Three Minnewaska Area softball players were among 26 players recognized on the All-Area softball team put out by the West Central Tribune of Willmar.  Among the athletes earning All-Area honors were Minnewaska Area players Haillie Schulz, Avery Lewison and Emma Poegel.  Schulz earned recognition on the first-team, Lewison was among nine players named to the second-team and Poegel earned recognition on the honorable mention team.

Three of the All-Area first-teamers are on the All-Area team for the third-straight year, while four others moved up from second-team recognition from a year ago.

The nine-player first team included four sophomores and one freshman, while the second-team included one sophomore and an eighth-grader.

Haillie Schulz, a sophomore centerfielder for the Lakers, capped a great season of softball by being named to the All-Area first team.  The paper had this to say about Schulz:  “With strong efforts in both the field and the batter’s box, Haillie Schulz made a name for herself as a sophomore for Minnewaska,” the paper wrote.  “Schulz batted .386 with a .442 on-base percentage.  She had 27 hits, four doubles, five triples (new school record), one home run, 18 RBI and 20 runs scored.  She also stole 18 bases.  In the outfield, she had 45 putouts and four assists.  She was named Class AA All-State first team, All-WCC, team MVP and team offensive player of the year.”

Added Laker assistant coach Jesse Johnson, “Haillie is a tremendous athlete and one of the leaders on our team.  Only a sophomore, she is constantly applying pressure offensively.  This season, Haillie recorded a school record five triples in a season and six RBI in one game.  On the base paths, Hallie is just as dangerous with 18 steals in 19 attempts.  On the defensive side, Haillie covers most of the outfield with her speed and also has a tremendous arm as well, recording four outfield assists so far.  Her 45 outfielder putouts are second-most in school history.  Although she is young, I couldn’t think of a three-sport athlete more deserving of this award.”

Other players named to the first team were BOLD freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Flann, RCW sophomore pitcher Mackenna Hinderks, ACGC senior third baseman/pitcher Kendall Miller, Willmar sophomore centerfielder Isley Ripperger, Paynesville senior shortstop Kaydence Roeske, LQP Valley senior thirdbaseman Kendyl Shelstad, YME junior pitcher Bayli Sneller and BBE sophomore pitcher Mya Worms.

Avery Lewison, a sophomore secondbaseman for the Lakers, was among nine players selected to the second team.

“Avery Lewison made the move from outfield to the infield and still thrived for Minnewaska,” the paper wrote.  “Voted Class AA All-State first team and All-WCC, Lewison had a .361 average, a .403 on-base percentage, six doubles, four triples, 16 RBI, 21 runs and 12 stolen bases.  She also sported a .826 fielding percentage.”

Added assistant coach Jesse Johnson, “As our leadoff, she is tremendous in working the count and waiting for a good pitch.  Six doubles and four triples later, Avery is a force to deal with in the box.  On defense, she has incredible range and is always willing to dive to make a tough play.  It’s not always easy to go from the outfield to the infield, but she works her tail off doing it.”

Other players earning second-team recognition were YME junior catcher Alana Almich, LQP Valley senior centerfielder Zoey Dockter, BOLD eighth-grade shortstop Ema Flann, BBE junior catcher/centerfielder McKenna Lieser, NLS junior pitcher Addilyn Nelson, Paynesville senior thirdbaseman Kylie Pauls, ACGC senior leftfielder Brooke Schultz and NLS senior shortstop Aly Wendlandt.

Among the players earning All-Area honorable mention was  Minnewaska junior catcher Emma Poegel.  She was joined on the honorable mention team by two players each from Montevideo and Paynesville and one each from BOLD, NLS and BBE.