photo by: Journal-World Sports Staff

The Journal-World All-Area Teams.

All-Area selections are made by the Journal-World sports staff.

• Coach of the Year: Bill Finucane, Eudora

Bill Finucane

Bill Finucane led the Eudora softball team to a 15-5 finish and a third-place title at the Class 4A state championship. Originally a volunteer recreation softball coach, Finucane led the Lady Cardinals to their first-ever state title and was named last year’s Kansas High School Softball Coach of the Year.

• Player of the Year: Leah Mueller, Free State

Leah Mueller

Leah Mueller, a senior, finished her high school career with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage on 40 chances during her last season as a Firebird. She ended the year batting .355 with a team-high seven home runs and 23 RBIs.

• Reese Pattison, Eudora

Reese Pattison

As a sophomore, Reese Pattison emerged as a key contributor for the Lady Cards behind the plate, batting .442 with 34 total hits and 27 RBIs. Described as a “team leader in every way” by Finucane, Pattison is a clear contender for team captain next season at Eudora.

• Lexi Born, Eudora

Another sophomore Cardinal worthy of praise, Lexi Born finished the season batting .436 with 34 hits, 14 doubles, three triples and 33 runs on the season. She closed out the year errorless in center field.

• Elsa Carrillo, Free State

Elsa Carrillo

Junior pitcher Elsa Carrillo led the Lady Firebirds through 107 total innings, stacking up 136 strikeouts in a single season. She held batters to just a .218 batting average during her time on the dirt.

• Alena Velilla, Free State

Alena Velilla

Alena Velilla held down third base all year long with a .922 fielding percentage. Free State head coach Charley Bowen described Velilla’s arm as a “cannon.” She led the Lady Firebirds with eight doubles batting .329 on the year.

• Emme Dye, Lawrence High

Emme Dye

A hard-hitting, defensive-minded shortstop, Emme Dye helped pave the way for a hot start during Mike Byrn’s first year as LHS’s head coach. The senior finished the year batting .452, tallying 12 RBIs, four home runs and a .907 fielding percentage.

• Hailey Ramirez, Lawrence High

Hailey Ramirez

Nearly lights out in center field (.935 fielding percentage), Hailey Ramirez was another senior leader on a Lady Lions team full of potential. Ramirez, finishing the year batting .368 with two home runs and 12 RBIs, provided key depth for LHS in a tough-as-nails Sunflower League.

• Karly Toot, Baldwin

Karly Toot (right)

A key piece at second base, Karly Toot finished the year with a .947 fielding percentage and batting .439 with 13 RBIs on 25 hits. A three-year starter, Toot ends her high school career as a “fierce competitor” in the eyes of Baldwin head coach Chad Scoby. Toot was selected First Team All-Frontier League infield.

• Trystan Buttram, Perry-Lecompton

Trystan Buttram

A third-year starter at third base, Trystan Buttram finished her junior campaign with a .982 fielding percentage and batted .452 with 33 hits, eight home runs and a team-high 29 RBIs. Buttram will be a key senior leader next season.

• Taylor Damme, Perry-Lecompton

Taylor Damme

Taylor Damme, making the jump from center field to shortstop in her third year, led the team with a .465 batting average, racking up 24 RBIs on 33 total hits. Damme will join Buttram and fellow junior Lexi Stansell as core returners next season for the Lady Kaws.

Honorable Mention: Aly Richardson (Free State); Megan Kohl (Free State); Taylor Zeckser (Lawrence); Harper Dye (Lawrence); Reese Dannevik (Lawrence); Sophie Rowley (Lawrence); Sam Claire (Eudora); Jaiden Burris (Eudora); Katie Courter (Eudora); Kenzie Yoder (Eudora): Rylee Griffin (Eudora); Allee Darnell (Baldwin): Lexi Stansell (Perry-Lecompton); Kade Hoffman (Perry-Lecompton).