For the third straight year, Lincoln County standout Josie Bird is headlining the Class AAA all-state softball team, selected by the West Virginia Sports Writers Ƶsociation.
Bird was named the captain of the first team as a catcher for the third time after a season in which she hit .571 at the plate to go with a .716 on-base percentage and a 1.154 slugging percentage. The senior clubbed 11 home runs, giving her an even 50 dingers for her career, while adding seven doubles, one triple and 38 RBIs.
ƵSheƵs a once-in-a-lifetime player,Ƶ Lincoln County coach Tommy Barrett said. ƵThe size, strength and the ability that kid has is just unknown. IƵve had some great star athletes, but the size of Josie, and the strength of Josie, just donƵt go unnoticed. The kid really works. She outlifts a lot of the boys from the football team. SheƵs a beast. Just a very, very hard worker.Ƶ
When Bird, who is signed with Indiana, wasnƵt smashing big flies, she was probably getting pitched around by opponents. She drew a state-best 38 free passes, 31 of which were intentional walks, including 10 straight intentional passes during the postseason against Cabell Midland.
Ƶide from being captain for the third consecutive year, this is BirdƵs fourth straight season as a member of the Class AAA first team.
ƵTo receive AAA all-state captain for the third year in a row is a tremendous honor that allows me to represent my state, county and everyone who has supported me throughout my softball journey,Ƶ Bird said. ƵI think back on the countless years of practice and dedication to softball, and it makes this honor even more meaningful.
ƵWhen we experienced the (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020, and softball was taken away due to social distancing, thatƵs when I learned how important it was to me. It became a huge motivator for me to be the best I could be. This is proof that hard work pays off. I will forever be thankful to represent Lincoln County and West Virginia, where so many people have supported me along this journey.Ƶ
Joining Bird on the first team is senior Panthers teammate Ryleigh Shull, who is making her third-straight appearance as a first-teamer.
Shull, a Louisiana Tech commit, landed a spot as a pitcher as she finished with a 1.85 ERA and 100 Ks. At the plate, Shull hit at a .510 clip, with four long balls, 13 doubles, two triples and 40 RBIs.
Joining Shull as third-time selections are John Marshall senior Ava Blake and senior Sydney Young from St. Albans. Both were chosen an infielders. Blake hit .467 with 13 homers and 30 RBIs for the Monarchs, while Young hit at a .583 clip with nine homers and 17 steals.
Five players are making their second appearance on the first team this spring, three of which are utility selections in junior Sydney Turner from Spring Valley, senior Quinn Ballengee from Cabell Midland and Woodrow Wilson junior Aubrey Smallwood.
Turner turned in a .602 batting average on the season with four home runs, five triples, two doubles, 19 RBIs and 48 runs scored. Ballengee hit at a .403 clip with 12 bombs, nine doubles and 36 RBIs, while Smallwood turned in a .385 average with five homers and 25 RBIs while going 8-7 in the circle with a 1.16 ERA and 184 Ks in 90 innings pitched.
Also making her second appearance as a first-teamer is sophomore Maddie Campbell, who is representing state champion University. Campbell hit .453 on the season with two long balls and 23 RBIs. She was chosen as an infielder, but she also pitched and went 7-4 on the season with a 3.75 ERA and 65 strikeouts.
Parkersburg SouthƵs Becca Beaty is the final two-time selection, as the senior was chosen as an outfielder.
Three of the four pitchers chosen were making their inaugural showing on the first-team list. They are sophomores Katie Justice from Hurricane and Madison Wisman from Morgantown, along with junior Ava Bentley from St. Albans.
Bentley struck out 294 batters for the Red Dragons while compiling a 15-8 record and a 1.92 ERA. At the plate, she hit .486 with two home runs and 22 steals.
Wisman went 16-2 in the circle with a 2.60 ERA while also hitting .487 with six home runs and 38 RBIs. Justice turned in a 15-5 record for Hurricane with 141 strikeouts and hit .433 at the dish.
Rounding out the infield selections are Cabell Midland senior Olivia Bell (.515 BA, nine HRs, 11 doubles, 48 RBIs) and Hedgesville sophomore Mayla Ortega (.452 BA, 12 HRs, 45 RBIs), while Greenbrier East senior Alanis McClary (.422 BA, 38 hits, 14 RBIs) was the second catcher chosen.
State runner-up Washington saw junior Gabby Bibb (.539 BA, 48 hits, 17 RBIs) land an outfield spot, while Hurricane junior Alex Anderson (.494, six HR, 34 RBI) grabbed another one.
Greenbrier EastƵs Kayla Bartley (8-3, 1.57 ERA, 158 Ks, .392 BA, six HRs, 26 RBIs) was chosen as a utility selection after leading the Spartans to the state tournament as a senior.
Captaining the second team was senior infielder Taylor Boswell from Greenbrier East. She hit .365 with four long balls and 35 RBIs, while ending her career in South Charleston.
Joining her on the second-team infield is HurricaneƵs Punkie Harper and Jaden Jones, George WashingtonƵs Tylie Barton and Parkersburg SouthƵs Brooklin Whitehead.
The second-team pitchers are Drea Watts of Cabell Midland, WashingtonƵs Chloe Constantino, JeffersonƵs Becca Munslow and Glenville State commit Madison Pitts of Spring Valley, while the catchers are UniversityƵs Olivia Masoner and Cabell MidlandƵs Sabrina Rose.
The outfield selections consist of Kate Swisher and Addie Armstrong of George Washington, along with Spring ValleyƵs Kate Spry.
Rounding out the second team as utility selections are South CharlestonƵs Caraline Dunn, ParkersburgƵs Kylie Conley, UniversityƵs Sophia Lehosit and WashingtonƵs Carly Constantino.
All-State honorees can obtain state-shaped, wood plaques with name, school, year and honor at or .
