Ponce’s Martínez setting the offensive pace in LPSF

Janelle Martínez of the Leonas of Ponce has been one of the Women’s Premier Softball League’s standout offensive players, leading the league with a .600 average after the first two weekends of play. (@xavv_lenz_)

By THE STAR STAFF

Janelle Martínez, a utility player for the Leonas of Ponce, has emerged as the top offensive force in the Women’s Premier Softball League (LPSF by its initials in Spanish) following the completion of the first two weeks of the season.

The 22-year-old player from Ponce tops the batting list with an impressive .600 average (nine hits in 15 official at-bats).

A key component of the Leonas’ offense, Martínez has six singles and three doubles, while also driving in five runs, scoring six, and stealing two bases.

In the race for the batting title, Martínez is followed by teammate Yahelis Muñoz, who is batting .556. Other batting leaders include Chloe Malau’ulu (Prodigiosas of Sabana Grande) at .542, Hayley Busby (Bravas of Cidra) at .533, Janiliz Rivera (Leonas) at .529, Nia Carter (Valencianas of Juncos) at .500 and Valeria Rosario (Caribeñas of Salinas) at .476.

Malau’ulu and Carter share the lead in hits with 13 each. Malau’ulu also leads in doubles with four, tied with Muñoz.

Carter and Rivera share the top spot for triples with two. The home run lead is shared by Rivera, Busby and Sabana Grande’s Makayla Nieves with two each.

Carter leads in runs scored with nine, while Busby tops the list for RBIs with 11. Karla Claudio (Cidra) leads in walks with eight, and Eliana Henríquez (Sabana Grande) leads in stolen bases with four.

In the pitcher’s circle, Morgan Smith of Sabana Grande maintains a perfect 0.00 ERA, while Yeraldine Carrión of Salinas, an import player from Mexico, leads the league in strikeouts with 44. The lead in wins is shared by Smith, Odhi Vázquez (Cidra), Carrión and Alondra Pérez (Juncos), all with three.