CLASS 4A HONORS: Grizzlies’ DeLio catches attention
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Updated: May 25, 2011 | 10:06 p.m.
Most Valuable Player awards are generally reserved for upperclassmen.
It takes an exceptional season for a sophomore to capture her league’s MVP honor.
That’s exactly what Spring Valley’s Georgi DeLio did.
The catcher/infielder hit .649 with 30 RBIs for the Grizzlies en route to Southwest League MVP honors.
“She’s just a phenomenal hitter. She saw the ball really well,” Spring Valley coach Dan Johnson said. “She was our fire-starter. She kept us in a lot of games.”
The Grizzlies (10-16, 7-9 Southwest) struggled much of the season, largely because their pitching staff was hit hard.
DeLio’s adjustment to a more patient approach at the plate helped the Grizzlies remain competitive. Spring Valley finished a game out of fourth place in league play.
“That patience was huge for her. She just killed the ball,” Johnson said. “Her average boosted about 200 points from her freshman year.”
DeLio had 12 doubles, three triples and four home runs in 23 games. She struck out only four times in 84 plate appearances.
“There are very few things I have to work on with her,” Johnson said. “She has the talent, she has the drive, but she does get a little frustrated when she walks or strikes out. When she matures a little bit there, nothing will stop her.”
DeLio was also a big key to the Grizzlies’ defense.
Though DeLio’s primary position is catcher, Johnson didn’t hesitate to move her to shortstop after starting shortstop Katie Campo was lost to injury or to third base against teams that bunted often.
“She’s a phenomenal catcher,” Johnson said. “I had to put her in some other places to help our defense, but her defense is almost as good as her offense.”
Clark junior Julia Hagen was named the Southwest’s Pitcher of the Year after throwing all but seven of the Chargers’ innings this season.
Bishop Gorman’s Kevin Smith was the league’s Coach of the Year.
In the Northwest, Centennial freshman Heather Bowen took MVP honors and Palo Verde senior Melissa McCormick earned Pitcher of the Year. Centennial’s Mike Livreri is the league’s Coach of the Year.
Chaparral senior JeNiece Morgan and Las Vegas senior Jenise Gutierrez shared Northeast MVP accolades. Rancho junior Amber Marlett is the league’s Pitcher of the Year, and Canyon Springs’ Mickey Arquette is its Coach of the Year.
In the Southeast, Coronado junior Lee Harrison swept the MVP and Pitcher of the Year awards, and Coronado’s Missy Krueger and Silverado’s Victor Pierro shared Coach of the Year honors.
Players of the Year–JeNiece Morgan, Chaparral, and Jenise Gutierrez, Las Vegas.
Pitcher of the Year–Amber Marlett, Rancho.
Coach of the Year–Mickey Arquette, Canyon Springs.
Player of the Year–Lee Harrison, Coronado.
Pitcher of the Year–Lee Harrison, Coronado.
Coaches of the Year–Missy Krueger, Foothill, and Victor Pierro, Silverado.
Player of the Year–Heather Bowen, Centennial.
Pitcher of the Year–Melissa McCormick, Palo Verde.
Coach of the Year–Mike Livreri, Centennial.
Player of the Year–Georgi DeLio, Spring Valley.
Pitcher of the Year–Julia Hagen, Clark.
Coach of the Year–Kevin Smith, Bishop Gorman.
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It's very unfortunate a few individuals feel they have the right to single out these players by Name. These girls practice hard and play hard. They have self respect, self esteem, and respect for the game and with ONE comment all that can be damaged by an ignorant ADULT that may have watached 1 game or a few innings. Come watch all these young woman play "A" Ball and than make sure comments.
bowen is legit did anyone see cenntenials schedule by far toughest in s.nevada coronado 30-2 does not happen with that schedule there is going to be girls not on all-division team that should be there and visa-versa the dawgs have 2or3 more that should probaly should be there palo is legit but missy is gone and the dawgs are very young look out for arbor if they can pull it together any teams want to challege your players get into centennials spring jamboree tourney next year and see if your girls bat 600 dont think so centennial #2 team in nevada went 1-5 common step up
My question is why don't the girls get to play a all star games like the other sports, Football has one, baseball has one, and basketball has one for the boys and the girls, and soccer just had one on Wednesday. Just wanted to know if anyone out their knows the answer.
really? How does Bowen finish 17th in Bating Average and get MVP??? dont get me wrong she is one heck of a player and for sure has a future but come on now. The is many other players that deserved that award. You got McCormick from Palo, Shultz from Durango, heck you have Campos from Shadow Ridge WHO LED THE WHOLE THING in Batting average batting .670!!!!!!!
congrats to all the girls but i think some people need a reality check. good job though Bowen i respect you to the highest level.
Congrats to ALL the girls who played thier hearts out this season. Any REAL recruiter would know that the Coaches from ALL the teams vote and the process they go through. Who's Dad are you??? A REAL recruiter wouldn't make such comments.
FYI Fed-up - Coaches vote on the players. And they can't vote for their own players. So how unbiased can it get?? You can't pay attention to stats! Some pitchers pitch for the easier games/teams and some pitch for harder games/teams. Some players play injured. Some players play for bad teams but can't stand out because they do. Some stat keepers for teams don't know what they're doing or boost their player stats. The coaches recognize who deserves what. I'm sure it is tough decision sometimes.
WOW!!! REALLY? Did anyone bother looking at the stats? Looks like we just played the "favorites" game on alot of these. Anyone who followed this season knows who should of went where. McCormick not MVP...really? Harrison Pitcher of the year? MVP sure, but Pitcher? Wow! Baluan instead of Petrolia on first team? That's a laugh. Alot of those girls bled for that recognition and got cheated. Why don't you guys try having some morals and doing the right thing next time.
As a recruiting consultant in the Las Vegas area, I was able to watch several games this season...some obvious observations on the 4A awards...I'm not really sure who voted but, how can the McCormick (PALO) kid NOT be the MVP of the Northwest League? Bowen (CENT) is a nice player but MVP? If this truly is a "First Team" naming the BEST 14 players...how can Faith have a player on the 1st team??? I watched Finger (CENT) play in the Regionals/State tourney... could that kid even start in Palo Verde's outfield...1st team??? (head scratcher)... Durango's Larson, "just" 2nd team in the Southwest? That's laughable...I only saw the DeLio (SV) kid play twice...why even pitch to her? lol ...congrats to all the girls who were recognized.