VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: ATHENS' SULLIVAN HEADLINES ALL-VALLEY SOFTBALL TEAM AS 'PLAYER OF YEAR;' WAVERLY'S ENNIS, ROBINSON, TIOGA'S WESSELS, THETGA, AND ATHENS' FARRELL ALSO EARN TOP HONORS (2021-08-12)
Valley Sports ReportTHE VALLEY "” A tremendous all-around player,
Athens senior Harley Sullivan is the 2020-21
Valley Sports Report Softball "Player of the Year."
Waverly junior Aubrey Ennis is the "Offensive Player of the Year," while
Tioga senior Kindra Wessels is the "Pitcher of the Year,"
Tioga sophomore Mykenzie Thetga is the "Newcomer of the Year,"
Waverly freshman Olivia Robinson is "Rookie of the Year," and
Athens coach Mickey Farrell is "Coach of the Year."
Sullivan, who is also the 2020-21 "Defensive Player of the Year," hit .569 (37 hits in 65 at-bats) with 10 doubles, two triples, three home run, 21 RBI, 39 runs scored, and three stolen bases.
Sullivan also drew 23 walks and had a .682 on-base percentage, to go along with a .923 slugging percentage, and an impressive 1.605 OPS.
A virtual brick wall at the dish, Sullivan allowed only a handful of passed balls this season, and used a strong arm to slow down the opposition's run game.
A powerhouse at the plate, Ennis led the Lady Wolverines in nearly every category at the plate. She hit a team-leading .475, and led the team with 29 hits (61 at-bats), seven doubles, five home runs, 24 RBI, an .836 on-base percentage, and a 1.385 OPS. She also scored 18 runs and stole two bases.
Wessels led the Lady Tigers in the pitcher's circle, and at the plate.
In the circle, Wessels was 9-4 with a 2.98 ERA. She struck out 116 and walked 24 in 94 innings. Opposing batters hit .234 against her.
Wessels hit a team-high .583, and led the team with 35 hits (in 60 ABs), eight doubles, four home runs, 12 stolen bases, and 32 runs scored. She was second the team with three triples, and 29 RBI. She had a 1,017 slugging percentage, and a 1,649 OPS.
A top-notch defensive catcher with a strong arm, Thetga hit .532 (33 hits in 62 ABs), and led the team with four triples and 34 RBI. She also had six doubles, two home runs, nine runs scored, seven stolen bases, and six walks for an on-base percentage of .586, to go along with an .855 slugging percentage and an OPS of 1.441.
Fast hands and a quick bat, Robinson hit line drives for the Lady Wolverines from Day 1 of her varsity season. She was second on the with a .379 average (22 hits in 58 ABs), with three doubles, one triple, eight RBI, two stolen bases, and 19 runs scored. She also walked seven times, was hit by pitches six times, and had a .493 on-base percentage.
(NOTE: Newcomer is defined as first-year varsity player who would likely have played in 2020. Rookie is a player who would not have played varsity in 2020.)
Farrell guided the Lady Wildcats to a 15-6 record, and a return trip to the District 4, Class 4A playoffs. He was a two-year career record of 29-11 at Athens.
2020-21 All-Valley Softball team:
C - Harley Sullivan, senior, Athens: See above.
1B - Audrey Hatch, senior, Athens: A versatile defender, Hatch hit .465 (40 hits in 86 ABs) with four doubles, three home runs, 16 RBI, 39 runs scored and seven stolen bases.
She had a .477 on-base percentage and a .616 slugging percentage for a 1.093 OPS.
2B - Aliyah Butler, sophomore, Athens: Butler, who played both middle infield spots and third base with equal aplomb, hit .391 (27 hits in 69 ABs) with five doubles, 15 RBI, 12 runs scored, and one stolen base.
SS - Caydence Macik, junior, Athens: A tremendous all-around athlete with a powerful swing, Macik hit .500 (27 hits in 54 ABs) with five doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 33 RBI, 27 runs scored and two stolen bases.
She also drew 11 walks for a .585 on-base percentage, to go along with a 1.018 slugging percentage, and a 1.603 OPS.
3B - Abby Foley, junior, Tioga: A good defender at the hot corner, Foley hit .462 (30 hits in 65 at-bats), with one double, nine RBI, five stolen bases, and 27 runs scored.
OF - Austyn Vance, junior, Tioga: good glove in the outfield, Vance hit .471 (24 hits in 51 ABs) with four doubles, two triples, two home runs, 17 RBI, and 24 runs scored. She walked seven times and had a .550 on-base percentage, to go along with a 1.295 OPS.
OF - Olivia Robinson, freshman, Waverly: See above.
OF "” Alissa Hine, sophomore, Tioga: Hine had an outstanding season at the plate in her first year on varsity. She hit .464 (26 hits in 56 ABs) with seven doubles, two triples, 19 RBI, 15 runs scored, and three stolen bases.
Hine had a slugging percentage of .661, and a 1.152 OPS.
UT - Olivia Ayres, senior, Tioga: A good glove and smart player at shortstop, Ayres hit .455 (30 hits in 66 ABs) with one double, eight RBI, nine stolen bases, and 24 RBI. She waked seven times and had a .507 on-base percentage.
DH - Aubrey Ennis, junior, Waverly: See above.
P - Kindra Wessels, senior, Tioga: See above.
P - Hali Jenner, senior, Waverly: Despite a lingering foot injury, Jenner posted a 4-3 record with a 3.11 ERA. She fanned 71 and walked 30 in 90 innings pitched.
At the plate, Jenner hit .273 (15 hits in 55 ABs), but walked 13 times for a .420 on-base percentage. She had three doubles, one home run, 14 RBI and 10 runs scored.
