Shortstop Ella Pearl (30, center left) poses with her
underclass teammates while the seniors get recognition
on Senior Day May 14. On Pearl's right is
another all-league selection, Ellie Thomson
(far left). (Photos by Ed Piper)
By Ed Piper
A trio of Vikings have been named to First Team All-Central League honors, in addition to Player of the Year Jacey Taylor. (See previous entry.) Shortstop/pitcher Ella Pearl, catcher Aviv Laska, and third baseman Ellie Thomson all received the honors, all being underclassmen--Laska a junior, Pearl a sophomore, and Thomson, holding down the hot corner, a freshman.
La Jolla coach Anthony Sarain was proud to share the news of his individual players' recognition, as the 2026 team went 8-0 through the Central League schedule, reached the finals of the Division 5 playoffs, and played into the semifinals of the Southern California Regionals, the last which they have never participated in before.
Catcher Aviv Laska, with shin
guards on, works out at third
base before the Senior Game
May 14.
In addition, two more members of the Viking starting lineup, both seniors, centerfielder Savannah Putnam and second baseman Maddie Ehlert, received Second Team honors.
Pearl, the sophomore, batted .500 at the plate and provided prime leadership of the infield in her position at shortstop. Unfortunately, though successful, Ella had to spend a lot of games as a pitcher, along with Taylor, since La Jolla had no players who specifically are pitchers.
Pearl's gem in the pitcher's circle came in the Division 5 semifinals at La Jolla High May 27, when she put the brakes on an aggressive, optimistic Orange Glen squad coming off an upset win on the same field the day before, when Viking pitchers walked or hit 22 batters to succumb in that contest. Ella, wearing earrings and a double-braided ponytail under a visor, gave up one run and only permitted four hits in a shortened 11-1 win to qualify for a trip to the finals three days later.
Savannah Putnam (far right) stands with fellow
graduating seniors and Emmy Cardenas (in blue
jeans), the former LJHS home run record-holder,
on Senior Day May 14.
Aviv (pronounced "ah-VEEV"), waited a long time for deserved recognition at her favorite position behind the plate. A solid, steady presence in the battery, she provided stability as Sarain cycled through pitchers in trying to find the right combination. Struggling through a 3-11 stretch prior to Central League play, the Vikings suddenly were winning--to the tune of a 12-game win streak into the playoffs. The head coach repeated, "It's all about the walks. We have to limit how many walks we give up."
Finally, Ellie Thomson was an unexpected star as a freshman third-sacker. Her glovework on grounders is flawless, her throws to first base are on target, and with her experience in travel ball, she knows when to make a throw and when to hold onto the ball--not always an easy decision. Sarain batted her in the sixth slot in the lineup, which worked well for her.
On the Second Team, Savannah played four years and was reliable in centerfielder. She batted leadoff, often using her speed to beat out bunts that immediately put the opposition on notice.
Ehlert, another senior, was steady at second base, giving the Vikings an infield unit that held down the defense. Often arriving just before game time during college courses she was concurrently enrolled in, "Maddie E" (the other Maddie is "Maddie Q", Maddie Quach), got ready in a hurry and had a good year offensively, as well.
Maddie Ehlert, rushing to
the field after her concurrent
college class, warms up
before the Senior Game
May 14.
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