Chillicothe Lady Hornets well represented on MEC softball team

The Midland Empire Conference has announced its post-season softball honors, with first-team, second-team, and honorable mention status given to several area student-athletes. 

The regular season champion Chillicothe Lady Hornets had head coach Lee Rucker named MEC Coach of the Year for 2024, guiding the Lady Hornets to the league crown and a #1 district seed before Chillicothe fell to Savannah in the district championship showdown in late October. 

Two Chillicothe pitchers received All-MEC honors, with sophomore Landry Marsh chosen first-team and freshman Ali Probasco a second-teamer.  Named a second-team catcher for the Lady Hornets was senior Tatum Palmer. 

Sophomore Ellie Acree was a first-team infielder for Chillicothe, with junior Maicee Albrecht on the second team, and junior Hayden Hansen an honorable mention pick.

Chillicothe’s Hope Donoho was a first-team All-MEC outfielder, with senior Tori Stoner on the second team, and junior Charley Peniston an honorable mention outfielder. 

Here is, in its entirety, the 2024 All-Midland Empire Conference softball team: 

Regular Season Champion: Chillicothe

Coach of the Year:  Lee Rucker of Chillicothe

1st Team: 

Pitchers – Landry Marsh of Chillicothe (unanimous), Brailyn Fox of Savannah (unanimous), Shania Noland of Benton 

Catchers – Sladyr Duncan of Benton, Emilee Dulcan of Lafayette 

Infielders – Macee Blythe of Savannah (unanimous), Ellie Acree of Chillicothe (unanimous), Klarabelle Turner of Benton, Addisen Koehler of Savannah, Victorria Barron of Benton

Outfielders – Jersey Ziolkowski of Benton (unanimous), Hope Donoho of Chillicothe (unanimous), Reagan Bauer of Savannah (unanimous) 

At-Large – Delaney McQuiston of Lafayette 

2nd Team: 

Pitchers – Brynsli McKinney of Lafayette, Emma Newton of Savannah, Ali Probasco of Chillicothe

Catchers – Tatum Palmer of Chillicothe, Lily Kenk of Cameron 

Infielders – Ally Evans of Cameron, Maicee Albrecht of Chillicothe, Ella Eckley of Maryville, Olivia Schaub of Savannah, Shayla Hullinger of Cameron, Tinsley Davison of Lafayette

Outfielders – Tori Stoner of Chillicothe, Shelbie Christofferson of Savannah, Cara Pittsenbarger of Cameron

At-Large – Charley Peniston of Chillicothe

Honorable Mention: 

Pitchers – Madison Green of Benton, Rosie Williams of Cameron, Phoebe Hornickel of Maryville, Harper Wright of Bishop LeBlond 

Catchers – Alyssa Cunningham of Maryville, Haven Wright of Bishop LeBlond

Infielders – Gracie Hatcher of St. Pius X, Emersyn Lenz of Bishop LeBlond, Avah Eckley of Maryville, Isabel Foster of Benton, Addy LeRette of Cameron, Lily Bridges of Lafayette, Brylie Henggeler of Maryville, Addisyn McCush of Savannah, Hayden Hansen of Chillicothe

Outfielders – Clare Welch of St. Pius X, Emma Sprague of Maryville, Lynli Eagleburger of Savannah, Abby Koelzer of Lafayette, Allee Snodgrass of Benton, Sophia Armilio of St. Pius X