WARREN, Pa. – Emma Hipps had a season most players only dream of.
Hipps led her Clearfield softball team to the PIAA Class 4A championship, the first in school history, with both her bat and her arm, and that is why she is the 2022 D9and10Sports District 9 Softball Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year.
Meanwhile, her manager, Derek Danver, is the D9and10Sports D9 Manager of the Year, while Johnsonburg’s Natalie Dunworth is the D9and10Sports Rookie of the Year.
Back to Hipps.
The senior, headed to Clarion University, was outstanding in the circle going 21-2 with a 1.04 ERA. In 152 ⅔ innings of work, she struck out 285 and walked 28 with opponents hitting just .137 off her. She was at her best in the postseason going 5-0 with a 0.80 ERA. In 35 postseason innings, she struck out 59 and walked four.
Hipps wasn’t just about pitching, though. She was Clearfield’s best offensive player hitting .430 with eight home runs, eight doubles, two triples, and 30 RBIs while recording an OPS of 1.427.
Emma Hipps batting during the PIAA title game. Photo by Paul Burdick
Dunworth helped Johnsonburg make history as well this season with the Ramettes capturing their first-ever District 9 softball title (Class 2A). The freshman outfielder was a big reason why hitting a team-leading .493 with two home runs, seven doubles, five triples, 15 RBIs, and 33 runs scored. Her OPS was 1.368.
Natalie Dunworth. Photo by Bob Parana
Danver took Clearfield to heights unseen by any team in school history leading the Lady Bison to the PIAA Class 4A crown and a 23-3 mark. The season included Clearfield’s third straight D9 crown (2019 in 3A and 2021 and 2022 in 4A). To win the PIAA title, the Lady Bison had to beat defending PIAA 4A champion Beaver in the semifinals ending the Bobcats’ 42-game win streak and then knocked off the 2021 PIAA 4A runner-up Tunkhannock in the title game.
Clearfield’s resilience mirrored its coach with the Lady Bison winning three times in walk-off fashion in the PIAA playoffs, including in the title game. In all three of those games, Clearfield trailed going to the fifth inning or later only to win.
Derek Danver. Photo by Jared Bakaysa of JB Graphics
In addition to the major award winners, a first- and second-team All-District 9 team was also chosen.
2022 D9and10sports.com All-District 9 Softball First Team
C – Katie Sheeler, Jr., Otto-Eldred: .671 (led District 9), 8 doubles, 3 triples, 13 walks, 11 RBIs, 22 runs scored
1B – Lauren Ressler, Sr, Clearfield: .404, 4 home runs, 10 doubles, 2 triples, 32 RBIs, 26 runs scored
2B – Jaden Swatsworth, Sr., DuBois: .545, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 8 RBIs, 20 runs scored
SS – Madison McFarland, Jr., Forest Area: .635, 2 home runs, 11 doubles, 4 triples, 36 RBIs, 40 runs scored
3B – MacKenzie Wall, Sr., Curwensville: .515, 10 doubles, 22 RBIs, 33 runs scored
OF – Emma Suplizio, Sr., DuBois Central Catholic: .493, 2 home runs, 7 doubles, 1 triple, 34 RBIs, 31 runs scored
OF – Natalie Dunworth, Fr., Johnsonburg: .493, 2 home runs, 7 doubles, 5 triples, 15 RBIs, 33 runs scored
OF – Ruby Singleton, So., Clearfield: .467, 10 doubles, 13 RBIs, 34 runs scored
Utility – Natalie Bowser, Jr., Keystone: .627, 11 home runs (led D9), 6 doubles, 30 RBIs, 24 runs scored, 2.089 OPS (led District 9)
Utility – Emma Covert, Jr., Moniteau .547, 2 home runs, 6 doubles, 5 triples, 24 RBIs, 10 runs scored
Hitting Pitcher/DP – Ciara Toven, So. Punxsutawney: .562, 7 home runs, 10 doubles, 23 RBIs, 25 runs scored
Hitting Pitcher/DP – Emily Mourer, So. Elk County Catholic: .405, 7 home runs, 10 doubles, 28 RBIs, 10 runs scored
Pitcher – Emma Hipps, Sr., Clearfield: 21-2, 1.04 ERA, 152 ⅔ IP, 285 strikeouts, 28 walks, Opponents hit .137 off her
Pitcher – Kendall Young, Jr., St. Marys: 14-4, 0.88 ERA, 119 IP, 226 strikeouts, 28 walks, Opponents hit .130 off her
2022 D9and10sports.com All-District 9 Softball Second Team
C – Oliva Bender, Sr., Clearfield: .408, 9 home runs, 6 doubles, 24 RBIs, 14 runs scored
1B – Emily Aites, Sr., Forest Area: .414, 2 home runs 14 doubles (led District 9), 1 triple, 31 RBIs, 12 runs scored
2B – Olivia Eckles. Jr., St. Marys: .390, 2 home runs, 13 doubles, 1 triple, 20 RBIs, 29 runs scored
Co-SS – Ashley Fox, Sr., Karns City: .477, 4 home runs, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 28 RBIs, 28 runs scored
Co-SS – Lucy Klawuhn, So., Elk County Catholic: .444. 2 home runs, 12 doubles, 3 triples, 29 RBIs, 26 runs scored
Co-3B – Kali Franklin, Fr., DuBois Central Catholic: .462, 9 doubles, 3 triples, 27 RBIs, 26 runs scored
Co-3B – Keelie Schnedier, Fr., Cranberry: .468, 3 HRs, 7 2B, 3 3B, 27 RBIs, 22 R
OF – Kayley Risser, So., DuBois Central Catholic: .425, 1 HR, 6 2B, 5 3B, 25 RBIs, 27 runs scored
OF – Morgan Pasternak, So., DuBois: .436, 1 home run, 2 doubles, 4 triples, 26 RBIs, 19 runs scored
OF – Rossi McMillen, Sr., Karns City: .448, 4 HR, 6 doubles, 1` triple, 20 RBIs, 20 runs scored
Utility – Julia Jones, Jr., Johnsonburg: .429, 11 2B, 3 3B,20 RBIs, 25 runs
Utility – Bri Heller, Jr., Otto-Eldred: .368, 3 home runs, 18 RBIs
Hitting Pitcher/DP – Abby Wolfe, Sr., Otto-Eldred: .429, 19 RBIs
HItting Pitcher/DP – Morgan Tyler, Sr., DuBois Central Catholic: .469, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 5 RBIs, 7 runs scored
Pitcher – Julie Peterson, Sr., Johnsonburg: 9-4, 2.23 ERA, 81 ⅔ IP, 118 strikeouts, 14 walks
Pitcher – Marra Patton, Sr., Karns City: 11-4, 1 save, 2.86 ERA, 83 ⅓ IP, 79 strikeouts, 21 walks
Player of the Year: Emma Hipps, Sr., Clearfield
Pitcher of the Year: Emma Hipps, Sr., Clearfield
Rookie of the Year: Natalie Dunworth, Fr. Johnsonburg
Manager of the Year: Derek Danver, Clearfield
Also see: District 10 awards
