Murray boasts seven on all-conference team

The Bluegrass Conference released its all-conference selections for softball for the summer 2017 season.

Murray had seven players selected to the all-conference team, with six making the first team.

Kayla Wookey was one of two unanimous selections to the all-conference team, with Riley Jewett of Seymour, the state’s second leading overall hitter with a .591 batting average, was the second.

Wookey and fellow sophomore teammate Bre Klein garnered first-team honors. The duo tied for the conferene lead in home runs with six apiece.

Klein’s 22 walks and Wookey’s 21 walks were first and second in the Bluegrass respectively, showing the caution with which opposing pitchers approached throwing to the two.

Klein’s .489 batting average, .859 slugging percentage and 38 RBIs were all second in the Bluegrass. Wookey’s 40 RBIs were tops.

Brandi Gilbert’s 37 RBIs were third in the conference, and third on the Mustangs. She posted 21 extra base hits, including four home runs.

Gilbert was the everyday catcher for the Bluegrass’ most consistent pitching staff. Gilbert made just four errors and owned a .987 fielding percentage this season.

In the circle, Wookey’s 16 wins tied Melcher-Dallas’ Emilie Krpan for the league lead. Wookey was also second to Krpan with 181 strikeouts, but had eight fewer in 34 fewer innnings.

Wookey’s 1.49 ERA was best in the conference, and Klein’s 2.54 ERA was second best, as she also added 12 wins.

Right fielder Hailey Chew hit from the top of the lineup and batted .386 and got on base at a .486 rate. She scored 38 runs, as did Gilbert, tied for third in the conference in the conference.

Kelli Romero patrolled center field defensively and posted a .359 batting average. She also drove in 28 RBIs.

Murray first baseman Zadie Hatfield made the team, as she hit .289, drove in 17 RBIs, hit four triples and led the team with eight.

Kendra Boles made honorable mention with a .402 batting average, as she greatly raised her average late in the season. Boles had 16 RBIs and nine doubles.

Orient-Macksburg’s Kaela Eslinger was the lone representative of her program to make the team.

Eslinger was the primary pitcher for the Bulldogs, pitching 128 and 1/3 innings. She struck out 124 batters, good for fourth in the Bluegrass.

Eslinger hit .397 at the plate and had a slugging percentage of .683. She drove in 17 runs and blasted four homers. Eslinger also swiped 14 bases.

Bluegrass Conference

All-conference softball

** Denotes unanimous selection

First team

Pitcher — *Kayla Wookey, So., Murray; Emilie Krpan, So., Melcher-Dallas.

Catcher — *Riley Jewett, So., Seymour; Brandi Gilbert, Sr., Murray.

First base — Zadie Hatfield, Jr., Murray.

Second base — Sierra Tarbell, Sr., Grand View Christian.

Third base — Sami Mealey, Sr., Grand View Christian.

Shortstop — Gracie Hitt, Sr., Mormon Trail.

Extra infield — Addison Westercamp, Sr., Moulton-Udell.

Outfield — Mack Fry, Sr., Grand View Christian; Riley Enfield, 8th grade; Kelli Romero, So., Murray; Hailey Chew, So., Murray.

Utility — Breianna Klein, So., Murray.

Second team

Pitcher — Emma Heffron, 8th grade, Grand View Christian; Ali Enright, Jr., Seymour.

Catcher — Shayla Martsching, Sr., Moulton-Udell; Sydney Lane, 8th grade, Melcher-Dallas.

First base — Riley Duke, Sr., Moulton-Udell.

Second base — Payton Gwinn, Jr., Mormon Trail.

Third base — Haley Godfrey, 8th, Melcher-Dallas.

Shortstop — Emma McDanel, Jr., Moravia.

Extra infield — Demi White, Sr., Seymour.

Outfield — Jocey Parham, Sr., Seymour; Alexis Roberts, So., Mormon Trail; Payton Rogers, Sr., Moravia; Katie Selvy, Sr., Moulton-Udell.

Utility — Kacey Enfield, 8th, Melcher-Dallas.

Honorable mention

Grand View Christian — Emma Seyler, Jr.

Mormon Trail — Kaylee Parmer, Sr.

Melcher-Dallas — Angel Beaty, 8th.

Moravia — Mikayla Fritz, 8th.

Moulton-Udell — Katlynn Leer, Sr.

Murray — Kendra Boles, So.

Seymour — Hannah Hinners, So.

Twin Cedars — Kelli Spaur, Sr.

Orient-Macksburg — Kaela Eslinger, Fr.