2011 softball co-player of the year: Canyon del Oro's Mattie Fowler. Photo by Jill Torrance / Arizona Daily Star
Softball players of the year
Name: Mattie Fowler
School: Canyon del Oro
Year in school: Senior
Sport: Softball
Name: Yvette Alvarez
School: Sahuarita
Year in school: Senior
Sport: Softball
From the archives: The race for softball player of the year was too close to call. The cameras they use at the end of the Kentucky Derby to determine the winner wouldn't have helped here.
On one hand, there's Mattie Fowler. The Canyon del Oro senior standout, who is headed to Nebraska next season, hit .569 with 17 home runs, 22 doubles and 91 RBIs.
She was also one of three CDO pitchers, compiling a 14-0 record with seven saves. She had a 0.85 ERA and 74 strikeouts, leading the Dorados to the 4A-I state title.
With those numbers and CDO's state championship, she seemed like a lock for player of the year.
Then there's Yvette Alvarez. She starred at Sahuarita and lifted the Mustangs to the 4A-II crown.
Like Fowler, Alvarez was also a big slugger, with 19 home runs. She added 81 RBIs and batted .483 for the state champs.
But Alvarez's real value was in the circle.
The Pima Community College commit struck out 305 hitters in 191 1/3 innings. She went 30-4 (the team went 32-4) and compiled a staggering 0.66 ERA.
Fowler and Alvarez both deserve to be honored today.
They both led their teams to state championships. They both performed well in the biggest games. They were excellent in the circle, in the batter's box and in the dugout as team leaders.
Alvarez and Fowler are both players of the year. — Daniel Berk, 2011
