Prep Wraps
All-Area Softball: Talented cast covers all the bases
BY Dan Stickradt
Jul 14 2010
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
After a six-year drought, the area was finally represented in the softball Final Four in Battle Creek this year. Troy made the run in Division 1 after winning the OAA Red Division title and earning six wins in the postseason.
Troy, which had four all-state honorees after its long postseason run, which ended in a state semifinals loss to White Lake Lakeland, was the area’s best team, but not the only team to turn some heads.
Oxford won its first league title in school history this season and just its third district crown and Auburn Hills Avondale outdueled Rochester Adams and Rochester for the OAA White Division crown. In its first season in the MIAC Blue Division, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest staked claim to its fifth straight league title, while Adams had over 20 wins and Rochester set a new school record for wins with 26.
There were plenty of storybook lines on area softball diamond this year.
As for individual talents, there was no shortage at any position. Overall, 10 athletes from the www.northoaklandsports.com coverage area made the all-state lists, with more than two dozen garnering all-region honors. The list of all-league and all-district honorees was much greater. Several of these players will be suiting up on college rosters next year.
Below is a profile of some of the top talents in the area, by position, as selected by area coaches:
Pitchers
JORDAN WHEATLEY, Troy: One of the most dominant pitchers in the state, Wheatley was named the top senior pitcher in Division 1 this season as a Miss Softball finalist and departs with four appearances in state quarterfinals games and one semifinals appearance. Headed for Penn State on a softball scholarship, Wheatley’s presence from both the circle and plate struck fear in the opposition. She was 27-3 in 196 innings pitched, had 311 strikeouts against only 25 walks and posted 0.64 ERA. At the plate, she hit .466 with a .569 on-base percentage, and drove in 33 runs from the No. 3 spot.
“Jordan is a complete player,” said coach Tom Calnen. “She’s been one of the best pitchers in the state, she has a great bat and became a leader for us. It will be different not having her next season. But what a great kid who had a fantastic career. Jordan had to pitch with a bulls-eye on her back for four years and was a dominating force.”
KATIE MOY, Auburn Hills Avondale: This four-year starter departs Avondale ranking in the top three in multiple single-game, season and career pitching categories. The senior, who has signed with Division I Oakland University, fired up 275 strikeouts for the OAA-White champion Yellowjackets, who were upset in second round of the postseason. She was named all-league for a team that went 11-1 in conference play and finished 21-9 with an ERA well below 2.00. She also batted over .400 at the plate.
“She had about as good of a year as anyone we’ve had here in a long time,” said coach Lisa Allain. “She was the MVP of our league, no doubt. She just pitched some phenomenal games.”
Catchers
KATIE DUNN, Troy: Another four-year player for the Colts, Dunn was a sterling defensive catcher who helped the Colts make a run to the Division 1 Final Four. She hit .360 with 23 RBI at the plate against stiff competition, but she also fielded at a .996 percentage behind the plate. She threw out 13-of-17 would-be base stealers, picked off six runners and committed just one error all season.
“Katie had some big shoes to fill when she took over the catcher position and came through with flying colors,” said Calnen. “Katie turned into one of the best defensive catchers in the state. She became a threat at the plate to hit with power over the field. She will be missed to say the least.”
KELLY CARTNER, Oxford: The heart and soul of the Wildcats’ lineup, Cartner was a terror at the plate and a defensive stalwart behind it. The All-FML, All-District and All-Region selection batted .475 in leading Oxford to one of its best seasons in school history, as her team won a league and district in the same season for the first time.
First Base
JESSICA BAYS, Lake Orion: One of two Dragons to earn All-Region honors this season, this senior finished up a fine four-year career by also earning All-OAA Red, All-District and All-Troy Athens Tournament honors along with the Team Dragon Award. Playing in 34 games, she hit .429 with 48 hits in 112 at-bats. She laced 12 doubles, one home run, walked six times and struck out 12, had 28 RBI, and scored 16 runs. Bays was just as sterling with the glove, posting a fine .988 fielding percentage with 248 putouts, four assists and only three errors.
“Jessica was a four-year starter for us who was the leader of our offense and infield,” said coach Joe Woityra. “She had a great year for us and played her best at the end of the season.”
Infielders
KIRSTEN THOMPSON, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest: Although just a sophomore, Thompson was considered one of the top talents in Division 4, where she earned All-State First Team status. The shortstop batted an impressive .610 with 16 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 22 stolen bases, 17 walks against seven strikeouts, 11 sacrifices, 49 RBI, scored 50 times and had 61 total hits. In the field, she had 46 putouts and 59 assists and posted a .929 percentage. Also a candidate for MIAC Blue Division Player of the Year, Thompson was first-team all-league, all-district and all-region as well. She is already being heavily scouted by Division I and Division II colleges.
TAYLOR HASSELBACH, Clarkston: Named the 17th recipient of Miss Softball-Position Player, Hasselbach departs for the University of Michigan leaving a major dent on the record books at Clarkston, collecting several school records and leaving a mark on the entire Oakland Activities Association as one of the best players to ever come out of the league. Hasselbach’s numbers more than speak for themselves, as the sure-handed shortstop batted 113 times and posted a .593 average and 1.007 on-base percentage. She collected 49 RBI, scored 59 runs, had two sacrifices, 18 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs, 67 total hits, stole 21 bases and struck out only five times all year. Hasselbach, who played third base as a freshman and shortstop her final three years, posted a .921 fielding percentage, with 46 putouts, 55 assists and only eight errors. For her career, she collected school records for doubles (58), triples (23), home runs (35), hits (241) and RBI (241).
RACHEL JABLONSKI, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian: Although the Lancers struggled as a team, Jablonski was a first-team all-league and all-district player who excelled at the plate and in the field. Headed for Division I Gardner-Webb of the Big South Conference on a softball scholarship, Jablonski fielded at over a .900 clip from her shortstop position and batted .490 at the plate. Her sophomore year, the school did not have enough softball players, so Jablonski started at second base on the Lancers’ baseball team. She was a three-year starter for the softball program and one of the best players in school history who ranks high in multiple offensive and defensive categories.
“Everything went through Rachel. She’s a great talent,” said coach Ed Mehlberg. “She hits the ball well and she understands the game. Almost every play in the field, all of the cutoffs and relays, we tried to run through Rachel. If we had an experienced team with a lot of talent, then Rachel would have been first-team all-state. She was ranked among the top players in the county in the preseason.”
SARA DYKOWSKI, Troy: Another well-rounded player, Dykowski racked up All-State First Team honors in Division 1 after posting solid numbers in the field and at the plate. She posted a .981 fielding percentage from her second base position, making only two errors. She also hit .334 with a .435 on-base percentage with 11 RBI.
“Sara is honestly the best defensive second basemen I have coached,” said Calnen. “She plays the short game great and then can turn and go lay out to catch a fly ball Sara is one of the best overall players I have ever coached.”
EMILY BRYCE, Rochester Adams: The Highlanders’ junior third baseman racked up multiple post-season honors, including All-State Honorable Mention in Division 1 after a stellar campaign. Bryce started 25 games and played 162 innings at the hot corner. In 104 at bats, she clubbed 47 hits, six doubles, two triples, had six walks and only struck out five times, had 25 RBI, scored 31 runs, posted a .452 batting average, an .486 on-base percentage and a .548 slugging percentage from the No. 2 spot in the order. Bryce also compiled a .934 fielding percentage, allowing only five errors against 38 putouts and 33 assists.
Outfielders
TESSA TOMLIN, Lake Orion: A repeat offender on the Division 1 All-State First Team, Tomlin was as good as any outfielder in the state defensively and at the plate, as she routinely caused havoc against all competitors. Playing right field, Tomlin posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with 22 putouts and three assists. At the plate, she started 34 games, batted a fine .551 with a 586 on-base percentage and .644 slugging percentage. She picked up 65 hits in 118 bats, smacked seven doubles, four triples, one home run, stole 15 bases, struck out 12 times with nine walks, had 26 RBI and scored 39 runs.
“Tessa’s one of those type of outfielders that come around once every decade,” said Woityra. “She’s so fast, that she can bunt it or rip one and still beat out the throw. And that speed in the outfield allows her to track down everything. I am hoping that someone picks up on her. She’s good enough to play in college.”
MAGGIE IRVINE, Rochester: This sophomore stepped up her game up at notch to earn All-OAA White, All-District and All-Region honors. She batted .412 with a .654 slugging percentage. She also clubbed out 56 hits, 12 doubles, six triples, three home runs, had only 14 strikeouts and drove in 28 runs. In the field, the posted an .851 fielding percentage with 20 putouts and three assists against only four errors.
COLLEEN BURNS, Troy: Burns also played basketball, but it is on the softball diamond where the four-year starter really shined. She hit .349 with 15 RBI, stole 17 bases and had 15 sacrifices, but it was her defensive prowess that turned heads. She posted a 1.000 fielding percentage from her center field spot to earn All-State Honorable Mention accolades.
“Colleen is easily the best defensive outfielder I have ever seen. There was not a ball hit between left and right field that she could not get to. Colleen was extremely fast and played with reckless abandon.”
ELIZABETH ZEZULA, Clarkston: The junior center fielder chalked up All-OAA Red, All-District, All-Region and Division 1 All-State Honorable Mention honors after a fine year. Using great speed roaming the outfield or on the base paths, she batted 121 times, hit .421 with 40 runs, 28 RBI, seven sacrifices, five doubles, one triple, 51 hits, nine strikeouts, 36 stolen bases and a .515 on-base percentage. She also collected 14 putouts and three assists against one error for a .941 fielding percentage.
At-Large
CORINNE LUXTON, Oxford: This four-year starter helped Oxford crawl from the middle of the pack of the Flint Metro League to winning its first league title in school history as a senior. She finished the year with a 20-10 record to go along with a 1.69 ERA and 186 strikeouts in 207 innings of work. More importantly, the All-FML, All-District and All-Region honoree won 17 straight league games as her team went 17-1 in conference play. At the plate, she hit .297 from the cleanup spot.
ALEX BAHNER, Rochester Adams: A fine defensive catcher in her own right, Bahner was also a clutch power hitter from the clean-up spot in the Highlanders’ batting order.
The junior, who earned All-OAA White, All-District and All-Region honors, started 30 games behind the plate and had 186 innings calling pitches. At the plate, she hit .367 with a.477 on-base percentage in 90 at-bats, had 33 hits, nine doubles, a school record six home runs, walked 20 times, scored 26 runs and collected 22 RBI. She threw out seven runners, had a .955 fielding percentage, with 16 putouts, 26 assists, only two errors, and allowed only three passed balls.
Coach of the Year
TOM CALNEN, Troy: In his 16th season as head coach of the Colts, Calnen led his team to its 14th winning season in that span, but more importantly, over the state quarterfinals hump. Troy finished 33-7 and after three straight state quarterfinals losses, the Colts galloped into the state semifinals this season for the third time in school history. Troy, which had a senior-heavy roster, also won the tough OAA Red Division (11-3), district and regional titles. He is 401-198 in his tenure with the Colts.
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2010 ALL-AREA SOFTBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Pitchers
Jordan Wheatley Troy Senior
Katie Moy AH Avondale Senior
Catchers
Katie Dunn Troy Senior
Kelly Cartner Oxford Senior
First Baseman
Jessica Bays Lake Orion Senior
Infielders
Kirsten Thompson R.H. Lutheran NW Junior
Taylor Hasselbach Clarkston Senior
Rachel Jablonski A.H. Oakland Chr. Senior
Sara Dykowski Troy Senior
Emily Bryce Roch. Adams Junior
Outfielders
Tessa Tomlin Lake Orion Senior
Maggie Irvine Rochester Soph.
Colleen Burns Troy Senior
Elizabeth Zezula Clarkston Junior
At-Large
Alex Bahner Roch. Adams Junior
Corrine Luxton Oxford Senior
COACH OF THE YEAR
Tom Calnen Troy 16th Season
SECOND TEAM
Pitchers
Jessica Wilson Roch. Adams Senior
Bailee BraunreutherClarkston Senior
Catchers
Gracen Myers R.H. Lutheran NW Senior
Brianna Marzolf A.H. Avondale Soph.
First Baseman
Stephanie Smith R.H. Lutheran NW Soph.
Infielders
Devin Olmack Roch. Adams Senior
Megan Hastings Clarkston Soph.
Melissa Palmer Troy Athens Soph.
Chelsea Kessler Oxford Senior
Rachel Boreo Rochester Senior
Outfielders
Paige Hamay Lake Orion Junior
Cady Zimmerman A.H. Avondale Junior
Alyssa Hurtado Oxford Junior
At-Large
Sandra Rippon Lake Orion Senior
Carly Cribbs Rochester Junior
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Auburn Hills Avondale: Sammy Bolton, jr. INF; Sara Pink, jr. OF; Alyssa Stacherski, jr. SS; Lake Orion: Danielle Guldi, soph. 3B; Oxford: Cassie Edgemon, soph. 3B; Amanda Boyer, soph. 1B; Rochester: Jamie Trombetta, jr. 2B; Sarah Schedlbauer, fr. OF; Rochester Adams: Alexys Pacioni, soph. OF; Chloe Kauffman, jr. OF; Rochester Stoney Creek: Not available; Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest: Kacie Todd, sr. P; Troy: Lyndsey Mukomel, jr. 1B; Molly Bealin, sr. OF; Kamryn LaCarter, jr. SS; Troy Athens: Shannon Pomeroy, sr. 1B.
Last updated: Jul 14 2010 at 9:56 PM
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