Bilotti headlines The Reporter/Montgomery All-Area Softball Team

There’s little doubt that District 1 boasts some of Pennsylvania’s premier softball talent.

Within District 1 itself, The Reporter/Montgomery Media coverage area sees some excellent athletes come through year after year. Local teams consistently contend for playoff bids while competing in tough conferences like Suburban One, BAL, Philadelphia Catholic and Catholic Academies. With such an abundance of talented players, it was difficult to narrow down the best of the best.

There are almost too many athletes worthy of this recognition, and all area players deserve their share of recognition for their play between the lines this season.

Player of the Year: Jackie Bilotti, senior pitcher, North Penn: One of the finest player in Maidens’ history, Bilotti did nothing to blemish her legacy as a senior. A record-setting season saw her go 19-3 with a 1.12 ERA as a pitcher while batting .439 as a slugging run-producer.

Nikki Ray, junior pitcher, Abington: The Galloping Ghosts returned to the playoffs for the first time in six years thanks to their workhorse pitcher. Ray went 15-6 and struck out 77 as the ace while also helping out with a .567 average

Kaelyn Motts, senior infield, Lansdale Catholic: A first-team PCL pick, Motts was the pop in the middle of the Crusaders’ order and she usually delivered. Motts batting a .342 average, scoring 17 runs and driving in 15. She will play at Scranton next year.

Abby Carter, junior infielder, St. Basil Academy: Carter might’ve been the most irreplaceable player during the Panthers’ playoff run. A nearly flawless glove at second base she mead every play look routine and set a high bar with her leadoff hitting and base stealing.

Sara Keeny, senior infielder, William Tennent: A surprise success story at the end of the year, Keeny was rock-solid all year long. She hit .423 and put her great speed on full display while also bringing an excellent glove to the middle of the infield.

Dee Moyer, junior infielder, Hatboro-Horsham: A first-team SOL Continental pick, Moyer was consistently good for the Hatters. Defensively, she formed one of the best middle infields in the area and she often collected multiple hits every time out.

Morgan Yoder, senior catcher, Souderton: A clear-cut SOL first-team pick, Yoder was the heart and soul of the defending state champions. While the Indians didn’t reach those heights again, Yoder was simply excellent leading a young pitching staff and producing runs.

Jen Cader, senior outfielder, Hatboro-Horsham: Foes who test Cader’s arm were often made to look foolish. With a cannon, the rangy senior commonly cut down greedy runners and also led the team with a .373 average, scoring 26 runs on 25 hits.

Angie Carty, junior outfielder, Souderton: Versatile, speedy and dynamic, Carty was the right pick to leadoff for Big Red. When she was feeling it at the plate, Souderton could pile up runs as it did in a 15-5 season. Carty’s glove can’t be ignored either.

Madison Gianelle, junior outfielder, Cheltenham: The Panthers’ leadoff hitter, Gianelle was one of a handful of underclassmen to make a mark this season. A first-team SOL American pick, Gianelle patrolled the outfield well and brought speed to the bases.

Emily Gordon, senior catcher/utlilty, Christopher Dock: A tough as nails gamer, Gordon backstopped a successful Pioneers team for three years while swiping bags at a record pace. The school’s stolen base queen, this leader will continue playing at MontCo.

Second Team

Nichole Eberhard, Sr. P, St. Basil Academy

Ashley Seal, Jr. P/Utl, Lansdale CatholicJackie Heim, Sr. Inf, William Tennent

Brianna Littlepage, Sr. Inf, Springfield Twp

Becca Simms, Sr. Inf, Cheltenham

Jaynie Black, Sr. Inf, Hatboro-Horsham

Allie Miller, Jr. Inf, Upper Moreland

Nicole Yanni, Sr. INF, North Penn

Alexa Wister, Sr. OF, Upper Moreland

Brittany Gelman, Sr. OF, Wissahickon

Becky Christoffers, Sr. OF, North Penn

Honorable Mention

Rachel Matricardi, Sr. C, Upper Dublin

Lauren Weidler, Sr. P/Inf, Christopher Dock

Emily Groarke, Fr. P/Inf, Chirstopher Dock

Jamie Gosselin, Sr. OF, Abington

Jewell Ringgold, Sr. INF, Springfield Twp

Lexie Campbell, Sr. P, Hatboro-Horsham

Grace De Rosa, Sr. P, Cheltenham

Alexis Scheeler, Fr. P, Souderton