Eastern Hancock’s Brooklyn Willis smiles after reaching first base.
The Daily Reporter File Photo
As expected, after an undefeated conference season, state-ranking and a trip to the Class 2A South Semi-State, Eastern Hancock leads the selections for the recently released All-Mid-Eastern Conference softball team.
As champions of the league, Eastern Hancock had a conference-high five selections.
Seniors Tatem Adams, Sammie Bolding and Brooklyn Willis were joined by sophomores Lilli Ringer and Addisyn Trackwell.
Adams, who will go to school and play at Goshen College in 2024-25, went 9-2 with a 2.09 earned run average. She had three saves.
In 77 innings pitched, she gave up just 48 hits and fanned 129.
Bolding, a shortstop headed to the University of Toledo, hit .446 with 10 home runs, seven doubles, two triples, 25 stolen bases, 45 runs scored and 28 RBI.
A first-team Class 1A/2A all-state selection by the Softball Coaches Association of Indiana, Bolding led the conference in stolen bases and was second to Willis in runs scored and home runs.
A center fielder headed to the University of Indianapolis, Willis, who was also named first team SCAI, finished second in the state in home runs with 18. She hit .560 with 10 doubles, two triples and 49 RBI. She had 51 hits and scored 47 runs and stole 15 bases. Along with home runs and runs scored, she also led the MEC in RBI.
The third baseman for the Royals, Ringer hit .437 with seven doubles, four triples, three home runs and 31 RBI. She scored 35 runs and stole 18 bases.
Left fielder Trackwell hit .425 with eight doubles, three triples and two home runs. She drove in 26, scored 32 times and stole 15 bases.
Eastern Hancock reached Class 2A’s quarterfinals before losing to Brownstown Central in a South Semi-State semifinal game. The Royals finished the year with a 28-3 record and were ranked No. 3 in the final Class 2A SCAI poll.
Other selections to the All-MEC softball team include: Shenandoah – Elise Boyd, Lilliana Lynch, Lydia Schwagmeier, Olivia Watson; Wapahani – Zoey Koger, Baylee Richardson, Matilyn Rhoades, Zoey Swallow; Daleville – Cali Pattengale, Valyn Pattengale, Emily Simmons; Wes-Del – Kenzie Anderson, Kayla Harrold, Bailee West; Cowan – Savannah Bowling, Cheyenne Carter; Monroe Central – Jayme Brannan, Whitley Martin; Randolph Southern.
Eastern Hancock won the MEC with a 7-0 record. The Royals were followed by Shenandoah (6-1), Wapahani (5-2), Daleville (4-3), Wes-Del (3-4), Cowan (1-5), Monroe Central (1-6) and Randolph Southern (0-6).
