Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Howard Lake, Lester Prairie, Winsted, Watertown, Mayer, New Germany, Waverly, MN and the surrounding area

2021 All-Area Softball Team


ALL-AREA SOFTBALL FIRST TEAM

Tanna Peterson (Delano)

The only way to describe Delano’s Tanna Peterson is she’s a gamer.

When the Tigers need a big performance in the circle, Peterson always seemed to deliver. With an ability to elevate her game when needed, Peterson became the go-to pitcher for Delano throughout their exciting season.

On the season, Peterson threw 100 innings in which she posted an ERA of 3.64. She finished with 10 wins on the season while racking up 94 strikeouts.

In the Section 6AAA semifinals, Peterson flirted with perfection as she retired the first 11 batters she faced in the matchup with Benilde-St. Margaret’s.

Peterson was also a force to be reckoned with at the plate. She had a .363 batting average in which she posted six doubles, one home run, 15 RBI, and 32 runs scored.

Sydney Stansberry (Delano)

When Delano needed a clutch hit or to start a rally, senior Sydney Stansberry had a knack for delivering. A tough out at the plate and a good glove at third base, Stansberry was a huge piece of the success for the Delano softball team this year.

Stansberry had a batting average of .505 on the season in which she had 11 doubles, five triples, and 27 RBI. She also scored 36 runs and struck out just five times in 101 plate appearances.

Abby Otterness (Watertown-Mayer)

After not having a season last spring, Watertown-Mayer’s Abby Otterness was thrown into things right from the start for the Royals as a sophomore. She took that challenge head-on and finished the year with an impressive season for the Royals.

Despite a shoulder issue limiting her in the circle, Otterness made her presence felt with the bat and in the field. She held down the shortstop position when not pitching, and her bat became one of the most dangerous in the lineup for the Royals.

“Abby started the season on the mound with a solid performance before dealing with shoulder issues,” Royals coach Bethany Leuthner said. “This caused a pause to her pitching but she remained a game-changer in the lineup and as our starting shortstop.”

Offensively, Otterness finished the season with a batting average of .419. She also scored 30 runs, had 19 RBI, eight doubles, four triples, and two home runs. On the rubber, she racked up 74 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched.

“Abby is the ultimate team player and is willing to do whatever it takes for the good of the team,” Loether said. “

Chloe Kirt (Mayer Lutheran)

Mayer Lutheran’s Chloe Kirt carried a heavy load for the Crusaders this season. Whether in the circle or in the batter’s box, Kirt delivered time and time again for Mayer Lutheran.

An All-Conference selection for the second time in her career, Kirt finished the season with an average of .424 with four doubles, four home runs, and 14 RBI. She was also the go-to pitcher for the Crusaders all season long.

“Chloe led us in nearly every offensive category, while also being our number one pitcher for the season,” Mayer Lutheran coach Kris Gustin said.  “Chloe’s bat in our lineup was a huge key to our success.  She pitched extremely well over the course of the season but offensively is where she truly shined.  Her presence made our lineup better top to bottom.”

Evelyn O’Brien  (Dassel-Cokato)

Dassel-Cokato’s Evelyn O’Brien was a busy girl for the Chargers softball team this season. At the plate, on the rubber, or in the field, O’Brien was a big piece of D-C’s plan this season.

A force to be reckoned with at the plate. O’Brien was one of the top hitters for the Chargers this season. She was just as good on the mound as she racked up the innings for D-C.

O’Brien’s best game of the season this year may have come against the Delano Tigers. With Delano having one of the best offenses in the area, O’Brien did what few pitchers were able to do to the Tigers this year. She held Delano to just two earned runs off six hits in seven innings of work as she struck out 13 to help the Chargers pick up an impressive 4-3 win.

ALL-AREA SOFTBALL SECOND TEAM

Kaylie Scanlon (Delano)

The catcher position sometimes gets overlooked in the game of softball. It’s hard to overlook Delano’s Kaylie Scanlon after the season she had.

Scanlon brought a big bat to an already potent lineup for the Delano Tigers this season. She finished second on the team in home runs with eight to go along with 29 RBI and 27 runs scored.

In the Section 6AAA Tournament, Scanlon delivered a clutch two-run home run against DeLaSalle to give the Tigers the lead in the bottom of the sixth.

Lexie Decker (HLWW)

As one of the more experienced players on the roster this season, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted’s Lexie Decker took on a big leadership role this season. Besides becoming a leader, Decker became the everyday catcher for HLWW, a new position for her than years past.

All those changes didn’t stop Decker from having another strong season. In the leadoff spot, she set the tone for the Lakers as one of their best hitters again.

Behind the plate, Decker held runners in check when on base. She also gave guidance to a flurry of different pitchers as the Lakers used many arms throughout the season.

Decker finished the season with a .413 batting average. She led the team in hits (26), doubles (7), and runs (20). She was also second on the team in RBI with 12.

Lexie Langenfeld (Lester Prairie)

After not having a season last year, Lester Prairie’s Lexie Langenfeld was forced to carry the load in the circle for the Bulldogs this season.

Langenfeld nearly pitched every inning for the Bulldogs this year. She picked up nine wins on the season, finding her groove in the midpoint of the season.

She was also relied on to get the offense rolling. Out of the leadoff spot, Langenfeld set the tone for the Bulldogs with a young lineup behind her.

Rosie Unglaub (Watertown-Mayer)

A senior taking on a leadership role in her first season as a go-to player, Watertown-Mayer’s Rosie Unglaub did it all with a smile. That smile ultimately led to a successful season for the Royals out of the leadoff spot.

As the leader, Unglaub finished the season with a .400 batting average and an on-base percentage of .522.  A leader of the defense in center field too, Unglaub was a big piece of everything for W-M this season.

“Rosie has great speed that came in handy both in center field and as our leadoff batter and left-handed slapper,” Royals coach Bethany Loether said. “She was able to create a baserunner for us during most at-bats and with her speed, she could move around the bases.”

Rylee Noerenberg (Mayer Lutheran)

Energizer, spark plug, and leader. Those are just a few words to describe Mayer Lutheran’s Rylee Noerenberg. A crucial part of the success of the Crusaders this season. Noerenberg did whatever she could to help the team.

“Her bat and speed at the top of our lineup helped set the plate for Chloe and others,” Mayer Lutheran coach Kris Gustin said. “Rylee also was our number two pitcher, giving us valuable innings over the course of the season.”

On the season, Noerenberg finished with a batting average of .345. she had six RBI out of the leadoff spot and scored runs. Defensively, she had a fielding of 95.2 percent.

“Rylee’s leadership and competitive drive pushed her and her teammates to be their best,” Gustin said.

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