Emma Hipps of PIAA champion Clearfield was voted the Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association Class 4A Pitcher of the Year, while Keystone’s Natalie Bowser earned Class 2A Player of the Year honors as All-State teams were announced on Thursday.
A total of 44 players from District 9 and District 10 garnered all-state nods, nearly doubling last season’s total of 23.
A total of four players from Clearfield were selected, while PIAA runner-up DuBois Central Catholic led the way with six selections in Class 1A. There were 10 first-team selections in Class 4A across District 9 and District 10.
In the circle, Hipps went 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.
She was also Clearfield’s top offensive player hitting .430 with eight home runs, eight doubles, two triples, and 30 RBIs while recording an OPS of 1.427.
Bowser, meanwhile, had another brilliant season, and this award comes on the heels of being named a MaxPreps Second-Team All-America.
Keystone’s Natalie Bowser. Photo by Jim McConnell.
After hitting .766 with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs as a sophomore, Bowser put up another impressive season despite being consistently pitched around. She hit .629 in 2022 with 11 home runs, six doubles, 30 RBIs, 24 runs scored, and a 2.089 OPS. Her home runs and OPS both led District 9.
In Class 1A, Mikaila Obenrader (Saegertown, P), Mackenzie Parks (A-C Valley, SS), Noel Anthony (Clarion, OF), and Emma Suplizio (DCC, OF) were first-team selections.
Five DCC players – Jessy Frank (Catcher), Lauren Davidson (2B), Kali Franklin (3B), Madi Hoyt (SS), and Kayley Risser (OF) got second-team nods, while Clarion’s Jordy Best (Catcher) and Kylee Beers (3B), and Elk County Catholic’s Emily Mourer (DP) also made second-team.
There were six first-team selections in Class 2A led by Wilmington’s Faith Jones (Catcher) and Paije Peterson (3B), as well as Curwensville’s Mackenzie Wall (3B) and Joslynee Freyer (DP), as well as Bowser and Reynolds’ Chloe McLaughlin (DP).
Three Johnsonburg players, Julia Peterson (P), Julia Jones (3B), and Natalie Dunworth (Utility) got second-team nods in Class 2A, as well as Reynolds standout Mackenzie Herman (P).
There were four D9/10ers to garner honors in Class 3A, as North East’s Alex Cozzens was first-team designated player, and Karns City’s Marra Patton (P), Ashley Fox (SS), as well as Harbor Creek’s Reagan Rand (Catcher), were second-team.
Joining Hipps on the first team in Class 4A were teammates Olivia Bender (Catcher) and Lauren Ressler, as well as two players each from Villa Maria (Jenna Wagner, P; AB Cipalla, C), Conneaut (Linda Shepard, 3B; Brooke Wise, 2B), St. Marys (Kendall Young, P; Rosa DePrator, Utility) and Franklin (Sydni Hoobler, SS; Trinity Edge, DP).
Earning second-team in Class 4A were Clearfield’s Ruby Singleton (OF), St. Marys’ Olivia Eckles (2B), and Villa’s Jenna Wagner (P).
Three DuBois players were honored in Class 5A, as Jaden Swatsworth was first-team at second base and Sarah Henninger (SS) and Morgan Pasternak (OF) were second-team choices.
A pair of McDowell players were tabbed in Class 6A, as Hillary Sissem was a first-team shortstop and Gabby DeLuca second-team utility.
The teams were selected from well over 400 nominations by high school coaches and media members statewide and voted on by the PAHSSBCA committee. The Pitcher and Player of the Year awards were new in 2022.
