2019 All-Alpena News Softball Team

In an exciting year of softball, 10 local players proved to be among Northeast Michigan’s best.

Ten players–four pitchers and six position players (regardless of position)–have been chosen to represent the 2019 All-Alpena News softball team.

After a run to the Division 4 semifinals, Rogers City had two players selected. Ace pitcher Krysten Altman was chosen after a solid season, which included several standout performances in the playoffs. Infielder Taylor Fleming was also chosen after leading the Hurons from the No. 2 spot as one of their top hitters. The duo helped the Hurons win their eighth straight district title, fourth straight regional title and make an appearance in the final four for the second straight season.

After ending an eight-year district championship drought, the Onaway softball team was one of two teams with three selections this season. Calley Selke, who rewrote Onaway’s pitching record book was chosen along with outfielder Kennedy Crawford and infielder Kayla Metty. All three were instrumental in helping Onaway win a share of the Ski-Valley Conference title, win a district title and advance to the regional final in one of its best seasons in years.

Another solid season for the Alpena Wildcats saw three players selected to this year’s team. Emma Fraser, who shouldered much of the workout for Alpena on the mound, was chosen along with infielders Jade Schultz and Abbie Funk. The trio helped the Wildcats win another Big North Conference championship and advance to a regional final.

The final two selections are Posen catcher Brooke Ciarkowski and Hillman pitcher Bailey Schook. Ciarkowski was a five-year starter for the Vikings and batted well over .600 while providing veteran leadership for Posen. Schook anchored the pitching staff for an up-and-coming Hillman squad and struck out almost 200 batters for a team that reached the district final. Schook showed her mettle in that game, going toe-to-toe with Altman in a pitching duel that went into extra innings.

Pitcher

Calley Selke–Onaway

∫ Division 4 all-state first team

∫ All region

∫ All-Ski Valley Conference first team

∫ Went 16-3 with a 1.63 ERA. Allowed 50 hits, 38 runs and struck out 193 batters in 108.1 innings

∫ Finished a four-year varsity career as Onaway’s career leader in strikeouts (692) and wins (49).

Infielder

Abbie Funk–Alpena

∫ Division 1 all-state honorable mention

∫ All-Big North Conference

∫ Batted .400 for Alpena with 56 hits, 25 RBI and 13 doubles. Had two four-hit games and hit safely in 34 of 38 games.

∫ Had a fielding percentage of .962 with 57 assists

Infielder

Taylor Fleming–Rogers City

∫ Division 4 all-state first team

∫ All-region

∫ All-North Star League–Big Dipper

∫ Batted .459 for the season with eight home runs, eight triples and 35 RBI

Pitcher

Kyrsten Altman–Rogers City

∫ Division 4 all-state first team

∫ All-region

∫ All-North Star League–Big Dipper

∫ Finished 19-6 with 16 complete games, 80 hits allowed and 189 strikeouts in 145 innings

Infielder

Kayla Metty–Onaway

∫ Division 4 all-state first team

∫ All-region

∫ All-Ski Valley Conference first team

∫ Batted .548 for the season with 57 hits, 59 runs scored and 51 RBI, all single-season records

for Onaway

Infielder

Jade Schultz–Alpena

∫ Division 1 all-state honorable mention

∫ All-Big North Conference

∫ Batted .440 with 12 home runs, 55 hits, 12 doubles, 1 triple and 39 RBI

∫ Had a fielding percentage of .940 with 53 assists

Catcher

Brooke Ciarkowski–Posen

∫ Division 4 all-state honorable mention

∫ All region

∫ All-North Star League–Little Dipper

∫ Batted .636 this season with two home runs,

10 doubles, four triples and 32 RBI

Pitcher

Bailey Schook–Hillman

∫ Division 4 all-state honorable mention

∫ All-North Star League–Little Dipper

∫ Went 13-7 with 106 hits and 83 earned runs allowed. Struck out 185 batters.

Outfielder

Kennedy Crawford–Onaway

∫ Division 4 all-state first team

∫ All region

∫ All-Ski Valley Conference first team

∫ Battled .459 with 50 hits, six doubles, three triples, seven home runs, 49 RBI and scored 55 runs.

Pitcher

Emma Fraser–Alpena

∫ All region

∫ All-Big North Conference

∫ Went 16-8 with a 2.94 ERA, 127 hits allowed, 88 runs allowed and 130 strikeouts in 135.2 innings.

Honorable Mention

Alison Samp, Hillman; Brooke Jones, Hillman; Makayla Kamyszek, Posen; Hannah Stone, Posen; Amanda Wirgau, Rogers City; Emma Kane, Oscoda; Reagan Eller, Alcona; Catheryn Hart, Rogers City; Brianna Fogle, Alcona; Rhea Amrich, Oscoda; Allie Funk, Alpena; Sydney Chojnacki, Alpena; Jordan Larson, Onaway; Britney Buczkowski, Onaway; Jade Forrester, Atlanta; Hailee Brown, Atlanta.