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ALL-COUNTY SOFTBALL: Helterbrand, Meek bring home top honors
Putnam County champion Cloverdale swept the major individual awards for the 2017 all-county softball team.
Senior Lauren Meek repeated her title as Pitcher of the Year after posting a 14-4 record with a 2.68 ERA. She finished with a career record of 58-26. Meek was also a capable hitter, batting .308 with 20 hits, 17 runs, five doubles and 15 RBI.
Fellow senior Kelsey Helterbrand, a second-team all-state selection by the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association, was named Player of the Year after hitting .472 with 42 hits, 40 runs, 12 doubles, two home runs and 36 RBI.
She finished her career with a .434 average, 141 hits, 121 runs, 32 doubles, six triples, four home runs and 85 RBI.
“Lauren and Kelsey helped begin the most successful four-year period in school history,” Clover coach Jim Spencer said. “Both girls had an outstanding work ethic in the classroom and on the field. Hopefully, the players returning next year can continue to build on the current success established by this year’s seniors.”
Meek, who was earlier named to the academic all-state team, helped the Clovers to establish several milestones for the program.
“Lauren was the winning pitcher in three county championship games, pitched the Clovers to the first conference championship in school history and helped lead the Clovers to the winningest season in school history (19-5 in 2017),” Spencer said. “Lauren is also an outstanding young lady and a joy to be around on the field.”
Helterbrand, who will continue her career at DePauw University next year, played shortstop this season but played numerous positions over her career.
“Kelsey capped off a great career at Cloverdale with another great season at the plate and in the field,” Spencer said. “Kelsey was more than willing to move in the field and in the batting order to make the team better. She was able to take any role and perform at a high level of play and give us a better chance to get better as a team.
“More importantly, she is an outstanding young lady and a joy to be around on the field.”
Twelve additional players, three from each school, received all-county honors. Nine of those players were underclassmen, offering Putnam County teams optimism for next season.
Cloverdale
• Tori Combs, So. – Batted .487 with 38 hits, 31 runs, seven doubles, nine home runs and 36 RBI. Set school records for home runs in a season and in a game (three).
• Baylee Hamilton, Sr. – Batted .438 after transferring from Avon with 42 hits, 29 runs, eight doubles, six home runs and 33 RBI. Played first base and pitched, and will continue her career at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Ill., this fall.
• Kiley Shedron, Jr. – Has been a three-year starter for the Clovers, batting .461 this year with 41 hits, 27 runs, 12 doubles, two HR and 37 RBI.
Greencastle
• Julia Mundy, Jr. – Batted .410 to lead the team, with one home run, one triple, five doubles, 10 RBI and 11 runs scored. Led the team in innings pitched with 68.1, striking out 47 batters and walking 39.
• Skyler Hensley, Sr. – Batted .234 with two home runs, one double, nine RBI and seven runs scored.
• Grace Paul, Sr. – Batted .314 with one triple, seven doubles, eight RBI and six runs scored.
North Putnam
• Chloe LaPierre, Jr. – Led the Cougars with a .391 batting average, hitting three home runs and four doubles with 16 RBI and 15 runs scored.
• Mia Runnells, Jr. – Batted .306 with one triple, four doubles, 11 RBI and 14 runs scored.
• Jada Stump, Jr. – Batted .340 with two home runs, 15 RBI and six runs scored.
South Putnam
• Drew Bratcher, So. – Batted a team-high .479 with two homers, five triples, nine doubles, 32 RBI and 25 runs scored.
• Grace Carr, So. – Batted .343 with three home runs, one triple, eight doubles, 25 RBI and eight runs scored. She was also 20 for 20 in stolen bases.
• Helen Eaglin, So. – The speedy leadoff hitter batted .420 with one triple, four doubles, eight RBI and 24 runs scored.