By Cort Reynolds

DELPHOS–Two Bluffton High School players were named second team All-Northwest Conference for softball in voting conducted by the league coaches Tuesday evening in Delphos, Ohio.

Pirate senior hurler Hannah Davis was voted second team all-league. She pitched nine of the 10 Bluffton wins.

Junior slugger Lauren Bassett was named to the second team as well after leading the Pirates in home runs and doubles.

Speedy Bluffton junior leadoff hitter Ashley Fleece and classmate Olivia Matthews were voted honorable mention all-league.

The Lady Pirates finished 10-12 overall and 4-4 in the NWC, good for fifth place. They advanced to the sectional finals with a 14-13 win over rival Allen East, but lost to Coldwater.

Allen East junior catcher Savana Brooks was voted NWC Player of the Year after slamming a league-leading 11 home runs.

She also made first team All-NWC for the second time after missing most of her sophomore season with a foot injury.

AE ended up 10-10 overall and 5-3 in the NWC, good for fourth place in the nine-team league.

Mustang senior pitcher Nikki Thaxton also repeated as a first team All-NWC choice for the second straight year. She was second team all-league as a sophomore.

Outgoing Crestview mentor Carl Etzler was voted NWC Coach of the Year after leading the Knight girls to a 21st league title outright at 8-0. They beat Ada 7-0 in a late-season league showdown of unbeatens to clinch a share of the crown.

The Knights then defeated rival Lincolnview 7-4 in the league finale to win sole possession of the crown and relegate the Lady Lancers to third place in the NWC at 6-2. 

Bluffton came in fifth at 4-4 in the NWC. Delphos Jefferson and Leipsic tied for sixth at 2-6, while Columbus Grove and Spencerville tied for eighth and last at 1-7.

All-NWC 1st Team
Savana Brooks – Allen East – Jr
Olivia Heckler – Crestview – Sr
Makayla Jackman – Lincolnview – Sr
Taylor Post – Lincolnview – Jr
Katelyn Castle – Crestview – Sr
Nikki Thaxton – Allen East – Sr
Megan Mosier – Crestview – Sr
Gwen Langhals – Columbus Grove – Sr
Jenna Bassitt – Ada – So
Braxton Sherrick – Lincolnview – Sr
Jessa Rostorfer – Delphos Jefferson – Sr

2nd Team
Marisa Hermiller – Leipsic – Sr
Karley Wagner – Ada – So
Addysen Stevens – Lincolnview – Jr
Hannah Davis – Bluffton – Sr
Megan Bogart – Columbus Grove – Sr
Krystin Moore – Delphos Jefferson – Jr
Maggie Wanamaker – Allen East – Sr
Lauren Bassett – Bluffton – Jr
Katherine Lee – Spencerville – Sr
Dakota Thornell – Crestview – Fr

Honorable Mention
Lainey Spear – Lincolnview – Fr
Natilyn McClain – Ada – So
Ali Hermiller – Leipsic – So
Jaelyn Boop – Spencerville – Sr
Laci McCoy – Crestview – Sr
Ava Henry – Leipsic – Jr
Kayla Wince – Ada – Sr
Carolyn Mueller – Delphos Jefferson – Fr
Kayle Mollenkopf – Crestview – So
Tessa Griffith – Ada – So
Ashley Fleece – Bluffton – Jr
Olivia Hobensack – Bluffton – Jr
Avery Rahrig – Delphos Jefferson – Jr
Aubrey Young – Allen East – Jr
Abby Haselman – Leipsic – Sr
Quincey Baumgartner – Spencerville – Jr
Audrey Rex – Allen East – Sr
Katie Sizemore – Ada – Jr