Sports
Kaufman Catches All-CIF Honors
Agoura High senior led the Chargers in four offensive categories, but it was her defense that set her apart during Marmonte League season.
Agoura High senior center fielder Shannon Kaufman earned a spot on the All-CIF Division I softball team by leading her team in batting average, stolen bases and runs scored. But her high school coach said her defense put her on a different level than other softball players.
Kaufman made two catches that stood out for Chance Redmond, the Agoura coach. Both came against Moorpark during the Marmonte League season.
The first one was a blast that went over Kaufman's head. She sprinted toward the warning track and made a diving catch. Redmond said the catch saved a run and probably won the game for Agoura.
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"In the outfield the girl could track a ball," Redmond said. "I'm still not sure how she caught it."
Kaufman said that catch wasn't her best of the season.
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She made another game-saving catch against Moorpark. This time it was a shot in the gap that Kaufman said was out of her reach. "That surprised me," she said. "I had no idea I was going to get to the ball."
Kaufman's selection to the All-CIF team was two years in the making.
She converted to a left-handed slap hitter in her junior year, and Redmond said it turned Kaufman from a .200 hitter into a .400 hitter.
She led Agoura with a .470 batting average, 20 stolen bases and 20 runs scored in 28 games. Her 47 hits were also best on the team.
"She converted to a slapper," Redmond said. "It was great for her because she is very fast. She had a great junior season as a slapper. She is blazing fast. She was a terror for anybody."
Kaufman was a four-year starter on varsity for Agoura. Redmond said he was upset with himself for not switching her to a slap hitter earlier in her high school career.
"It's probably the best thing I ever did," Kaufman said. "Basically, my coach just told me, 'Put the ball in play because they'll never get you.' It made me a whole different level of player."
Kaufman is headed to Sacramento State in the fall and will continue her softball career in college. She is expected to be a starting outfielder in the spring. "It feels real good," Kaufman said. "It's like a huge accomplishment starting to get notice by other people."
