Six members of Hillsboro High?s first state-qualifying softball team received all-league attention from the coaches of the Mid-Central Activities Association, as did two Marion Warriors.
Sophomore outfielder Taylor Nikkel was the lone first-team selection. She batted .358 for the 13-11 Trojans, led the team in runs scored (25) and home runs (2) and stole a team-high 17 stolen bases. She accumulated 29 hits and had a .400 on-base percentage.
Picked for the second team were junior Briana Loewen at catcher and freshmen Sammy Koons at first base and Franny Gottsch as a utility player.
Loewen hit .316 with 18 runs batted in and scored 18 runs.
Koons hit .342, scored 18 runs, drove in 16 and led the team in doubles (8) and runs batted in (21).
Gottsch, who split her time between second base and pitching, hit a team-high .463 and led the team in hits (38), slugging percentage (.573) and on-base percentage (.521). As a pitcher she posted a 6-8 record with an earned-run average of 4.49.
Two more freshmen received honorable mention: Stephanie Sanders at shortstop and Courtney Weber at pitcher.
Sanders hit .342 and led the team in triples (3) and tied Nikkel in stolen bases (17). She was second in runs scored (24), RBI (20) and slugging percentage (.506).
Weber posted a 7-3 record as a pitcher, striking out 41 hitters, walking 15 and finishing with an ERA of 4.44. At the plate, she batted .241 with 18 runs scored and 16 driven in.
For Marion (2-19), sophomore Alex Cain received honorable mention as a pitcher and junior Brooke Johnson as a shortstop.
2009 MCAA All-League Softball
First team
Pitcher: Elise Beguelin, Nickerson; Aubrie VanSteenburg, Halstead; Erin Schmidt, Haven.
Catcher: Bre Julian, Nickerson.
First base: Christa Henning, Halstead.
Second base: Kari Johnson, Haven.
Shortstop: Stephanie Drake, Halstead.
Third base: Rachel Phillips, Halstead.
Outfield: Morgan Lowery, Hesston; Taylor Nikkel, Hillsboro; Sheridan Stefanski, Haven.
Utility: LaChelle Bell, Sterling.
Designated player: Emma Horton, Wichita Collegiate.
Second team
Pitcher: Taylor Lowery, Hesston; Kelly Buchman, Lyons; Jordan Sherwood, Smoky Valley.
Catcher: Briana Loewen, Hillsboro.
First base: Sammy Koons, Hillsboro.
Second base: Sarah Crouse, Smoky Valley.
Shortstop: Krystene Johnson, Hesston.
Third base: Samantha Nyborg, Nicker?son.
Outfield: Kirsten Sooter, Halstead; Abbie Schremmer, Hoisington; Arielle Borecky, Nickerson.
Utility: Franny Gottsch, Hillsboro.
Designated player: Becky Johnson, Smoky Valley.
Honorable Mention
Pitcher: Alex Cain, Marion; Courtney Weber, Hillsboro.
Catcher: Elly Johnson, Smoky Valley; Jessi Ball, Sterling; Lauren Franz, Hesston; Alex Pike, Ellinwood; Krysten Tobias, Lyons; Victoria Roberts, Halstead; Ashley Zeitlow, Wichita Collegiate.
First base: MacKenzie Allen, Haven; McKenna Deckard, Nickerson.
Second base: Mariah Rodriguez, Nick?erson.
Shortstop: Paula Stucky, Haven, Stephanie Sanders, Hillsboro; Brooke Johnson, Marion.
Third base: Haley Martin, Smoky Valley.
Outfield: Chassidy Carlson, Marion; Cassie Clark, Lyons; Nicole Chronister, Nickerson; Hannah Jeffery, Haven; Kalee McGee, Halstead; Ashley Oglesbee, Ellinwood; Kirsten Hansen, Smoky Valley.
Utility: Ashli Bell, Sterling; Jennifer Funk, Hoisington.
Designated player: Jennifer Lecklider, Lyons.
