photo by: Journal-World Sports Staff

The Journal-World All-Area Teams.

Bill Finucane

Coach of the Year: Bill Finucane, Eudora

Finucane is the All-Area coach of the year for the fourth straight season. This time around, he led the Cardinals to a 22-4 record even before the start of the 4A state tournament, and then their second consecutive third-place finish.

Sam Claire

Reese Pattison

Co-Players of the Year: Sam Claire and Reese Pattison, Eudora

Claire and Pattison were two of the central figures in the Cardinals’ run, and two of their four first-team all-state selections (all juniors) along with Lexi Born and Jaiden Burris. Claire was a two-way threat with a 14-4 record and 2.25 ERA in the circle to go along with a .467 batting average, while Pattison hit for power from her catcher spot, tallying a 1.567 OPS with 13 home runs and 50 RBIs.

Kaitlin Base

Kaitlin Base, Baldwin

The junior catcher, whom head coach Chad Scoby called a “team player who leads by example,” led the Bulldogs in every offensive category while striking out just twice. She batted .435 with a 1.182 OPS.

Lexi Born

Lexi Born, Eudora

The Cardinals’ center fielder hit .444 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs, and was a threat on the base paths with 24 steals on the season.

Jaiden Burris

Jaiden Burris, Eudora

Burris, another junior, was one of Eudora’s top hitters with her .515 average and 1.511 OPS.

Elsa Carrillo

Elsa Carrillo, Free State

Carrillo, a senior, tossed 126 2/3 innings with 173 strikeouts and a 1.99 ERA as the Firebirds’ reliable top pitcher during their run to the 6A state tournament.

Macie Corcoran

Macie Corcoran, Perry-Lecompton

As one of the area’s top freshmen, Corcoran earned a first-team all-league nod in her first high school season. She batted .479 with 31 RBIs. Head coach Erin Damme wrote, “I am sure there will be many more awards coming in her future.”

Maddy Crawford

Maddy Crawford, Lawrence

Crawford, the junior third baseman was the lone Chesty Lion to receive all-league recognition. She hit .341 and slugged .541.

Taylor Damme

Taylor Damme, Perry-Lecompton

A multi-sport athlete who will play volleyball at Arkansas-Fort Smith, next year, Damme was the senior leader of the Kaws’ hard-swinging offense. The center fielder hit .615 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs. Across her four seasons with the team, she hit 39 home runs in all.

Sage Isaacs

Sage Isaacs, Tonganoxie

The senior pitcher struck out 132 batters while walking just 27 on her way to a 2.39 ERA and a second-team all-league selection.

Megan Kohl

Megan Kohl, Free State

A second-team all-Sunflower League infielder, Free State’s senior first baseman had a fielding percentage of .966 in 146 chances while hitting .451 with 15 doubles and three home runs.

Honorable Mention: Trystan Buttram (Perry-Lecompton); Abbigail Clarkson (Tonganoxie); Katie Courter (Eudora); Harper Dye (Lawrence); Lydia Folks (Lawrence); Abry Hill (Free State); Keira Norris (Lawrence); Olivia O’Toole (Eudora); Jordyn Vorbeck (Tonganoxie); Kenzie Yoder (Eudora).