Lady Pintos Take Seven All-District 2-4A Spots

The season may have come to a close for the Moriarty Lady Pintos, but the hardware is just starting to arrive. After a hard-fought campaign that saw the team finish with a winning 15-9 overall record and a solid .625 winning percentage, the District 2-4A coaches have officially recognized the standout talent in the Pintos’ dugout.

Leading the charge are three powerhouse juniors and seniors who anchored Moriarty’s high-octane offense and defensive rotation.

First Team All-District: The Core Three

The First Team honors belong to a trio that defined Moriarty’s grit this season: Bella Maldonado, Kristina Means, and Emma Rodriguez.

• Bella Maldonado (Fr): Though only a freshman, Maldonado played like a seasoned veteran. She was the definition of a “workhorse,” leading the pitching staff with 147 strikeouts over 70 innings. When she wasn’t in the circle, she was a menace at the plate, hitting .476 with a massive 1.383 OPS.
• Kristina Means (Sr): The senior leader went out with a bang. Means was the team’s primary run producer, leading the squad with 35 RBIs. Her ability to put the ball in play and find gaps resulted in a .470 batting average, providing the steady heartbeat for the Pintos’ lineup all year.
• Emma Rodriguez (Jr): Rodriguez was the ultimate table-setter. Boasting a staggering .628 on-base percentage, she seemed to be on third base every time you looked up, scoring a team-high 43 runs. She also chipped in with a 5.08 ERA in her relief appearances on the rubber.

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Second Team All-District: Power and Precision

The depth of the Moriarty roster was on full display with the inclusion of Peyton Rutz, Angelita Tapia, and Camila Bencomo Sotelo on the Second Team.

• Peyton Rutz (So): Rutz finished the season as the team’s batting champion, posting a blistering .533 average. Her 1.513 OPS was the highest on the team, proving that when Rutz made contact, good things happened for the Pintos.
• Angelita Tapia (So): Tapia was a dual-threat sophomore who hammered 9 doubles and 4 triples this season. Her .500 average and ability to drive in 27 runs made her one of the most feared hitters in the district.
• Camila Bencomo Sotelo (So): A disciplined hitter who provided crucial stability in the middle of the order, Sotelo’s defensive contributions and timely hitting earned her a well-deserved spot among the district’s best.

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Honorable Mention: Senior Leadership

Rounding out the accolades is senior Hali Gruen, who received an Honorable Mention. Gruen’s veteran presence in the field and her ability to navigate tough situations provided the “glue” that held the younger Pintos together during their competitive district run.

Season at a Glance

The Lady Pintos finished the year as a top-three team in the district, fueled by a lineup that averaged nearly 12 runs per game (289 total RF). While their season ended with a 15-9 mark, the heavy presence of underclassmen on the All-District list suggests that the future of softball in Moriarty is exceptionally bright.

Congratulations to the Lady Pintos on a season of highlights and well-earned honors!