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All-Colorado softball: Babcock, Torrez leaving a Legacy

Published November 12, 2008 at 9:25 p.m.

Mikey Kenney, 17, of Arvada West (cq), Coach Wendy Davies, of Ralston Valley (cq), Felicia Graff, 17, of Loveland (cq), Tahnea Leeling, 17, of Highlands Ranch (cq), Stephanie Runia, 18, of Cherokee Trail (cq), Lara Mathewson, 17, of Holy Family (cq) Elle Madsen, 14, of Wheatridge (cq), Ashlie Ortega, 17, of Erie (cq), Shelby Babcock, 16, of Legacy (cq), Buggs Torrez, 15, of Legacy (cq), Stephanie Routzon, 16, of Wheatridge (cq), Mallorie Sulaski, 18, of Bear Creek (cq), Kelsey O'Brien, 17, of Columbine (cq) and Jenna D'Ottavio, 17, of Mullen (cq)  (L-R) are all part of the All-Colorado softball team stand for a portrait at Legacy High School, 2701 W. 136th Ave.,  in Broomfield, Colorado, Sunday, November 9, 2008. 

November 9, 2008

Brian Lehmann/Rocky Mountain News

Photo by Brian Lehmann

Mikey Kenney, 17, of Arvada West (cq), Coach Wendy Davies, of Ralston Valley (cq), Felicia Graff, 17, of Loveland (cq), Tahnea Leeling, 17, of Highlands Ranch (cq), Stephanie Runia, 18, of Cherokee Trail (cq), Lara Mathewson, 17, of Holy Family (cq) Elle Madsen, 14, of Wheatridge (cq), Ashlie Ortega, 17, of Erie (cq), Shelby Babcock, 16, of Legacy (cq), Buggs Torrez, 15, of Legacy (cq), Stephanie Routzon, 16, of Wheatridge (cq), Mallorie Sulaski, 18, of Bear Creek (cq), Kelsey O'Brien, 17, of Columbine (cq) and Jenna D'Ottavio, 17, of Mullen (cq) (L-R) are all part of the All-Colorado softball team stand for a portrait at Legacy High School, 2701 W. 136th Ave., in Broomfield, Colorado, Sunday, November 9, 2008. November 9, 2008 Brian Lehmann/Rocky Mountain News

* Few failed to realize Shelby Babcock was a shoo-in for her second consecutive All-Colorado pitcher of the year honor. But Legacy earned a sweep of the marquee player awards as catcher Buggs Torrez was bestowed player of the year after the tandem helped the Lightning to a second consecutive Class 5A crown.

"Being a sophomore, winning player of the year is a pretty big accomplishment," Torrez said. "That was my goal at the beginning of the season. That was my main goal throughout the year."

Babcock, who gave a verbal commitment to the University of Arizona on Sunday, was dominant again at the state tournament, and the junior makes Legacy a favorite to win three in a row.

"The pressure was a little different, but it was the same feeling," Babcock said of title No. 2. "Since we won it last year, we had a target on our back the whole time of people trying to beat you."

One of those teams was Ralston Valley, the Class 4A champion last season that made it to the championship game in its first season in 5A.

The Mustangs lost to Legacy 4-1, but their immediate impression in the big-school ranks earned Wendy Davies the honor of All-Colorado coach of the year.

"We would have liked to have that one last win, but I think while the girls are disappointed, they're proud of themselves," Davies said.

All-Colorado softball

Pos.PlayerSchoolYr.HRRBIAvg.
CBuggs TorrezLegacySo.539.629
1BStephanie RuniaCherokee TrailSr.125.392
2BLara MathewsonHoly FamilySr.638.657
SSAshlie OrtegaErieSr.225.571
3BJenna D'OttavioMullenJr.438.548
OFFelicia GraffLovelandSr.124.558
OFMikey KenneyArvada WestSr.326.463
OFElle MadsenWheat RidgeFr.645.519
DHTahnea LeelingHighlands RanchSr.937.433
UMallorie SulaskiBear CreekSr.119.451
Pos.PlayerSchoolYr.W-LERAK
PShelby BabcockLegacyJr.22-10.15274
PKelsey O'BrienColumbineSr.12-50.85200
PAubree MaulRocky MountainSr.17-11.53143
PStephanie RoutzonWheat RidgeJr.23-00.88179
UMallorie SulaskiBear CreekSr.17-40.97135

* Player of the year: Buggs Torrez, Legacy

* Pitcher of the year: Shelby Babcock, Legacy

* Coach of the year: Wendy Davies, Ralston Valley

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