Lake Stevens High School.
The players nominated were: Jack Sheward (Arlington), Cameron Smith (Arlington), Camdon Anderson (Arlington), Brody Larsen (Cascade), Nick Mardesich (Everett), Pierce Leavengood (Glacier Peak), Payton Smith (Glacier Peak), Theron Perkins (Lake Stevens) and Luke Klein (Monroe).
Of all the players nominated from feeder games across the state, 72 will be selected to play in the All-State Baseball Series.
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