Durango standout Juarez rises to power

At the start of the softball season, Durango's Samantha Juarez probably wouldn't have been the choice to lead her team in home runs, let alone all of Southern Nevada's Class 4A.

Juarez, who had four home runs in 2009, was known more for consistency than power at the plate.

But now line drives aren't just leaving her bat. They're leaving the field, too.

The junior third baseman belted 13 homers and finished with a .485 average and 42 RBIs en route to earning Southwest League Player of the Year honors. Juarez helped the Trailblazers finish 23-9, including a 16-0 mark in the Southwest.

"I really didn't expect her to have so much power," Durango coach Toni Del Toro said. "Even last year, she was a solid contact hitter, but she has a new approach at the plate now. She's not a big girl, but her bat speed is very good."

Juarez fit nicely into the middle of the Trailblazers' lineup, which also featured sluggers Jaexie Balilea and Katie Moore, who combined for 17 homers and 76 RBIs.

"Our three-, four- and five-hole hitters were really tough to pitch against," Del Toro said. "It's three threats together, and you can't really pitch around anybody. Adding another bat of that caliber really helped."

Durango's Taylor Short was named the league's Pitcher of the Year.

In the Northwest League, Legacy's Darcey Cochran took Player of the Year honors, and Palo Verde's Melissa McCormick is the Pitcher of the Year.

Foothill's Kylie Ishikawa is the Player of the Year and Basic's Lacey Romo the Pitcher of the Year in the Southeast League.

In the Northeast League, Las Vegas' Monique Hernandez earned Player of the Year accolades, and Valley's Mickayla Romero is the Pitcher of the Year.

Del Toro, Legacy's Dan Casel, Basic's Bart Black and Canyon Springs' Nicole Branham were named their respective league's Coach of the Year.

Contact reporter Bartt Davis at bdavis@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587.