4A All-Idaho softball team: The top talent in the division earns all-state honors
Note: The All-Idaho teams are chosen by each classification’s coaches. The Idaho Statesman hosts the voting process and publishes the results.
4A SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mallory Kelsey
Kimberly, sr., P/1B
The Snow College commit won her third player of the year award as a dangerous two-way threat. She led 4A in wins, going 19-2 in the circle with a 1.91 ERA while striking out 191 in 135 ⅓ innings. She also led the state runner-up by hitting .533 while striking out once all season.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Ryan Crosby
Cole Valley Christian
A move up into a new classification didn’t slow Crosby and the Chargers (26-4), who captured their second straight state championship.
ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
Lauren Colson
Cole Valley Christian, so., 3B/P
The switch hitter scored an all-class leading 71 runs, and led 4A in hits (58) and home runs (15) while hitting .580 with 50 stolen bases.
Lola Crosby
Cole Valley Christian, sr., SS
The Northwest Nazarene commit led all classifications with 57 stolen bases. She also hit .533 with eight home runs and 45 RBIs.
Abbie English
Cole Valley Christian, jr., 2B
A second-team pick last year, she hit .523 with 45 RBIs, stole 43 bases in 45 attempts and didn’t strike out in 119 plate appearances.
Ellie Shirts
Weiser, jr., 1B
Described as a wall at first base, she led 4A with a .583 batting average, drove in 35 runs and was 49-for-50 in stolen base attempts.
Karlie Barnum
Cole Valley Christian, sr., P
A three-time all-state pick, the Central Methodist (NAIA) commit went 18-1 with a 2.72 ERA. She also hit .513 and slugged an even 1.000.
Addi Cann
Kimberly, so., 1B
She led 4A in RBIs (51), excelled as a two-strike hitter and showed plenty of pop, hitting .440 with 18-of-40 hits goes for extra bases.
Emma Chavez
Kimberly, so., C
The sophomore backstop made quite an impression for the state runner-up, hitting .444 and slugging .753 while driving in 28 runs.
Jaci Cowger
Kimberly, sr., SS/3B
The “elite fielder with a cannon for an arm” locked down the left side of the infield for the Bulldogs, hitting .426 and scoring 39 runs.
Madi Janicek
Weiser, jr., P
She carried Weiser to a third-place trophy, leading 4A in innings (148) and complete games (24) with a 2.83 ERA and 211 strikeouts.
Jaelynn Patton
Gooding, so., CF/P
Teams tried defensive shifts to slow down the leadoff hitter. They rarely worked as she hit .494, got on base at a .610 clip and scored 46 runs.
Gracie Kincaid
Teton, sr., SS/P
She was equally dangerous laying down a bunt, using her slap swing or swinging away, hitting .528 and stealing 39 bases in 40 attempts.
