Bassitt 3-repeats as 1st team All-NWC; Wagner 1st team; McClain, Griffith make 2nd team; Preston, Robinson HM
By Cort Reynolds
Ada junior Jenna Bassitt was named first team All-Northwest Conference in softball for the third straight year in voting conducted recently by the league coaches.
She was joined on the first team by shortstop teammate Karley Wagner.
Coaches are not allowed to vote for players on their own teams. Most statistics listed below were compiled when the voting was done, and thus may not include the last week of games.
Bassitt posted a 17-4 pitching record and led Ada in batting average (.532), runs (32), stolen bases (27) and on base pct. (.603) from her leadoff spot. She also had a slugging pct. of .887 and hit three homers.
Bassitt struck out 196 batters over 139 innings pitched, with an ERA of just over one run per game. Her 17 wins also set a single-season Ada record.
Bulldog junior shortstop Karley Wagner was named first team all-league. She hit .415 with 20 runs batted in, 22 runs scored and a .516 on base pct. She slugged .623 and hit one homer.
Wagner was a second team all-league pick last season.
Junior catcher Natilyn McClain and junior center fielder Tessa Griffith each made second team All-NWC. Both made honorable mention all-league last season.
McClain slugged a team-high five home runs, including a grand slam in the sectional final win over St. Henry.
She batted .414 with 20 RBI, 25 runs and a .442 on base pct. She slugged .438 and stole nine bases.
Griffith played a strong outfield and hit .345 with 17 runs batted in and 18 runs. She stole 11 bases with a .491 OBP and an identical slugging pct. of .491.
Junior first baseman Aidra Preston and senior designated player Daicy Robinson were tabbed honorable mention all-conference.
Preston played a good first base and smacked three home runs. She came on very strong late in the season and batted .328 with 14 RBI and six steals at the time of voting. She had a .406 on-base pct. and a .557 slugging pct.
Robinson batted .333 and had 13 RBI. She had an on base pct. of .444 slugged .356. It marked the third time in her career that Robinson made honorable mention All-NWC
Lincolnview senior pitcher Taylor Post was named NWC Player of the Year in a close vote over Bassitt and thee 2023 league POY, senior catcher Savana Brooks of Allen East.
The Lancers edged Ada by a game in the standings. The Lancers finished 8-0, while the Bulldogs were 7-1 and had sole possession of second place for the second straight season.
Ada ended up 18-4 overall to set a program record for wins in a season. The 2018 Bulldog team went 17-9 to set the previous record.
This year’s Bulldog squad also authored a 12-game win streak that was snapped by New Bremen 3-2 in the district semifinals.
Lincolnview mentor Eric Schwab was named NWC Coach of the Year.
Mustang Brooks and speedy AE senior center fielder Aubrey Young were voted first team All-NWC.
Slugging AE junior third baseman Taylor Nickles was named honorable mention all-league.
The All-NWC 2024 softball teams
NWC Player of the Year: Taylor Post – Lincolnview
NWC Coach of the Year: Eric Schwab – Lincolnview
1st Team
Taylor Post – Sr – Lincolnview
Savana Brooks – Sr – Allen East
Jenna Bassitt – Jr – Ada
Addysen Stevens – Sr – Lincolnview
Sydney Fackler – Sr – Lincolnview
Abby Stechschulte – Sr – Columbus Grove
Lauren Fuerst – Sr – Columbus Grove
Ashlyn Price – Jr – Lincolnview
Lauren Bassett – Sr – Bluffton
Karley Wagner – Jr – Ada
Aubrey Young – Sr – Allen East
Ava Henry – Sr – Leipsic
2nd Team
Kyrstin Moore – Sr – Delphos Jefferson
Kaylee Mollenkopf – Jr – Crestview
Ali Hermiller – Jr – Leipsic
Dakota Thornell – So – Crestview
Natilyn McClain – Jr – Ada
Lainey Spear – So – Lincolnview
Ashley Fleece – Sr – Bluffton
Tessa Griffith – Jr – Ada
Grace Brickner – Jr – Lincolnview
Carolyn Mueller – So – Delphos Jefferson
Honorable Mention
Violet Dirr – So – Crestview
Sam Hazelton – Sr – Leipsic
Quincey Baumgartner – Sr – Spencerville
Avery Rahrig – Sr – Delphos Jefferson
Erianne Heffner – So – Columbus Grove
Jade Siefker – Sr – Columbus Grove
Olivia Hobensack – Sr – Bluffton
Katie Sawmiller – Jr – Crestview
Taylor Nickles – Jr – Allen East
Dakota Dunn – So – Columbus Grove
Kaci Gregory – Fr – Crestview
Jadyn Cupp – Jr – Leipsic
Daicy Robinson – Sr – Ada
Aidra Preston – Jr – Ada
Micayah Eberle – Fr – Delphos Jefferson
