PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Karen Kreis
Mount Hebron
Any doubts observers may have had about a shoulder injury that sidelined Kreis midway through last season proved unfounded. Opponents batted a scant .179 against the senior right-hander, who compiled a 17-2 record with a 0.86 ERA. The two-year varsity starter struck out 101 batters and walked just 25 in 122 innings.
Kreis also excelled at the plate, where she led the Vikings with a .578 batting average, .734 slugging percentage and .643 on-base percentage. Kreis had 32 RBIs, 15 runs, seven doubles and a home run. A second-team All-County pick last season, she may try to play softball as a walk-on at UMBC next spring.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Sal Milio
Mount Hebron
Long considered a lacrosse powerhouse, the Vikings opened a new chapter on their softball program, and Milio played a significant role in the team's success. Milio constantly preached defense as the cornerstone of the team's success.
After dropping a 6-5 season opener to Glenelg, Mount Hebron forged a 20-game winning streak that included ending the Gladiators' 23-game unbeaten run against county opponents and clinching a share of the county championship with Glenelg. Not only did the Vikings (20-1) grab their first county title since 1988, but they also won their first regional crown since 1995. Only a 4-0 loss to then-No. 1 Severna Park in the Class 3A state semifinals ended Mount Hebron's bid for its first state championship.
FIRST TEAM
Lauren Chell
Mount Hebron
The senior was a steadying presence for the Vikings in left field. Chell, who finished the season with no errors in the outfield, batted .333 with three doubles and two home runs. She had a .537 slugging percentage and .400 on-base percentage with 12 RBIs, 13 runs and 11 steals.
Karyn Curley
Glenelg
The McDaniel College-bound senior catcher threw out 11 runners trying to steal second base and picked off two runners at first. She also had just one error and a .993 fielding percentage. She batted .386 with five doubles, four home runs and a triple. Last year's second-team pick finished with 27 RBIs, 27 runs, a .657 slugging percentage and .471 on-base percentage.
Katherine Davis
Glenelg
Helping the Gladiators to their second straight county championship, the senior first baseman batted. 362 with four doubles and a triple. She had a .437 slugging percentage and .404 on-base percentage along with 22 RBIs and 20 runs. In 184 plays at first base, the three-year varsity starter committed four errors for a .980 fielding percentage.
Amy Guyton
Long Reach
A repeat first-team pick, the sophomore right-hander went 13-5 with a 1.75 ERA, 90 strikeouts and 17 walks. The two-year varsity starter also batted .349 with 16 RBIs, 13 runs and a team-high 11 stolen bases.
Stephanie Haas
River Hill
A first-team selection last year as a pitcher, Haas spent much of this spring in the outfield. The senior batted .443, had a .521 on-base percentage, drove in 22 runs and struck out just three times in 74 at-bats. Haas also went 4-2 with a 3.72 ERA.
Shawnda Hebron
Long Reach
Coach Chuck Struhar frequently changed Hebron's role, inserting her at first base one day and moving her to the outfield the next. But the junior's best contributions came as a designated hitter. A junior varsity player last season, Hebron batted .345 with four doubles, three triples and a home run. She set a school RBI record with 21.
Nicole Massarelli
Atholton
The sophomore was at or near the top of every offensive category for the Raiders. Massarelli batted. 413 with two doubles, a triple and a home run. The two-year varsity starter also drove in 17 runs, scored 14 times, drew 15 walks, and struck out twice. She went 8-7 with a 1.21 ERA and struck out 76 in 87 innings.
Liz Penniman
Glenelg
The senior batted .438 with nine doubles. She also had 22 RBIs, 19 runs, a .562 slugging percentage and a .476 on-base percentage. At third base, Penniman committed six errors for a .922 fielding percentage. Last year's second-team pick will play at Villa Julie.
Kate Schoenen
Mount Hebron
Few grounders found their way past the senior shortstop, who committed just three errors for a .971 fielding percentage. Schoenen batted .465 with three doubles. The repeat first-team selection scored 22 times, drove in 15 runs, had a .549 slugging percentage and .531 on-base percentage. Schoenen will play at Smith College next year.
Whitney Schrader
Hammond
The senior catcher hit .449 and had a .585 on-base percentage. Schrader, who hit four home runs and two doubles, scored 19 times, drove in 15 runs, and drew 12 walks. The four-year varsity starter will play at Salisbury next season.
Stephanie Sims
Glenelg
Last spring's Player of the Year went 17-4 with a 1.76 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 131 innings. Sims, who will play at Shepherd College, led the Gladiators to their second consecutive regional title by batting .395 with six home runs, six doubles, 37 RBIs and 27 runs.
Kitty Steger
Atholton
The senior center fielder did not commit an error while helping the Raiders reach the Class 2A South region final. Steger batted .303 with five doubles and four triples. The two-year varsity starter finished with 21 runs, 17 RBIs and 11 walks.
Amanda Yanulevich
Glenelg
The junior second baseman committed just three errors for a .963 fielding percentage. Her biggest improvement was at the plate, where she batted .434 with 10 doubles, a triple and a home run. The two-year varsity starter had a .632 slugging percentage, .511 on-base percentage, 36 RBIs, 28 runs and 19 steals.
THE SOFTBALL TEAMS
Player of the Year: Karen Kreis, Mount Hebron Coach of the Year: Sal Milio, Mount Hebron First team
Name School Class Position
Amy Guyton Long Reach Sophomore Pitcher
Karen Kreis Mount Hebron Senior Pitcher
Nicole Massarelli Atholton Sophomore Pitcher
Stephanie Sims Glenelg Senior Pitcher
Karyn Curley Glenelg Senior Catcher
Whitney Schrader Hammond Senior Catcher
Katherine Davis Glenelg Senior First base
Amanda Yanulevich Glenelg Junior Second base
Liz Penniman Glenelg Senior Third base
Kate Schoenen Mount Hebron Senior Shortstop
Lauren Chell Mount Hebron Senior Outfield
Stephanie Haas River Hill Senior Outfield
Kitty Steger Atholton Senior Outfield
Shawnda Hebron Long Reach Junior DH
Second team
Name School Class Position
Alona Lawson Centennial Freshman Pitcher
Jessie O'Neill Howard Junior Pitcher
Trisha Snider River Hill Sophomore Pitcher
Robyn Jackson Mount Hebron Junior Catcher
Nikki Roberts Centennial Junior First base
Michelle Bosserman Centennial Junior Second base
Meaghan Murphy Atholton Senior Second base
Jessica Granek Long Reach Junior Third base
Jessica Oleinik Centennial Freshman Third base
Leah Cossentino Glenelg Freshman Shortstop
Dana Shepherd Oakland Mills Senior Shortstop
Megan Graydon Glenelg Junior Outfield
Jesse Medairy Howard Senior Outfield
Michelle Sandler Hammond Senior Outfield
Note: Teams selected by Edward Lee after consultation with The Sun staff and area coaches.