Sports in Kansas has released its 2019 All-State Softball Team. Selections were finalized by Chet Kuplen of Sports in Kansas with input from several media members in Kansas, this is not the coaches association team or just its members. Teams were also selected after the conclusion of the season. While the selection process is never perfect we encourage cooperation throughout the season with info/stats sent into Sports in Kansas at sportsinkansas@gmail.com.
2019 Sports in Kansas 4A Softball Player of the Year
Gracie Johnston, Augusta, Senior
A Missouri State signee and the first Division I softball player in Augusta’s powerhouse program, Johnston again delivered a special season en route to the Class 4A state title. At state, Johnston worked every inning with 41 strikeouts in 21 innings. A two-time all-state player, Johnston went 17-1 with 199 strikeouts in 106 innings with a 0.79 earned-run average and seven shutouts. She had one perfect game en route to league MVP honors. Johnston In 2018, Johnston helped Augusta to a 19-2 season and also collected conference MVP with four shutouts in 10 starts.
Johnston’s sister, Sophie, was a standout junior catcher and carried a .486 average with just one error, and Bailey Pennycuff batted .565 with zero errors. Strong consideration for player of the year also went to Andale-Garden Plain outfielder Macie Eck, the team’s only senior and Notre Dame signee. Eck enjoyed another great season with her third all-state selection with a .506 average and 42 RBIs.
--
2019 Sports in Kansas 4A Coach of the Year
Jamie VanDever, Augusta
Second-year head coach Jamie VanDever, a former Augusta assistant, led the Orioles to the 4A state title. As expected, Augusta and Andale-Garden Plain were the top-two teams in Class 4A. The squads had split their regular season meetings and hadn’t suffered any other defeats entering the state tournament. A-GP was the No. 1 seed, while Augusta was second.
The Orioles defeated a solid Anderson County squad, 1-0, in the first round and held off Clay Center/Wakefield, 6-0, in the semifinals. In the championship, Augusta completed a 24-1 season with a 5-2 win versus A-GP, which finished 23-2. The Orioles have captured titles in 2000, ’14 and ’15. Augusta had great pitching from Gracie Johnston and airtight defense from standouts Sophie Johnston and Bailey Pennycuff. Last year, Augusta lost just twice, including in the regional championship, before coming back to win the title this year.
--
IF YOU MADE THIS LIST BELOW ORDER YOUR SPORTS IN KANSAS ALL-STATE SOFTBALL PATCH - FIRST OR SECOND TEAM, OR HONORABLE MENTION ASAP BY EMAILING Chet Kuplen of Sports in Kansas, at: sportsinkansas@gmail.com
2019 Sports in Kansas 4A All-State Softball
First Team - Order patch by email ASAP: sportsinkansas@gmail.com
P- Rachel Choate – Andale Garden Plain
P – Clara Edwards – Clay Center
P – Gracie Johnston – Augusta
C – Abby Gordon – Andale Garden Plain
C – Sophie Johnson – Augusta
IF- Allie Ebencamp – Augusta
IF - Kourtney Divine – Augusta
IF – Grace Banes – KC Piper
IF- Brooke McCorkle – Wellington
IF- Kyla Eck – Andale Garden Plain
IF – Sierra Smith – Eudora
IF – Madalynn Wilson – Pratt
OF – Macie Eck – Andale Garden Plain
OF- Audrey Flowers – Baldwin
OF - Bailey Pennycuff – Augusta
OF – Briona Woods – Clearwater
Util – Erin Jackson Pratt
Sports in Kansas Second Team All-State Order patch by email ASAP: sportsinkansas@gmail.com
P – Alison Brown – Anderson County
P – Kyla Etter – Eudora
P – Aleigha Gale – Winfield
P- Breanna Droge – Hayden
P- Sydney Adler – Rose Hill
C – Justin Kennington – Ottawa
IF – Lauren Pappert – Eudora
IF – Addison Oberley – Fort Scott
IF – Carly Struke – Hayden
IF- Marti Mertz – Augusta
IF- Jadyn Jackson – Augusta
IF – Lindsey – Toot – Baldwin
OF – Jenna Fincham – Pratt
OF – Choloe Middleton – Clearwater
OF – Harper Schreiner – Eudora
OF – Brenn Shyrock – Tonganoxie
Util – Cali Folz – Anderson County
Sports in Kansas All-State Honorable Mention Order patch by email ASAP: sportsinkansas@gmail.com
Breanna Dodge – Hayden, Carly Struke – Hayden, Sydney Hillmer – Hayden, Emma Martin – Piper, Lauren Pappert – Piper, Emma Short – Independence, Morgan Mavers – Independence, Taylor Howland – Independence, Sydney Rinck – Independence, Kenady Poyner – Fort Scott, Mia Bryant – Fort Scott, Taylor Thompson – Chanute, Rachel Jackett – Chanute, Keeley Daniels – Chanute, Aubrey Weatherbie – Paola, Hannah Menefee – Paola, Megan Kennedy – Eudora, Audrey Flowers – Baldwin, , Alexis Chapman – Paola, Megan Kennedy – Eudora, Molly Rison – Louisburg, Karson Griggs – Louisburg, Aubrey Weatherbie – Paola, Sam Reynolds – Tonganoxie, Alli Kerns – Ottawa, Sam Reynolds – Tonganoxie, Erin Gallagher – Tonganoxie, Rian Gere – Baldwin, Justine Kennington – Ottawa, Hunter Dreifort – Circle, Mirah Gillmartin – Circle, Cheyenee Collins – Circle, Taylor Bruce – McPherson, Aleigha Gale – Winfield, Lexee Hughey – El Dorado, Ali Tate – Winfield, Annalise Young – El Dorado, Reagan Strecker – Circle Jamison McCaig – Eldorado, Morgan Pennycuff – Augusta, Arianna Potter – McPherson, Tessa Irwin – Winfield, Shyanna Fromm – Winfield, Taylor Casebeer – McPherson, Cheyenne Phlman – Augusta, Rylee Rusk – Wellington, Anna Berblinger – Andale Garden Plain, Madison Grimes – Andale Garden Plain, Kaydran Russell – Mulvane, Ahston Winter – Andale Garden Plain, Morgan Bruna – Andale Garden Plain, Makeznzie Hazlett – Clearwater, Rylie Baker – Rose Hill, Kylee Dunn – Rose Hill, Jaden Chicandoz – Rose Hill, Macie McCray Clearwater, Alyssa Mude- Andale Garden Plain, Chloe Middleton – Clearwater, Kaitly Hain – Wellington, Lexie Clift – Wellington, Kami Theis – Pratt, Erin Jackson – Pratt, Brianna Cruz – Pratt, Madison Servaes – Atchison, Sydney Hefty – Wamego, Torre Hoobler – Wamego
