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Stevens Point Area Senior High pitcher Kelly Franks was named the Wisconsin Valley Conference softball player of the year after leading the Panthers to the conference championship.
Franks was one of five SPASH players named to the all-WVC first team. D.C. Everest and Merrill each had three first-team picks to round out the 11-player squad.
Franks allowed just two runs in 64 innings pitched (0.22 ERA), while going 11-0 with 110 strikeouts and only 12 walks. She allowed just 24 hits.
Marshfield senior pitcher Rhiannon Baierl was an honorable mention selection, the only Tiger named to the all-WVC softball team.
Baierl led the Tigers in hitting with a .412 batting average (14-for-34) and had six RBIs. She was 0-12 with a 5.40 ERA, and finished with 32 strikeouts and 36 walks in 74 innings pitched.
2011 All-Wisconsin Valley Conference Softball Team
First team
Infield: *Taylore Zblewski, sr., D.C. Everest; *Emily Mallek, sr., Stevens Point; *Emily Miskoski, sr., Stevens Point; Kaylin Bauer, jr., Merrill.
Outfield: *Molly Newville, sr., D.C. Everest; *Nicole Nelson, sr., Stevens Point; Brianna Lamonica, so., Merrill.
Catcher: Emily Heckendorf, sr., Merrill.
Pitchers: *Kelly Franks, sr., Stevens Point; *Breanna Poeske, sr., D.C. Everest
Designated player: Nicki Hauser, so., Stevens Point.
*Unanimous selection
Second team
Infield: Courtney Nelson, sr., Stevens Point; Kaite Hauck, sr., D.C. Everest; Miranda Spangberg, sr., Wausau West; Chelsey Dorgan, sr., Merrill.
Outfield: Makayla Lee, jr., Wisconsin Rapids; Danielle Kostroski, sr., Wausau East; Mary Reynolds, jr., D.C. Everest; Erica Langholff, sr., Wisconsin Rapids.
Catchers: Taylor Smola, so., Stevens Point; Amanda Fischer, sr., Wausau West.
Pitchers: Aly Brandvold, sr., Merrill; Shanna King, sr., Wausau West.
Designated player: Lindsay Krueger, so., Merrill.
Honorable mention
Infield: Shelby Steinke, so., Wisconsin Rapids; Leena Hagen, jr., Wisconsin Rapids; Emilie Waack, jr., Wausau East; Emily Zamzow, sr., D.C. Everest; Melanie Leopold, jr., Stevens Point.
Catchers: Megan Melville, so., Wisconsin Rapids; Shannon Fischer, sr., Wausau East.
Pitchers: Kelsey Kuhn, sr., Wisconsin Rapids; Rhiannon Baierl, sr., Marshfield.
Player of the year: Kelly Franks, Stevens Point.
Coach of the year: Mike Mathies, D.C. Everest.