WAC and CCC softball stars square off Wednesday in Livingston

For Monique Collins, Wednesday night is one last opportunity to wear Merced High School’s black and orange uniform. It’s also her last chance to play softball in front of family and friends before she heads to Langston University in Oklahoma this fall.

Collins is among the Central California Conference all-stars in the Paul Leonardo WAC vs. CCC All-Star Game at Livingston High. The game is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. Admission is $5.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun to be able to play with players you’re usually playing against,” Collins said. “Some of them I’ve played travel ball with. The game last year was a lot of fun. It is bittersweet, though, because it’s going to be the last time I put the jersey on.”

The game, put together by Livingston coach Joe Leonardo, debuted last year. The WAC won 7-6 with two runs in the ninth inning.

Leonardo organized the game to give local players an opportunity to showcase their talent against other top players. He also wanted to honor his late brother, Paul, who coached with him a long time. After the game, two scholarships will be awarded in Paul’s name.

For the seniors, it’s one last time to shine.

“I still don’t feel like I graduated,” said Atwater senior Brittany Massa, who will play in the game for the second time. “I don’t think I will feel like I graduated until I get to college. I’m excited to still get one last chance to play with some of my teammates.”

Massa will try to walk on at Cal State Monterey Bay. She was a four-year starter for the Falcons and hit .408 with three home runs and 20 RBIs this year.

“I saw (Atwater coach) Robert (Santistevan) and I learned so much from him and Livingston coach Joe Leonardo when he coached us here,” Massa said. “It’s amazing how far I’ve come working with our coaches.

“I’m excited to play with everyone, and it’s a chance to meet new people. You’ve got the best of the best players out there from both leagues. I love the competition aspect, too. I’m always trying to win.”

McKenzie Schumacher spent her last three seasons helping build the foundation for the El Capitan program. Schumacher hit .488 with 28 runs and 23 stolen bases to help the Gauchos reach the playoffs for the first time this spring.

“I’m super proud of how well our girls have done and how far we’ve come in the last three years,” siad Schumacher, who will continue her softball career at Dominican University. “To make the playoffs in our second varsity season is an amazing accomplishment.”

Schumacher will play for a strong WAC team that features co-MVPs Ali Waltman of Los Banos and Mahlena O’Neal of Ceres, the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III champion. The Bulldogs also will be represented by pitcher Callie Nunes, shortstop Nicole Bates and pitcher/third baseman Rayohna Sagapolu.

“I like having all the different girls for different leagues getting to play,” Schumacher said. “Together, we get to showcase our talents. I think it’s going to be a good game. We have to play hard to defend our win from last year.”

The CCC will be missing some key players. Merced’s Madilyn Nickles, recently named the Gatorade California Player of the Year, is out because of a rib injury. The CCC also won’t have Pitcher of the Year Cheyenne Mahy of Atwater and four-year starter Rheanne Lewis of Merced. Both are out of the state.

The CCC still will have plenty of talent with Pitman’s Alanah Laupau, the Offensive Player of the Year. Among those joining Laupau will be Atwater’s Melanie Valencia, Buhach Colony’s Selena Sandoval, Golden Valley’s Marissa Bertuccio and Pitman’s Lehua DeLeon.

Collins is looking forward to facing two friends who will pitch for the WAC, Cassie Gasper of El Capitan and Sagapolu.

“It’s fun for me to always go up to bat against them,” Collins said. “We’ll be laughing or smiling, but we’re always competing. We want to win the battle. That way, we can talk about it the next time we see each other.”

This story was originally published June 7, 2016 at 6:48 PM with the headline "WAC and CCC softball stars square off Wednesday in Livingston."