All-Delco Softball: Franz, Ballenger star in the Del Val

In addition to Daily Times Player of the Year Ali Murphy of Haverford, the rest of the All-Delco first team includes:

Becca Halford, Garnet Valley: The junior pitcher and three-year starter for the Jags is a first-time All-Delco selection. She registered 17 wins en route to leading the Jags to the quarterfinal round of the District 1 Class 6A tournament. Halford recorded 91 strikeouts in 133 innings with a 2.00 ERA. She threw a pair of perfect games and earned first team All-Central League recognition. At the plate Halford finished with 16 hits, including a pair of triples, and drove in 13 runs.

Grace Jackson, Notre Dame: The junior pitcher guided the Irish to a second-place finish in the Inter-Ac and a trip to the final four of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association tournament. A first team All-Inter-Ac selection, Jackson picked up 12 of her team’s 13 wins and registered 137 strikeouts in 102 innings to go with a 2.11 ERA. At the plate, Jackson posted a .638 batting average and scored 23 runs. Said Notre Dame coach Carl Ellis: “She is so humble about her skills and gets embarrassed if you compliment her on the game she had. She always supports her teammates and is a wonderful person.”

Ameenah Ballenger, Penn Wood: The junior pitcher is a first team All-Delco after earning second-team honors a year ago. Ballenger continues to do wonders for a Penn Wood program that made its first trip to a District 1 tournament in 2019. After years of futility, the Patriots were competitive in the Del Val and nearly won a share of the title. Ballenger pitched the Patriots to victories over eventual champion Interboro and league rival Chichester for the first time in at least two decades. Ballenger was dominant on the mound, even though it wouldn’t always show in the scorebook. While the Patriots were improved on defense, the vast majority of Ballenger’s runs allowed were of the unearned variety. She logged 237 strikeouts (12.8 K/7) in 130 innings. As the best player in the Del Val, Ballenger slashed .500/.621/1.134 with seven home runs, 15 RBIs, 27 runs scored and 14 walks.

READ: The full list of All-Delco honorees

Allison Ahearn, Cardinal O’Hara: One of the top sluggers in the county in 2019, the senior first baseman is a first-time All-Delco selection. Ahearn recorded a hit in more than half of her at bats, posting a .525 average. Ahearn’s production at the plate helped the Lions advance to the Catholic League championship game. She registered a .623 on-base percentage while leading the team in RBIs with 20 and earned first team All-Catholic League honors.

Ava Franz, Chichester: An All-Delco for the second year in a row, the sophomore shortstop is one of the premier talents in the county. A member of the elite Chaos 18U Gold club team, Franz is a big fish in a small pond at Chi and is the program’s best hitter since Michelle Hagarty, who was a three-time All-Delco (2011-13). Franz slashed .574/.673/1.128 with seven home runs for the Eagles, who qualified for the District 1 Class 5A tournament. She struck out only twice in 56 plate appearances.

Tess Smiley, Haverford: The sophomore shortstop is a first-time All-Delco selection. One of the key members of the Fords’ run to a Central League championship, Smiley has been a starter since her first high school game. She collected six RBIs in a win over Conestoga, with whom the Fords shared the Central League crown. Smiley slashed .453/.494/.733 en route to earning All-Central honors. She finished with 29 RBIs, 16 runs scored, five doubles, five triples and two homers for the Fords.

Ashley Shanks, Ridley: One of the elite shortstops in the county, the senior is a two-time All-Delco selection. A repeat All-Central League honoree, Shanks was the Green Raiders’ top hitter once again and led the team back to the District 1 Class 6A tournament. A member of the Delco Rage organization, Shanks slashed .436/.492/.564 with with 20 RBIs and 18 runs scored. Shanks will continue her education and softball career at College of St. Elizabeth in New Jersey.

Maggie Loomis, Cardinal O’Hara: The junior center fielder/pitcher is making the All-Delco team for the first time. She was the catalyst for the Lions, who advanced to the Catholic League final. Loomis, whose sister, Emily was an All-Delco with the Lions, finished with a .480 batting average and a .612 on-base percentage. She was the No. 2 pitcher on the Lions behind junior Jenna Smith. Loomis, who had six doubles and four triples, earned All-Catholic League honors.

Lindsey Hunt, Garnet Valley: The senior catcher is making her third straight appearance on the All-Delco team. Arguably the most accomplished and feared hitter in Delco, Hunt was the driving force on offense for the Jags and provided superb defense behind the plate. Hunt was often intentionally walked as pitchers tried to avoid her powerful, game-changing swing. In helping the Jags earn a first-round bye in the District 1 Class 6A tournament, Hunt batted a ridiculous .466/.512/.890 slash line with 10 doubles, three triples and five home runs. She recorded 25 RBIs and reached the 100-hit mark for her career in the first week of the season. Behind the plate, Hunt registered a .991 fielding percentage. She will continue her career at La Salle University.

Lexie Witmer, Upper Darby: The senior catcher is an All-Delco selection for the third time in four years. She first appeared on the first team as a freshman. One of the best softball players in program history, Witmer garnered the respect of coaches throughout the Central League for her work behind the dish and as a potent hitter in the middle of the lineup. Witmer put together a .500 batting average in her senior campaign en route to helping the Royals qualify for the District 1 Class 6A tournament. In June she was named Upper Darby High School’s Female Athlete of the Year.

Hailee Moran, Episcopal Academy: The sophomore’s biggest asset is her versatility. A first-time All-Delco, Moran excelled at the top three positions in softball: catcher, shortstop and center field. As the leadoff hitter, Moran paced the Churchwomen in hits, walks, runs and stolen bases, the latter with 18. She slashed .400/.478/.436 and was voted winner of the Episcopal Academy Team of 2000 award, which is awarded to the player on the team that players and coaches believe elevates the level of play of the team. Said coach Kelly Edwards: “She is hands-down my most versatile player and excels at every position I ask her to play. She is just an absolute beast.”