An ace in the circle: Central Catholic’s Randi Roelling is The Bee’s Softball Player of the Year

Randi Roelling’s goal entering high school was to make a difference and four years later, she can say she did exactly that.

After having her freshman and sophomore seasons cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Roelling made the most of her only two full high school campaigns, leading the Central Catholic High School softball team to 57 wins, two appearances in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship and a chance at a CIF Northern California Regional title.

“One of her favorite lines is, ‘Coach, don’t worry,’” Raiders coach Sam Nichols said during the postseason. “Sometimes I’ll say, ‘Hey, let’s do this, let’s get it going,’ and she’ll be like, ‘Coach, don’t worry, I got this.’ In big games and big moments is where she shows up. I have yet to have a situation since I’ve had the privilege of coaching her where she was afraid of the moment.”

This season the team, which started five underclassmen, took on the personality of its fiery leader, winning 30 games, the most the program has won in more than 20 years, and allowing less than a run a game en route to a Division III NorCal championship.

After leading California in strikeouts and helping the Raiders earn a Valley Oak League title, section championship appearance and a NorCal title, Randi Roelling is The Bee’s Softball Player of the Year for the second straight season.

Some of her best games were in the team’s biggest moments.

The Raiders went 3-0 against league rival Oakdale, 6-1 in the 2023 postseason and rode a 13-game win streak into the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship.

Even with all of her success this season, she still had something special up the sleeve of her No. 34 jersey, saving her best performance for last.

After falling to the Bruins in the section title game, the Raiders faced Ponderosa for the second time in seven days for a NorCal title. The southpaw pitched a perfect game with five strikeouts and hit a two-run home run in a 7-0 win.

A victory and a perfect game were the best ways to cap a career that included a VOL title, back-to-back league MVP and Bee Player of the Year awards, MaxPreps 2023 California Player of the Year honors, the Cal-Hi Sports 2023 Ms. Softball State Player of the Year award, MaxPreps 2023 Sac-Joaquin Section Player of the Year honors and 988 career strikeouts.

“It’s kind of crazy because there’s so many great things I felt like I’ve accomplished and having a perfect game to end it all is like a little cherry on top,” said Roelling, who will play in college at Cal Berkeley. “I was grateful going out with any type of win because I had such a great year with my team.”

Roelling led the state in strikeouts in back-to-back seasons, tallying 418 as a junior and 375 as a senior. This season, she also finished top 10 in California in ERA (0.59) and wins (21). She says the key is to “trust your spin.”

“I don’t ever try for strikeouts. If I try for a strikeout, they end up hitting it. I just focus on my pitch … and try to throw strikes.” she said.

The NorCal title was the first in program history. After falling in the section title game in back-to-back years, she finally had her championship.

“I was just glad we finally took something home. We’d gotten to a championship twice,” Roelling said. “And it was the first time ever, so if I’m going to take something home, at least we did that.”

Roelling improved in nearly every statistical category from her junior to senior years but says her biggest growth came in her mental approach.

“My mentality throughout the entire game was really good last year but I think this season (I was) going into it with more fun and less stress,” she said. “My mentality at the plate as well … I feel like I matured with my swing.”

She leaves her career one of the most decorated softball players in the area and a large reason why the program went from 1-17 in 2018-19 to NorCal champions.

“When I was coming into high school I was hoping I would do something big for the program,” she said. “My goal for everywhere I go is to always improve where I’m at. When I look back, I feel like I did my job and I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish.”

Modesto Bee 2023 All-District Softball Teams

How the teams were selected: The Bee’s All-District teams were picked through observation with an emphasis on coach nominations and team playoff success.

First Team

Presley Barnes - Oakdale, Jr., C

Jordan Bennett - Enochs, Sr., INF

Natalie Camarena - Enochs, Jr., P

Kharime “Mims” Caratachea - Ripon, Jr., P

Kailey Estes - Gregori, Jr., P

Delainey Everett - Oakdale, Sr., P

Raegen Everett - Oakdale, Jr., P/1B

Jacquelyn Lujan - Orestimba, Sr., P

Victoria Martinez-Lloyd - Central Valley, Sr., INF

Sehren Martinez - Ceres, Sr., INF

Addison Mettler - Pitman, Sr., C

Rylee Reeves - Pitman, Jr., INF

Jazmarie Roberts - Central Catholic, Soph., INF

Second Team

Taryn Calderon - Central Catholic, Soph., INF

Alaina Calvo - Enochs, Jr. OF

Madelynn Flores - Downey, Jr., UTIL

Janessa Godinez - Central Valley, Sr., P

Maya Guzman - Riverbank, Fr. INF

Madison Harrison - Central Catholic, Fr., C

Chloee Hoffman - Gregori, Sr., INF

Jordyn Lish - Beyer, Soph., P

Janeiya Lopez - Riverbank, Sr., P

Morgan Merzon - Oakdale, Soph., OF

Ava Montesdeoca - Ceres, Soph., INF

Belen Ruiz - Davis, Sr., C/3B

Joslyn Sotelo - Orestimba, Sr., 1B

Macie Vickers - Escalon, Jr., C

Honorable Mention

Beyer: Mackenzie Hough; Big Valley Christian: Cecily Fontana, Trinity Beers; Central Catholic: Jazzelyn Rios, Emry Couch; Central Valley: Micaela Martinez, Jannet Valencia; Ceres: Alizae Cole, Kylie Bond; Davis: Avianna Alvarado; Downey: Lilly Parry; Enochs: Makenna Leonard, Jaiden Pinnegar; Escalon: Madison Babasa; Gregori: Audrey Pacheco, Kylee Huff; Hilmar: Emily Cogswell, Abby Blevins; Hughson: Grace Leedom; Johansen: Jamie Zarilla; Modesto: Ci’Yanna Kim; Oakdale: Morgan Wright, Madi Bohannon; Orestimba: Mariah Avila, Hailey Starr; Patterson: Kayla Ortiz; Pitman: Lacie Nycum, Madison Rosebrough; Ripon: Peyton Naranjo, Alana Hernandez; Ripon Christian: ReaganVan Der Hoek; Riverbank: Mahaila Guzman, Denise Vargas; Turlock: Cadence Campbell; Waterford: Madden Hill