High School Sports

McFarland, McKay and Pettit Captain 17th Annual All-Valley Softball Team

Lauren McFarland, Captain

Utility, Martins Ferry

Numbers are great but Lauren McFarland delivered memorable moments all season long for the OVAC 3A champion Purple Riders. She was also tabbed as the OVAC 3A Player of the Year, while earning second team all-state, first team All-Eastern District and All-Buckeye 8 honors. McFarland was 10-3 with a 3.19 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 81 innings and at the plate, she hit .452 with 42 hits, five doubles, a home run, 31 RBI and 18 runs.

Maddie McKay, Captain

Pitcher, Oak Glen

Every time Maddie McKay stepped on the diamond it was must-see softball. The junior standout threw a perfect game, tossed three no-hitters and went 16-0 with 176 strikeouts to help Oak Glen go 23-0 in the regular season and capture the OVAC 4A title, while batting .429.

McKay's dominance earned her first team all-state and OVAC 4A Player of the Year. The junior continued to shine in the postseason, where she led the Golden Bears to the state championship game.

Kadence Pettit, Captain

Utility, John Marshall

In only her sophomore year, Kadence Pettit produced veteran-like performances game-in and game-out. She was a go-to pitcher for the state-bound Monarchs with 120 strikeouts and a 2.05 ERA in 75 innings.

Pettit was also clutch at the dish with a .545 average, 10 home runs and 32 RBI, which helped her garner first team all-state honors.

Jayden Lowe Pitcher, Bellaire

Opposing bats went silent when Jayden Lowe stepped into the circle. The senior leader struck out 110 batters this spring with an ERA of 3.01 and a record of 10-7. Along with her outstanding strikeout pitches, Lowe was a threat with the bat, too. She hit at a .311 clip with two home runs, 17 RBI and 11 steals.

Maleaha Misch Pitcher, Brooke

Good luck stepping up to bat against Maleaha Misch. This senior fanned 136 hitters in 123 innings this spring. Misch owned a record of 11-6 and an ERA of 2.33. When she wasn't striking out the opposition, Misch was playing shortstop. At the plate, she recorded a .293 average with 11 RBI.

Kyla Tharp

Pitcher

Wheeling Park

Leader of the Park -- Kyla Tharp was that and so much more for coach Pat Durkin's Patriots over the last four years. Tharp turned in a .321 batting average on 27 hits and drove home 16 runs to wrap up an outstanding prep athletic career.

Sarah Brown, Catcher, Oak Glen

Every pitcher needs a reliable catcher. Sarah Brown was that and more this year for the Golden Bears. She hit at a .538 clip and behind the dish, Brown only allowed five stolen bases in 140 innings.

The sophomore also only surrendered three passed balls, giving her a .996 fielding percentage as she helped guide the Bears to the state title game and an OVAC 4A championship.

Dekotah Namack Catcher

St. Clairsville

It's always a coach's dream to have a solid defensive catcher but when a catcher can hit like Dekotah Namack, that's just icing on the cake. The junior backstop produced seven home runs and 23 RBI, while recording an on-base percentage of .506 this spring.

Madison Angus Infielder

Weir

Madison Angus put together a season to be proud of. The junior raked at a .500 clip with 53 hits, five home runs, 11 doubles, 30 RBI and scored 18 runs.

She was also brilliant in the circle, turning in 81 strikeouts in 110.3 innings, while finishing with a 12-6 record and a 2.41 ERA.

Jairika Baylor Infielder

Wheeling Central

Another outstanding season by an outstanding player. Jairika Baylor once again took home first team all-state honors after hitting .527 with 29 hits, 30 RBI, nine home runs, five doubles, three triples and 26 runs scored.

She also has great defensive skills at shortstop.

Landry Bone

Infielder

Madonna

The first sectional title in recent memory for Madonna was in large part due to the talent of Landry Bone. The sophomore first baseman/pitcher hit .508 with 28 RBI, six home runs, eight doubles and one triple.

Danielle Lude

Infielder

Martins Ferry

Wait, she's a freshman? She didn't play like it this year as Danielle Lude turned in an average of .438 with a team-high 46 hits and 42 RBI. The shortstop also supplied 12 doubles, four home runs, two triples and crossed the plate 41 times.

Casey Kildow

Outfielder

Union Local

Every time you see a box score of any sport at Union Local, Casey Kildow's name was sure to show up. Softball was no different as she hit .485 with an on-base percentage of .500 and a slugging percentage of .574. The senior center fielder amassed 33 hits, 26 runs and 30 stolen bases.

Harley Nalley

Outfielder

Beallsville

A magician with the bat and the glove, Harley Nalley hit .514 with 46 hits, 31 RBI, three home runs, 10 doubles, four triples and 35 runs. Oh, and she also committed just one error in 39 chances.

Britton Positano

Outfielder

Harrison Central

It was a season to remember for Britton Positano, who seemed to catch up to anything hit near her at her center field position.

She also hit at a .477 clip with 41 hits, five doubles, three homers and 31 RBI for the Huskies.

Kylie Jo Baker

Utility

Shadyside

Four years go by so quickly when you're hitting .521. Kylie Jo Baker wrapped up her excellent prep career with 45 hits, 31 RBI, 16 doubles, four triples, three home runs and 25 stolen bases en route to earning all-state honorable mention status.

Keira Gregor

Utility

Union Local

Where can you find a power hitter who can hit for average and is also the ace of the pitching staff? Morristown, Ohio. Keira Gregor belted four home runs, hit .506 with a .506 OBP and a .797 slugging percentage to go with 40 hits, 11 doubles and 45 RBI.

Katie Lively

Utility, River

An all-state honorable mention, Katie Lively contributed in every aspect of the game. She went 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA in the circle and delivered 34 hits, three home runs and a .486 average at the plate. She was also first team All-Eastern District in Division IV.

Karena Recrosio Utility

Linsly

A recruit of Niagara University, Karena Recrosio gave her future school something to be excited about. The senior catcher hit .619 with 39 hits, three home runs, 22 extra base hits, 31 RBI and 25 runs.

Tessa Wise

Utility

John Marshall

Another crucial piece to John Marshall's state-bound squad -- Tessa Wise was a top-notch pitcher with 51 strikeouts and a 2.21 ERA in 41 frames, while carrying a .478 average with 33 hits, 19 RBI and a homer.

First Team

P -- Jayden Lowe, Bellaire

P -- Maddie McKay, Oak Glen (Captain)

P -- Maleaha Misch, Brooke

P -- Kyla Tharp, Wheeling Park

C -- Sarah Brown, Oak Glen

C -- Dekotah Namack, St. Clairsville

Inf -- Madison Angus, Weir

Inf -- Jairika Baylor, Wheeling Central

Inf -- Landry Bone, Madonna

Inf -- Danielle Lude, Martins Ferry

OF -- Casey Kildow, Union Local

OF -- Harley Nalley, Beallsville

OF -- Britton Positano, Harrison Central

UTIL -- Kylie Jo Baker, Shadyside

UTIL -- Keira Gregor, Union Local

UTIL -- Katie Lively, River

UTIL -- Lauren McFarland, Martins Ferry (Captain)

UTIL -- Kadence Pettit, John Marshall (Captain)

UTIL -- Karena Recrosio, Linsly

UTIL --Tessa Wise, John Marshall

Second Team

P -- Madalena Daugherty, Madonna

P -- Jenna Jaskowiak, St. Clairsville

P -- Juliana King, Steubenville

P --Mallory Rosnick, Weir

C -- Margaret Hartzell, Wheeling Central

C -- Katie Rufener, River

Inf -- Haidyn Bland, Magnolia

Inf -- Maddy Butler, Harrison Central

Inf -- Maria Clark, Martins Ferry

Inf -- Kalista Friday, Monroe Central

Inf -- Dori Kins, John Marshall

Inf -- Hunter Pollock, Martins Ferry

Inf -- Angelia Recrosio, Linsly

Inf -- Abby Salisbury, St. Clairsville

Inf -- Shyanna White, Magnolia

OF -- Carley Jo Penner, Indian Creek

OF -- Liz Roderick, Monroe Central

UTIL -- Lizzie Kell, Oak Glen

UTIL -- Rylee Magnani, Union Local

UTIL -- Emma Whipkey, Cameron