RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
This past week, when 2022 catcher Caitlyn Newburn committed to UCLA, it made 10 Div. I commitments for the Lady Magic 12U team led by husband and wife Co-Head Coaches Ernie and Lindsey Munoz (Ziegenhirt).
The college-bound players includes six verbals now to the Pac-12 Conference along with one already to the SEC.
The team, which has already received an invite to the PGF 16U Nationals, has a ton of experience in the coaching staff: Lindsey Munoz (Ziegenhirt) played for the Lady Magic and was a part of the National Championship team in 2008 before continuing her career at UC Berkeley. She competed in the Women’s College World Series and ended her career as a Team USA member.
Ernie Munoz played 4 years of college baseball followed by 6 years in the minor leagues. He later spent two years as an Assistant Coach in 2012 at his alma mater- SF State, and in 2013 at UC Berkeley.
Assisting the married couple is Pete Aguayo, formerly with Sorcerer and Grapettes 18 Gold, who brings over 25 years of elite softball coaching experience and has 16 former players playing in the Pac-12 and another 23 former players sprinkled through the NCAA.
Also on the staff is Laura Ziegenhirt, a former D1 softball player and coach at University of the Pacific in Stockon, who brings 20-plus years of softball experience. She was also a member of the 2008 National Championship Lady Magic staff and currently serves at the President of the organization.
Extra Inning Softball caught up with Coach Lindsey this week to get a closer look at the club program based in Sacramento, California which will celebrate its 25th year in 2018…
When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?
Lady Magic was founded in 1983 and since the early 2000’s has been a local powerhouse in the Sacramento area. The program has produced top level softball players who have gone on to play in every Power 5 conference in the country with multiple players making appearances in the Women’s College World Series.
Several players have also competed with the USA Women’s National Team: in 2008, the Lady Magic 16U team won the ASA National Championship and members from that team included Ally Carda (UCLA, Team USA), Jolene Henderson (Cal, USSSA Pride, Team USA), me (Lindsey Ziegenhirt, Cal, Team USA) and Cheyenne Cordes (Cal, USA Women’s Jr. Team).
Our Munoz team started in 2014 as a 2nd year 12u team. We felt that as coaches we could make a difference in the development of our local youth softball players and continue the championship tradition of Lady Magic.
Where are you based and where do your athletes come from–all they all local or some from farther away?
The Lady Magic organization is based out of Sacramento, but our team has players from all over Northern California and Nevada.
What was the purpose of creating the team: was it to showcase players, win titles, develop skills or for other reasons?
Our main purpose for creating our team was to teach young players the skills, both mental and physical, that an elite player would possess. Our goal is to train like a college team would train, so when each of our players reach the collegiate level they are prepared to make an impact their freshman season. We believe that by training this way, championships and the potential to play at the collegiate level will come as a result.
What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
One thing we are proud of as a coaching staff is that our team has qualified for PGF Nationals every year since we started our team in 2014.
Our record last year (fall and summer combined) was 66-10 which included a 2nd place finish at the TCS Best of the West and a 1st place finish at Champions Cup.
What would you say makes the organization unique?
Unlike many organizations around the country, Lady Magic only allows for one team per age group. Also, the coaching staffs move up with the team from season to season. This gives us the opportunity to groom our players from 10U all the way up to 18 Gold.
Another unique fact about Lady Magic is that there is a Lady Magic alumni on each coaching staff. This assures that the “Magic Way” is always current and traditions never die!
Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team’s history?
Our team has always risen to the occasion: they step up to any and every challenge we’ve ever thrown their way. In the fall of 2016, we challenged them to dominate the competition. We ended the season 28-3-1 and since then, our team has played with a “can’t lose mentality”.
What is your primary focus or goal with this team?
At this point, our primary focus is to win a National Championship.
What do you think are the strengths of the team?
Our team is mostly known for the big power bats. At any given time, any player in the starting nine can leave the yard and change the game.
Talk about your success in getting players to the next level…
We currently have 10 committed player on our roster, two going to UCLA, two to Arizona State, two to St. Mary’s and one each to Oregon State, LSU, Cal, Utah and Sacramento State.
All seven of our other players—five 2020’s, one 2021, one 2022—have offers or are being pursued by D1 schools across the country.
LADY MAGIC PLAYER PROFILES
(comments by Coach Lindsey Munoz (Ziegenhirt), players listed alphabetially)
OF Malia Babasa (2021, uncommitted)
Lia is a new addition to our team this season. She is a speedy lefty slapper with great range in the outfield. We are excited to see what Lia does this summer for us!
C/OF Harleigh Braswell (2020, Arizona State)
Harleigh’s powerful lefty swing allows her to hit home runs from foul pole to foul pole. As a catcher, Harleigh boasts an intimidating 1.7 pop time.
1B Shelbie Caro (2020, uncommitted)
Shelbie has a big presence at the plate. She’s a solid line drive hitter who is traditionally one of the top producers in our lineup.
C/1B Isabela Emerling (2021, Cal Berkeley)
Bela is a new pickup that has plus pop with the bat and arm behind the plate. Adding Bela to our catching rotation and line-up brings our team to a new level.
OF Dakota Kennedy (2022, uncommitted)
Dakota joined our team this past fall and quickly became one of our top hitters. She is a true five-tool player and has already gained interest from schools in the Pac-12, Big 10, and SEC.
OF Amy LeGrande (2020, uncommitted)
Amy’s range and leadership in center field rival outfielders at the college level. Her ability to slap or hit for power make her a tough out at the plate.
2B/CF Shaylen McDowell (2022, Oregon State)
Shaylen is a true utility player who moves from outfield to infield without missing a beat. On offense, Shay is versatile, moving from the 2-hole to the middle of the lineup, producing consistent power at each spot.
1B/RHP Madilyn Mays (2020, St. Mary’s)
Madi is new this season to our team, but we expect big offensive contributions from her.
RHP Rylie Miller (2020, uncommitted)
Rylie’s riseball/change up combination keeps hitters off balance. She can get the strike out in clutch situations and has pitched competitive games against the top teams in the country.
1B/RF Ali Montes De Oca (2020, uncommitted)
As one of our original players from the 2014 Magic team, Ali is a lights-out first baseman who saves many plays with a quick pick.
C/OF Caitlyn Newburn (2022, UCLA)
Caity, although small in stature, can hit the ball 250 feet and will rival any power bat in her class. She is also one of the smoothest defenders behind the plate according to college coaches.
RHP Katelyn Oldwin (2020, uncommitted)
Katelyn is a 5-foot-9 right-handed pitcher that throws in the low to mid 60’s and has been one of the top power pitchers in Nor Cal since she was 12U.
MIF/3B Sydney Peterson (2021, LSU)
Sydney anchors the middle of our powerful line-up as well as the middle of the infield. Her range with the glove is plus plus, and her slot throws and quick release make her a tough defender to beat.
3B/OF Arianna Pires (2020, Sacramento State)
Anna is a versatile defender in both the infield and the outfield. At the plate, Anna hits anywhere in the middle of the order and is usually in the top five on the team in RBIs.
RHP Ela Villanueva (2020, St. Mary’s)
Ela has been one of our most consistent pitchers since she joined our team in 2015. She starts for us, but also comes in as relief, often getting our defense out of a critical jam with a strikeout.
2B/SS Savanah Whatley (2020, Utah)
Savanah is a dynamic lefty slapper who uses her speed and aggressiveness to outsmart defenses and create runs. With the glove, Savanah makes diving plays up the middle look easy and can switch between short and second effortlessly.
SS/3B Jordan Woolery (2022, UCLA)
Jordan has been the most consistent hitter on our team, hitting for both power and average year in and year out. She was the first player in the 2022 class to commit to the Pac-12.