Whitney's Cordell is Large School Player of the Year

As a sophomore, Taylor Cordell established herself as one of the area's most dominant players and was a driving force behind Whitney's run to a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I softball championship. For her outstanding season, Cordell has been named the Gold Mountain California News Media Large School Softball Player of the Year. Cordell anchored the Wildcats in the circle, finishing with a 21-3 record and a 1.51 ERA over 134 2/3 innings. She struck out 159 batters while limiting opponents to 85 hits, pitching one no-hitter and one perfect game. Her consistency helped Whitney post a 26-9 overall record, earn a share of the Sierra Foothill League championship and capture the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title before advancing to the CIF Division I NorCal championship game. Looking back, Cordell said she is most proud of her resilience. "I threw a lot of innings for my team and was able to help us win some really big games against great competition," Cordell said. "I learned that even when I'm tired or things get hard, I can keep competing and find a way." That resilience was tested throughout the season. Along with battling injuries, Cordell's family was navigating her father's cancer diagnosis, a challenge that gave her a different perspective every time she stepped into the circle. "More than anything, I just wanted to make my dad proud," Cordell said. "Watching the way he has handled everything has taught me a lot about how I want to handle hard things in my own life." She said softball became a refuge during one of the most difficult stretches of her life. "When I step onto the field, everything else goes away for a little while," Cordell said. "I'm completely focused on the game, my teammates and the next pitch. My mind gets quiet, and I can just be myself." Whitney coach April Steele said Cordell's toughness showed up every day, in practice and games. "I think she believes in her training," Steele said. "She works every single day. Her bullpens are long, and they're hard. She believes in the work she's put in." Steele said Cordell's competitive drive was never more evident than when she tried to pitch through an injury against Del Oro. "When I went out to the mound, she was sobbing," Steele said. "It wasn't because of the pain. She told me, 'I can handle the pain. I just wanted to do this for them.' " Cordell said her teammates were a major reason Whitney reached another championship stage. "I think our team chemistry was a huge part of it," she said. "Everyone wanted to see each other succeed, and we all trusted each other. When we got into big games or tough situations, we knew we had each other's backs." Preparation also fueled her success, and Steele noted her work ethic is second to none. "I work really hard in my bullpen sessions and try to be intentional about what I'm working on," Cordell said. "Coach Steele and I spend a lot of time talking about game plans. I also learned to have fun in the big moments. Instead of putting too much pressure on myself, I try to trust the work I've put in." Steele believes Cordell's combination of talent and work ethic makes her one of the nation's best young pitchers. "I would put her against anybody in the country," Steele said. "The kid works harder than anyone." With two seasons remaining, Cordell has already established herself as one of the premier pitchers in the region. If this season was any indication, her greatest strengths extend well beyond the numbers in the scorebook. All-Gold Mountain California News Media Large School Softball Team Pitchers Taylor Cordell - Whitney Payton Prior - Rocklin Mikayla Finn - Del Oro Katherine Popovski - Del Oro Kennedi Freeland - Oak Ridge Maddy McNeal - Woodcreek Emma Juarez - West Park Position Players Emma Johnson - Del Oro Chloe Champas - Del Oro Caelyn Campos - Del Oro Addie Titlow - Rocklin Cat Alston - Rocklin Brooklin Lonteen - Rocklin Amanda Wetteland - Rocklin Brooklyn Paratore - Oak Ridge Emery Glazer - Oak Ridge Cameron Kelly - Woodcreek Bella Huston - West Park Joleen White - West Park Brooklyn Steele - Whitney Bri Seffens - Whitney Sydney Kleiner - Whitney Rebecca Rau - Whitney Honorable Mention Avery Enyart - Del Oro Avyn Brower - Del Oro Brooklyn Jackson - Folsom Raygan Mercado - Folsom Sophie Green - Folsom Gemma Almont - Oak Ridge Leilani Terrazas - Granite Bay Reese Litherland - Granite Bay Chloe Preuss - Woodcreek Payton Green - Woodcreek Aubrey Reddell - Woodcreek Vivianna Martinez - West Park Katie Barber - West Park Arianna Bissing - West Park Larissa Rogowski - Whitney Lulu Im - Whitney Kaitlyn Johnson - Whitney Tayler Dray - Vista del Lago Cadyn Nettleton - Vista del Lago