Photo Gallery: Public Schools Take All-Star Game

The La Canada Spartans owned the show during the Pasadena Star-News’ Public vs. Private All-Star Game on Thursday night at Live Oak Park in Temple City. Anna Edwards won the home run derby, hitting four of five pitches out of the park, and Lauren O’ Leary threw a complete game shutout leading the Public team to a 5-0 victory over the Private schools squad.

 “During that home run derby, I was in the groove,” Edwards said. “I just treated it like it was practice and sailed the ball. I wasn’t trying to be competitive, but losing isn’t in my nature.”

Regardless of what the outcome was, these girls were happy enough to represent the best of the best out of the San Gabriel Valley. While all of these girls played their final softball game in their respective colors, they were thrilled at the fact they can spend their final moments as high school softball players with their friends and fellow coaches.

“This game, all in all, is about having a good time win or lose,” said La Canada coach KC Mathews, who managed the Public school squad. “These girls loved the fact that they can take the opportunity and play with each other rather than against like they have for four years.”

Flintridge Prep’s Denise Van der goot, who threw 1 1/3 shutout innings to end the game, was one of many girls who grew up playing with a number of her fellow teammates. Van der goot saw this opportunity as one to enjoy her the glory of being one of the few representing the area’s private schools.

“A lot of these girls I have seen and been around with since I was eight years old,” Van der goot said. “It’s nice to have the final game be the one that you can just let loose, have a good time, and go at it with your fellow teammates you’ve been with forever.”

For the Spartans, Edwards, O’Leary and Megan Siepler played their final game associated with La Canada. While these three girls are parting ways to play softball around the country, they still wanted to end things with a bang.

“Even if it is our last game in our high school career, I don’t like losing,” Siepler said. “At the same time, it’s our last game together. So we just are in the mindset of having fun and making the best of it, no matter what really happens.”

While Edwards won the home run derby challenge, Jessica Lociano of Temple City earned the MVP during the game, hitting two home runs. Rio Hondo Prep had four girls in the game in Charley Parker, Hayley Murphy, Kalli Bray and Hannah Martin.

Check back later for a full photo gallery from Thursday's game.