The 2010 softball season saw a youth movement as many of the area's top players are still going to be here when 2011 comes around.

It was a strong season for area teams, yet there were some things that remained constant throughout.

For one, Red Bluff continued to dominate the Northern Section softball scene.

Despite having only two seniors, the Spartans rolled to the Eastern Athletic League title by four games in what was expected to be a close league race. Red Bluff then repeated as the Northern Section Division II champions.

For leading such a young squad to an impressive 29-7 season, the Spartans' J Howell is the R-S Softball Coach of the Year.

"I was pretty surprised at how well we did in league," Howell said. "All the teams were good. I thought 11-3 would win league, so to go 13-1 was a testament to our kids."

Rainouts and injuries late in the season may have hampered the Spartan machine, but never could stop the green juggernaut.

Also, as with all seasons, a few players stood out above the rest. Here's a rundown of the 2010 All-Record Searchlight prep softball team.

First Team

Pitcher — Kayla Spini, Soph., Mount Shasta

Spini was a pitching machine for the Shasta Cascade League champion Bears, going 26-5 with a 0.55 ERA. She finished third in the Northern Section with 361 strikeouts in 216 innings against only 55 walks and four hit batters. The SCL MVP and a first-team All-Section choice, Spini a batted .514 with four homers, 17 doubles and 38 RBIs (second-best in the section).

Unfortunately, the Bears ran into eventual D-IV section champion Sutter in the quarterfinals and lost 1-0 despite a two-hit pitching performance from Spini.

Pitcher — Megan McColpin, Soph., Red Bluff

McColpin answered who would be the next Spartans ace, landing on the All-EAL team and nabbing second-team All-Section honors.

The sophomore went 18-5 with a 1.25 ERA and tacked on three saves with a 152-36 strikeout-to-walk (K/BB) rate for 151 innings. She also hit .311 with a homer and 15 RBIs and was the winning pitcher in the Spartans' 2-1 victory over Chico in the D-II section final.

Pitcher — Amy Westaby, Sr., West Valley

Westaby gets the nod for not only helping pitch the Eagles to the Northern Athletic League title, but also for her versatility in the field and consistency at the plate.

The senior was 12-3 with a 1.64 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 25 walks in 93 2/3 innings, but she also spent time at second base and at shortstop in the field. She was good at the plate, batting .379 with 28 RBIs, 11 doubles, six triples and 30 runs scored on her way to earning all-NAL honors.

Catcher — Tori Weatherford, Jr., Mount Shasta

The battery mate to Spini was impressive in her own right at the plate.

An All-SCL pick and a first-team all-section choice, Weatherford hit .444 with five homers, 29 RBIs, 10 doubles and 43 runs scored. She also boasted a .545 on-base percentage, slugged .717 and did not commit an error.

First Base — Taylor Ray, Sr., Foothill

The senior helped a fairly young Cougars squad go on a late run that allowed them to finish second in the EAL.

Ray batted .427 with a homer, 10 doubles and 25 RBIs and was an All-EAL selection and first-team all-section.

Second Base — Haley Harris, Fre., Red Bluff

In her first year at the high school level, Harris stepped right in and formed one-half of a dynamic midfield duo that propelled the Spartans to the EAL and D-II section titles.

Despite missing a few games late in the season, Harris hit a team-high .430 with five homers and 29 RBIs. As a freshman, she was also All-EAL and a first-team All-Section choice.

Shortstop — Emily McEnaney, Jr., Red Bluf

A power-slugging leadoff hitter, McEnaney was again the catalyst for another big Spartans senior.

A repeat All-EAL and first team All-Section choice, McEnaney batted .407, with six homers, seven doubles, eight triples, 20 RBIs and 45 runs scored. She had a .526 on-base percentage and slugged .787 on the season.

Third Base — Racie Carrel, Jr., Enterprise

The Hornets may have had a rough season, but Carrel had a great one. Primarily a catcher, a loaded position, she also played an effective third base at times.

Carrel hit .429 with a homer, four doubles and eight triples and led the team with 23 runs scored. She was so well thought of that she was a unanimous All-EAL selection even though Enterprise finished last in league.

Outfielder — Cassidy Horner, Sr., West Valley

The clean-up hitter for the Eagles produced a big senior season. She was especially good in the last month of the season on her way to earning All-NAL and first-team all-section honors.

Horner hit .485 with five homers, 11 doubles and 29 RBIs to give West Valley an impressive 1-2 offensive power punch along with Molly McWilliams.

Outfielder — Lauren Vestal, Jr., Fall River

The Bulldogs made it all the way to the D-V section final and Vestal was the biggest reason why.

The junior led the section with a .653 on-base percentage while hitting .557 (third-best in the section), three homers, 25 RBIs with 41 runs scored and 28 stolen bases.

Outfielder — Katelyn Diaz, Sr., Foothill

Diaz was another senior contributer to a late-charging Cougars squad, earning EAL honorable mention and second-team All-Section accolades.

Diaz hit .279 with nine RBIs for Foothill.

All-Purpose Player — Molly McWilliams, Jr., West Valley

This year's R-S. V.P. tore up opposing pitchers on her way to being named the NAL MVP and first-team All-Section.

Like McEnaney, she was a slugging leadoff hitter who played a solid shortstop but also could pitch. McWilliams led the section with seven homers, the last of which was homer in the D-IV section final off Jolene Graham of Sutter, the section MVP.

Second Team

P — Lindsay Davis, Fre., Foothill

Davis pitched the Cougars to the D-III crown, going 15-7 with a 2.72 ERA and 215 strikeouts, sixth-most in the section. She also hit .270 with a homer and 15 RBIs.

P — Mandy Lakey, So., Fall River

Lakey compiled a 14-8 record with a 2.00 ERA and 175 strikeouts. An All-SCL selection, she also hit .342 with 13 RBIs.

P — Cheridan Hawkins, So., Anderson

Hawkins' 10-19 record doesn't look that great, but the sophomore posted a 2.69 ERA and was fifth in the section in 223 strikeouts while hitting .417 with a homer and 15 RBIs.

C — Brittany Fletcher, So., Red Bluff

An All-EAL and second-team All-Section pick, Fletcher was a strong backstop for the Spartans.

The sophomore hit .314 with two homers and led Red Bluff with 31 RBIs.

1B — Jamie Curry, Jr. Hayfork

The North Valley League MVP, Curry also was a second-team All-Section pick after batting .397 with four homers, 33 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. She made only one error all season and also was 9-4 with a 0.30 ERA and 151 strikeouts on the rubber for the 17-8 Lumberjacks.

2B — Melanie Andrew, Sr., West Valley

Andrew hit .278 with 15 RBIs for the Eagles, earning All-NAL honors.

SS - Tonya Walker, Sr., Foothill

Walker is yet another leadoff-hitting shortstop. The Cougars' senior batted .429 with three homers, 13 doubles and 14 RBIs as an All-EAL selection.

3B — Taylor Gerhardt, Jr., Shasta

The lone All-EAL Wolves selection, Gerhardt played heavily at the loaded position of shortstop, but also saw time at third base and at catcher. She hit .375 with a homer, 18 RBIs and 22 runs scored.

OF — Jerilynn Purcell, Sr. Red Bluff

One of two seniors of a young Spartans squad, Purcell hit .280 with 13 RBIs.

OF — Alex Silva, Fre., Shasta

Silva gets the nod for her all-around play. An honorable-mention EAL pick, the freshman was second on the team with a .333 batting average, 21 hits and also had five RBIs. She went 6-6 as a pitcher, striking out 73 over 81 innings.

OF — Dylan Hermann, Fre., Redding Christian

The Lions' freshman hit .433 with three homers and 21 RBIs at the plate and was 8-6 with a 1.

95 ERA with 125 strikeouts and only 12 walks in her first prep season.

AP — Bryce Etzler, Fre., Red Bluff

The Spartans freshman spent time at third base, second base and as the team's No. 2 pitcher. Etzler was an EAL honorable mention after batting .272 with a homer and 12 RBIs and going 8-1 with a 0.92 ERA.