‘She was the heart of our team.’ Dos Palos star receives major award from CalHiSports

Janessa Jasso’s spectacular season didn’t go unnoticed.

The Dos Palos High ace was named to the all-State Small School first team recently by CalHiSports. The soon-to-be junior was also named to CalHiSports’ all-underclassmen second team.

“It definitely feels great,” Jasso said. “It’s one of the best feelings. It makes me feel more confident in myself because I see the list of girls. I know them or know of them.”

Mariposa’s Leah Lafata joined Jasso on the small school first team as a multipurpose player for the Grizzlies. The senior helped lead Mariposa to a perfect 14-0 record in the Southern League and a 27-5 record overall. Lafata hit .531 with two home runs and 30 RBIs. She was also 15-1 with a 0.89 ERA in the circle.

Jasso was also a big two-way player for the Broncos.

She finished the season with a 23-3 record and 0.68 ERA. Jasso struck out 275 hitters in 164 and 2/3 innings. Jasso also hit. .467 with two home runs and 26 RBIs.

“She was the heart of our team,” said Dos Palos coach Irene Barrantes. “This is going to give her more confidence. You can see when she puts on her game face. Whether she strikes someone out or walks a hitter, she shows no emotion. She’s a great player. She’s ditzy. The crazier she is before a game the better she pitches.”

Jasso and the Broncos went a perfect 10-0 in the Western Sierra League. Dos Palos bowed out of the Central Section Division IV playoffs with a 1-0 loss to Selma in the semifinals. Selma went on to win the Valley Championship.

“It was definitely a special season,” Jasso said. “It wasn’t the outcome that we wanted in the end, but we still have next year. I love all the girls. We connect super well. I love playing high school softball. I know some girls who play travel don’t like playing high school softball, but I love it.”

With 10 of the players returning next year, including Sun-Star All-Area selections Teya Vincent and Payton Paz, the Broncos will once again have high expectations.

Jasso also has high expectations for her softball career. A career that she hopes will extend past high school.

“I want to be able to sign my (national letter of intent),” Jasso said. “I’ll know I’ve made it to one of the highest levels of softball, which is college softball.”

This story was originally published July 14, 2017 at 3:02 PM with the headline "‘She was the heart of our team.’ Dos Palos star receives major award from CalHiSports."