Maci Fines stood out in helping Sheldon win third consecutive section title
Maci Fines has a flair for the dramatic.
In her final softball game for Sheldon High School, the senior shortstop produced her 200th career hit. It was a bunt. Later in that Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship game against Tracy, Fines collected hit No. 201, a home run.
That was Fines’ third homer of the season, but the first that left the park.
Sheldon beat Tracy 6-0 to cap a section championship three-peat in which Fines was an integral part as a four-year starter. She pulled a personal repeat feat, too, having won Bee co-Player of the Year honors last season with sister Jordan, now on scholarship at Cal, and earning Bee Player of the Year honors this season for doing what she does best: play defense, get hits, lead and win. She batted .496 with 61 hits, 26 RBIs, 47 runs, 11 triples and 11 doubles.
Sheldon (30-2) ended with a 13-game winning streak, including 5-0 in the postseason, and won 24 of its last 25 games.
“I’m so happy to win a third title,” Fines said. “We put a lot of work in.”
As for her home run, Fines said, “I was shocked. It didn’t hit me that it went out until I hit second base and I was running full speed. I slowed down.”
She hasn’t slowed down since. Fines is on a summer travel softball team and on Aug. 1 will head to UC Santa Barbara, where she will compete on scholarship. She will major in kinesiology, the study of the mechanics of body movements in an effort to remain close to athletics as a trainer.
“I’m excited but a little nervous,” she said of college. “But I’m ready.”
Her Sheldon coach agrees.
“Oh, she’s ready,” Mary Jo Truesdale said. “Maci can play so many different positions. She can play infield, outfield, and I wouldn’t doubt that she can pitch.”
Fines said softball taught her a great deal: how to compete, how to be a leader and a teammate, and how to overcome obstacles. And more.
“I really learned to communicate with people better, especially adults,” she said. “I’ve always been pretty social but softball helped me even more. I’m thankful.”
Joe Davidson: 916-321-1280, @SacBee_JoeD
All-Metro Softball
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Maci Fines, Sheldon, Sr.
CATCHER
Shea Moreno, Sheldon, Jr.
INFIELDERS
Sarah Brown, Sheldon, Sr.
Ariyana Miranda, Elk Grove, So.
Mia Santos, Kennedy, Jr.
Haley Suter, Casa Roble, Sr.
Vallery Wong, Grant, So.
OUTFIELDERS
Kirsten Cox, Vista del Lago, Jr.
Mazzie Davies, Laguna Creek, Sr.
Kiannah Pierce, Sheldon, Fr.
PITCHERS
Bethany Hammer, Union Mine, Sr.
Victoria Lowe, Elk Grove, Sr.
Brooke Larsen, Del Campo, Sr.
Bailynn Meek, Casa Roble, Sr.
Taliyah Miles, Sheldon, Sr.
DH
Hailey Miller, Cosumnes Oaks, Sr.
UTILITY
Makenzie Macfarlane, Whitney, So.
Tatum Wentworth, Pioneer, Fr.
Courtney Jack, Franklin, Jr.
Kiana Lee, Kennedy, Sr.
Gabriella Jimenez, McClatchy, Jr.
SECOND TEAM
CATCHER
Dallas Atchley, Lincoln, Jr.
INFIELDERS
Ashlyn Adams, Bella Vista, Sr.
Sam Oliver, Sheldon, Fr.
Maia Rader, Bella Vista, Jr.
Virginia Robello, Del Campo, Sr.
Lexie Smith, Lincoln, Jr.
OUTFIELDERS
Kaela Hangerbrauck, Ponderosa, Sr.
PITCHERS
Megan Anderson, Roseville, Sr.
Rachel Bennett, Bella Vista, Sr.
Rachel Gordon, Pioneer, Jr.
Brianna Leavell, Rio Linda, So.
Alexandra Romonov, Whitney, Sr.
DH
Mackenzie Parks, Del Oro, Jr.
UTILITY
Nikki Andelin, Vista del Lago, Jr.
Elizabeth Caffero, River City, Sr.
Reyna Cota, River City, So
Sammie Luckie, Del Campo, So.
Lauren Washburn, St. Francis, Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION
CATCHERS: Mary Baccay, St. Francis; Brittanni Bradanick, Antelope; Jody Cova, Casa Roble; Leci Harrington, Granite Bay; Micaela Harris, Whitney; Kaylee Hinds, El Dorado; Sage Innerarity, Pleasant Grove; Marjaynae Johnson, Florin; Justice Lewis, Bear River; Reese McCrary, McClatchy; Cielo Morin, Sacramento; Katelyn Snow, Bella Vista; Mckinzie Spriggs, Galt; Kaitlin Trace, Nevada Union.
INFIELDERS: Armani Brown, Cosumnes Oaks; Cassidy Busch, McClatchy; Alina Castillo, Monterey Trail; Hannah Cristo, Folsom; Katelyn Dendes, McClatchy; Karli Dugger, Roseville; Breanna Eastlick, Whitney; Alex Fletes, Bradshaw Christian; Kailie Hargis, Whitney; Morgan Hawkins, Vista del Lago; Raven Lewis, Placer; Daphne Lopez, Antelope; Olivia Maglalang, Mira Loma; Julia McCormack, Pleasant Grove; Rhyann O’Mara, St. Francis; Karsen O’Rourke, Ponderosa; Sarah Ortiz, El Dorado; Madison Powell, Marysville; Lexee Sheiring, Lincoln; Chloe Smith, St. Francis; Shelby Soares, Granite Bay; Hannah Steege, Elk Grove; Katie Vretzos, Vista del Lago; Elecia Vuittonet, McClatchy.
OUTFIELDERS: Elena Avila, El Camino; Madison Furton, Mesa Verde; Sabrina Guerra, Inkderkum; Jordyn Hutchins, Woodland Christian; Tommi Noble, Pioneer; Anna Ostrom, Roseville; Karmyn Rivera, Inderkum; Nicole Self, McClatchy.
PITCHERS: Maren Bernal, McClatchy; Kristina Cavalli, Bella Vista; Blake Craft, Yuba City; Veronica Dark, Woodland Christian; Elise Madison, Pleasant Grove; Karissa Mejia, Foothill; Amaryssa Medina, River City; Celina Maberto, Liberty Ranch; Josie Rapp, Marysville; Lindsey Poulos, Granite Bay; Danielle Reyes, Kennedy; Allyson Stogner, Rosemont; Bethany Thornton, Placer.
UTILITY: Ashtyn Butler, Capital Christian; Holly Brennan, River Valley; Lexi Delozier, Yuba City; Audrey Dufresne, Davis; Giana Hays, Christian Brothers; Giavonni Haynie, Burbank; Andrea Hildan, Rocklin; Kendall Kelly, Oak Ridge; Cameron Kirtlan, Oak Ridge; Mason Marshall, Ponderosa; Mackenzie Martinelli, Sacramento; Akima Murphy, Florin; Morgan Price, Christian Brothers; Alexandrea Sarille, Sacramento; Jordyn Sarnecki, Franklin.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Mary Jo Truesdale, Sheldon
Despite losses of key players to graduation, Sheldon three-peated as Sac-Joaquin Section Division I champions, going 30-2 as Truesdale won her eighth title with the school since 2002. Sheldon has gone 60-4 the last two seasons.
This story was originally published June 19, 2017 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Maci Fines stood out in helping Sheldon win third consecutive section title."