Licking County softball players earn all-district, All-Ohio honors

[ASFN Admin]

COLUMBUS - Five Licking County softball players recently were recognized among the state’s best.

Licking Valley sophomore Emory Whisner and junior teammate D’Neya Dennis in Division IV, Johnstown senior Addy Zak in Division V and Newark Catholic seniors Joanna Bailey and Veronica Bailey in Division VII have been selected as All-Ohio representatives by the Central District coaches.

Whisner, who was named Central District Player of the Year and to the All-Ohio first team, has been a two-way standout for the unbeaten Panthers, racking up 155 strikeouts in 107 innings while recording a 0.79 ERA. Whisner also has hit .616 with 13 HRs and 37 RBIs.

Dennis, a second-team selection, has ignited the Valley lineup from the leadoff spot. The shortstop is hitting .532 and has scored 41 runs.

Zak, a second-team selection, has been a fixture at catcher and near the top of the batting order for the Johnnies throughout her career. She is hitting .516 with 21 extra-base hits, including five home runs, and 32 RBIs.

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Joanna Bailey, who was named Central District Player of Year and to the All-Ohio first team, has been a powerful bat in the middle of the NC order. The shortstop is hitting .564 and has driven in 40 runs.

Veronica Bailey, selected to the honorable mention list, has been a strong two-way player for the Green Wave. The pitcher, who has a seven-inning perfect game to her credit this season, has hit .485 at the plate, driving in 30 runs.

Below are the Central District honorees from across Licking County.

Division I​

Watkins Memorial​

• Gracie Gerhardt, first team
• Ava Bailey, second team
• Emma Jellison honorable mention

Lakewood​

• Averie Adams, second team

Newark​

• Lexi Shanaberg, honorable mention

Division III​

Granville​

• Aubrey Lackey, first team
• Avary King, second team
• Sydney Cottrill, honorable mention
• Carly Wollenberg, honorable mention

Division IV​

Licking Valley​

• Emory Whisner, Player of Year; first team
• D’Neya Dennis, first team
• Alexa Gilliam, first team
• Tori Baughman, second team
• Chad Dennis, Coach of Year

Heath​

• Lexi Purington, second team
• Kate Zarins, honorable mention
• Addison Purdy, honorable mention
• Natalie Blakely, honorable mention

Division V​

Johnstown​

• Addy Zak, first team
• Jenna Hochanadel, first team
• Lucia Kuhn, second team
• Abigail Wood, honorable mention

Utica​

• Kiersten Hull, first team
• Kenzie Fletcher, second team
• Kaitlin Evans, honorable mention

Northridge​

• Ellie Reese, second team

Division VII​

Newark Catholic​

• Joanna Bailey, Player of the Year; first team
• Veronica Bailey, first team
• Brooklyn Kurtz, first team
• Aly Rothweiler, second team
• Mike Justice, Coach of the Year

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking County softball players earn all-district, All-Ohio honors

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