Seven Midgets earn all-conference honors

Bosch, Kirchner unanimous picks

By David Swartz

Managing Editor

Article Photos

Estherville Lincoln Central senior pitcher Kendall Bosch was one of six unanimous first-team all-conference softball players as selected by the Lakes Conference coaches.
EDN file photo

As one of the three co-Lakes Conference champions, Estherville Lincoln Central was well-represented in the all-conference selections this season.

ELC, Emmetsburg and LeMars all finished with an 11-3 conference record.

Senior pitcher Kendall Bosch and junior shortstop Emily Kirchner were both unanimous selections to the first team. Also on the first team were junior first baseman Taylor Lago and senior Kellie Christensen as a utility player.

Freshman infielder Caitlyn Clayton was named to the second team.

Bosch, a senior, led the conference with a 0.53 earned run average. Of the 13 runs allowed in league play, only six were earned. She posted a 9-3 record and pitched 79 innings. She recorded 111 strikeouts with four walks and two hit batters. Opponents batted .171 against her. Bosch was also one of the team's top hitters with a .500 average including 21 hits with three doubles, two triples and 22 RBIs.

Kirchner had the second highest batting average in league play at .537 with an on-base percentage of .620. She had 22 hits with two doubles, two triples, two home runs and 11 RBIs. She scored a league-high 25 runs.

Lago batted .333 in league play with 15 hits including two doubles, a triple, 14 RBIs and 15 runs

Christensen batted .273 with nine hits, five RBIs and nine runs, and was known for her play in center field also.

Clayton batted .344 in league play with 11 hits including three doubles, two home runs, nine RBIs and 10 runs.

Earning honorable mention were senior Christina Tendal and junior second baseman Macy Dahl.

Tendal played both catcher and first base for the Midgets. In conference play, she batted .244 with 10 hits including two doubles with nine RBIs and nine runs.

Dahl was known for her defense. In conference play, she batted .158 with six hits but scored 12 runs with one double and five RBIs. She also had seven sacrifices and drew nine walks.

Five Indians honored

Spirit Lake finished with a 7-7 record and had five players earn all conference honors. Three were named to the first team.

Junior infielder Paige Krause batted .467 with 21 hits including four doubles and seen home runs with 24 RBIs and 20 runs. Junior outfielder Alissa Christoffer batted .333 in league play with 15 hits, three RBIs and 16 runs.

Senior Cara Vale was selected as a utility player. She batted .353 in league play with 12 hits including a double, a triple and five RBIs. She also pitched 42 1/3 innings and posted a 3-3 record with a 4.96 earned run average and had 25 strikeouts with 15 walks.

Named to the second team were senior infielder Amanda Bueltel and sophomore outfielder Kayla Herrig.

Bueltel batted .444 with 16 hits including four doubles, two triples, 12 RBIs and 16 runs. Herrig batted 2.41 with seven hits including a double, two RBIS and nine runs.