Coach of the Year
Molly Bender, Charles H. Flowers, Ninth season
In her ninth season, Bender guided the Jaguars to their first 4A South Region title and a trip to the Class 4A state semifinals. Bender has won more than 100 games with the Jaguars during her tenure, but none bigger than the 3-1 victory over Bowie in the 4A South Region final on May 15. Flowers defeated Bowie three times during the season.
Player of the Year
Sarah Falcone, Elizabeth Seton, Sr.
In her first season as the ace of the Roadrunners' staff, the senior emerged as one of the top pitchers in the region and the tough Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. She went 13-7 with 105 strikeouts and only 19 walks and a 0.81 earned run average in 112 innings. She earned a win against eventual WCAC champion Bishop O'Connell (Va.). Selected to the All-WCAC First Team, Falcone is headed to Columbia Union College this fall.
First Team
Kelly Trimble, St. Vincent Pallotti, Jr., C
The junior catcher led the Panthers' offense, hitting. 431 (25 for 58) with six doubles, two homers and 13 RBIs and was named all-league by the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland.
Karlyn Buker, Pallotti, Jr., P
Considerably better than her 6-16 record, the junior pitcher struck out 230 batters and walked only 40 and had a solid 3.08 ERA in 139 innings. She tossed four shutouts and was named to the IAAM all-league team.
Sam Colein, Seton, Jr., C
The junior catcher helped the Roadrunners reach the WCAC semifinals for the second year in a row. Colein batted .427 (35 for 82) with nine doubles and two triples and drove in 32 runs. She was selected to the WCAC First Team for the second consecutive year.
Meagan Gontarek, Eleanor, Sr., SS
Roosevelt: The senior shortstop is a two-time Gazette-Star All-County pick after hitting .661 with seven doubles, three homers and two triples. She had 37 RBIs and 42 runs scored for the 13-2 Raiders.
Anna Duranske, Grace Brethren, Sr., C
Another two-time Gazette-Star First Team selection, the senior catcher led the 7-1-1 Eagles in hitting (.485), runs scored (17) and RBIs (16). She was selected to the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference First Team.
Jessica Mattia, Gwynn Park, Jr., P
The junior pitcher makes the Gazette-Star First Team for the second time after going 17-2 with 212 strikeouts and a 0.35 ERA in 103 innings. She tossed 11 shutouts, six no-hitters and three perfect games.
Kiara Washington, Bowie, Sr., 3B
The senior third baseman hit .467 (29 for 62) with eight doubles, four homers and two triples with 25 RBIs. Washington is headed to Delaware State University this fall to play softball.
Catherine Allen, Gwynn Park, Sr., OF
The senior outfielder hit .568 with two doubles, two triples and a home run and drove in 30 runs while scoring 30 more. She struck out only four times and drew 22 walks, while batting seventh in the order.
Ana Flores, Northwestern, Sr., 1B
The senior first baseman helped lead the way for the 10-7 Wildcats. She was tops on the team in average (.480), base hits (24), runs scored (21), RBIs (15) and stolen bases (36).
Nia Mitchell, Flowers, Sr., 3B
The senior third baseman was among Flowers' leading hitters at .386 (27 for 70), with three homers, 18 runs scored and 16 RBIs. She'll join the softball team at St. Paul's College in Virginia.
Mandy Clark, Bowie, Sr., OF
The senior outfielder hit .400 (20 for 50) with four doubles and three triples. She also had 18 RBIs and scored 17 runs, while displaying plenty of range and a strong arm in right field.
Rebecca Jayne, Laurel, Jr., OF
The junior outfielder led the 8-9 Spartans in virtually every offensive category. She batted .738 (45 for 61) with 10 doubles, seven triples and four homers, and had 28 RBIs and 31 runs scored.
Cherokee Williams, Douglass, Jr., INF
A key component for the 16-2 Eagles, the junior infielder batted .447 (19 for 43) with three doubles, two triples and two homers, and had 21 runs scored and 18 RBIs.
Michelle Shackelford, Flowers, Jr., P
The junior pitcher was a genuine workhorse for the Jaguars, going 16-2 with a 3.75 ERA and 110 strikeouts in 107 innings. She also batted .400 (30 for 75) with five homers and 17 RBIs.
Second Team
Kendra Hughes and Blair Johnson, Seton
Carolyn Correa, Pallotti
Erica Monroe, Mary Miller, Bowie
Meryl Collins, Jasmine Muir and Dionna Clemens, Flowers
Megan Windsor and Leah Williams, Douglass
Tasheika Russell, Northwestern
Katie Staub and Sarah Allsop, Laurel
Angela Figueroa, Largo
Lauren Robinson, Wise
Olivia Wyatt and Lindsey Hood, Roosevelt
Straneika Proctor, DuVal
Charlotte Tebid, High Point
Amira Parker, Grace Brethren
Kaitlyn Mattia, Raenelle Taylor and Brittany Marbury, Gwynn Park
Shelby Suit, Parkdale
Casalie Douglas, Fairmont Heights
Stephanie Ayres, McNamara.
The All-County Softball Team was selected by The Gazette's sports staff based on our observations during the season, statistics and nominations from coaches. Ted Black compiled the writeup.
