Red Oak Express All-Area softball

The softball season wrapped up for me last week, and the committee met for our annual Red Oak Express All-Area softball team discussion. The players considered are from the six schools we cover: East Mills, Essex, Griswold, Red Oak, Southwest Valley, and Stanton. Once the teams have been chosen, we see if we can agree on a captain to lead the squads. This year, the decision was unanimous in choosing the captain of the Red Oak Express All-Area softball team as Red Oak senior Kyndal Kells.
Kells played third base for the Red Oak Tigers and stopped runners at third many times throughout the season. She sacrificed her body with acrobatic moves more than once, to send the base runner back to the dugout. Not only was she a wall on defense, but she was a beast at the plate, finishing the season tied for first place with most home runs in the Hawkeye 10 with four. Kells held a .255/.375/.574 in her 47 times at bat, including one double, one triple, a dozen singles, and four walks.
Her smiles and encouraging words to the younger players earned her the title, Captain.
First team
Pitcher: Emma Bierbaum, Red Oak junior.
What Bierbaum did in the first round regional against Shenandoah solidified her first team status. She finished with a 5-9 record and struck out 45 of the 520 batters faced, earning a 2.36 WHIP.
Catcher: Chloe Johnson, Red Oak senior.
Johnson finished third in the Hawkeye 10 conference with a batting average of .571. She had 24 hits in her 42 times at the plate, including one home run, five doubles and 18 singles, against just three strike outs. She also caught six stealing, finishing second in the conference.
Infield: Alexa McCunn, Red Oak junior; Kyndal Kells, Red Oak senior; Kayley Myers, Southwest Valley senior; Brooklyn Adams, Stanton junior.
McCunn covered a lot of ground this season, flanked by less experienced teammates, and took care of business at the plate. She stepped up to the plate 61 times and recorded 23 hits, including two doubles and a triple, finishing with a .377 batting average.
Myers led the Timberwolves and finished third in the Pride of Iowa Conference with her .510 batting average. She recorded 25 hits, including five home runs, to tie for first in the conference, and added eight doubles and 12 singles, while being walked four times.
Adams finished third in the Corner Confernce with her .385/.458/.385 batting line. She had 20 hits, six walks, and five strike outs in her 52 times at bat. Adams also recorded 10 stolen bases. Her twists and dives at shortstop, accompanied by her ability to throw straight to first, stopped many from getting on base.
Outfield: Cami Porter, Red Oak junior; Anna Kelley, Griswold sophomore; Camryn Johnston, Southwest Valley sophomore.
Porter had a breakout season with a .391/.429/.353 line that included three doubles in her 46 attempts at the plate while striking out just two times.
Kelley led the Corner Conference with her batting average of .462 and with 23 runs. She collected 30 hits, including two home runs, one triple, and 10 doubles in her 65 appearances at bat, while striking out just four times.
Johnston compiled a .327 batting average in her 49 times at the plate, scoring seven times.
DH: Ryanne Mullen, Southwest Valley freshman.
Mullen slugged her way into the line up with a line of .385/.543/.462 in her 26 plate appearances. She recorded 10 hits, including a triple, and was walked eight times. She took advantage of getting on base, recording three stolen bases.
Utility: Isabelle Inman, Southwest Valley junior.
Inman finished with a 2-4 record and earned two saves in her time in the circle. She faced 238 batters and struck out 26, while earning a 1.95 WHIP. Offensively, she had 18 hits including five doubles for a .346 batting average, and recorded five stolen bases.

Second team
Pitcher: Brenna Rossell, Griswold sophomore.
Catcher: McKenna Wiechman, Griswold freshman.
Infield: Lexi Johnson, Red Oak sophomore; Maggie Haer, Southwest Valley freshman; Haylee Pennock, Griswold junior; Marleigh Johnson, Stanton freshman.
Outfield: Kacey Danker, Griswold senior; Rachel Drake, East Mills junior; Ali Silvius, Stanton junior.
DH: Kyli Aldrich, Southwest Valley sophomore.
Utility: Jenna Reynolds, Griswold junior.
Honorable Mention
Jenna Thornburg, East Mills eighth grade; Brooke Burns, Essex eighth grade; Karly Millikan, Griswold eighth grade; Bella Glassel, Red Oak freshman; Josie McCunn Red Oak eighth grade; Jordyn Figgins, Southwest Valley senior; Jenna Stephens, Stanton freshman.