Softball all-star team

Bob Fortuna, Plain Dealer Reporter, June 19, 2009 7:20 a.m.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Tess Sito

Elyria Senior pitcher

College: Cleveland State

Notable: Led the Pioneers to their fourth straight Division I final four appearance but first state title since 2002. Hit .509 with 19 RBI, 47 runs scored and five home runs as the leadoff batter while also posting a .982 fielding percentage. A 26-3 record, 0.23 ERA and 331 strikeouts in 181 innings proved her dominance on the mound.

OTHER ALL-STARS

Lauren Balodis

North Royalton Senior infielder/pitcher

College: Kent State

Notable: Batted .507 with seven doubles, two home runs, 23 runs scored, 20 RBI, a .727 slugging percentage, .652 on-base percentage and .946 fielding percentage en route to setting 32 school records. Also compiled a 12-7 record on the mound with a 1.13 ERA and 147 strikeouts in 130 innings.

Paige Berger

Rootstown Senior infielder

College: Bowling Green

Notable: A winner of 16 varsity letters, she finished as the Rovers’ most prolific hitter. Batted .523 with 30 RBI, 38 runs scored, seven doubles, four triples, 11 walks, 12 stolen bases and a school-record 12 home runs. Graduates with a state-record 29 career home runs.

Kara Dill

Keystone Senior infielder

College: Kentucky

Notable: Four-time All-Ohio Division II first-teamer batted .545 with 13 doubles, seven triples, three home runs, 38 runs scored, 22 stolen bases, a .901 slugging percentage and .631 on-base percentage. Made two errors in 86 attempts and also compiled a 7-3 pitching record with a 0.50 ERA.

Jessacca Gironda

Archbishop Hoban Junior outfielder

College: Undecided

Notable: The Akron resident got the job done by hitting .569, scoring 28 runs, driving in 11 runs, mustering eight walks and stealing 12 bases. Had a .613 on-base percentage and .583 slugging percentage while striking out just five times in 72 plate appearances.

Lauren Grimes

Tallmadge Senior outfielder

College: Kent State

Notable: The Blue Devils qualified for their first Division II final four appearance since 1999 because of her team-leading .516 batting average, 49 hits, four home runs, .580 on-base percentage and .779 slugging percentage. Also had 26 RBI, seven doubles and scored 36 runs and made three errors in 86 chances.

Mindy Meredith

Hudson Junior pitcher

College: Undecided

Notable: The Explorers made their second Division I final four appearance in three seasons because the lefty had a 20-2 record, 0.72 ERA and 243 strikeouts in 135 1/3 innings. Also batted .325 with seven home runs, 26 RBI and a .675 slugging percentage.

Dani Ramos

NDCL Sophomore outfielder

College: Undecided

Notable: The South Euclid resident is the prototype leadoff hitter because she's an effective slapper and bunter, who can also hit the gaps, and has blazing speed. Batted .550, scored 34 runs, had 25 stolen bases, a .581 slugging percentage, .600 on-base percentage and .940 fielding percentage.

Aleecia Sunagel

Amherst Senior infielder

College: Wheeling Jesuit

Notable: The Comets reached the Division I district final and defended their Southwestern Conference title because she batted .493 with 28 RBI, 30 runs scored and six home runs. Drew an incredible 24 walks to help her .660 on-base percentage and had a .994 fielding percentage.

Kristen Towne

Brecksville Senior catcher

College: Cornell

Notable: Helped her team earn a Division I regional semifinal berth. Hit .446 with 21 runs scored, 32 RBI, seven doubles, six triples, five home runs, a .919 slugging percentage and .500 on-base percentage. Posted a .977 fielding percentage and was 9-of-9 throwing runners out.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Ken Fenik

Elyria

Record: 29-3

Notable: With three freshmen in the starting lineup, he directed the Pioneers to their second Division I state championship after finishing as runners-up each of the previous three seasons. He has compiled a 354-61 record, 14 conference titles, 10 district crowns and six regional championships in 15 seasons.