Having played on the varsity level since her freshman season, when she hit .300 for Carlmont, there was never any question that Mailey McLemore was going to be a special player for the Scots’ program. But whatever expectations transpired following the start to her career, they were likely exceeded by the way she finished things on the Belmont campus.

After hitting .483 with five home runs as a junior, McLemore even exceeded those numbers in her senior year, hitting .516 with six home runs, eight doubles, and 34 RBIs. She struck out just once all season, and as teams tried to avoid her at the plate, she racked up a whopping 22 walks for a .628 on-base percentage and an astronomical 1.693 OPS. Even better, the UC Santa Barbara-bound senior led the Scots to an unbeaten mark in the PAL-Bay Division, going 16-0 in league play, and winning 23 games overall against top competition all season.

“Mailey meant everything to us. She really doesn’t have a weak spot in her game,” said Carlmont coach Marco Giuliacci. “Teams even intentionally walked her with runners on first and second to load the bases, and that just shows how much respect they had for her. It’s just the kind of ballplayer she is.”

Of course, McLemore didn’t just dominate games at the plate, but also did so in the circle. She went 18-2, and opponents hit a meager .148 against her. Included were four complete-game shutouts, 123 strikeouts in 120 innings pitched, and a 1.11 ERA. On six different occasions, she allowed two hits or fewer, including back-to-back one-hitters against Hillsdale and Notre Dame-Belmont in March, and then back-to-back two-hitters against Aragon and Woodside in May. Even in the Open Division quarterfinal loss to Mitty, McLemore allowed just four hits, facing a lineup which would pound out 13 hits in the semifinal round. More importantly, she approached both parts of her game with equal focus.

“Honestly, it’s two different games for me, the way I approach my game in the circle, and the way I prepare at the plate,” McLemore said. “It’s a huge plus to thrive at both, because if I’m not able to bring my ‘A’ game in the circle, I can make up for it at the plate, and the same goes the other way around as well.”

Thrive at both she certainly did, and the coaches in her own league recognized McLemore as the PAL-Bay Pitcher of the Year. In that aspect of the game, she finished her four years with a 48-6 record and 1.50 ERA, and over 300 strikeouts in her varsity career. At the plate, she finished with a career .425 average and 15 home runs, with 109 runs driven in. But the numbers she will cherish most are the 95 games won during her career, and that perfect mark in league play this season.

“So much of this year was due to her quiet leadership, leading by example, with the other girls seeing how hard she worked,” Giuliacci said. “She is irreplaceable in this program.”

After all her hard work, even McLemore had to express some enjoyment in the recognition which has come her way.

“It’s a huge compliment to be recognized,” McLemore said. “I go out every day to play my best, and it is a huge accomplishment to get these awards for doing what I love.”

For her efforts throughout the season, we are pleased to recognize Mailey McLemore as our Central Coast Section Senior of the Year.

Other players considered include St. Ignatius’ Madie Augusto, Mitty’s Mariah Dewey, Gilroy’s Makenna Weiler, and Valley Christian’s Lauren Hendrickson.

NOTE: We would like to thank our media partners, coaches, parents, players and fans for contributing photos for our all-section features. We salute all of the players that have made this a wonderful season of CCS softball.