Shay Knighten’s sensational hitting, including a grand slam in one game and three-run double in another, paved the way for Oklahoma to repeat this week as NCAA champions at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. She was named the Most Outstanding Player. Here is a list of ladies from California high schools who’ve been MOP at the WCWS:
Keilani Ricketts and teammates from Archbishop Mitty collect medals after 2009 CCS championship and 32-0 season. Photo: Mark Tennis.
2017 Shay Knighten (Sunny Hills, Fullerton)
Also was the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year this season for Oklahoma.
2013 Keilani Ricketts (Archbishop Mitty, San Jose)
Our Ms. Softball State POY for 2009 led Oklahoma to national title and was dominant college player.
2010 Megan Langenfeld (Centennial, Bakersfield)
She pitched 10 perfect games during her prep career but later more known as hitter/position player at UCLA.
2007 Taryne Mowatt (Santiago, Corona)
Before leading Arizona to 2007 national title, Mowatt won 91 games in the circle from 2001-04 at Santiago.
2006 Alicia Hollowell (Fairfield)
She’s still the most prolific pitcher for strikeouts, wins and many other categories in the state record book. Our Ms. Softball POY for 2002 pitched Arizona to 2006 national title.
2003 Keira Goerl (Valley View, Moreno Valley)
A standout on Arizona’s 2003 title team, Goerl once didn’t give up a run for 124 straight innings in high school.
2002 Jocelyn Forest (Righetti, Santa Maria)
She was the ace for Cal’s 2002 championship squad and at Righetti had 94 pitching wins from 1995-1998, which for awhile was a state record.
2001 Jennie Finch (La Mirada)
Arizona’s top gun for its title team and still one of the most popular players in the sport’s history.
1999 Julie Adams (Cypress)
She was a three-sport standout for the Centurions, then starred at UCLA.
1998 Amanda Scott (Clovis)
Still the greatest softball player ever from the CIF Central Section, Scott led Fresno State to its only national title. Our Ms. Softball POY had 62 career shutouts and 24 career no-hitters.
1997 Nancy Evans (Hoover, Glendale)
Before going to Arizona and leading Wildcats to a national title, Evans struck out 1,257 batters from 1990-1993 at Hoover.
1996 Jenny Dalton (Glendale)
Still one of the only non-pitchers to be MOP for UCLA in 1996, Dalton hammered 28 career homers for the Dynamiters from 1990 to 1992.
Note: The MOP at the Women’s College World Series is an award that began officially in 1995.
