In the weeks leading up to the season, it was anything but certain that Sedona Red Rock High School would even have a softball team. While it was more likely than not that a team would be fielded, coach John Parks remembered that about a week before the season started, only 10 players were signed up — and not all of those were firm commitments.
By the end of the season, the Scorpions didn’t have 10 players on the team — they had 12. While the numbers ended up being sufficient to field a team, many of the players still had limited or — in some cases — no experience in softball. So, how good the team would actually be was also a question. Yes, there were some rough games but by and large, the season was a success.
Sedona finished the season with an overall record of 6-7 but was 6-3 in the 2A Conference. In the 2A Central Region, the Scorpions were 6-2 with the only losses coming against 2A state semifinalist Northland Prep. They also not only reached a state play-in game but hosted it.
An overachieving season like that can’t be reached without multiple strong individual performances. Sedona had those and in the end, four SRRHS players received recognition for their play.
Annabelle Cook: All-Region First Team, position player, All-Region Defensive Player of the Year, All 2A Conference Honorable Mention
While only a sophomore, Cook was the most experienced player on the Scorpions. She was a co-captain with Horton — the same title she held during her brief freshman season in 2020. Cook played like it. Playing the always important position of shortstop, Cook was the focal point of the Sedona defense. She also generally led off or hit third for the Scorpions and used her speed to create runs when on the bases.
The 2021 season was a pleasant surprise for Scorpions, who easily exceeded their expectations. With that season now in the rear view mirror, Sedona figures to have higher expectations in 2022 and 2023. Much like she was in 2021, Cook will be a centerpiece to the success of those teams.
Annalee Dearden: All-Region Second Team, position player
With a small team limited in experience, versatility is important. Dearden was definitely versatile. She was set to start the year as a third baseman but with a pregame injury to Lesly Suarez, the presumed catcher, Dearden moved behind the plate in something of an Eleventh Hour change. She ended up staying there for much of the season.
Dearden did move around the diamond some, though. In the team’s regular season finale, with the Scorpions needing a win to ensure that the play-in game would be at home, Dearden had a sprained ankle, prohibiting her from catching. But with other players in quarantine, the Scorpions had only nine available players — including Dearden. She played first base that day and also scored the winning run in extra innings.
Jania Jimenez: All-Region Second Team, position player
With seven underclassmen, the Scorpions could definitely be classified as a young team. That placed even greater significance on the leadership skills of the team’s three seniors. Jimenez was one of those.
But Jimenez was more than just a senior on the team. She was a solid first baseman defensively and generally batted in the middle of the SRRHS lineup.
Bella Horton: All-Region First Team, position player
Versatility and experience would go a long way in explaining Horton’s role on the Scorpions. She was a senior and one of the team’s two captains. Horton also handled pitching duties for much of the season, but moved around when needed. When Dearden couldn’t catch in the regular season finale, Horton moved behind the plate. When Dearden was healthy enough to catch in the play-in game, Horton went to center field, with freshman Alyla Brooks pitching.
Horton also always batted at or near the top of the SRRHS lineup. Horton endured a lot of lumps in her four years on Sedona’s softball team. Her freshman season ended prematurely with the team not having enough girls. The Scorpions were then winless in Horton’s sophomore season and her junior season was cut short due to COVID-19. Reaching the play-in game was a fitting sendoff for one of the pillars of the Sedona team for the last four years.
