U-T San Diego Preps

Whether Bree Williams is throwing fastballs or studying fashion, the Mt. Carmel High senior has been a model of success.

On the softball field, Williams wears Mt. Carmel Red and Gold with the panache that helped the Sundevils win their fourth straight section Division II title last year. On campus, with designs on a fashion major in college, she may be seen in vintage styles of the ’60s and ’80s from her favorite store in, yes, Fashion Valley.

The combination of interests has led Williams to college next fall at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where she will play for the Division II Urban Knights and join 14,000 other artistic students.

“I’ve always just really liked fashion, that glamorous-type thing,” said Williams, a fan of the television show “America’s Next Top Model” with Tyra Banks. “I’d say people know me for what I wear. From magazines and media, I get my inspiration.”

The guiding light in softball for Williams came from her sister, DeKenya, who played at Boston University after graduating from Mt. Carmel in 2001. The younger sibling took up T-ball at age 6 and subsequently made the Sundevils varsity as a freshman.

This season finds Williams in a leadership role for the Sundevils (13-8-1), who host Ramona at 3:30 p.m. today in a Palomar League game. She’s now a senior mainstay following the graduation of Kellie Fox, Ashley Romero and Alix Johnson, whose four-year varsity careers corresponded with Mt. Carmel’s current run of San Diego Section titles.

“Because they were leaders, I have to step up because everyone looks at me,” Williams said. “The younger players follow you because you’re older.”

The hard-throwing, 5-foot-6 right-hander sets an example as the reigning Division II Pitcher of the Year. She went 29-4 last season, figuring in all of her team’s decisions, with 211 strikeouts in 208?1/3 innings and a 0.77 ERA.

Yet her contributions go beyond that.

“Bree’s a great teammate,” said Nina Villanueva, who has spearheaded the Mt. Carmel hitting attack along with fellow senior Sona Babayan this season. “She’s always keeping the team up. She’s a strong leader.”

Williams spent her freshman year as a pitching understudy to Jessica McDermott, then a senior. She took over the steady pitching chores the next season and continued to add to the attack as needed.

“Bree just competes,” Sundevils coach Cesar Chavez said. “She’s durable, and she competes.”

Williams faced added tests to start this season. There was a monthlong battle with the flu, and a left wrist injury kept her out of the batting order until midseason. Still, she has a 1.91 ERA while figuring in every Mt. Carmel decision again.

“It can be a lot of pressure, and sometimes, it gets exhausting, but you know that you can’t be tired because the team relies on you,” Williams said. “It’s nice to know that you’re needed.”

As the Sundevils bid for the playoffs, Williams is also looking forward to her school’s prom May 14. For that occasion, she has selected a rhinestone-covered dress in gold and silver tones.

The softball uniform is, well, uniform, by definition. Nonetheless, Williams accessorizes with ribbons in her hair — either red, white or a cheetah combination.

It’s all part of her winning style.