PITCHER OF THE YEAR

CAMARILLO — Already established as one of the region’s dominant pitchers, Cindy Ball of Camarillo High elevated her game to new heights in her final high school season.

Ball, an intimidating 6-foot-1 riseball pitcher, threw a no-hitter and struck out 10 in a 4-0 victory over Highland in a Southern Section Division I quarterfinal game, her final high school pitching appearance. The right-hander was 12-1 this season.

The only blemish on her record was a 5-1 tournament loss in April to Mater Dei, which at the time was ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today. Seven weeks later, Mater Dei beat Camarillo, 2-1, in the Division I semifinals.

In two playoff games, Ball allowed only one hit and struck out 19.

Ball had 107 strikeouts in 95 innings and finished with an 0.80 earned-run average.

In addition, she batted .436 with 18 runs batted in and finished her career with a .356 average. The Marmonte League most valuable player is headed to University of the Pacific on scholarship.

Ball was arguably the most feared Marmonte batter, leading the league with 21 walks to boost her on-base percentage to .705.

Ball, a four-year varsity starter who was always a part of a two-pitcher rotation, was 45-9 in her career with an 0.56 ERA and 468 strikeouts in 411 innings.