* Kandi Lippy, North Carroll -- In a season lacking a dominant offensive star, Lippy's consistency on the mound proved to be the difference in the Panthers' 6-0 county mark.

The junior right-hander pitched every inning of every game in her second year of starting for the Panthers. She finished the season 11-7 with a stingy 1.49 earned-run average and 97 strikeouts as the Panthers reached the regional playoffs for the sixth straight year.

"She pitched every inning of every game and gave the same kind of consistent performance -- that's nice to have," said first-year coach Rich Harvey. "She's tough and smart and that's the kind of qualities you look for in a pitcher."

Lippy closed out the county slate with back-to-back shutout wins over Westminster and South Carroll.

In the opening round of the playoffs against eventual Class 2A state champ Damascus, Lippy stayed right with Hornet starter Christine Trunnell -- who entered the game 13-3 with a 0.46 ERA. The Hornets took advantage of some costly Panther errors in a seven-run third inning to advance with a 9-5 win.

Lippy also hit .359.