2021 SUN Preps All-Area Athletes & Teams
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1466350
www.yoursun.com Page 49 innings as she went 18-3 with a 2.42 ERA -- starting 23 of her team's 29 games. Though she didn't bat often, the left- handed slap hitter was effective, hitting .394 over 42 plate appearances. P - Laci Hendrickson (Charlotte senior) The Tarpons' ace finished 10-5 with a 3.24 ERA over a team-high 75 2/3 innings pitched -- striking out 68 batters while walking just 20. P - Taylor Roche (North Port senior) A top pitcher in the area, Roche broke her team's single-game strikeout record three times -- eventually peaking with a 19-strikeout game in a win over Mariner. The standout senior struck out 105 batters while walking just 20 as she gave North Port a chance to win nearly every game she pitched in. Roche was also a tough out at the plate with a .380 batting average and power. "I've been her coach since she started in JV, and she's just awesome," North Port coach Frank Baker said after Roche struck out 17 in a win over Port Charlotte. "The work that she puts in, she plays all year round, and it really makes a difference." Coach - Steve Constantino (Venice) After a lost season in 2020, Constantino made sure his team took advantage of their potential — winning the first district title since 2015 and hosting a regional championship game. His team finished 24-5 in a season that included a perfect weekend at a tournament in Ocala, a win over No. 2 Lakewood Ranch and a near-perfect record against local competition. Second Team C - Taylor Halback (Venice junior) The team's starting catcher in all 29 games, Halback worked well with Rutherford and Hartman behind the plate, along with recording nine hits, five runs, nine RBIs, a double, two triples and a home run on offense. 1B - Emma Jurisko (Port Charlotte junior) Jurisko was a consistent threat at the plate for the Pirates, batting .364 with 10 runs, eight RBIs, a double and a triple. 2B - Kassidy Hopper (Charlotte junior) A solid defender and strong hitter for the Tarpons, Hopper hit .305 with 23 runs, 23 RBIs, 10 doubles and four triples while walking 10 times and striking out just twice. SS - Bri Weimer (Venice junior) A steady defender at shortstop and a consistent threat at the plate, Weimer hit .365 with 15 runs and 24 RBIs with six doubles and four home runs. 3B - Jocelyn Villareal (DeSoto County senior) A senior captain for the Bulldogs, Villareal was one of the most consis- tent defenders and batters for her 11-9 team. OF - Savannah Jacobs (Charlotte senior) One of the team's top players in every category, Jacobs hit .365 with 26 runs, 16 RBIs, six doubles, four triples and two home runs along with a team- high 17 stolen bases. OF - Liv Seibert (Venice senior) A steady all-around player, Seibert hit .286 with 27 runs and 11 RBIs as she moved all around the Indians' lineup. The senior right fielder also stole 12 bases and committed just one error in the field across 29 games. OF - Megan Hanley (Venice senior) A speedy centerfielder for Venice, Hanley hit .323 with 20 runs, nine RBI and three doubles along with 12 steals. DH - Madison Kinkade (Lemon Bay sophomore) One of Lemon Bay's top hitters, Kinkade hit .355 and walked more times than (6) she struck out (5), scoring a team-high 21 runs along with nine RBIs, nine doubles and a triple over 21 games. UTIL - Jasmine Jones (Charlotte sophomore) Charlotte's shortstop was an effective hitter -- with nine walks and just six strikeouts along with a .315 batting average, 15 runs, 10 RBIs, two doubles, a triple and a home run. Two-way player: Mackenzie Vaughan (Lemon Bay freshman) Vaughan was asked to do a lot as a freshman -- playing multiple positions, including as the No. 2 pitcher. The versatile freshman finished with a .317 batting average, 13 runs, 10 RBIs, a double and a triple. P - Mia Flores (Charlotte freshman) Flores was a surprise success as a freshman, going 4-1 with a 2.72 ERA with 16 strikeouts to seven walks over 28 1/3 innings. Flores was also a threat at the plate with a .333 average, nine runs, 10 RBIs, a double and a home run. P - Kaylie Rhoden (DeSoto County sophomore) A strikeout artist for the Bulldogs, Rhoden won several games behind strong nights from the offense. P - Ella Kraszewski (Lemon Bay junior) The Mantas' go-to pitcher, Kraszewski was also a relied-upon hitter. She hit .368 with 12 runs, 19 RBIs, six doubles, a triple and a home run. SOFTBALL FROM PAGE 48 SUN FILE PHOTO The Venice softball team featured plenty of power hitting this season.