2023 Daily Local News Softball All-Area Teams
Coach of the Year: Josh Socash, Oxford
The Hornets were last year’s surprise team, reaching a District final out of the No. 9 seed. But this year, with most of that team intact, the Hornets caught no one by surprise and now had a target on their backs.
They responded by putting together a fantastic season, capturing first the Ches-Mont American division title, then reversing the result of last year’s District 1, Class 5A title game by topping rival Rustin for the first-ever District 1 championship in program history.
“I’ve been a part of three district championships at Oxford as an assistant coach in basketball, and for baseball in 2007,” said Oxford coach Josh Socash. “But this one, coming as head coach, with the work we’ve all put in, the girls especially, means so much. For the last two years, these girls have been absolutely committed to this team. I couldn’t be happier to see all their work pay off, or more proud of them.”
FIRST TEAM
Pitcher:
Addy Carter, So., Downingtown West—Carter posted a record of 16-3, with an ERA of 1.065 for the Whippets, striking out 189 in 118.1 innings, while walking just 12.
Catcher:
Ashley Flynn, Jr., Oxford—Flynn established herself as one of the Hornets’ leaders, calling all the pitches during Oxford’s program-first district title run, while providing offensive firepower. Flynn batted .472 for the year, with 42 hits. Flynn knocked in 30 runs, while scoring 35.
Infielders:
McKenna Frank, Sr., Oxford—Frank was one of the top hitters in the county, banging out 50 hits while posting a .598 average. Frank, a Goldey-Beacom commit, finished with 43 RBI and 37 runs scored.
Kelly Fricker, Jr., Rustin—Fricker hit .523 for the Golden Knights, with 45 hits including 17 for extra bases. One of the best ever to don a Rustin uniform, Fricker now holds school records for both single season and career hits and doubles, and single season marks for average and runs.
Ariana Butler, Jr., Villa Maria—Selected as the team MVP, Butler hit a team-high .554, with 11 extra base hits. Splitting time between SS and pitcher, Butler also contributed with a record of 8-1 record in the circle, with 57 strikeouts in 63 innings
Emilia Falcon, So., Villa Maria—Holding down the left side of the infield at SS and 3B, Falcon batted .508 with a team-high 28 RBI during the Hurricanes’ run to a District 1, Class 4A championship.
Outfielders:
Ruijia Yang, Jr., Conestoga—One of the best defensive centerfielders in the Central League, Yang hit .400 for the Pioneers, with 13 stolen bases
Emily Basillio, Sr., Oxford—as one-third of arguably the best defensive outfield in District 1 5A, Basilio also chipped in with her bat, hitting .419 with 31 hits on the year, with 27 runs scored and 15 RBI.
Darby Weller, Sr., Downingtown West—Weller anchored the Whippet outfield, hitting .410 with 13 doubles and a pair of home runs. Weller tied for the team-high in RBI with 20, and scored 26.
Designated Player:
Cece Figueroa, Sr., Oxford—The Hornets ace in the circle, Figueroa posted a regular season record of 17-3, with a 1.66 ERA. With the bat in her hand, Figueroa hit .398 with 33 hits. Figueroa knocked in 25, and scored 25.
Ashlyn Sherman, Sr., Coatesville—Sherman, who will play collegiately at Lincoln University next year, hit a team-high .484 for the Red Raiders, with 31 hits. Sherman also lead the team with 32 runs batted in
SECOND TEAM
Pitcher
Madison Parisi, Jr., Unionville
Catcher
Lilly Waterer, So, Downingtown East
Infielders
Carey Werley, Sr., West Chester East
Janie Lofland, So., Conestoga
Taylor Kuhn, Sr., Rustin
Taylor Hendricks, Jr., Downingtown West
Oufielders
Lizzy Kern, Jr., Downingtown West
Jenna Kraft, Fr., Rustin
Ella McHugh, So, Villa Maria
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Avon Grove—Ana DiCampli, Maddie Kelly, Megan McKeown
Bishop Shanahan—Alex Bojko, Maddie Maher, Ashley Gunn
Coatesville—Olivia Springer, Ashley Sringer, Danielle Sweigert
Conestoga—Isabella Giuliani, Sarah Hegg
Downingtown East—Steph Allesandro, Sophia Kucera
Downingtown West—Emma Ahlborn,
Great Valley—Chloe Becker, Ayla Stenberg
Kennett—Haley Kahrs, April McDonald
Oxford—Angela Beadle, Sydney Kargulewicz, Natalia Donofrio, Grace Allen
Unionville—Catherine Stone, Jillian Heimbeger, Shannon Megill
Villa Maria—Alex Kilpatrick
West Chester East– Grace Koberg, Mia Kulp
West Chester Henderson—Gabrielle Nanni, Skye Zolomij
West Chester Rustin—Paige Bentley, Laney Lacey
