Rye Varsity Softball head coach Alex Tejera has named his MVP for the 2026 season: junior Penelope Gilmore.
“Penelope had a tremendous year for us,” Tejera told MyRye.com. “She batted close to 0.500… [and] was also our ace in the circle, pitching well for us and leading us into the playoffs.”
Gilmore impacted every single game for the Garnets as a two-way player, leading the team in innings pitched over her younger sister by about a 2/1 ratio. More impressively, she raked at the plate as the Garnets’ primary leadoff hitter. Her season batting averaged ended at .492 to go along with her first three career home runs, 15 doubles, 25 runs, 19 RBIs, and five stolen bases. Tejera estimates her on-base plus slugging mark (OPS) ended around 1.600.
“We had a successful season and a large part is due to how well she played for us,” the head coach said of his star player. “Not only was she terrific on the field, she was also a leader off the field as well.”
Despite only being a junior, Gilmore took on a sizeable leadership role. The entire coaching staff praised her willingness to guide first-year players through the challenges of playing varsity softball. The team that struggled at times but improved as the season went along, proof of Gilmore’s impact paying dividends down the stretch.
“This leadership allowed our younger players to reach their potential and help our team be successful,” Tejera continued. “Penelope has a very good understanding of the game and it is almost like having an extra coach on the field. She knows when to bring the team together and calm things down.”
Gilmore will return to a very prominent role in the Rye program in 2027, where the Garnets will be looking to take a big step forward. They will need her to continue to set the table offensively and hope she can take a leap in the pitcher’s circle as well. Regardless, the rising senior will enter next year as Rye’s most talented two-way player and a surefire choice for captain.
“It has been a pleasure coaching her the last few years and I look forward to coaching her again next season,” Tejera concluded. “I’m very proud of her.”
