All-Leader Publications softball team announced
Published 10:00 pm Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Edwardsburg’s Ashley Pion. (Leader photo/File)
Buchanan’s Jayla Bibbs. (Leader photo/File)
Niles’ Sadie Fountain. (Leader photo/File)
Buchanan’s Mike Welsh. (Leader photo/File)
Buchanan’s Morgan Lenox. (Leader photo/File)
Buchanan’s Erica Donathen. (Leader photo/File)
Edwardsburg’s Layne Stinnett. (Leader photo/File)
Edwardsburg’s Savannah Dixon. (Leader photo/File)
Edwardsburg’s Allie Strycker. (Leader photo/File)
Dowagiac’s Amiyah Smith. (Leader photo/File)
Dowagiac’s Megan Soderbloom. (Leader photo/File)
Edwardsburg and Buchanan, both district champions, dominated the inaugural All-Leader Publications softball team.
The Eddies and Bucks led the way with four selections each.
The squad was selected by the coaches from the Leader Publications coverage area along with sports writers Amelio Rodriquez and Scott Novak.
Representing the Eddies are Layne Stinnett and Savannah Dixon on the infield, Allie Strycker in the outfield and Ashley Pion in the circle.
Buchanan’s first-team selections were Erica Donathen at first base, Morgan Lenox on the infield and Jaya Bibbs in the outfield.
Buchanan’s Mike Welsh was voted Coach of the Year by his peers.
Dowagiac landed a pair of players on the squad with Megan Soderbloom at catcher and Amiyah Smith as the at-large player.
Niles was represented by Sadie Fountain in the outfield.
Stinnett hit .458 with 14 doubles, a triple, nine home runs and 40 RBIs for the Eddies.
Dixon hit .417 with five doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 44 RBIs.
Strycker, who split time between pitching and the outfield, hit .437 with three doubles, a triple and 19 RBIs.
“One of the best hitters I’ve coached,” said Edwardsburg coach Randy Brooks of Stinnett. “Savannah improved her range and arm strength tremendously. Her power numbers have really improved this year.
“Allie was an outstanding leader and catalyst for us at bat as she was our leadoff hitter and led the team in runs scored. Ashley improved so much for us. We were blessed with two No. 1 pitchers with Ashley and Allie.”
Donathen, who split time between first base and pitching, hit .487 with 18 doubles, nine home runs and 46 RBIs.
Lenox hit .439 with nine doubles, 1 home run, 25 RBIs and 31 runs scored.
Bibbs hit .364 with seven doubles, two triples, a home run and 18 RBIs.
Luzadre was 13-6 for the Bucks in the circle with an ERA of 1.424. She struck out 81 batters in 118 innings pitched.
Soderbloom hit .460 with 14 doubles, a triple and 27 RBIs for the Chieftains.
Smith hit .486 with nine doubles, two triples, four home runs and 17 RBIs. She also stole 17 bases.
“Megan was a leader for us behind the plate and made us a better team when she was there,” said Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke. “She got big hit after big hit for us and will be hard to replace.”
“Amiyah is the kind of player every coach wants to have more of,” Behnke said. “She can play any position on the field and played shortstop, third base and catcher for us this year and played all of them well.”
Welsh, who was let go by Buchanan following the season, posted a record of 692-345 over his 28-year career. He led the Bucks to 10 conference championships and 12 district championships, including this year’s Division 3 title.
Buchanan reached the state semifinals in 1991 and 2006.
Buchanan was 24-14 this year.
ALL-LEADER PUBLICATIONS SOFTBALL TEAM
Catchers
Megan Soderbloom, Dowagiac
Honorable mention
Courtney Ryker, Edwardsburg
Caitlin Daly, Niles
First base
Erica Donathen, Buchanan
Honorable mention
Hannah Shoupe, Edwardsburg
Nicole Sachman, Brandywine
Malie Barber, Cassopolis
Infield
Layne Stinnett, Edwardsburg
Savannah Dixon, Edwardsburg
Morgan Lenox, Buchanan
Honorable mention
Morgan Crocker, Brandywine
Taylor Altgergott, Niles
Outfield
Allie Strycker, Edwardsburg
Sadie Fountain, Niles
Jayla Bibbs, Buchanan
Honorable mention
Kennedy Byrd, Brandywine
At-Large
Amiyah Smith, Dowagiac
Honorable mention
Brooke Timm, Niles
Nikki Keefe, Cassopolis
Pitchers
Ashley Pion, Edwardsburg
Sammi Luzadre, Buchanan
Honorable mention
Taylor Hulett, Dowagiac
Delanie Nelson, Brandywine
Coach of the Year
Mike Welsh, Buchanan
Honorable mention
Randy Brooks, Edwardsburg
