The Huskies named Bayli Riggs the Most Valuable Player in softball last week during its annual awards presentation.
“Bayli had an outstanding year in the circle, going 6-3 with two saves,” said Coach Steve Hummer. She had an ERA of 1.16 and hit .379 with 21 RBIs, two homeruns and 22 hits. This was the third year in a row she received this award from her teammates.
Emili Riggs was named Most Inspirational.
“Emili led us with her bat, her smile and positive outlook,” Hummer said. “Emili found a way to make tough times seem less tough.”
Katie Virtue was named Most Improved. She started in centerfield every game this year. In her first varsity game, she dropped the first ball hit to her. She did not make another error the rest of th year.
Defensive Player of the Year, based on statistics, was Shelbey Gillespie, with a .961 fielding percentage. She threw out 13 of 31 attempted steals.
She was feared by opponents, Hummer said. “She grew as a person and a leader and did an outstanding job all year long.”
Offensive Player of the Year for the third time was Emili Riggs. She was third on the team in batting average at .397. She was first in RBIs, with 28, and third in extra base hits. She tied for first in homeruns and on-base percentage, and she was third in hits. She led the team in walks, with 18, which shows the fear opponents had for her.
Ashley Cochran received the Coaches Award, which is given to a player the coaching staff feels grew as a player and as a person as well as contributing a great deal to the team’s success.
Cochran received the award for her “dedication all season in going to a hitting coach, taking extra cuts on the weekends, for being willing to make changes to not only her game but her attitude about the game, for becoming a fierce competitor and a huge part of our success.”
The Huskies finished 13-2 in league to finish the season as Sky-Em champions, the first time they were the outright league champions in 22 years. They defeated Elmira 5-4 and defeated Junction City 3-2 in the seventh inning to clinch the title.
They ended their season with a loss to Stayton in the first round of state playoffs.
Four-year lettermen included Shelbey Gillespie, Ashley Cochran, Tasha Saunders and Bayli Riggs.
Emili Riggs and Megan Rubidoux earned their third letters.
Second-year awards went to Hailey Hummer, Megan Graville and Sarah Wyatt.
Receiving their first softball letters were Kendra Whaley, Hailey Rice, Jasmin Yoder and Katie Virtue.
All-league awards included B. Riggs, second-team pitcher; Cochran, second-team infielder; Graville, first-team pitcher; Gillespie, first-team catcher; E. Riggs, first-team utility player; Virtue, first-team outfielder; and Saunders, first-team outfielder.
In all-state selections, Gillespie, Virtue and Graville received honorable mention. Wyatt was named to the third team. E. Riggs was named to the second team.