Comet softball gets 5 on All-SCC team

The Cardinal Comets had quite the up and down year on the softball field. A tough schedule in both conference and non-conference play had Cardinal finishing the season 14-16 overall and 3-11 in South Central Conference action.

Despite the under .500 record, Cardinal proved its worth in the postseason, advancing to the regional semifinal where the Comets nearly knocked off eventual state champion Iowa City Regina, falling 3-2 in walk-off fashion.

The 2023 All-SCC team wasn’t an easy one to get on. The conference had a stellar season overall with multiple ranked teams throughout the season and a pair of squads at the state tournament.

Making the second team for the Comets were freshman Summer LaRue and junior Nicoa McClure.

LaRue led the team with a .368 batting average, three doubles, two home runs and 13 RBIs. McClure hit .245 with 17 RBIs, and also served as the team’s ace in the circle, going 12-15 with a .275 ERA and an astounding 152 strikeouts.

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Making the honorable mention list for the Comets were seniors Kinsey Hissem and Ava Ferrell, along with junior Emma Becker.

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ALL-SCC First Team: Madeline Barker (12), Davis County; Sophia Young (12), Davis County; Layne Braby (12), Chariton; Sydney Hoskins (11), Albia; Ashlyn Finarty (12), Knoxville; Molly Shafer (10), EBF; Ali Henry (11), Clarke; Kiera Klum (11), Centerville; Ashley Beary (12), Albia; Ciara Heffron (11), Knoxville; Whitney Klyn (12), EBF; Haddon Anderson (12), Chariton.

All-SCC Second Team: Laynee Moore (11), Davis County; Rachel McFarland (12), Davis County; Addie McGee (11), Chariton; Addison Halestead (12), Albia; Avery Major (11), Albia; Charlye Willis (11), Knoxville; Brittany Bacorn (11), Knoxville; Kate Shafer (10), EBF; Astazia Watson (12), Clarke; Summer LaRue (9), Cardinal; Nicoa McClure (11), Cardinal; Adriana Howard (10), Centerville.

ALL-SCC Honorable mention: Caden VanLaningham (12), Davis County; Madison Dunlavy (12), Davis County; Cassidy VanLaningham (10); Chariton Sydney Cain (10), Chariton; Bailey McGee (9), Chariton; Abby Doran (11), Chariton; Aliya Myers (12), Albia; Lexie Jones (12), Albia; Lilly DeMoss (9), Albia; Addison Dunkin (8), Knoxville; Emma Dunkin (12), Knoxville; Aliya Wagamon (11), EBF; Bella Noble (12), EBF; Kaylee Helm (10), EBF; Maddy McCoy (11), Clarke; Maisy McCoy (9), Clarke; Tory Henry (11), Clarke; Kinsey Hissem (12), Cardinal; Emma Becker (11), Cardinal; Ava Ferrell (12), Cardinal; Payden Hoffman (8), Centerville; Rylee Shilling (9), Centerville; Breckyn Carney (12), Centerville.