Player of the Year

Sophie Taylor, Lawrence

Taylor couldn’t be stopped at the plate this season, posting one of the best batting averages in the Sunflower League (.580), with a team-best 29 runs scored, 40 hits, six triples and five home runs. The LHS junior shortstop led the Lions to their first regional win since 2011 and has committed to play at the University of Northern Colorado.

Coach of the Year

Chris Rose, Wellsville

Rose led the Eagles to their fourth straight Pioneer League title and their first Class 3A state tournament appearance since 2007. They finished with a 19-5 record, led by all-league selections Raegan Beckley, Hannah Pemberton, Ashley Sparks, Jordan Springfield and Rayne Wright.

The 2015 Journal-World All-Area softball team: top row, from left, Haidyn Bassett, Oskaloosa; Raegan Beckley, Wellsville; Morgan Byrn, Lawrence; Sierra Hall, Baldwin; player of the year Sophie Taylor, Lawrence; and second row, from left, Shannon Greene, McLouth; Audrey Miller, Tonganoxie; Jordan Stringfield, Wellsville; and coach of the year Chris Rose, Wellsville. Not pictured: Emily Bermel, Free State and Lexie Myers, Mill Valley.

First team

Haidyn Bassett, Oskaloosa

Bassett led the Bears to another Northeast Kansas League title with a .567 batting average, 38 hits, 39 RBIs and 29 runs scored. In the circle, she owned a 6-2 record, along with a 2.12 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched. The talented junior also tossed two no-hitters and hit .633 with runners in scoring position.

Raegan Beckley, Wellsville

The Allen County Community College signee led the Eagles in the pitching circle, posting a 12-3 record, 2.20 ERA, 86 strikeouts and two perfect games. The first-team All-Pioneer League selection set school career records in wins (36) and ERA (2.47). At the plate, she hit .509 with 37 hits, 28 RBIs and 22 runs scored.

Emily Bermel, Free State

The speedy center fielder has started every game for the Firebirds in the last three years and led FSHS to a 13-9 record this season. The Kansas University signee earned first-team All-Sunflower League honors for the third straight year and finished her career with 113 hits, 84 runs scored and a school-record .479 batting average.

Morgan Byrn, Lawrence

Byrn provided a lot of pop in the middle of the Lions’ lineup, batting .471 with four home runs and a team-high 32 RBIs, earning second-team all-state honors. The UMKC signee started all four years with the Lions and finished her career with a .480 batting average and 122 RBIs.

Sierra Hall, Baldwin

Hall led the Bulldogs to fourth place in the Class 4A-I state tournament with a team-best .473 batting average, 43 hits, 30 runs and 18 stolen bases. A strong outfielder who steals hits away, she added 15 RBIs this season and only struck out three times. She will play for Pittsburg State next year.

Shannon Greene, McLouth

A first-team all-state selection, Greene was dominant at the plate and in the pitcher’s circle. She led the Bulldogs to third place in the 2-1A state tournament with a 0.77 ERA, 112 strikeouts and 13-1 record. The MHS junior also hit .563 at the plate, with six home runs and 30 RBIs.

Audrey Miller, Tonganoxie

Miller led the Chieftains in most offensive categories, with a .500 batting average, 33 hits, 10 doubles, 26 RBIs, 22 runs scored and four home runs. The freshman catcher was also dominant behind the plate, tossing out seven of 18 base stealers to help THS to an 11-8 record.

Lexie Myers, Mill Valley

A first-team All-Kaw Valley League selection, Myers helped the Jaguars to a 14-6 record with a .556 batting average, 35 hits, 22 runs and 15 RBIs. The Washburn University signee also added 13 doubles, two homers and eight stolen bases this season.

Jordan Stringfield, Wellsville

Only a freshman, Stringfield set single-season school records with a .519 batting average and a 1.013 slugging percentage. The first-team all-state third baseman broke the school’s career record with eight home runs this year, and she added 40 hits, 39 runs and a team-best 36 RBIs.

Honorable mention

Kylie Cobb, Free State; Angela Dailey, McLouth; Tatum Knight, Ottawa; Megan Fast, Perry-Lecompton; Jordan Flakus, Eudora; Shea Mesik, Ottawa; Madison Miller, Oskaloosa; Peyton Moeder, Mill Valley; Bayleigh Nelson, Ottawa; Hannah Pemberton, Wellsville; Candace Roberts, Santa Fe Trail; Harleigh Robertson, Perry-Lecompton; Makenzie Sample, Tonganoxie; Sarah Salvini, De Soto; Kelsey Simmons, Santa Fe Trail; Emily Simpson, Baldwin; Jolona Shield, Lawrence; Ashley Sparks, Wellsville; Morgan Stonestreet, De Soto; Rayne Wright, Wellsville.