PV's Moone, Werth named player, coach of the year

Tristin Moone - Kirtland Central; and Kevin Werth - Kirtland Central.

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Piedra Vista pitcher Tristin Moone is the Navajo Times player of the year and her coach, Kevin Werth, is the softball coach of the year.

The Piedra Vista softball team won a fourth consecutive New Mexico Class 4A state softball championship last month.

"Right now I'm speechless," Moone said in a telephone interview, "especially with all the players that I've played against - anyone of them would have won this. It's a great privilege. It's a real honor."

Moone, a senior, finished the 2009 season with a 14-3 record. She is 30-3 at Piedra Vista.

Moone recorded a .77 earned run average with 10 shutouts, 171 strikeouts, averaged 11 strikeouts a game and averaged less than one walk. Moone's opposing teams hit only .134 against her.

"She struggled at the plate a little this year," said Werth, "but still was a key contributor and a timely hitter for us.

Moone batted .297, scored 21 runs and had five doubles, two home runs and 20 RBIs.

"Tristin works very hard at what she does and I believe she was very strong and confident in her ability this year," Werth said.

Moone will attend Phillips Academy this fall, a pre-college preparatory school.

"She will be playing softball for one year there and then it is off to a Division-I school," Werth said.

Moone's 2009 accolades include: first team All-District in District 1-4A; All-Academic team in District 1-4A; and New Mexico Activities Association 4A/5A North All-Star.

Her parents are Jerry and Patricia Moone of Kirtland, N.M.

Werth was also coach of the year in 2007.

"Anytime as a coach you are rewarded with such an award it is a reflection of the type of kids that you are able to coach and the people you coach with," he said. "In my case, I have been very fortunate to coach some great girls who work very hard and I definitely give all the credit to them.

"I have never thrown a pitch or taken an at-bat," he said, "it is the girls who performed. I believe I have the best staff in the state. A committed group of professionals that give me all the support I need in order to get my job done. I owe a lot to them as well."

Werth finished his fifth season at Piedra Vista with a 27-4 overall record and 8-0 in District 1-4A.

Werth said winning a fourth state title was just as special as the previous three state titles.

"They are all special in their own way," he said. "The fourth one was just an amazing run by the kids and basically neat as we won it on the same field as we won our first one. Again they are all special and it's something I and the kids will never forget."

In 11 years as a head coach, his overall career record is 213-82. At Piedra Vista he is 123-25, which includes three District 1-4A titles.

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