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PREP SOFTBALL: Marshall Independent All-Area Softball First Team

MARSHALL – The Marshall Independent sports staff is pleased to announce the 2017 Marshall Independent All-Area Softball team.

Emily Benz, Wabasso

Benz finished her junior season with a .506 batting average, 42 hits, 31 runs and one home run. She led the area with 30 RBIs.

While those numbers are impressive it was even more impressive what Benz did in the circle for the Rabbits. She finished the season with a 16-7 record and struck out 87 batters.

“Her pitching is amazing,” Alison Benz, Emily’s teammate and older sister said. “I love watching her pitch. She’s a really fast runner and she can lay a bunt down whenever I need to get to second base.”

Alison added the way her sister carries herself in the circle is commendable.

“A couple years ago when I was pitching it was tough seeing her get so good,” Benz said. “I couldn’t handle the pressure on the mound, but she could. It was tough that first year when she started showing me up. After that I learned how to play a different position and I excelled in that and she excelled in pitching. It’s been really fun with her.”

Emily said that her favorite part of softball is the memories you make.

“I really like all the memories you make and all the hard work you put into the game,” Benz said. “You are playing with eight other girls and you develop a bunch of awesome relationships. The feeling you have after you get a nice hit is awesome.”

Benz said receiving All-Area honors means that all her hard work is starting to pay off.

“It feels great,” Benz said. “I try to set my goals high. It’s such an honor.”

Sadie Stelter, Lakeview

Sadie Stelter started playing competitive softball when she was in sixth grade. During her senior year Stelter led the area with 162 strikeouts and a 1.52 earned run average.

My favorite memory from this past season was winning in 13 innings against Lac qui Parle Valley,” Stelter said.

This fall Stelter will be attending Southwest Minnesota State University to play basketball. She said she’ll miss the interactions she had with her fellow classmates at Lakeview the most.

“I think I’ll miss seeing all the little kids get so happy when you seem them in the hallways,” Stelter said. “When you see them at a game and see them in public they remember you and get excited.”

Sydney Lanoue, TMB

Lanoue wrapped up her junior season a Panther with a 2.82 earned run average and 56 strikeouts. At the plate she hit .468, with five doubles, three home runs and 26 runs batted in.

Becca Kallhoff, Minneota/Canby

Becca Kallhoff’s playing days with the Minneota/Canby Vikings may be over, but they’ll continue next year at the University of Wisconsin Superior.

“I really liked their business school,” Kallhoff said. “It’s a small four-year college. I really enjoy the coach. I met with the team and I loved it. I fell in love with the campus and the Duluth area.”

Kallhoff said that getting the opportunity to play college softball is a dream come true.

“It means the world to me,” Kallhoff said. “It’s always been my dream to play college softball. I never really thought I’d be able to. With this college it just feels like home and I’m super excited to continue playing.”

The former senior said that playing college softball has been a goal of hers since she first started spinning the ball at a young age.

“I love everything about softball,” Kallhoff said. “I’ve been playing it since I was six years old. I like pitching and hitting.

Kallhoff wrapped up her final season as a Viking with 61 strikeouts. At the plate she hit .492.

Kallhoff said that some of her fondest memory as a Viking came on the diamond.

“I’m going to miss the people,” Kallhoff said. “I love my teammates more than anything. I’ve had so much fun. They make everything fun. It doesn’t matter if we were winning or losing the energy was always positive. I’ll miss them.”

Sydney Larson, Minneota/Canby

The player that was on the receiving end of all those Kallhoff strikeouts was catcher, Sydney Larson. Larson finished the season with a .430 batting average and tied for the area lead in doubles with nine.

Larson’s favorite memory from this past season is when she hit the first home run of her career.

“As soon as I hit it I knew it was going over the fence,” Larson said. “As I crossed home plate my team was right there supporting me which was amazing.”

Larson’s efforts as a sophomore helped the Vikings finish with a 12-9 record.

“I feel honored to be named to the all-area team, “Larson said. “Because I was named to that, I know that what I am doing in the program is good and people are noticing, but there is always room for improvement.”

Kylea Baartman, RTR

Baartman had a fantastic freshman season for the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Knights.

In the circle Baartman finished the season with 87 strikeouts. At the plate she hit .492 and drove in 20 runs.

Shelby Versaevel, Marshall

The Marshall Tigers will return everybody next year from a team that finished this spring with an 8-14 record. One of the key returning players will be catcher, Shelby Versaevel.

“Next year is going to be fun,” Versaevel said. “We are not going to lose any seniors. We have a big amount of people coming back. It will be fun to get our strength built up.”

Versaevel said being named to the all-area team is a humbling honor.

“I like having that recognition so I can be a leader to my team and to show them that we can have success,” she said.

Kelsey Nordsiden, TMB

Nordsiden led the Panthers at the plate with a .486 average, which ranked fifth in the area. Her 35 hits included eight doubles and two triples, adding 22 RBIs and 10 runs scored.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Paul Skoglund, TMB

The long-time coach capped off his final season at the helm of the TMB softball program by leading the Panthers to a 14-6 record.

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