With teams often so evenly matched in the San Diego Section softball playoffs, the difference between winning and losing generally comes down to one player seizing the moment and coming through at crunch time.
In Mater Dei Catholic’s dramatic 6-5 victory over the Christian Patriots in the Division IV championship game played May 29 at UC San Diego, MDC shortstop Wendy Tamayo smacked a seventh-inning solo home run over the left field fence to break a 5-5 tie. With the one run lead in hand Mater Dei sophomore ace Maritza Lopez-Portillo finalized the victory by retiring the Patriots in order.
For Tamayo, coming through in the clutch is nothing new. Her two home runs in what was the biggest game of her high school career were her fifth and sixth of the season.
Perhaps not understandably, she was named both the Mesa League Player of the Year and the Division IV Player of the Year.
Prized as a catcher but used this season as a shortstop, she is bound to play next season for the University of Nevada-Reno.
MDC coach Mike Centrullo called Tamayo “better at the plate under pressure than any player I have ever seen.”
“This is not unique for her to come through like this,” Centrullo said. “Under pressure at the plate I wouldn’t want anybody else.”
While softball ranks as her No. 1 sport, Tamayo has also been a solid basketball player for the Crusaders. In fact, as a junior she was a guard on Mater Dei’s Division IV state championship squad.
“I think you could put her in any position (and she would prosper in any sport),” Centrullo said in regard to the versatile Tamayo. “She is very well rounded. I have never seen a more complete player. It has been a pleasure watching her grow to maturity from a freshman into a senior. Defensively, offensively, as a leader and as an inspiration she has been amazing.”
Tamayo was joined on the Division IV team by Crusader teammates Lopez-Portillo and Shelly Centrullo, both first team selections, and freshman catcher Kim Tamayo, a second team pick.
MDC finished the season 21-11 overall.
All-San Diego Section
Softball Selections
(Metro Conference athletes)
Division I
First Team
Jennifer Hartman (Bonita Vista), 10
Second Team
Fiana Finau (Hilltop), 11
Alysha Isaacson (Hilltop), 12
Jaycee Carlson (Bonita Vista), 11
Division II
Second Team
Angel Iacavetti (Mar Vista), 12
Division IV
First Team
Wendy Tamayo (Mater Dei), 12
Maritza Lopez-Portillo (Mater Dei), 10
Shelly Centrullo (Mater Dei), 12
Second Team
Kim Tamayo (Mater Dei), 9
All-San Diego Section Softball Team
The San Diego Hall of Champions recently released is all-section team.
First team
Pitchers
Laura Winter (Rancho Bernardo), 12
Bree Williams (Mt. Carmel), 11
Noelle Johnson (West Hills), 10
Naomi Amu (El Camino), 12
Rachel Nasland (Torrey Pines), 9
Jenny Lahitte (Granite Hills), 12
Amanda Hansen (University City), 11
Jennifer Hartman (Bonita Vista), 10
Catchers
Victoria Jones (Vista), 12
Maggie Sevilla (Scripps Ranch), 11
Infielders
Kellie Fox (Mt. Carmel), 12
Kristen Filicia (Torrey Pines), 12
Wendy Tamayo (Mater Dei), 12
Amanda Grable (Santana), 9
Outfielders
Alix Johnson (Mt. Carmel), 12
Player of the Year
Alix Johnson (Mt. Carmel)
Coach of the Year
Ron Mizushima (El Camino)
Second team
Pitchers
Tonya Wu (San Dieguito Academy), 9
Taylor Curran (Scripps Ranch), 10
Lorena Klopp (Steele Canyon), 12
Catcher
Micherie Koria (West Hills), 12
Infielders
Olive Naotala (El Camino), 12
Haley Steele (Poway), 11
Fiana Finau (Hilltop), 11
Faith Koria (West Hills), 12
Aubrie May (Grossmont), 10
Katiyana Mauga (Mira Mesa), 9
Mary Grabowski (Christian), 10
Ricki Gentry (Christian), 12
Emily Gusse (Scripps Ranch), 11
Kaelin Sprawls (Palo Verde), 11
Outfielder
Claudette Smith (Helix), 12
All-San Diego Section Baseball Team
The San Diego Hall of Champions recently released its all-section team.
First team
Pitchers
Joey DeNato (Torrey Pines), 12
Joe Musgrove (Grossmont), 11
Max MacNabb (La Costa Canyon), 12
Daniel Camarena (Cathedral Catholic), 11
Troy Conyers (El Capitan), 10
Catchers
Wynston Sawyer (Scripps Ranch), 12
Will Swanner (La Costa Canyon), 12
Infielders
Phillip Evans (La Costa Canyon), 11
Tyrone Wiggins (El Capitan), 11
Tony Wolters (Rancho Buena Vista), 12
Andrew Daniel (Rancho Bernardo), 12
Kyle Hayes (Santana), 12
Outfielders
Aaron Siliga (Oceanside), 12
Connor Hofmann (St. Augustine), 12
Cody Smith (Santana), 12
Player of the Year
Joey DeNato (Torrey Pines)
Coach of the Year
Sam Blalock, Rancho Bernardo
Second team
Pitchers
Agustin Lopez (Montgomery), 12
Trevor Williams (Rancho Bernardo), 12
Steven Brault (Grossmont), 12
Jesse Hernandez (Bonita Vista), 12
Jordan McLaughlin (St. Augustine), 12
Catchers
Chancellor San Miguel (Hilltop), 12
Marco Arellano (Montgomery), 12
Infielders
Dillon Dooney (Poway), 12
Sheldon Gabriels (El Capitan), 11
Gustavo Villasenor (University City), 12
Tim Zier (Escondido), 12
Max Homick (Rancho Bernardo), 11
Outfielders
Bobby Zalud (La Costa Canyon), 12
Martin Romo (Otay Ranch), 12
Brett Thomas (Poway), 12
