By: DEREK J. LaRIVIERE & DANNY AIELLO JR.

Twitter: @DerekJLariviere and @DannyAielloJr

 

2016 was an incredible year for softball in Hernando County. Two 20-win teams made the regional finals in Springstead and Nature Coast, with many players from all the county squads leaving their mark. Without and further delay here is your 2016 All-County Softball team.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

Paige Pfent, C, Sophomore

Springstead

Even with all of the stellar players on the rosters of the local teams, this was not a difficult choice. Pfent beat out the others because of her ability and contributions in all three facets of the game (hitting, defense and pitching). The everyday catcher for the Eagles had walk-off homers, called some amazing pitching efforts from behind the plate, and was a vocal leader for Springstead as the team reached the region finals. With a .549 average, 40 runs scored, and county records of 12 home runs and 52 RBIs, her all-around offensive season was one of the best campaigns in the history of Hernando County. Doing this all in only her second full varsity season, one can only wonder how good she can and will be before her high school years are over. Oh, and take a look at this walk-off home run against Crystal River in the regional semifinal.

 

CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR:
Jug Olmstead, Nature Coast
Craig Swartout, Springstead

 

While Swartout took Springstead to the team’s second region final behind a very talented roster, Olmstead did the same on the other side of town with the Sharks for the first time in their history. In one of the most competitive softball seasons in memory, these two programs and coaches led the way. Olmstead, in only his second season as the Nature Coast head coach, has put together back-to-back 20-win campaigns. Swartout, who wrapped up his 14th season, has racked up a career mark of 229-124 with seven postseason appearances.

 

Pitcher

Kama Woodall, Junior

Springstead

 

The North Carolina State commit transferred to Springstead prior to this school year to be closer to home and play with her sister Delaney, a sophomore on the Eagles. After dominating play for years at Canterbury in Pinellas County, the advancement to Class 6A didn’t seem to faze Woodall. At 18-2 with a 0.76 ERA and 163 strikeouts in only 138 innings, the ace was overwhelming from her first game in a Springstead uniform.

 

Catcher

Chyloe Gonzalez, Senior

Nature Coast

 

When Gonzalez burst onto the scene hitting .413 as a freshman, not many knew just how far she would go. In her final season, she was the senior leader of a Sharks team that not only won its first state playoff game but reached the region finals. Moving back to catcher after a season at shortstop, Gonzalez fell back into the groove that allowed her to hit over .400 for the third time in four years. With a .416 average, three homers, 36 RBIs, and 29 runs scored, she came through many times for Nature Coast in the clutch.

 

First Base

Janea Mobley, Sophomore

Hernando

 

Mobley was the core of the Hernando lineup all season, hitting .440 with a team-leading 22 RBIs. She was vital to the Leopards’ success at the plate, but she was arguably more valuable in the field. With many of the Hernando hurlers pitching to contact, the defense was crucial. Mobley made some tough digs at first and had only four errors all season to go with 176 putouts, a .979 fielding percentage.

 

Second Base

Cerina Brooks, Junior

Nature Coast

A career .363 hitter, Brooks took a step back a .333 in his junior campaign, but her contributions can’t just be measured by statistics. A regular third-baseman, Brooks swung over the second base when the club needed a sure-handed fielder up the middle when Alyssa Gonzalez got injured. Her ability to adjust while still continuing to rake at the plate (25 runs scored, 13 RBIs, 7 doubles, 1 triple) makes her the frontrunner at second.

 

Shortstop

Mare Sparacia, Senior

Nature Coast

 

After playing baseball up until his junior season, Sparacia took advantage of her first campaign with the Sharks by hitting a team-leading .439 to go with 28 RBIs and 26 runs scored. Most impressive may have been her ability in the field. With a strong arm, the senior made plays in the hole look routine that some girls would never have a chance to make.

 

Third Base

Madyson Lamp, Freshman

Weeki Wachee

 

Much like the rest of this young wave of talent jumping onto the diamond in Hernando County, Lamp burst like a firecracker this past season. Although the Hornets were not able to equal the same kind of success of some other programs, the hot corner found a superstar in Lamp. She bested Pfent for the county lead in hitting with a .573 average to go with three homers, four triples, 19 RBIs, and 20 runs scored. She also showed promise on the mound in limited action as Weeki Wachee’s No. 2 pitcher.

 

Outfield

Karli Kimbrough, Sophomore

Hernando

 

Leopards coach Kevin Bittinger always seem to find a way to get the best out of his roster, and this year was no exception. Kimbrough was a shining example of why Hernando was able to win 15 games. Hitting .420 with 21 RBIs, 15 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases, she was a terrific all-around player.

 

Delaney Woodall, Sophomore
Springstead

 

On paper, this selection will draw questions from many, but to those who saw Springstead play this season, Woodall is an obvious choice. Her play in centerfield solidified one of the best up-the-middle defenses in the Tampa Bay area with Pfent, Abby Oliver and Woodall leading the way. Despite hitting only .233, she added six doubles and a homer as well.

 

NaKayla Roberts, Freshman

Hernando

 

In her first high school season, no one knew what to expect from the 5-foot-6 freshman. After taking some lumps early, Roberts became one of the most consistent and dangerous hitters in the county in the second half of the year. Hitting .338 with 15 runs scored, six doubles, three home runs, and 13 RBIs, Roberts has a bright future, and you can bet that you will be hearing from her a lot more in the next three years.

 

Utility

Abbey Primavera, Junior

Nature Coast

 

In almost any other season, Primavera would be the no-doubt first-team pitcher. The transfer of Kama Woodall into Springstead really gave Hernando County two of the best pitchers in the Tampa Bay area, if not the state. The junior doesn’t throw with the same kind of velocity of Woodall, but she more than makes up for it with her savvy on the mound. In addition to going 17-3 with an eye-popping 1.06 ERA, she struck out 120 batters in 132 innings. She also was one of the team’s top hitters with a .369 average and 19 RBIs.

 

Abby Oliver, Junior

Springstead

 

To show just how young the Eagles were this season, Oliver was named the team’s captain prior to the year starting and she will be back for yet another season after this one. Oliver was solid in the field, but at the plate, she was Ms. Consistency, hitting .450 with three homers, five triples, 17 RBIs, and a team-high 42 runs scored. She was also 8-for-8 on steal attempts.

 

Kayla Cruz, Sophomore

Springstead

 

Like her sophomore teammate Paige Pfent, Cruz is a power hitter who is firmly entrenched in the Eagles lineup for the next couple of years. With a .351 average, four homers, 27 RBIs, and 20 runs scored, she became a mainstay in the middle of the order for the 26-win club.

 

Karli Kimbrough, Sophomore

Hernando

 

Megan Lane broke countless county records during her tenure at Hernando. The Mercer standout graduated last summer, leaving Kimbrough as the team’s contact hitter and speedster on the bases. Those shoes were a little too big anyone to fill, but Kimbrough was stellar all the same. She hit .420 and led the club with 12 stolen bases.

 

Honorable Mention

Central: Kenna McQuown, Olivia Gartland, Hernando: Kaylee Frascatore, Ali Shenefield, Nature Coast: Alanis Berrios, Chayse Skinner, Brittney Rodriguez, Alyssa Gonzalez, Springstead: Emily Kolwicz, Weeki Wachee: Abigail Pons, Noelle Nueguth