Softball notebook: Notre Dame’s Ella Parker, Oaks Christian’s Rylee McCoy having stellar seasons

Heading into April, it seems the area’s top high school softball teams are making noise thanks to big-time players making an impact from the plate and from the pitcher’s circle.

Notre Dame (10-1) is led by Oklahoma commit Ella Parker, who is batting .640 with 16 hits, 15 RBIs and seven homers in 25 at-bats. Parker is so feared at the plate, she’s been walked 14 times and only struck out once. Kayla Mashhoud and Sarah Jacobs are a combined 10-1 from the pitcher’s circle for the Knights.

Granada Hills (9-3) is making a case to be a strong candidate for the team to beat in the City Section. The Highlanders are led by sophomore Jocelyn Jimenez, who’s tallied 21 hits, six doubles, scored 15 runs and is batting .600. Fellow sophomore Samantha Esparza is batting .457 and has a team-high 15 RBIs. Addison Moorman is 6-2 from the circle for the Highlanders.

Westlake (14-3-1) is led by Kaylee Clarkson’s 23 RBIs and 21 hits, both are team-leading numbers from the plate. Senior pitcher Kaitlyn Bartlow is 5-1 this season with an ERA of just 2.13 and has tallied 63 strikeouts in 46 innings.

Oaks Christian (13-0-1) is picking up right where it left off last year without Micaela Kastor and former legendary coach Pete Ackermann. Under new coach Cheyenne Coyle the Lions are leaning on the play of Rylee McCoy, Justine Lambert and Anahi Arreola. Sophomore pitcher Peyton Lavin has been emerging as a strong presence from the circle.

McCoy has a staggering 30 hits, 33 RBIs, 10 doubles and six homers in 33 at-bats.

Hart (11-5) has been led by senior duo Kate Penberthy and Tenley Sweet. They each have two homers this season and have a combined 37 RBIs, 23 of which come from Penberthy. Pitchers Emily Marr and Allison Specht have been sharing time in the circle. Marr has 38 strikeouts in 43 innings and Specht has 43 strikeouts in 51 innings.

Other teams making noise include Moorpark (9-0) with Madison Finnerty; Louisville (9-3) with Hayden Luderer; and Burroughs (11-2) with senior pitcher Stevie Dabbadie.