{"id":3666,"date":"2023-06-21T14:02:45","date_gmt":"2023-06-21T18:02:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/?p=3666"},"modified":"2023-06-21T14:02:48","modified_gmt":"2023-06-21T18:02:48","slug":"2023-softball-z-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/2023\/06\/21\/2023-softball-z-team\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 Softball Z-TEAM"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After a highly successful season that saw all four teams in our primary coverage area (Z-Land) finish with winning records, we polled our team of broadcasters and writers to come up with an all-star team of players from Heritage, Bellmont, Adams Central and South Adams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pitcher-Danica Fuller-Heritage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Perhaps the most dynamic player in Z-Land, Danica Fuller did it all this season, leading the area in batting average while earning first-team All-ACAC honors. Her .537 batting average was highlighted by eight triples and a home run. When the Patriots needed a hit, like in the sectional championship game against Leo, it was Fuller who always delivered. In the circle, Fuller was just as good, leading Z-Land in nearly every statistical category. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pitcher-Addie Baker-Adams Central<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Baker had a breakout year for the Adams Central Jets, leading them to a spectacular regular season. Starting out the year with a great performance against Bellmont, allowing just three hits and no earned runs, she kept it going into ACAC play, picking up wins against Woodlan and Heritage. Baker led Z-Land with an ERA of 1.84. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catcher-Emily Bleke-Bellmont<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The area was blessed with some great catchers this season who produced some mega moments, but there\u2019s little doubt who the best athlete behind the plate was this year. It was Bellmont\u2019s Emily Bleke. The spark plug in the Bellmont lineup, Bleke started some games in the outfield to save her knees, but she was behind the plate for the big moments and big games. She is among the Z-Land leaders in doubles, triples and home runs. Defensively, she is as good as any backstop in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Base-Melina Peralez-Adams Central<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The RBI machine, Melina Peralez, fields a throw at third base against South Adams earlier this year. Peralez saw plenty of time at the hot corner, while also playing first base and as an extra hitter. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nobody drives in runs like Melina Peralez. Such a dangerous threat at the plate, Peralez became an even better this year, nearly beating out Danica Fuller for the best batting average in Z-Land, hitting .526. Peralez drove in 38 runs in just 23 games. Peralez had three or more RBI in six different games in 2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second Base-Sami Christen-Bellmont<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When she broke into the Bellmont lineup, she was usually in the lower third of the lineup, but Sami Christen continued to pick up singles last season. This year, she moved up in the order and rewarded her coaches with a batting average of .389. A solid runner and a good defensive 2B, Christen also received all-conference honors in her junior season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third Base-Peyton Pries-South Adams<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The older Pries sister could have been on this list as a pitcher, but she lands in the 3B spot after hitting 12 doubles and six home runs while finishing with a slugging percentage of .788. A vocal leader of the sectional champion South Adams team, Pries also finished the season with an ERA of 3.34. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shortstop-Macy Pries-South Adams<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you were an opposing pitcher this season and the first batter you saw in an inning was Macy Pries, you might as well just put a run on the board, because she seemingly always scored. With 45 hits and 43 runs, the slap hitter played with such speed and energy in 2023. Her athleticism also allowed her to gobble up ground balls at shortstop, where she started a team-high six double plays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outfield-Abriyah James-Heritage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Abriyah James heads home after hitting a home run in this year’s sectional. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

James led all hitters in Z-Land with an on-base percentage of .583, just edging out teammate Danica Fuller. She earned first-team all-conference honors and hit three home runs, including two memorable bombs against Concordia in the sectional game up at Angola. James would have been higher in the leaderboards in some of the counting stats, but played in just 12 games this season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outfield-Sydney Jauregui-Adams Central<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Also splitting time at third base for the Jets, Jauregui was a solid left fielder defensively, but it was her bat that impressed everyone in 2023. Jauregui had a couple of big days, including a 7 for 10 day in the doubleheader against Tippy Valley and the two home run game against Central Noble. She finished 2023 with an even .500 batting average and five homers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outfield-Bekah Patterson-South Adams<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Often batting in between Macy and Peyton Pries, Patterson was killer with the bat, whether it was bunting Macy over or bunting for a base hit. Patterson also can swing away, crushing 19 extra-base hits. She finished the year with 35 RBI, third-best in Z-Land. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DP-Taylor Bauer-Bellmont<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A real highlight for the Braves this year, Bauer really flexed with her bat this year, knocking in 22 runs with eight doubles and three home runs. Bauer appeared in all 23 games for the Braves in 2023 and was given all-conference honors in the NE8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utility-Grace Guenthner-Heritage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You would not want a Z-Land batting lineup without Grace Guenthner and she finds a spot as our utility player after breaking the school record in home runs in 2023. The highlight of the season had to come at the home game against DeKalb, where Guenthner knocked in a whopping eight runs and crushed two homers in a 5 for 5 night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Courtesy Runner-Shea Alberson-South Adams<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We will give Shea Alberson a shoutout as our designated courtesy runner\/pinch runner for this year\u2019s Z-Team. Alberson was 16 for 18 in stolen bases in 2023 and scored 23 runs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023 Z-Land Softball Leaderboards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Batting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Batting Average<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.537-Danica Fuller-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.526-Melina Peralez-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.512-Abriyah James-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.500-Sydney Jauregui-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.467-Bekah Patterson-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On-Base Percentage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.583-Abriyah James-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.582-Danica Fuller-H <\/p>\n\n\n\n

.550-Bekah Patterson-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.542-Melina Peralez-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.533-Sydney Jauregui-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slugging Percentage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.915-Danica Fuller-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.868-Sydney Jauregui-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.793-Bekah Patterson-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.788-Peyton Pries-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.776-Melina Peralez-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hits<\/p>\n\n\n\n

45-Macy Pries-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

44-Danica Fuller-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

43-Bekah Patterson-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

40-Melina Peralez-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

37-Emily Bleke-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doubles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12-Peyton Pries-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11-Bekah Patterson-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10-Emily Bleke-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10-Claire Bickel-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9-Libby Cain-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Triples<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8-Danica Fuller-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6-MaryKate Scheumann-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5-Bekah Patterson-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4-Emily Bleke-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4-Brooke Thomas-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home Runs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6-Peyton Pries-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6-Grace Guenthner-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5-Avi Washington-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5-Sydney Jauregui-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3-Athena Schwartz-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3-Melina Peralez-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3-Abriyah James-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3-Danica Fuller-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3-Taylor Bauer-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3-Emily Bleke-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3-Bekah Patterson-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3-Sofia Schwartz-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Runs Batted In<\/p>\n\n\n\n

38-Melina Peralez-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

37-Peyton Pries-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

35-Bekah Patterson-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

35-Grace Guenthner-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

27-Sydney Jauregui-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

27-Sofia Schwartz-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Runs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

43-Macy Pries-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

39-Bekah Patterson-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

36-Danica Fuller-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

31-Emily Bleke-B <\/p>\n\n\n\n

29-Sydney Jauregui-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bases on Balls<\/p>\n\n\n\n

17-Sofia Schwartz-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15-Bekah Patterson-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13-Shea Alberson-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13-Taylor Bauer-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13-Athena Schwartz-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13-Aaliyah Faurote-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stolen Bases<\/p>\n\n\n\n

25-Macy Pries-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

16-Shea Alberson-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15-Bekah Patterson-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12-Danica Fuller-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10-Taylor Bauer-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pitching<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Innings Pitched<\/p>\n\n\n\n

135.0-Danica Fuller-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

83.2-Addie Baker-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

78.0-Gracy Bixler-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

77.1-Peyton Pries-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

76.0-Piper Baker-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

60.2-MaryKate Scheumann-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wins<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14-Danica Fuller-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11-Gracy Bixler-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9-Addie Baker-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7-Piper Baker-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7-Peyton Pries-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strikeouts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

173-Danica Fuller-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

103-Addie Baker-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

83-Gracy Bixler-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

55-MaryKate Scheumann-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

51-Piper Baker-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earned Run Average<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.84-Addie Baker-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.91-Danica Fuller-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.19-MaryKate Scheumann-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.13-Piper Baker-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.34-Peyton Pries-SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHIP<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.06-Danica Fuller-H<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.21-Addie Baker-AC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.25-MaryKate Scheumann-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.35-Piper Baker-B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.75-Gracy Bixler-SA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After a highly successful season that saw all four teams in our primary coverage area (Z-Land) finish with<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3679,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[29,13,15,40,28,26],"class_list":["post-3666","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-adamscentral","tag-bellmont","tag-featured","tag-softball","tag-southadams","tag-sports"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/8I7A4470-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1771&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3666","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3666"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3666\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3666"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3666"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3666"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}