2021 NewsTribune Softball All-Area Team

Tori Balma, So., OF, Putnam County: Balma was the offensive leader for a young Panther squad. She hit .440 with 18 runs, 17 RBIs, 12 doubles, two triples and a home run. Balma was voted Second-Team All-Tri-County Conference.

Katie Bates, Jr., P, Princeton: Bates was a force in the pitching circle and at the plate for the Tigers. She went 10-6 with a 2.45 ERA with 141 strikeouts in 105 2/3 innings. She hit .379 with 22 RBIs and 10 runs. Bates was unanimous All-Three Rivers Conference East Divison.

Evin Becker, So., P, La Salle-Peru: Becker was the ace for the 20-win Cavaliers. She was 7-4 with a 2.88 ERA. She struck out 57 batters in 75 innings. Offensively, she contributed 14 runs and 14 RBIs.

Kaitlyn Gibson, Sr., IF, La Salle-Peru: Gibson was a dominant offensive weapon for the Cavaliers. She hit .430 and led the area with 29 RBIs, 27 runs and 12 doubles. The Ball State University signee was voted Illinois Coaches Association Class 3A All State and unanimous All-Interstate Eight Conference.

Ella Goodrich, Jr., C, Fieldcrest: Goodrich brought some pop to the Knights’ lineup as she blasted four home runs this spring. She also hit .367 with 13 runs, 13 RBIs, a pair of doubles and a triple.

McKenzie Hecht, Jr., IF, Princeton: Hecht was a potent run producer for the Tigers. She hit .467, belted four home runs, hit six doubles, recorded a pair of triples, drove in 21 runs and scored 21 runs. She was First-Team All-Three Rivers Conference East Division.

Isa Ibarra, So., OF, Princeton: Ibarra made a splash in her first high school season. She hit .424, drove in 22 runs, scored 16 runs, blasted three home runs, hit seven doubles and recorded two triples. She was named First-Team All-Three Rivers Conference East Division.

Paige Manning, Jr., P, Mendota: Manning got it done for the Trojans in the circle and at the plate. She was 6-4 with a 2.94 ERA while striking out 76 batters in 64 1/3 innings. Manning hit .375 with three doubles, 14 RBIs and eight runs.

Paige Marks, Jr., P, Earlville: Marks played a key role in the Red Raiders’ run to a regional final. She had a 2.98 ERA while striking out 124 batters in 96 1/3 innings. She also hit .305 with four doubles, a pair of home runs and 11 runs scored. She was voted All-Little Ten Conference.

Taylor Martyn, So., OF, La Salle-Peru: Martyn was a strong tablesetter near the top of the Cavalier lineup. She hit .461, scored 20 runs, stole 13 bases, had 12 RBIs and hit three doubles. She was Illinois Coaches Association Class 3A Third-Team All State and All-Interstate Eight Conference.

Maddy Pangrcic, Jr., IF, La Salle-Peru: Pangrcic played a key role in the Cavaliers’ 20-win season. She hit .350 with nine doubles, a pair of home runs and a triple. She also had 17 RBIs and 17 runs. Pangrcic was named Illinois Coaches Association Class 3A Third-Team All State and All-Interstate Eight Conference.

Tyra Sayler, Jr., Ut., Bureau Valley: Sayler was a strong all-around player for the Storm. She hit.511 with an area-leading five home runs along with 17 RBIs, 15 runs and six doubles. In the circle, struck out 84 batters. She was Second-Team All-Three Rivers Conference East Division.

Regan Stoudt, Fr., P, St. Bede: Stoudt made an immediate impact for the Bruins. At the plate, she hit an area-best .545 to go along with two home runs, a pair of doubles, a triple, 11 runs and eight RBIs. In the circle, she was 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 28 innings. She was voted First-Team All-Three Rivers Conference East Division.

Ryann Stoudt, Jr., IF, St. Bede: Stoudt continued to be a strong offensive contributor for the Bruins. The first baseman hit .377 with 17 RBIs, 14 runs, five doubles and a pair of home runs. She was named Second-Team All-Three Rivers Conference East Division.

Honorable Mention: Olivia Alter, Jr., C, Princeton; Bre Broers, Sr., IF, Bureau Valley; Addie Bontz, So., OF, St. Bede; Erin Hufnagel, Sr., P, Henry; Brynn Guelde, Jr., OF, Earlville; Katie Jenner, So, Ut., Mendota; Alexia Michael, Sr., OF, La Salle-Peru; Chloe Mitchell, So., P, La Salle-Peru; Zoe Morris, Sr., IF, Hall; Hannah Muehlschlegel, Jr., OF, Princeton; Jenna O’Donnell, Sr., IF, Mendota; Lauren Phillips, Sr., IF, La Salle-Peru; Payge Pyszka, Jr., P, St. Bede; Maggie Richetta, Fr.,IF, Putnam County; Reagan Ruestman, Sr., P, Fieldcrest; Kara Staley, So., P, Putnam County; Hope Whightsil, So., Ut., Hall.