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Orange Lutheran’s Brianne Weiss entered the softball season excited for challenges that would bring out the best in her team and her pitching.
“Orange Lutheran has had one of the strongest schedules in the country, and we always look forward to that,” she said. “I’m also preparing to go to Notre Dame next year, so I really want this high school season to be super intense for me as a challenge for college.”
The left-handed senior and her team certainly passed their tests during the regular season.
Weiss capped an impressive, two-month stretch on Monday by pitching a two-hitter with 16 strikeouts in a 6-1 victory against Mater Dei in the Trinity League.
In not allowing an earned run, Weiss improved to 16-1 and lowered her earned-run average to a county-leading 0.55.
In reaching double-digits strikeouts for the 11th time, she pushed her season total to a county-leading 206 in 109 1/3 innings.
Weiss has been so strong, she has improved in a few areas that earned her The Register’s pitcher of the year award in 2023.
“Bri has been dominating this season,” Orange Lutheran coach Steve Miklos said. “Her junior year was amazing but she has topped that this year with more wins and strikeouts.”
Weiss’ pitching helped Orange Lutheran (18-3, 8-0) notch its second consecutive undefeated Trinity League title.
The Lancers also passed defending CIF-SS Division 1 champion Pacifica in the Orange County and section rankings, and appear headed toward receiving the top seed for the Division 1 playoffs.
“I am unbelievably proud of this team this year,” Weiss said. “It helps that I have an outstanding offense this year and a great defense behind me. It allows me to be more confident in the circle and has contributed to my improvement the most.”
Weiss has mostly teamed with batterymates Cate Medvitz and Zara Mineo-Schrank.
The defense also has been led by shortstop Madelyn Armendariz, third baseman Carolyn Snyder, second baseman Mya Diaz, first baseman Grace Harrison and center fielder Kai Minor.
Minor, an Oklahoma committed junior, is hitting a team-leading .429 with four home runs and 21 runs scored.
Weiss and Miklos said the team’s focus won’t change in the postseason.
“We are OLu,” Weiss said of the rallying call. “Playing the best teams not only helps going into league but also preparing for playoffs.”
CANYON INJURY UPDATE
Canyon junior shortstop Jade Diaz (shoulder) will not be available to play Tuesday at Esperanza, Comanches coach Jess Carbajal said.
Diaz, a Cal commit who also has batted cleanup, was injured in a 6-2 victory against El Modena on Thursday.
Carbajal said he could start sophomores Bella Alcala or Greta Doherty for Diaz.
TAYLOR’S TRACKER
Esperanza center fielder Taylor Shumaker could have at least three games left to challenge the Orange County record for home runs in a season.
Shumaker, whose total of 18 home runs is two shy of the record, plays Canyon (Tuesday) and El Modena (Thursday) in home games this week. The Aztecs are in second place in the four-team Crestview League and ranked 15th in Division 1.
Last season, the Division 1 playoff bracket featured three at-large entries.
NOTES
The section’s playoff pairings will be released Saturday at 10 a.m. ….
The seven-team Sunset League receives four guaranteed playoff entries. …
Foothill’s Lauren Mendez pitched a complete game in a 7-3 win against Brea Olinda on Monday that secured the Knights (9-12) the outright North Hills League title. Foothill, a Division 2 team for the playoffs, also won the league in 2023. …
Mission Viejo (18-5-1, 6-1) will play host to Tesoro (16-3-1, 6-1) on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. for the South Coast League title. …
Reigning section champions Pacifica (Division 1) and Capistrano Valley (Division 3) will play a nonleague game Friday at Pacifica at 3:15 p.m.
Related Articles
Orange County girls athlete of the week: Loula-Rae McNamara, Tesoro
Orange County softball stat leaders through April 20
CIF-SS softball polls, April 22
Orange County softball Top 25: No. 1 Orange Lutheran, No. 2 Pacifica clinch league titles, April 22
Orange County softball standings: Saturday, April 20
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