2014 All-Herald Softball Team

Illustration by Eric Johnson

Illustration by Eric Johnson

FIRST TEAM

Abbey Ball

Pitcher, Austin

The senior maintained an ERA of 4.62 while striking out 90 in 109 innings for the Packers (5-16 overall). At the plate, Ball, who has committed to UW-Stout, hit .414 with five homers, six doubles and 12 RBIs, while scoring 15 runs. Ball had an on-base percentage of .468.

 

Illustration by Eric Johnson

Illustration by Eric Johnson

Dani Wagner

Shortstop, Hayfield

The senior hit .700 with an on-base percentage of .800. Wagner, who has committed to the University of Minnesota, had 13 homers, nine doubles, 26 RBIs and 51 runs. She had a slugging percentage of 1.500 and she was 26-for-26 on steals for the Vikings (17-5 overall).

 Sam Emanuel

First base, Southland

The junior had a breakout season for the Rebels (2-19 overall) as she hit .540 with four doubles, one triple, two home runs and nine RBIs.

 Jessie Foster

Second base, Hayfield

The senior hit .487 with one homer, four doubles and 19 RBIs. She had an on-base percentage of .534 and was 15-for-16 on stolen bases.

 Grace Mindrup

Catcher, Hayfield

The sophomore hit .390 with eight doubles, one triple, two homers and 37 RBIs. Mindrup had an on-base percentage of .435.

 Bria Baldwin

Outfield, Blooming Prairie

The freshman hit .365 with six doubles, two triples, one homer and 16 RBIs for the Awesome Blossoms (10-10 overall). Baldwin scored 17 runs.

 Rachel Masching

Outfield, Hayfield

The senior hit .382 with five doubles, one triple, three home runs and 23 RBIs. She had an on-base percentage of .434.

Grace Walker

Outfield, Hayfield

The senior hit .346 with four doubles, two homers and 20 RBIs.

 HONORABLE MENTION

Shayley Vesel

Shortstop, Austin

The sophomore hit .377 with an on-base percentage of .392 while compiling 81 homer, eight doubles and nine RBIs.

Sydney Murphy

Catcher, Austin

The junior hit .294 with one homer, three doubles and six RBIs. Defensively, Murphy had a fielding percentage of .970 and she caught five runners stealing.

 Lizz Willert

Outfield, Blooming Prairie

The senior hit .348 with seven RBIs and 13 runs scored.

Megan O’Connor

Third base, Blooming Prairie

The senior hit .338 with five doubles, nine RBIs and 11 runs scored.

 Sydney Heiber

Shortstop, Blooming Prairie

The senior hit .329 with five doubles, four triples, 15 RBIs and 19 runs scored.

Mariah Holland

Outfield, Blooming Prairie

The senior hit .306 with four doubles, two triples, one homer and 11 RBIs with 11 runs scored for BP.

 Tessa Ivers

Catcher, Blooming Prairie

The junior hit .388 with one double, eight RBIs and 14 runs, while going 13-for-14 on stolen bases for BP.

 Madison Worke

First base, Blooming Prairie

The junior hit .380 with one double, four RBIs and 15 runs scored.

Courtney Walter

Outfield, Lyle-Pacelli

The sophomore hit .559 with five doubles, one triple and she scored 12 runs for the Athletics (3-9 overall), who brought back their varsity program this spring after a three-year hiatus.

 Bethany Strouf

Pitcher, Lyle-Pacelli

The freshman held an ERA of 4.50 and she struck out 56 in 62 innings of work.

 

SportsPlus

Mower County

DNR investigating recent waterfowl deaths across southern Minnesota

Mower County

A new reason to run: After diagnosis, Austin grad is looking to raise funds to fight MS

Mower County

SWCD board chair to serve as VP for state group

Mower County

Minnesota DNR: Enjoy the ice over the holidays, but check it often

Education

Education Briefs

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Dec. 9-16

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

G. Meadow man sentenced for drug charges, challenges pre-investigation in 2nd case

Mower County

Eastbound I-90 lane, ramps reopen in Austin as Cedar River bridge completed

News

A Place for Romantics: New downtown bookstore for romance is a dream for its owner

Agriculture

Voigts honored for conservation farming practices

Business

Austin realtor honored with Realtor Emeritus Award

Agriculture

Grant available to aid in weather resilience

Mower County

In Your Community: Asian Student Union donate 30 blankets to Mayo Clinic

Mower County

In Your Community: Austin Youth Hockey Peewee B shops for family

Brownsdale

In Your Community: Brownsdale Study Club

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

News

Minnesota House tie in peril after judge rules DFL lawmaker can’t be sworn in

News

Unwelcome holiday guests: RSV, flu and COVID-19 on the rise

News

Minnesota deputies saw 250 animals suffering at purported rescue. Weeks later, only 70 were left

News

Federal Reserve cuts its key rate by a quarter-point but envisions fewer reductions next year

Education

Riverland Community College celebrates remarkable enrollment growth

Mower County

Photos: Singing the song of the season

Mower County

Driver in crash that injured Wyatt Hamlin arrested in Tennessee