By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor It would be difficult to overstate just how good Maranatha freshman Devyn Netz is. She is already leaps and bounds the area’s best player and she’s only going to get better. Netz led an injury-plagued, and sometimes defensively-challenged Maranatha team both in the circle and at the plate. The 15-year […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
It would be difficult to overstate just how good Maranatha freshman Devyn Netz is.
She is already leaps and bounds the area’s best player and she’s only going to get better.
Netz led an injury-plagued, and sometimes defensively-challenged Maranatha team both in the circle and at the plate.
The 15-year old finished 14-8 in the circle with a 1.41 ERA, despite the Minutemen scoring just ONE total run in their four Olympic League losses.
Netz allowed just 26 earned runs all season and struck out 205 batters in just 129 innings pitched.
Of the 20 games she started, Netz completed 19, including six via shutout and one no-hitter.
Maranatha (15-8) began the season 9-0, and at one point, Netz had a strikeout to walk ratio of 60-to-1.
If that weren’t enough, she also lead the Minutemen offense in nine categories.
She hit .537 with 36 hits, scored 31 runs and drove in 27.
Netz also had nine doubles and an area-best 7 home runs.
For her excellence in every aspect of the game, Devyn Netz has been named the Pasadena Sports Now Softball Player of the Year.
Devyn has two siblings, both of whom are male.
Her oldest brother Daniel plays for Pasadena City College in their baseball program and Dawson is a sophomore standout that plays for Matt Shupper’s baseball program at Maranatha.
In fact, Dawson had an area best two postseason victories on the mound, and came to life at the plate in the playoffs.
“My two brothers give me that kind of ‘tough love’ and when I am not believing in myself, they give me the confidence I need,” Devyn said.
She might not know it, but her brother’s admire their little sister.
“Devyn is an extremely competitive person, who always strives to be the best at everything she does,” Dawson Netz said. “As her a brother, I am not affraid to say that I wish I was able to do some of the things that she is capable of doing, because of how successful she is on the field and how much work goes into it. Without her, I would simply not be the player or person I am today.”
Devyn’s mom, Lisa, is her biggest fan and someone who has been a rock for the Maranatha freshman.
Her father, Dan, despite being busy with two boys playing baseball and running the family business, gets to as many games as he can and makes it financially possible for Devyn and her brothers to chase their dreams.
“They (her parents) both sacrifice so much to make our lives what they are today, and my brothers and I couldn’t be more thankful or appreciative of their love, support and dedication,” Devyn said.
Netz has success in the circle, because of her velocity and ability to hit her spots.
She also has four pitches (screwball, rise ball, change up and fastball) that she can throw at any point in the count.
“To be as good as she is and to be that humble at that age is so incredible,” Maranatha coach Brian DeHaan said. “She was our arm in the circle and she always gave us a chance to win. At the plate, she is so good that she is walked a lot. But when she gets her chance, she is a great hitter and an all-around student of the game. Her future is limitless.”
Netz plays either prep or travel (ball) softball nearly 42 weeks a year and her reputation is already making waves among college programs.
Stanford, Cal, Washington and Arkansas have already shown some initial interest, but she has plenty of time to think about her future with three years left at Maranatha.
Netz was disappointed the Minutemen didn’t make the playoffs, and she’s working hard to get better in every aspect of her game, including allowing less hits and runs, and being more confident at the plate.
DeHaan, who is leaving the school to be the Athletics Director at Providence Christian College in Pasadena said his favorite trait of his star freshman is that she has ‘zero ego’ and is as supportive of her teammates as any coach could hope for.
Netz was incredibly thankful to Priscilla McAllister for catching every game, and said she felt bad, because at times, McAllister’s hands showed the wear and tear of catching a power pitcher.
She also credited Miranda Lopez (.443 average, 31 hits, 16 runs), Aly Granados (.493, 37 hits, 20 runs, 20 RBI) and the rest of her teammates for their tireless work ethic and being great teammates and friends.
The feeling is mutual.
“Devyn is a great teammate and athlete,” teammate Miranda Lopez said. “She always works hard and is always finding ways to improve her game. She has the drive and perseverance that will take her to the next level in her softball career. I can’t wait to see what these next few years have in store for her.”
Getting To Know Devyn Netz:
Favorite Sports Team: Cubs
Favorite Athlete: Monica Abbott
Favorite Movie: Batman
Favorite Musical Artist: Beyonce
Most Surprising Musical Artist On Her Ipod: Rick Springfield
Famous Person (alive or dead) I’d Most Want A Conversation With: Monica Abbott
