GALT, CA (MPG) - The Liberty Ranch Hawk softball team has been the team to beat in the league all season long, and with a firm grip on first place, a league championship is well within reach. Head Coach Vince Bunac has guided the Hawks to another of their strongest campaigns, powered by a roster full of contributors from top to bottom.

At the center of it all is senior Bella Granata, who has put together one of the most complete offensive seasons you’ll see at any level. Granata leads the team – and likely the league – in batting average (.531), on-base percentage (.603), hits (26), RBIs (24), home runs (4), doubles (9) and slugging percentage (1.000). She also brings a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage on defense. Granata is the engine that drives this Hawks lineup, and her numbers in her senior season have been nothing short of extraordinary.

 

Senior Laura Quinn pitches.

Fellow senior Xiana Juarez has been a powerful complement to Granata in the heart of the order. Juarez is hitting .375 with 18 hits, 15 RBIs and three home runs, adding a .604 slugging percentage that makes her one of the most dangerous hitters in the lineup. Senior Carlie Perez has quietly contributed as well, ranking second on the team with eight doubles and a .560 slugging percentage.

Junior Shelby Duarte has been steady in the three-hole, batting .368 with a .489 OBP and four doubles. Her ability to get on base consistently gives the Hawks lineup a reliable threat throughout the order.

One of the most pleasant surprises of the season has been freshman Gianna Farren, who has stepped right in and produced like a veteran. Farren leads the team in runs scored (19) and stolen bases (6), and boasts a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. She also ranks third on the team in on-base percentage (.450) and collected 18 hits and a triple. For a first-year player to contribute at this level on a league-leading team speaks volumes about both her talent and the culture Bunac has built in the program.

Fellow freshman Kaci Springmeyer has also made an impact, ranking second on the team with 19 RBIs and adding four stolen bases. Junior Khali Barrantes rounds out the Hawks’ core contributors with 17 runs scored, three stolen bases and a .963 fielding percentage. Senior Laura Quinn handles the duties in the circle, leading the pitching staff with a 4.91 ERA.

 

Liberty Ranch softball players take a moment to prepare before they take the field.

“This group has been special to coach,” said Coach Bunac. “Our seniors have set the tone all season and the younger players have stepped up in a big way. We’re focused on finishing what we started and bringing a league title back to Liberty Ranch.”

The Hawks will celebrate their six seniors on Monday, May 5, when Liberty Ranch hosts Senior Night. It will be a moment to honor the players who have helped build this program into a league contender, and with a potential championship still ahead, the best may be yet to come.

 

Senior Xiana Juarez slugs the ball.