Softball Diamond Dozen
Another year, another successful season on the softball diamond for the three county high school squads. Archer City, Holliday, and Windthorst all secured a spot in the playoffs, will all three even winning in the Bi-District round.
The Lady Cats looked to build on their dominant run from last season, relying heavily on their young crew to take a big step this year. Although they didn’t make it as far, going 16-11, the Black and Gold still made it to the Regional Semifinals. The bats were the biggest improvement for Archer City, reaching double digit runs in 13 of their 16 wins, including a pair of 12-run games in the Area round versus Tioga.
The Lady Eagles competed in one of the toughest districts in the state, with District 7-3A sending a team to the State Semifinals in Division 1, and a team to the Regional Finals in Division 2. That difficulty prepared Holliday as they carved out a 19-11-1 overall record and an Area-round appearance. With the six starters returning, expect the Lady Eagles to be just as lethal next season.
Much like last season, what Windthorst lacked in experience, they more than made up for with ability. Despite starting the most freshmen in the county, the young Trojanettes still went 13-15, including a first-round sweep over Nocona that saw the Big Blue put up 19 total runs in the two games. If the Trojanettes can build on their success from last year, the fight for the District 9-2A crown is going to be a Wild West shootout.
It’s almost cliché, but making this year’s Softball Diamond Dozen was as tough as any previous years. When six different athletes put up over 40 hits and four different athletes put up over 40 RBIs, while fielding percentages are as high as ever, it’s impossible to include everyone. But these players, along with the ones who just missed the cut, should be more than proud of what they were able to accomplish this season.
So, without further ado, this year’s ACN Softball Diamond Dozen.
MVP- Carly Duggins Holliday - Senior Making her third appearance on the list, Lady Eagle ace Carly Duggins was not only Holliday’s best pitcher, but also one of the best bats on the team, and in turn, the entire county. Duggins posted a 14-7 record from the mound, recording a 3.41 ERA and registering 85 strikeouts. At the plate Duggins was just as deadly, putting up a county- high 42 RBIs and 23 extra- base hits while batting a .467 and collecting 43 hits.
Offensive POY Sammi Kirkland
Holliday - Soph.
Kirkland was the quintessential lead-off hitter for the Lady Eagles this season. Along with her teamhigh .554 batting average, the slap-hitter boasted an eye-popping 67 total hits this season, almost 20 more than the next closest county athlete. Once the speedster was in the base baths, there was a good chance she was scoring, resulting in a staggering 51 runs and 84 total bases, both county- highs. She also swiped a county-leading 42 bases.
Defensive POY Karissa Fillingim Windthorst - Junior The Trojanettes’ stalwart shortstop, Fillingim followed her spectacular sophomore season with an even better junior year and makes her third straight appearance. In 88 total chances, the sure-handed short turned in a .932 fielding percentage, 71 putouts, and even a trio of double plays for Windthorst. At the dish, Fillingim finished with a .523 batting average, a stellar 46 hits, and even 34 stolen bases to go with her potent field play.
Pitcher of the Year Addi Canada Archer City - Soph.
For the second year in a row, Lady Cat starting pitcher Addi Canada took home the Pitcher of the Year award. In the same season where she crossed 400 career strikeouts, the sophomore collected another 136 strikeouts, doing that over 126.1 innings pitched. The hard-throwing righty also finished with a 15-9 record and an opponent batting average of .276, not to mention her astounding 40 RBIs, .440 batting average, and five homers.
Adelyn Harvey Archer City - Senior After missing her entire junior season due to injury, Harvey made up for lost time by being one of the best players on the squad. The second baseman recorded a .403 batting average while putting up 31 hits. In the field, the senior helped turn a pair of double plays and ended the year with a .853 fielding percentage.
Avery Kowalick
Holliday - Soph.
Holliday’s titular slugger, Kowalick smacked a county-leading seven homers for her sophomore season. The catcher paired that with 35 hits and 38 RBIs, just one of four athletes in the county this year to have more than 30 hits and 30 RBIs. Behind the dish, Kowalick also caught a county-high seven runners stealing.
Kindle Marek Holliday - Soph.
Making her second straight appearance, Marek followed Kirkland in the batting order with a very similar approach, collecting a ton of hits and runs as a slap-hitter. The centerfielder compiled 46 hits and 41 runs while also swiping 24 stolen bases, but also turned in a respectable 28 RBIs.
Millie Mayo Archer City - Fresh.
Freshman Millie Mayo closes out her memorable first year as a Lady Cat with a debut on the Diamon Dozen. Mayo was a sparkplug for the Lady Cats, putting up a .429 batting average to go with her 36 hits and 52 total bases. Mayo also turned four double plays as a shortstop.
Addy Peters Archer City - Junior With an .802 slugging percentage, 48 total hits, and just a single strikeout in over 25 games played, third baseman Addy Peters crushed most opposing pitchers she faced. Peters also stole a team-high 30 bags while still piling up 69 total bases on a .558 batting average and .594 on-base percentage.
Jordan Peters Holliday - Junior Making her second appearance on the team, the always reliable third baseman put up another solid year from the hot corner. Turning three double plays and only having four errors in 99 chances, Peters paired that with 33 RBIs and a .455 batting average.
Sophie Reese Windthorst - Fresh.
The second freshman making her debut for the team, Trojanette catcher Sophie Reese shined behind the plate for Windthorst. In 141 innings caught, Reese threw out two runners while putting up a commendable .403 batting average, 22 RBIs, and 31 hits.
Chloe Schroeder Windthorst - Soph.
Rounding out the team is centerfielder Chloe Schroeder, who is making her second consecutive appearance. Posting a .427 batting average and a 27 RBIs, Schroeder was another reliable returner for the Trojanettes this season. The outfielder also reeled in a .872 fielding percentage to pair with her 19 stolen bases.
