Rae Rice

School: Fountain Valley High

Sport: Softball

Position: Pitcher

Class: Senior

As one of three seniors on Fountain Valley’s team, the usually reserved Rice became more of a leader this season and the Barons are stronger for it. Rice is breaking in a new catcher, freshman Jennifer Leialoha. “As each game goes by, Rae gets better because she gets more confidence in her catcher,” Fountain Valley Coach Cary Baker said. Last week, Rice, who will play for Cal State Long Beach next season, won two of her most important games of the season--two-hit shutouts against Edison and Huntington Beach, which moved the Barons into first place in the Sunset League. Rice, who is 12-2 with 156 strikeouts and a 0.14 ERA, was most impressive against the Oilers, retiring the first 18 batters--11 on strikeouts--before Danielle Bowman led off the seventh with a bunt single.

Other top performers:

Jennifer Brundage, who was three for six, including a triple and two RBIs, and won two games for Irvine, pitching a four-hitter against El Toro and a one-hitter against Mission Viejo.

Leigh Sager, who allowed four hits and no runs in 17 innings in Savanna’s 1-0 victory over Anaheim.

Jennifer Surface, who pitched her second perfect game of the season in Pacifica’s 1-0 victory over La Quinta.