Tigers named to All-State softball

A pair of Lady Tiger sophomores have been named to the first Class A All-State Softball Team. Elsy Larsen was named first team DP (designated player) and Sophia Overland was named honorable mention outfielder.

Larsen earned first team DP (similar to designated hitter) after a season in which she hit .542 with eight RBIs and eight runs scored. She struck out just three times this year. On the field, Larsen played primarily first base.

“Elsy didn’t have a hit in her first three games this year, but by the end of the year, she was our hottest hitter,” said coach Andrew Overland. “Once she made the adjustment from slowpitch hitting to fastpitch hitting, she was very difficult for the opposing pitchers to get out and is very deserving of the All-State award as designated player.”

Overland, the Lady Tigers’ centerfielder, hit a whopping .583 with two doubles, three triples, 20 runs scored and 11 RBIs, but it was her play on defense that her dad the coach thinks earned her a spot on the team.

“Sophia also didn’t have a hit in her first game of the season and actually struck out in her first two at bats of the year,” said Andrew Overland. “After that first game, she got her confidence back and was very consistent for the rest of the year and led the team with the highest batting average. She is also an outstanding centerfielder who covers a lot of ground with her speed. Against Madison in the SoDak 16, she robbed them of at least two sure fire hits in deep left centerfield. After the game, several people from Madison came up and told me how impressed they were with our centerfielder.”

The two all-staters will return to lead a team that loses just two seniors this year.

“Both of these players are just sophomores this year,” said Andrew Overland, “so we are very fortunate to have them for two more years.”

Class A All-State Softball Team

Catchers: Hanna Raethz, West Central, Keely Merrigan, Beresford, Kalli Boom, Tea Area.

Designated Player: Elsy Larsen, Mobridge-Pollock.

Infielders: Claire Wynja, Dell Rapids, Jaycee Tebay, Dell Rapids, Skyler Haines, Tea Area, Emilee Stofferahn, West Central, Karey Lurz, Madison, Logan Miller, Dakota Valley; honorable mention: Josie Curry, Elk Point-Jefferson, Ahleeya Nicola, Lennox.

Outfielders: Izzi Parsons, West Central, Jillian Arp, Tea Area, Kylee Fiddelke, Dell Rapids, Emersyn Erck, Tea Area; honorable mention: Sophia Overland, Mobridge-Pollock, Kylie Lebahn, Dell Rapids, Sophia Giorgio, Elk Point-Jefferson.

Pitchers: Amanda Vacanti, Madison, Caitlyn Hoff, West Central, Katie Kvigne, Dell Rapids.