High School Softball: Six local players make all-state team

They proved they were the best of the best all season long.

Now, Lawrence County high school softball players are being recognized at the state level.

Six local girls were announced to the Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches All-State team.

In Class A, the Neshannock High’s Marissa DeMatteo, Alexandra Fischer, Rayanna Furst and Madison Shaffer all received first-team selections.

DeMatteo, a sophomore, provided extra-base potential every time she stepped to the plate, hitting .529 with seven doubles and eight triples. She also had a very good season defensively at second base.

Fischer turned it on toward the end of the Lady Lancers state playoff run, going 6 for 9 batting heading into the championship game. She finished her junior season with a .492 average with a team-high 11 doubles along with six triples.

Furst led the team with a .568 average. She scored 40 runs on the season, a county best, and added 24 RBIs. She will play softball for Division I Robert Morris University next season.

Shaffer, a sophomore, had a unforgettable season from the pitching circle, accumulating a record of 21-3 with 199 strikeouts. Neshannock, last year’s Class AA state champions, finished as the Class A runner-up this year.

The Class A player of the year was Tri-Valley’s Juli Weber.

In Class AA, the Lady Wildcats’ Kim Burdett was the lone local representative, earning a first-team nod. In her junior season, she crushed four home runs and drove in a county-high 43 RBIs. A first basemen, she led all Shenango batters with a .522 average.

The player of the year in Class AA was Ethel Santai from Pine Grove.

Ellwood City Lincoln’s Kara Sainato ended her high school career with an outstanding season in Class AAA and a second-team all-state selection. As the Lady Wolverines primary pitcher, she concluded her senior campaign with a 1.21 ERA and 62 strikeouts. Sainato also handled herself at the plate with a .511 average and 22 RBIs.

Gina Chieffallo from Valley View was the Class AAA player of the year. Alayna Astutuo of Canon-McMillan earned that distinction in Class AAAA.

The six Lawrence County players were nominated by the New Castle News.

CLASS AAAA

FIRST TEAM

PLAYER OF YEAR — Alayna Astutuo, Canon-McMillan.

Pitchers — Alexis Bower, Williamsport; Lauren Quense, Neshaminy; Valley; Marly Laubach, Northampton.

Catchers — Abby McCartney, Canon-McMillan; Julia Schoenewald, Central Bucks East.

First basemen — Caitlin Donahue, Wallenpaupack; Mariah Kondravy, Liberty.

Second basemen — Maria Trivelpiece, Hazelton Area; Rachael Mumma, Cumberland Valley.

Shortstops — Brittany Smith, Wilson; Jordan Seneca, Plum; Gloriann Plank, Conestoga Valley

Third basemen — Kayla Glossner, Central Mountain; Christina Basara, Pennsbury

Outfielders — Sarah Dowd, Owen J. Roberrts; Cassidy Godber, Warwick; Hallie Bilker, Central Bucks South; Jill Arnoso, Cumberland Valley; Allie Chase, Central Bucks East; Haley Norton, Spring Grove.

DP/DH — Paige DeCrew, Pennridge;; Jessie Beiter, McKeesport Area.

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers — Rachel Demko, Hazelton Area; Nicole Allen, Conestoga Valley; Nicole Casagrand, Hatboro-Horsham; Kayla Sullenberger, Cumberland.

Catchers — Sami Hartman, Dallastown; Tara Carone, McDowell

First Basemen — Kayla Merrima, Dallastown; Heather Lutz, Hatboro-Horsham; Shelby Noel, Greater Latrobe.

Second basemen — Jess Greenwald, Pennsbury; Morgan Alisauckas, Pottsville Area.

Shortstops — Hanna Edwards, Cumberland Valley; Sara Croft, New Oxford; Amanda Jones, Dallastown; Alyshia Dellatore, Liberty.

Third basemen — Julia McGovern, Neshaminy; Kelsey Wisner, Central York.

Outfielders — Shannon Weaver, Wilson; Taylor Brooks, Williamsport Area; Sam Garritano, Owen J. Roberts; Alexa Taylor, Red Lion; Sierra McKee, DuBois.

DP/DH —Taylor Rohbaugh, Central York; Shannon Clemens, Owen J. Roberts.

HONORABLE MENTION

Amanda Homighausen, Central Dauphin; Olivia Gumbita, Greater Latrobe; Lauren Lichtenwalner, Hempfield; Bekah Slattery, Daniel Boone; Jackie Bilotti, North Penn; Mikala Pomerici, Penn Manor; Bonnie Pierson, North Alleghany; Melissa LeClair, Plum; Ally Dzwis, Central York; Dani Aikins, York Tech; Cheyenne Fulcher, York Tech; Jessieca Strouse, Central Mountain;  Mikayla Bower, Williamsport Area; Caroline Schoenwald, Kayla Caruso, Central York; Michelle Holweger ,North Penn; Lacy Smith, Manheim: Lexi Kehl, Pottsgrove: Ashley Smith, Central; Township;  Reilly Gearhart, Manheim Township; Olivia Larusso, Canon-McMillan; Brittany Koch, Central Mountain; Jordan Miller, Central York; Katie Foran, Central Dauphin; Abigail Ebright, Central Dauphin East;  Katie Shultz, Red Lion; Taylor Boyer, Mifflin County; Kelsey Collins, Dallastown; Amanda Kulp, Methacton; Gabby Tareilla, Spring-Ford; Ashley Smith, Central; Cheyenne McKee, DuBoisKatie Civitello, Methacton.

CLASS AAA

FIRST TEAM

PLAYER OF YEAR — Gina Chieffallo, Valley View.

Pitchers — Jayne Oberdorf, Greensburg Salem; Amanda Krolczyk, Fort LeBoeuf; Sophia Leaman, Donegal.

Catchers — Madi Emenheiser, Donegal; Anna McElroy, Valley View.

First basemen — Jolene Young, Fort LeBoeuf;  SaraStauffer, Mifflinburg.

Second basemen — Kailin Ishman, Warren; Christin Dunkling, Athens.

Shortstops — Stacey Capp, Montour; Aerika High, Manheim Central; Blaise Cholish, Valley View.

Third basemen — Paige Stuppy, Northern Lebanon; Holly Peacock, Jersey Shore.

Outfielders — Zina Knight, Danville; Claire Sebastianelli, Valley View; Kayla Allen, Jersey Shore; Courtney Keefer, Northern York.

DP/DH – Tara Klee, Hamburg Area; Joelle Morey, Bethlemhem Catholic.

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers — Alexa Bupp, Warren; Sam Lichtner, Twin Valley; Alli Lloyd, Mifflinburg.

Catchers — Vanessa Cooper, Bellefonte; Mackenna Miller, Milton.

First basemen — Sara Braungard, Lampeter-Strasburg; Rachel Clippinger, Manheim Central.

Second basemen — Hayley Bollinger, Donegal; Kayla Michael, West York.

Shortstops — Lauren Reichard, Eastern York; Step Gainer, Donegal; Arastina Barry, Saucon Valley; Hannah Mercer, Hollidaysburg.

Third basemen — Jackie Faircloth, Bermudian Springs; Mariah Miller, Eastern York.

Outfielders — Mary Ward, Greencastle-Antrim; Cheyenne Hassler, ELCO; Meghan Loughery, Phoenixville.

DP/DH — Kara Sainato, Ellwood City; Halle Marion, Middletown.

HONORABLE MENTION

Brittany Wagner, Big Springs; Julie D’Arrigo, Kennard-Dale; Shannon Baker, Corry; Sara Diggers, Kennard-Dale; Melissa Albe, Palisade; Kelsey Crabb, Mifflinburg;  Avery Lorson, Jersey Shore; Erica DeVinney, Bellefonte: Helena Supsic, Shamokin; Brittany Wagner, Big Springs; Janel Tracy, Palmerton; Allania Banta, Fort LeBoeuf; Rebecca Caputo, Jersey Shore; Sophie Hankee, Northern Leghigh; Megan Loughery, Phoenixville; Lisa Kehl, Pottsgrove; Ashley Lechner, Lampeter-Strasburg.

CLASS AA

FIRST TEAM

PLAYER OF YEAR — Ethel Santai, Pine Grove.

Pitchers — Raven Rozantz, Fairview; Taylor Parker, Warrior Run; Kristen Wilson, Riverside.

Catchers — Amanda Danneker, Loyalsock; Haley Hirn, Annville-Cleona.

First basemen – Jackie Clemens, Warrior Run; Kim Burdett, Shenango.

Second basemen — Ashleigh Bair, Loyalsock; Lauren Leppo, Holy Cross.

Shortstops — Maddie Grimm, Ligonier Valley; Kayla Kupniewski, Fairview; Megan Hartwell, Bishop McDevitt.

Third basemen — Deanna Laughman, Delone Catholic; Ashley Smith, Central.

Outfielders — Samantha Bertasavage, Pine Grove; Stephanie Deaner, Chestnut Ridge; Emily Nagle, Bellwood-Antis; Vanessa Hoffman, Susquenita; Darian Brenner, Annville-Cleona; Hannah Edwards, Catasaugua.

DP/DH — Kalie Rzodkiewicz, Harbor Creek; Taylor McKnight, Central.

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers — Kayla Briggs, Chartiers-Houston; Cassie Rickrode, Delone Catholic; Kate Burge, Philipsburg-Osceola.

Catchers — Carly Gonder, Philipsburg-Osceola; Kelly Bridgham, Troy.

First basemen — Allison Czap, Loyalsock; Maggie Smith, Wellsboro; Mackenzie Burge, Philipsburg-Osceola.

Second basemen — Ally DeVoir, Wyalusing.

Shortstops — Abby Showers, Philipsburg-Osceola; Shelbee Holcomb, Delone Catholic; Koryn Wickwire, Towanda; Shannon Stricker, Conwell-Egan.

Third basemen — Carly Swisher, Central Columbia; Liza Feagley, Mount Union.

Outfielders — Emily Long, Lourdes; Haley Frank, Philipsburg-Osceola; Megan Bainey, Philipsburg-Osceola; Katy Swartz, Warrior Run.

DP/DH — Carrie Fix, York Catholic; Kelly Yusko, Penn Cambria.

HONORABLE MENTION

Mallory Tomaschik, Southern Columbia; Megan Olsen, Brandywine Heights; Taylor Payne, Bellwood-Antis; Erika Makie, Holy Cross; Amanda Houck, Pequea Valley; Char Rosini, Lourdes; Amanda Knaub, Trinity; Brianna Mort, Huntingdon; Megan Dudish, Bald Eagle Area; Amy Clark, Titusville; Tara Gorman, Notre Dame; Jordan Dardas, Catasauqua; Taylor McKnight, Central.

CLASS A

FIRST TEAM

PLAYER OF YEAR — Juli Weber, Tri-Valley.

Pitchers — Kiersten Coho, Claysburg-Kimmel; Chelsie Souto, NE Bradford. Cassidy Pinchorski, Williams Valley; Madison Shaffer, Neshannock.

Catchers — Sarah March, South Williamsport; Rachel DiBartolomeo, Saegertown.

Infielders — Alexandra Fischer, Neshannock; Kalynn Wheeland, South Williamsport; Hannah Nestor, Williams Valley; Reighly Melochick, Minersville; Kayla Snyder; Millersburg; Kara Leonard, Southern Huntingdon; Michele Smith, Bloomsburg; Marissa DeMatteo, Neshannock.

Outfielders — Sarah Walasavage, Minersville; Maddy Johnson, NE Bradford; Chelsea Konyar, Halifax; Rachel Floyd, South Williamsport; Rayanna Furst, Neshannock; Rayanne Hawk, Williams Valley.

DP/DH — Arianna Hanley, Saegertown; Jessica Ringler, HOPE.

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers — Amber Bingamen, Upper Dauphin; Joanna Ragen, Iroquois; Mary Wallick, Bristol.

Catchers — Morgan Cox, Halifax; Karly Willison, HOPE (Hyndman Charter)

Infielders  — Calla Johnson, NE Bradford; Kaylie Harer, Montgomery; Caitlin Dauberman, Muncy; Kylie Doyle, Williams Valley; Tori Tansley, Old Forge; Tara Gorman, Notre Dame.

Outfielders — Rachel Hite, Montgomery; Kala Brumbaugh, Claysburg-Kimmel; Emily McCabe, Portage; Faith Carson, Notre Dame.

DP/DH — Makaylah Holbert, NE Bradford; McKenzie Popatak, Sharpsville.

HONORABLE MENTION

Marlo Roadcap, Millersburg; Amanda Kustanbauter, Muncy; Rachel Danneker, Saint John Neuman Regional; Crystal Good, Muncy; McKenna Garlock, Southern Huntingdon; Amy Heggenstaller, Greenwood.