Finishing second in the Mesa League behind undefeated Bonita Vista, the Hilltop Lancers had much to be proud of this season. Compiling an overall record of 22-9 (7-3) the Lancers received major contributions from their pair of fine pitchers, Alysha Isaacson and Jordan Rhudy and from the consistent hitting of Tiffany Salcedo, Fiana Finau, Natalia Rosales and the aforementioned Isaacson. The quintet of Maura Cien-Mayer, Ariel Bochniak, Aida Martinez, Nikki Furuya and Crystal Corona developed into solid defensive contributors.

   The Lancers dispatched San Pasqual in the first round of the CIF SD section division I tournament 6-0, before being eliminated by back to back loses to Torrey Pines and Poway. Following the example of their veteran coach, Nancy Acerrio, the Lancers displayed good sportsmanship throughout the season. Acerrio reached the rarely attained plateau of her 500th career win this year, a feat that was celebrated by the entire team.

   The quintet of Maura Cien-Mayer, Ariel Bochniak, Aida Martinez, Nikki Furuya and Crystal Corona developed into solid defensive contributors, but the player with perhaps the toughest job of all however, was junior catcher, Monica Armas.

   “Monica has been a mainstay behind the plate for us. She handled both pitchers very well and her bat has been awesome for us this year. Even after she received a concussion and was out for a little while she remained here to help out. Monica was selected as a second team All-League player,” Acerrio said.

   Armas grew up in an athletic family.

   “My grandfather was famous in Mexico for his years of playing professionally there. My father also played professionally. He was the third baseman for Mexicali. My mom played softball and I had two sisters that played as well. One of them graduated from Hilltop in 1999 and also played for coach Acerrio. We have always been a great softball (and baseball) family. Softball is everything,” Armas said.

   Being the team’s only natural catcher, Armas got plenty of work this season. Her stellar play behind the plate and in the batter’s box often made a difference. Batting in the number four slot, Armas was often called upon to hit with power. She responded with a home run, three doubles, two triples, 22 RBIs and a batting average of .342.

   It has taken Armas years to perfect her skills as a catcher.

   “I have received a lot of good coaching over the years. Coach Acerrio teaches the game and you learn a lot from her. Overall, I think she is a great coach,” Armas said.

   Softball has become an almost year round sport for Armas. She currently plays her club ball with San Diego Elite.

   “We will be going to a college showcase at the end of June in Colorado.”

   As recently as last summer Armas was also playing in Mexico.

   “I have been all over Mexico playing softball. Last summer I played in Guanajuato for an open division tournament and I received the MVP award even though it was my first year there. I was going to represent Baja California this summer in the annual competition they have between the states in Guadalajara, but I couldn’t go because this team did well enough to make it into the playoffs. I played in that tournament last year when it was in Sinaloa and we took second place.”

   In order to play any more softball Armas may need to find a way to be in two places at once.