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By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
Four Marshfield underclassmen, including three freshmen, were named to the 2015 All-Wisconsin Valley Conference Softball Team.
Freshman catcher Emily Draeger was a first-team choice, freshman pitcher Megan Donahue was a second-team pick, and freshman infielder Morgan Nordbeck and junior infielder Lexi Dupee were honorable mention selections for the Tigers, who finished 3-9 and tied for fifth place in the Valley this season.
Draeger batted .364 (12 of 42) with nine runs scored, one home run, eight RBIs, and a team-best five stolen bases in conference play this season.
“To me, she is probably one of best catchers in the conference defensively,” Marshfield coach Mike Voss said of Draeger. She has a great arm and moves very well to block balls in the dirt. Emily also has a great bat and really took off hitting-wise when we moved her to the leadoff spot in the batting order.”
Donahue finished with a 2-6 record and a 3.84 earned-run average for the Tigers. She had a league-high 88 strikeouts and walked 32 in 54 2/3 innings. Donahue also led Marshfield with a .382 batting average and was fourth in the conference with 13 RBIs.
“Megan really had to step up pitcher for us due to injuries and did a great job,” Voss said. “She had numerous games this season with 10 or more strikeouts, including 17 against Wiscnosin Rapids, and when she can do that, it really takes the pressure off of the defense.”
Nordbeck hit .342 with a team-high 10 runs scored, while Dupee batted .286 with six runs scored, one homer and five RBIs.
“Morgan did a great job filling in for us at shortstop, a position she has not played very often,” Voss said. “She is one of those players willing to do whatever it takes to make us better.
“After getting off to a slow start, Lexi really turned things around and finished the year strong at the plate. Defensively, we switched her from playing catcher a year ago, to playing third base. She did a great job there and I believe that she is one of the best defensive third baseman in the conference.”
Stevens Point pitcher Aubrey Drohner and D.C. Everest outfielder Makayla Pagel were named Co-Players of the Year.
Drohner was 11-1 on the mound, allowing just eight earned runs (0.73 ERA) and striking out 75 in 76 2/3 innings. Pagel batted .375 with three homers, 14 runs scored, 14 RBIs and a league-high nine stolen bases.
2015 All-Wisconsin Valley Conference Softball Team
First Team
Infielders: *Shaylee Kluck, jr., Stevens Point; *Beth Borski, sr., Wisconsin Rapids; Maggie Plaza, so., D.C. Everest; Olivia Zipperer, jr., Wausau East.
Outfielders: *Makayla Pagel, sr., D.C. Everest; *Madison Bogie, jr., Wisconsin Rapids; Ally Miklesh, fr., Stevens point.
Pitchers: *Aubrey Drohner, so., Stevens Point; Miranda Gajewski, sr., D.C. Everest; Makayla Heckendorf, sr., Merrill.
Catcher: Emily Draeger, fr., Marshfield.
Designated Player: Taylor Hodell, sr., D.C. Everest
*Unanimous selection
Second Team
Infielders: Maddix Bonnell, fr., Merrill; Chelsey LaMonica, so., Merrill; Brittany Flugaur, so., Stevens Point; Payton Gaber, jr., Stevens Point.
Outfielders: Hannah Worzella, jr., Stevens Point; Maggie Gruber, sr., Stevens Point; Makenna Nieman, jr., Wisconsin Rapids.
Pitcher: Megan Donahue, fr., Marshfield.
Catcher: Lauren Brinkman, jr., D.C. Everest.
Designated Player: Molly Peck, sr., Wausau East.
Honorable Mention
Infielders: Mackenzie Mathies, sr., D.C. Everest; Morgan Nordbeck, fr., Marshfield; Lexi Dupee, jr., Marshfield; Leonna Ives, jr., Merrill; Jorie Meyer, sr., Wausau East.
Outfielders: Maddie Jagodzinski, sr., D.C. Everest; Mariah Turenne, sr., Merrill; Cassandra Casper, jr., Merrill; Angela Flashinski, sr., Wausau East; Emily Jungwirth, sr., Wisconsin Rapids.
Pitcher: Allison Brost, sr., Wisconsin Rapids.
Catchers: Jordan Kawlewski, jr., Stevens Point; Jordyn Kettner, sr., Wausau West; Jordan Whipple, jr., Wisconsin Rapids.
Designated Player: Sam Hack, sr., Wausau West.