March 29, 2024

Creston’s Hagle named all-state

Lenox pitcher TJ Stoaks on 1A first team

Creston shortstop Gracie Hagle was named to the Class 4A third team on the Iowa Girls Coaches Association All-State Softball selections announced late last week.

Hagle, a slick-fielding shortstop with a .914 fielding percentage, batted .404 with 44 runs scored and 28 RBIs. She hit five home runs, eight doubles and two triples and was 9-for-9 in stolen bases.

Headlining the area selections is Lenox senior pitcher TJ Stoaks on the Class 1A first team. Murray outfielder Emma Decker was named to the 1A second team and East Union first baseman Noelle McKnight received 1A honorable mention.

Stoaks had a 29-7 pitching record for Lenox as a senior, with a 0.78 earned run average. In 232.1 innings she struck out 409 batters, walked 47 and allowed 124 hits. Offensively, she batted .450 with 23 RBIs and 43 runs scored. She was 13-for-13 in stolen bases and also hit two home runs and eight doubles.

Decker led Murray with a .439 batting average. She scored 30 runs, drove in 22 and had 11 stolen bases in 12 attempts. She had an .814 fielding percentage and had two assists from the outfield.

McKnight batted .388 with 38 runs scored, 19 RBIs and 46 stolen bases in 46 attempts.

In Class 2A, the Mount Ayr duo of Addy Reynolds and Alexa Anderson were both named to the third team.

Mount Ayr’s Reynolds had a 10-8 pitching rcord with a 2.52 ERA, 88 strikeouts and 29 walks in 105.2 innings. Offensively, Reynolds batted .449 with 33 runs scored, 25 RBIs and nine home runs. She also had seven doubles and was 21-for-21 in stolen bases.

Anderson, who played both at third base and shortstop for the Raiderettes, finished with a .453 batting average, 25 runs and 23 RBIs. She hit five home runs and five doubles.

Earning Class 3A honors from Clarke’s state tournament team were pitcher Emma Bolton and shortstop Tory Henry, both on the second team.

Bolton had a 16-11 pitching record as a senior with a 2.07 ERA, 178 strikeouts and 35 walks in 179 innings. Offensively, she batted .337 with 11 home runs, 25 RBIs and four doubles.

Henry batted .448 with 18 runs scored and two stolen bases.

All-state selections from area conferences:

Class 4A

First team — Jena Young, Winterset, So.; Bridget Stover, Winterset, Jr.; Haley Bach, Lewis Central, Sr. Coach of Year: Rex Massey, Western Dubuque.

Second team — Ava Lowden, Winterset, Sr.; Thea Banning, Winterset, Jr.; Emily Brouse, Harlan, Sr.

Third team — Gracie Hagle, Creston, Jr.

Class 3A

First team — Olivia Engler, Atlantic. Coach of Year: Robin Brand, Mount Vernon.

Second team — Alyssa Derby, Atlantic, Sr.; Emma Bolton, Clarke, Sr.; Tory Henry, Clarke, Fr.

Class 2A

First team — Josie McCuddin, Interstate 35, Jr.; Summer Pasutti, Interstate 35, Sr.

Third team — Ella Sand, West Central Valley, Fr.; Addy Reynolds, Mount Ayr, Jr.; Alexa Anderson, Mount Ayr, Sr.

Class 1A

First team — Sterling Berndt, Wayne, Jr.; TJ Stoaks, Lenox, Sr.; Grace Bailey, Twin Cedars, Jr.; Haley Godfrey, Melcher-Dallas, Sr.; Rylee Dunkin, Twin Cedars, So.; Emily Jones, Wayne, Jr.; Josie Hartman, Southeast Warren, Jr. Coach of Year: Courtey Darrow, Newell-Fonda.

Second team. — Jayda Gay, Martensdale-St. Marys, Sr.; Makayla Ruble, Southeast Warren, Sr.; Mya Wiley, Wayne, Sr.; Kynser Reed, Melcher-Dallas, Sr.; Emma Decker, Murray, Sr.; Alivia Rubel, Southeast Warren, So.

Third team — Madeline Myer, Martensdale-St. Marys, Sr.; BrieAnna Remster, Melcher-Dallas, Sr.; Ali Mockenhaupt, Twin Cedars, Jr.

Honorable mention — Noelle McKnight, East Union, So.; Taylor Hensen, Lamoni, 8th; Breanna Nolte, Southeast Warren So.; Camryn Jacobsen, Wayne, Sr.; Riley Enfield, Melcher-Dallas, Sr.; MiKayla Fritz, Moravia, Sr.; Gracie Peck, Seymour, Fr.

Larry Peterson

LARRY PETERSON

Former senior feature writer at Creston News Advertiser and columnist. Previous positions include sports editor for many years and assistant editor. Also a middle school basketball coach in Creston.