26 earn all-state softball honors.
By: Sun-Gazette Staff | Williamsport Sun-Gazette | June 29, 2018
2018 NTL and District 4 News
The Sun-Gazette softball coverage area once again was heavily represented on the Pennsylavnia Association High School Softball Coaches Association 2018 All State Teams. A near-record 26 players earned all-state honors in four different classifications, including seven who earned first-team selections.
Loyalsock was the most heavily represented area team with four players becoming Class AAA all-staters. Catcher Rhiallie Jessell, shortstop Sam Stopper, outfielder Katie Welker and pitcher Juliana Cruz, who was selected as a designated hitter, all earned first team honors. Jessell recently was named the Sun-Gazette Player of the Year and Stopper the runner-up. All four Loyalsock first teamers hit above or close to .500 while leading the area in home runs, RBIs and average as Loyalsock captured its first district championship since 2008. Welker is a three-time all-state selection and Jessell earned back to back honors.
Other area first team selections included Central Mountain outfielder Morgan Wetzel in Class 5A, Cowanesque Valley third baseman Madi Lee in A and Sullivan County outfielder Mykenzie Malacusky also in A. Malacusky and first baseman Jessica King were Sullivan County all-staters again this spring after also achieving the honors in basketball. Catcher Kassandra Housknecht gave Sullivan a record three all-state selections.
Other Class A selections included: Montgomery pitcher Emily Snyder, Muncy catcher Makenna Snyder, Bucktail catcher, Emily Cross, Cowanesque Valley first baseman Amaya Walker and teammate Karmen Short at shortstop.
South Williamsport placed two players on the Class AA all-state team with catcher Ashley Gardner doing so for a second straight year and sophomore Sydney Bachman earning honors at shortstop.
Class AAA received the most area all-state selections with 12 players earning honors. Class AAA second teamers included: North Penn-Liberty’s Savanah Doney (pitcher) and Brooke Harvey (shortstop); Warrior Run’s Haley Miller (shortstop), Gina Beyer (third base) and Hannah Michael (outfield); Lewisburg’s Brynn Wagner (first base) and Sydney Hoffman (DH); and Montoursville catcher Jordan McCarthy.
Joining Wetzel on the 5A all-state team were here teammates first baseman Madison Knepp and shortstop Skylar Smith.
