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South Putnam's Katie Hewitt is Player of the Year
It was a softball season that will more than likely be remembered for the shifting weather conditions and reschedules. The players, however, never wavered in their spirits. They were as excited as ever to take the field and though teams lost some valuable seniors, a strong underclass unit describes all the Putnam County teams.
South Putnam saw some super hits and big home runs throughout the season and just like the Eagle baseball team, a sophomore slugger has been named Player of the Year.
Katie Hewitt was a statbook stuffer for the Eagles, leading the team in several categories.
In only 69 at bats, she racked up .627 on base percentage, a .594 batting average and a 1.130 slugging percentage all of which were West Central Conference leaders. Her slugging percentage means that basically every time she hit she took multiple bases and her .627 on base percentage means she hit most of the time she was was at the plate.
A big hitter in crunchtime sitiuations, she belted out six homers, which ties for second in the WCC. She had 23 runs, 41 hits, 15 doubles and 26 RBIs all of these stats being team highs.
Its no wonder Hewitt was a leader in scoring runs, because she was also 8-for-8 in stolen base attempts. On a team with its own sluggers competing against for big hits, Hewitt stood out when she took to the plate.
Makenzie Trisler
Hewitt wasn't the only super hitter when it came to the Eagles' offensive game.
Trisler was a senior who took hold of her opportunities at the plate, and usually knocked them into the outfield. She hit a WCC leading seven home runs. She had an on base percentage of .481, which is fifth in the conference, and a slugging percentage of .855, which was third in the conference.
Trisler was no slouch on the bases either, going 6-for-6 in stolen bases, with a .420 batting average. She had 29 hits, 26 RBIs and 14 runs scored, which tied for second on the team.
Bailey Ault
Ault was a finalist for player of the year because she was reliable in every game this season for the Cougars. She was usually able to get on base when need and she was a smart at the plate.
In her 99 at bats she compiled a batting average of .565 with only three strikeouts. She was team leader in doubles with 21 and was second in the WCC with 38 RBIs.
A true leader, Ault was a second year captain and a reliable fielder. She was first in the conference with a .998 fielding percentage, and she only committed five errors with 136 putouts at first-base. She had 29 hits and 14 runs scored and she will no doubt be missed.
Madi Asbell
Another senior that no Cougar is happy to see leaving is Asbell who injured her arm when she was hit by a fastball at the plate. She managed to play a few more innings even with a broken arm showing off her strength and fearlessness.
She and Ault together led the team in double plays and her fielding and hitting earned her all-conference honors.
She batted an average of .365 with 19 RBIs, 19 hits and 12 runs scored. Asbell complied a fielding percentage of .879 and had 23 putouts at third base. She was a serious competitor all year and according to Coach Ault "she is as tough as they come."
Skyler Hensley
When Greencastle saw its exciting season come to a close, the Tiger Cubs probably had the most optimism looking to the future. They only lost one senior to graduation and with a pitcher like Hensley on the mound, the team has a lot to look forward to.
The freshman was not a friend of conference batters and she typically controlled the game with her pitching.
She had a 6-10 record with a .375 winning percentage. Her earned run average is 3.77, which is fifth in the conference, as is her 73 batters struck out. Both are second in Putnam County, as are her six wins. Greencastle will definitely look to her to become a winning force next year.
Courtney Adams
With her .426 batting average and her status as a junior on a team with one senior, Adams was surely someone to be looked to as a leader on the team. She led the team with 29 hits and 21 runs scored.
She had seven RBIs and was only struck out four times. She was also a big hitter when she needed to be, recording four doubles and a .514 slugging percentage, which was one of the highest on the team.
She and her underclassmen teammates will look to tip the County scales in their favor next year.
Kelsey Helterbrand
It was a long season for the county champs, who took a 13-game winning streak into the post-season before losing to Monrovia. But their 17-9 record told the story; they found way to win softball games. Cloverdale players crowd the ballot box.
Kelsey Helterbrand was always a sight for sore eyes when she came to the plate. With her 29 RBIs, she was third in the conference at knocking in her base runners.
Her .374 batting average doesn't tell the story but her team-leading 34 hits, 5 doubles and 5 triples should. She was also second on the team in slugging percentage with .538 and had a .902 fielding percentage.
She was very reliable in every aspect and as an incoming sophomore she can only get better.
Heather Goss
Goss was a big contributer, scoring 20 RBIs, the second most for the Clovers. She typically played catcher and enough can't be said about her hustle to grab loose balls and dive in the way of the plate to stop runners from scoring. She was second on the Clovers with 126 put-outs.
She posted a .358 batting average, and tied for first along with Helterbrand, Lauren Patterson and Jess Winders with 24 singles.
With freshman Lauren Meek more than likely taking the mound next year, Goss will be a tough cog to replace for Cloverdale.
Jessica Winders
She was one of the top batters for the Clovers this season with an average of .384 and she led the team and was second in the WCC at making it back home with 34 runs scored.
Winders was a hitter. With 33 hits, she was second on the team and her on base percentage of .485 was first on the team.
At third base she was a leader in the field and she notched a .897 fielding percentage. She even added a homer to her resume. On a team that may only return 3 seniors, she will be one ready to set a big on-fiedd example.
Honorable mention
Morgan Albers
This North Putnam incoming senior will be a great repacement for the seniors leaving, as her .365 batting average improves and returns to her for. She posted 19 RBIs and two homers.
Regan Keller
Greencastle was another school who stuffed the ballot box with good players and leading the team in RBIs was the freshman with 18. She was also second with her .373 batting average.
Kim Winders
Winders was a tough competitor for the Putnam County Champions and she actually led the team with a .386 batting average. She score 28 runs, had 32 hits and led the team with two home runs.
Lauren Meek
Meek started and usually finished every game for Cloverdale and the freshman's 17 wins puts her ahead of every pitcher in the conference. She struck out 113 batters, placing her third in the conference and her ERA of 2.14 places her third.