Beaumont Softball Season Wrap Up

Beaumont High’s softball team got more than on-the-field leadership from graduating seniors Jayme Tickemyer, Kristen Neal and Lauren Hernandez.

The trio of seniors provided underclassmen – the 13 player team roster featured five juniors, one sophomore and four freshmen -  with the kind of guidance that made for a smooth transition into the varsity game.

Two of the seniors –Tickemyer and Hernandez – were four year varsity players. Neal transferred to Beaumont from Redlands during her junior season.

“Our seniors never looked down at the freshmen,” Beaumont Coach Jim Tickemyer said. “Our seniors were the team leaders we really needed. Sometimes seniors feel they are entitled. That was never the case with our seniors.”

The season – 25 wins, a league championship, All League honors and the CIF title game appearance – have provided critical experience that should pay dividends over the next two and three years.

“To their credit, the freshmen came in and worked very hard,” Coach Tickemyer said. “Each of them had the opportunity to come and earn a starting position. There were four competing for one spot.”

Five of the underclassmen garnered All Mountain Pass League honors. Pitcher Alyssa Fuimaono was named the MPL’s Defensive MVP – she finished the season with  a 1.74 ERA, struck out 210 batters in 177 innings of work and recorded 25 complete games enroute to a 24-5 record.

First team honors went to junior catcher Bernadette Moreno and sophomore Stephanie Tickemyer along with Neal. Junior Alainah Ortiz was a second team selection and junior Kelsey Dodson was an honorable mention.

The team as a whole produced a record setting season. Along the way to their first CIF Championship game the Cougars set team records for team batting average (.363), runs scored (227), hits (297), RBI (208) and home runs (30). In terms of batting average, 10 players batted .300 or higher and nine of the 12 players hit home runs.

“It was a phenomenal season and I really believe we built a foundation for girls softball here at the school,” Coach Tickemyer said.