Prep Softball- The Southeast Conference (SEC) has released their All-Conference list for the softball season, as Burlington tries to dig their way out from a 10-1 loss in the state quarterfinals, their first trip since 2022 and their 8th in program history.
Player of the Year
After splitting her time last year, Kylee Hill put all of her focus on being a member of the Grayhound squad and the results speak for themselves. A 26-6 record, an SEC title with a 13-2 record, and a state tournament berth. Hard to argue it was not because of Hill. Her slash line of 0.420/0.480/0.761 led the to the third best OPS in the conference. Add in 10 doubles, one triple, and six home runs for 33 RBIs.
Additionally, she bolstered the Grayhounds with a conference leading 1.54 ERA with the second best 150 strikeouts to boot. She collected 14 wins in 109 innings of work and allowed an opponent batting average of just 0.136.
Burlington
Joining Hill on the First team was a pack of Grayhounds, including Kalley Anderson, Ava Brandenburg, and Ava Fawcett. Brandenburg’s 0.471 batting average finished second in the conference, as did he 11 doubles. Fawcett smacked nine RBIs of her own with a 0.412 batting average. Anderson did her damage from the circle with a 2.02 ERA leading to an 11-1 record as an 8th grader.
Bricelyn Patton and Addilyn Brandenburg found spots on the Second Team with Patton tallying 21 RBIs and Brandenburg hitting five doubles.
Honorable Mention: Kenlee Levinson and Annabelle Allen
Fairfield
The Trojans were one win away from returning to the state tournament, still the squad picked up a 12-3 SEC record to finish the season with a 19-18 mark. One of two other players that could have made a run at SEC Player of the Year was First Teamer Leah Helmick. The junior had the best slash line in the conference, led the SEC in RBIs and home runs, while posting a 2.70 ERA for 137 strikeouts for a 15-11 record.
Joining Helmick on the First Team was Ireland Cranston. The sophomore batted 0.407 for 28 RBIs, as she slugged nine doubles and four home runs. Emma Septer and Vannessa Kessel each earned a spot on the Second Team.
Honorable Mentions: Faith Jones and Maddy Martin
Washington
Similar to the baseball team, Washington somehow redeemed a 1-7 start to the season that blustered a 4-12 mark halfway through the season. Nevertheless, the Demons rallied to win 12 of their final 14 games to go 19-16 for the season. The third player you could argue deserved Player of the Year was Colbie Greiner. The junior led the SEC in doubles with 12, finished third in the conference in slugging percentage, hit the second most home runs, and collected the second most RBIs. She also led the SEC with 167 strikeouts from the circle and won 13 games—albeit her 4.04 ERA probably held her back.
Helping the turnaround was fellow First Teamer in Leighton Salazar. The senior struggled mightily during the first half of the season but managed to turn in the 4th best batting average to go along with 17 RBIs and 18 walks. Moreover, she led the SEC two-times over with 55 stolen bases.
Natalie Hartman also joined the First Team for the Demons. The sophomore accrued 28 RBIs on a 0.355 batting average. Keegyn Coleman, Reagan Miller, and Makenzie Messer were placed on the Second Team. Coleman swatted 10 doubles for 29 RBIs.
Honorable Mentions: Kaleah Gerdes and Lilliyn Magdefrau
Mt. Pleasant
The Panthers took a big step forward in head coach Curtis Bjork’s first year at the helm. Mt. Pleasant went 10-19—their first year winning double digit games since 2019—and 5-10 in the SEC, which included their first season sweep in over half a decade and their first win over Washington since 2020.
Helping the Panthers get to those marks was Abigail Shelangoski, the lone First Team selection for Mt. Pleasant. Shelangoski, the main leadoff hitter for the team, batted 0.449 for the season, the third-best mark of the SEC, while tying for the team lead in doubles (8) and collecting 26 RBIs. She also played great defense in the outfield with only one error in 56 tries.
Honorable Mentions: Paityn Ensminger, who batted 0.410 for the season with a team leading 32 RBIs, and Chaley Cook, who posted a career-best 5.84 ERA with 49 strikeouts to aid in her eight wins.
Fort Madison
Honorable Mention: Emma Snaadt
Keokuk
Honorable Mentions: Kenadi Ames and Kali Ames
First Team All-SEC
Kalley Anderson (8th) Burlington
Ava Brandenburg (SO) Burlington
Ava Fawcett (JR) Burlington
Kylee Hill (JR) Burlington
Nilie Menke (8th) Fort Madison
Kylie Lumino (JR) Fort Madison
Lucia Darnell (FR) Fort Madison
Abigail Shelangoski (SO) Mt. Pleasant
Leah Helmick (JR) Fairfield
Ireland Cranston (SO) Fairfield
Leighton Salazar (SR) Washington
Colbie Greiner (JR) Washington
Natalie Hartman (SO) Washington
Second Team All-SEC
Bricelyn Patton (SO) Burlington
Addilyn Bradenburg (FR) Burlington
Keegyn Coleman (JR) Washington
Reagan Miller (SO) Washington
Makenzie Messer (SO) Washington
Ava Fuget (JR) Fort Madison
Jordyn Marshall (SO) Fort Madison
Emma Septer (Senior) Fairfield
Vannessa Kessel (SO) Fairfield
Kylee Hoard (SO) Keokuk