Willoughby South’s Riley Frizell headlines 2018 News-Herald all-star softball team

Player of the Year

Riley Frizell

South, Sophomore

Make it 2-for-2 for the area’s best player. What did Frizell do for an encore performance to her freshman season when she was The News-Herald player of the year? The shorter list would be what didn’t she do. She hit .521 with a slugging percentage of .958. She had 22 extra-base hits, including eight home runs. She had 42 RBI and scored 42 runs. She walked 29 times — 11 of them being intentional when teams opted to just put her on instead of risking her blasting one out of the park. As a pitcher, Frizell went 13-4 (with three one-run losses), striking out 100 and walking 22. She led South to the Western Reserve Conference title and to the Division I regional tournament in Akron. Said Frizell, “It was amazing going to regionals. An experience I would never trade for anything. Just getting there showed how much more growth we have and what we can accomplish next year. Our goal next year is to make it to the state tournament and be in position to play for a state title.”

Coach of the Year

Joe Medlen

Perry

The Pirates have had their share of close calls in recent years at the Division II district level, but this year they kicked the door down. Perry defeated top-ranked Jefferson to go to the Division II regional tournament in Akron. With a young team, Medlen guided his team to the Chagrin Valley Conference title and nearly advanced to the regional championship game. Aspirations will be high next year for the Pirates and Medlen.

First Team

(In alphabetical order)

IF-P Peyton Dolejs, Mentor, Sophomore

She hit. 459 with a .716 slugging percentage, with 30 runs. She only struck out five times.

1B Emma Gurley, Gilmour, Senior

She hit. 552 with an area-best 11 home runs, and 45 RBI, with 32 runs scored.

SS Taylor Hradek, Perry

The area’s top shortstop hit .533 with 48 RBI, 45 runs and 25 extra-base hits.

SS Mya Matriano, South, Junior

She hit. 538 with 42 runs, 25 steals and 21 RBI. She ignited the Rebels offense.

P Olivia Moon, Perry, Junior

She did it all this year, hitting .430 with 41 RBI, while going 17-4 with a 1.71 ERA (and 151 strikeouts) on the mound.

P-SS Jordan Pasalaqua, Madison, Junior

Hit. 441 with 34 RBI and six home runs. She also was 6-2 pitching. An ace on most anyone else’s staff.

P-SS Alyssa Rose, Madison, Senior

MVP candidate hit .566 with 30 RBI, was 12-2 pitching, 1.98 ERA and 114 strikeouts.

3B Emalee Sines, Perry

Rebounded from paralysis to hit .510 with 43 RBI and 36 runs scored. A flat-out slugger on the corner.

C Elizabeth Smith, VASJ, Senior

Smith hit .600 with 34 runs, 18 extra-base hits, 37 RBI and 11 steals.

P Emily Ungrady, Kirtland, Junior

She hit .500 with 26 RBI and 23 runs. Pitching, she was 10-5 with 141 strikeouts.

Second Team

(In alphabetical order)

2B Alexandra Berry, Madison, Sr.: Hit. 479 with 33 runs, 30 RBI, 11 steals.

P Cheyanne Bosse, Berkshire, Sr.: Hit. 565 with 26 RBI, also 9-7 pitching

2B Ashley Burker, Wickliffe, Sr.: Hit. 538 with 29 runs and 20 steals.

3B Kaelin Ettinger, NDCL, Jr.: She hit .449 with 20 RBI and 24 runs.

1B Tori Gall, West Geauga, So.: Hit. 525 with 32 RBI, already getting college looks.

2B Makenna Matriano, South, Fr.: Rookie season included a .441 average, 39 RBI and 33 runs.

OF Sydney Moon, Perry, Fr.: Rookie year included .512 average, 53 runs and 25 RBI.

C Raegan Thompson, Mentor, Jr.: Hit. 417 with 24 RBI, only struck out six times.

1B-C Megan Pitcher, Geneva, Jr.: Hit .527 with 33 RBI, only struck out once.

C Allison Schultz, Madison, Jr.: Hit .433, also called all the pitches for her team.

Third Team

(In alphabetical order)

IF-P Karina Bishko, Brush, Sr.: Hit .471 and led the team in RBI.

P Lauren Bush, Lake Catholic, So.: Top pitcher and top hitter for the Cougars.

IF-C Emma Bizay, Gilmour, Fr.: Hit. 591 with 32 runs, also did some pitching.

P-SS Faith Fogle, Riverside, So.: it. 392 with 30 RBI, also team’s leading pitcher.

C Ellie Infalvi, Perry, Fr.: Hit. 409 with 36 runs, 19 RBI; calls a great game.

OF Allie Kovatch, Chagrin Falls, Sr.: Hit. 449 with 33 runs and 18 steals.

P Emily Lesco, Wickliffe, Sr.: Was 9-2 pitching, first team CVC, and hit .339.

1B-P Hannah Levon, Wickliffe, So.: Hit. 417 with 23 RBI, 22 runs, and also pitched some.

IF Casey McHugh, Mentor, So.: Hit. 461 with 22 RBI and 20 runs.

IF Faith Peters, Cardinal, Junior: Hit an amazing .714 with 3 homers and 21 RBI.

OF Kayla Preziuso, Chardon, Sr.: Led Chardon hitting .373 with 22 RBI. Team MVP.

Honor Roll

Andrews Osborne: Ja’ya Marshall, Jaylin Mitchell; Beaumont: Megan Pophal, Gabriella Costabile; Berkshire: Madison Chapman, Kayla White; Brush: Lauryn Gray, Hailee Jones; Cornerstone Christian: Lindsey Shoby, Monica Toma; Chagrin Falls: Lexie Christie, Lily Faulds; Chardon: Jackie Adkins, Lexi Leggett; Fairport: Taylor Patterson, Rebeka Bolinger; Geneva: Rachel Scibona, Kalee Grimmett; Gilmour: Katie Forsythe, Priscilla Richardson; Kenston: Alexis Robertson; Lake Catholic: Norah Vargo, Kennedy Solymosi; Madison: Halle Blackford, Alesix Lavdis, Gabby Blackford; NDCL: Hanna Simon, Halle Wedler; North: Mikaela Fording, Adri George; Riverside: Abby Watson, Mayli Mellon; South: Kalie Eshelman, Kristen Jesberger; VASJ: Emmy Rowell, Lucy Vidmar, West Geauga: Sam Ange, Kayla Lorenzo, Gianna Ranallo; Wickliffe: Gia Welms.