Peebles’ Toller named to Division IV First Team –
Story and photos by Mark Carpenter –
The softball coaches from District 14 met last month and announced their 2016 District 14 All-District teams. Ten young ladies from the four Adams County schools performed this spring well enough to earn some type of All-District recognition.
Leading the way was Peebles senior Kaitlin Toller, the only local girl named to the All-District First Team. After a season that saw her hit .574 and drive home 34 runs, Toller was named to the Division IV First Team. A trio of Toller’s teammates also were honored by the coaches, with freshman Madison Pierce named to the Division IV Second Team, while freshman McKenzie Swango and junior Aubrey McFarland were named Honorable Mention.
The North Adams Lady Devils, runners-up in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference, had two players earn All-District recognition. Senior pitcher Jade Spriggs capped off her outstanding career with a spot on the Division III Second Team, while teammate Anslee Creech was named Honorable Mention.
Also in Division III, the West Union Lady Dragons got a pair of players on All-District squads, with senior pitcher Kristen Grooms named to the Second Team and sophomore Kaylee Welch named Honorable Mention.
Finally back in Division IV, the Manchester Lady Greyhounds earned two spots after the coach’s vote. Senior Morgan Johnson, who hit. 407 for the spring was named to the Division IV Second Team, while sophomore Katie Sandlin, who batted .353 received Honorable Mention recognition.
“Katie is a player on the verge of breaking out,” said Manchester head coach John Kennedy. “She had a very good offensive season and just has tremendous speed. She’s just beginning to blossom and I expect her to have a huge season next year.”
“I can’t say enough about Morgan,” Kennedy continued. “She made All-District for four seasons and was very deserving. She will go down as one of, if not the, most accomplished female athletes in school history. Morgan had another great season for us, leading us in nearly every offensive category. She also did the majority of the pitching for us, without really every pitching much before this spring. She pitched a no-hitter and had two games where she struck out 10 hitters. Her whole season was an example of her athleticism, competitiveness, and commitment to the team.”
Here are the other ladies from the SHAC who earned All-District Honors:
Division III: Hayley McConnaughey (Lynchburg), First Team; Regan Inlow (Eastern Brown), Second Team; Brittany Koewler (Eastern Brown), Honorable Mention; Chelsi Hacker (Lynchburg), Honorable Mention; Hannah Morgan (Lynchburg), Honorable Mention; Lauren Maddock (Lynchburg), Honorable Mention.
Division IV: Grace Larrick (Fairfield), First Team; Kaitlin White (Fairfield), First Team; Kourtnie Smith (Fairfield), Second Team; Emily Williams(Fairfield), Honorable Mention; Ashleigh Harless (Whiteoak), Honorable Mention; Hayley Nace (Whiteoak), Honorable Mention.
