Point Pleasant senior Cammy Hesson belts a two-run homer to left field during the fifth inning of an April 28 non-conference game against Ripley in Point Pleasant, W.Va.
Bryan Walters/OVP Sports
Point Pleasant starter Leah Cochran releases a pitch during the sixth inning of a Class AA Region 4, Section 1 winner’s bracket final against Winfield on May 5 in Winfield, W.Va.
Bryan Walters/OVP Sports
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Another solid representation by the Lady Knights.
Point Pleasant had four players chosen to the West Virginia Sports Writers’ Association Class AA all-state softball teams for the 2017 campaign — as voted on by a select panel of media members throughout the Mountain State.
The Lady Knights — who finished the year with a 23-9 overall mark — advanced to their 12th straight regional tournament, allowing the Red and Black to accumulate the program’s most state-level representation in five seasons.
Of the four PPHS selections, three are underclassmen and another three are first-time recipients of the accolades. The Lady Knights, however, did not have a first team honoree for the first time in three seasons.
Senior Cammy Hesson and junior Leah Cochran were both selected to the second team, while junior Kelsie Byus was a special honorable mention choice. Sophomore Tanner King was also named as an honorable mention representative.
Cochran — who was chosen as a utility player after serving as both a pitcher and an infielder — was the program’s lone repeat selection from last spring after producing a team-high .453 batting average that included 11 doubles, a home run and 26 runs batted in.
A previous Class AAA honorable mention selection, Cochran also scored 15 times and shared in the team lead with 39 hits.
Hesson — the team’s everyday shortstop — was an infield selection after producing a .424 batting average that included a team-high three homers to go along with seven doubles and two triples.
Hesson scored 27 runs and drove in 25 RBIs while joining Cochran with a team-high 39 hits.
Byus — who played third base this past spring — posted a .371 batting average that included 10 doubles, two triples and two home runs. Byuse also scored 26 times and knocked in 17 RBIs.
King — the team’s primary catcher — batted .311 while producing five doubles, three homers and a triple. King scored nine times and drove in 20 RBIs.
The Lady Knights had the most all-state selections for any diamond program in Mason County this spring, rather it be softball or baseball.
Oak Glen senior Hannah Clunk — a pitcher — was named the first team captain, while Petersburg freshman Carly Cooper — a pitcher — was chosen as the second team captain.
Bryan Walters can be reached at 740-446-2342, ext. 2101.
2017 WVSWA Class AA softball teams
FIRST TEAM
Pitchers: Holly Brehm, Wyoming East, So.; Hannah Clunk, Oak Glen, Sr. (captain); Kenzie McCann, Chapmanville, Jr.; Emily Ward, Independence, Sr.
Infield: Emily Riggs, Bridgeport, So.; Casey Skeens, Poca, Sr.; Cassie Weikle, James Monroe, Sr.; Brooke Clark, Shady Spring, Jr.; Jenna Thomas, Sissonville, So.
Outfield: Rachel Pennington, Lincoln County, Jr.; Katie Beeman, Frankfort, Sr.; Kelsey Naylor, Herbert Hoover, Sr.
Catchers: Grace Belcher, Chapmanville, Jr.; Leah Hahn, Petersburg, Sr.
Utility: Cartney Schoolcraft, Winfield, Sr.; Dellani Fix, Herbert Hoover, Sr.; Amber Frame, Braxton County, Jr.; Olivia Mace, Roane County, Jr.
SECOND TEAM
Pitchers: Delani Buckner, Herbert Hoover, Fr.; Logan Shanholz, Liberty-Harrison, Jr.; Maranda Allen, Shady Spring, Sr.; Carly Cooper, Petersburg, Fr. (captain).
Infield: Rebekah Woody, Herbert Hoover, So.; Cammy Hesson, Point Pleasant, Sr.; Peyton Wiseman, Shady Spring, Jr.; Sarah Fisher, Poca, Sr.; Sarah Boggs, Clay County, Sr.
Outfield: Shyann Farris, Berkeley Springs, Sr.; Alexa Andrews, Oak Glen, Fr.; Maggie Rumbaugh, Winfield, Sr.
Catchers: Madison Bowles, Herbert Hoover, Sr.; Bella Posey, Lewis County, So.
Utility: Abby Strait, Bridgeport, Sr.; Leah Cochran, Point Pleasant, Jr.; Alivia Rosnick, Weir, So.; Emily Moore, Winfield, Sr.
SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION
Hanna Patterson, Oak Glen; Molly Collins, Poca; Sydney Houck, Winfield; Mandy Parrish, Herbert Hoover; Katie Hoffman, Berkeley Springs; Beth Ramsey, Braxton County; Ashleigh Sexton, Independence; Lexi Carter, James Monroe; Kelli Ellison, James Monroe; Kiersten Roberts, River View; Bradlea Hayhurst, Shady Spring; Vanessa Wright, Liberty Raleigh; Alexis Nicholas, Nicholas County; Rivers Wade, Wyoming East; Kari Walker, Wyoming East; Taylor Smith, Bridgeport; Grace Rock, Liberty Harrison; Hope Bray, Lincoln; Haley Collett, Elkins; Olivia Conaway, East Fairmont; Sam Pollock, North Marion; Kelsey Ward, Logan; Alyssa Adkins, Lincoln County; Madisyn Painter, Man; Rileigh Parsons, Wayne; Lexi Hines, Chapmanville; Kelsie Byus, Point Pleasant.
HONORABLE MENTION
Grace Hefner, Braxton County; Hannah Walker, Oak Glen; Taylor Webster, Weir; Allison Phillips, Weir; Olivia Montgomery, Sissonville; Gabi Savilla, Nitro; Mallori Chapman, Herbert Hoover; Megan Seafler, Herbert Hoover; Hailey Sloan, Roane County; Kristen Blosser, Roane County; Riley Adkins, Independence; Katie Dobbs, River View; Hannah Daniels, Shady Spring; Hannah Trump, Liberty Raleigh; Hannah Pioch, Liberty Raleigh; Anna Brown, Nicholas County; Lexi Boothe, Wyoming East; Alexis Rumbach, Lewis County; Hannah Clark, Bridgeport; Kate Stanley, Bridgeport; Tiara Snyder, Robert C. Byrd; Mariah Wilson, Liberty Harrison; Gracey Lamm, Lincoln; Sydney Keffer, Man; Chelsie Chaffin, Lincoln County; Tanner King, Point Pleasant.
