College of the Redwoods Athletics

By Ray Hamill — Five College of the Redwoods players have received all-conference recognition in softball after the team’s most successful season in 17 years.

Sophomore shortstop Sadie Hampton and sophomore utility player Nas-Che-Wen Hunsucker were each each named First-Team All-Golden Valley Conference, while outfielder Kyla Cockerham, first baseman Kyla Pontoni and third baseman Brooke Faraimo were all named to the second team.

The Corsairs enjoyed a breakthrough campaign under the guidance of second-year head coach Megan Valente and finished 21-15 overall.

The CR women were 11-9 in conference and finished third in the standings.

Hampton, a Eureka High graduate, enjoyed an outstanding all-around sophomore season and was second in conference in batting average (.432) and stolen bases (13).

She also led the Corsairs in RBIs (37), doubles (12) and triples (six), while appearing in all 36 games.

Hunsucker also enjoyed a memorable sophomore campaign.

The Hoopa graduate, who also played basketball for the Corsairs, had an impressive .346 batting average with a pair of triples and 12 RBIs.

Pontoni had a batting average of .403, which was fifth best in conference, with 31 RBIs, seven doubles and a team-high three home runs, while outfielder Cockerham batted .340 and third baseman Faraimo batted .394 with 27 RBIs.

Cockerham is the only freshman among the CR all-conference selections.

From left to right, Pontoni, Faraimo and Cockerham

The 21 wins was the most for the program since 2006 and a substantial improvement from the seven wins they had a year ago.

“I’m very proud of this group,” said Valente, who added “I had six original players from day one of last season, and for them to stick it out and accomplish so much this season, it was great to see.”