All-Greene County Messenger Softball Diamond Cutters Team
Edward K.Thompson
West Greene’s McKenna Lampe connects for a single against Monessne during their regular-season game on April 6. Lampe, who hit for the cycle in West Greene’s 11-7 victory over Williams Valley in the PIAA Class final, was named to the All-Greene County Messenger Softball Diamond Cutters team. (Photo by Edward K. Thompson)
Carmichaels’ Megan Walker bats against Monessen during their game on May 1. Walker was named to the All-Greene County Messenger Softball Diamond Cutters team. (Photo by Rob Burchianti)
Edward K.Thompson
West Greene’s Jade Renner winds up before releasing a pitch against Monessen in their PIAA Class A semifinal game at Peterswood Park on June 12. Renner was named to the All-Greene County Messenger Softball Diamond Cutters team. (Photo by Edward K. Thompson)
Rob Burchianti | Herald-Standard
Sewickley Academy’s Alexis Barlock delivers a pitch to Mapletown’s Macee Chesney with the Lady Maples’ Taylor Vanata at second base during their WPIAL Class A first-round playoff game at Peterswood Park on May 14. Chesney was named to the All-Greene County Messenger Softball Diamond Cutters team. (Photo by Rob Burchianti)
West Greene’s Madison Lampe safely slides into third base after getting caught in a rundown between third and home during a WPIAL Class A semifinal game against Union at Peterswood Park on May 23. Lampe was named to the All-Greene County Messenger Softball Diamond Cutters team. (Photo by Edward K. Thompson)
Rob Burchianti | Herald-Standard
Carmichaels’ Kylie Sinn hurls a pitch towards a Monessen batter during their Section 2-A game at Monessen High School on May 1. Sinn was named to the All-Greene County Messenger Softball Diamond Cutters team. (Photo by Rob Burchianti)
Holly Tonini
Waynesburg Central catcher Sydney Hare (24) tags a runner out at home plate. Hare was named to the All-Greene County Messenger Softball Diamond Cutters team. (Photo by Holly Tonini)
Edward K.Thompson
West Greene second baseman Kaitlyn Rizor prepares to throw to first for the out after fielding a ground ball as Belle Vernon’s Sophie Godzak runs by during their game in Washington Township on May 7. Rizor was named to the All-Greene County Messenger Softball Diamond Cutters team. (Photo by Edward K. Thompson)
Edward K.Thompson
West Greene’s Lexie Mooney makes a valiant attempt at catching a foul ball against Belle Vernon on May 7 in Washington Township. Mooney was named to the All-Greene County Messenger Softball Diamond Cutters team. (Photo by Edward K. Thompson)
Carmichaels first baseman Gina Ranieri snags the throw for the out just before Monessen’s Mattie Telegraphis (3) can hit the bag during their Section 2-A game at Monessen High School on May 1 last season. (Photo by Rob Burchianti)
Edward K.Thompson
West Greene senior Madison Renner connects on a pitch against Monessen on April 6. Renner was named to the All-Greene County Messenger Softball Diamond Cutters team. (Photo by Edward K. Thompson)
Since 1997, softball has been the premier and most success sport in Greene County.
In that time span, the county has racked up three PIAA titles, seven WPIAL titles and countless section crowns and playoff appearances.
Once again Greene County housed plenty of stellar performances on the softball diamond in 2018.
West Greene continued its impressive run with its third straight section and WPIAL titles, while also capturing 20 wins for three years in a row.
The Lady Pioneers also added their second consecutive PIAA title a couple of weeks ago.
Waynesburg Central had another strong year in a highly competitive section in Class AAA and the Lady Raiders grabbed their first postseason win since 2014 after a first-round triumph over Freedom.
Carmichaels, which has made the playoffs for 12 straight years, and Mapletown, which made its first postseason berth since 2008, fell in the first round of the Class A playoffs by one lone run.
Jefferson-Morgan missed the playoffs, but the young Lady Rockets did increase their win total from the previous year and seem to be on the upswing heading into the 2019 campaign.
With all that team success, you know there were plenty of great individual performances.
Let’s recap those successes with the release of the first annual All-Greene County Messenger Softball Diamond Cutters squad.
Macee Chesney, Mapletown: This senior was a key part to the resurgence of the Lady Maples this spring. Along with playing solid defense in the field, Chesney led Mapletown in hits (23), singles (15) and doubles (8). She only struck out twice during the season, and was a consistent threat in the lineup.
Sara Chory, Mapletown: Chory was one of the table-setters for Mapletown’s offense and also hit for some power out of the two-hole. The senior carried a batting average of .457 with 21 hits, eight doubles, three triples and one home run.
Caitlyn Dugan, Jefferson-Morgan: The sophomore pitcher led the Lady Rockets both in the circle and at the plate. Dugan registered 68 strikeouts and picked up all five wins for J-M this season. Her best game of the year came against Fort Cherry when she tallied 15 strikeouts in a 5-4 victory.
Rachel Elsenheimer, Waynesburg Central: Elsenheimer had a stellar season with the bat and led Waynesburg in several offensive categories. The versatile junior infielder put up a .618 batting average with 31 RBIs, 30 runs scored, nine doubles, three triples and five home runs.
Sydney Hare, Waynesburg Central: The multiple-year starter behind the plate, Hare had her best year in her final season with the Lady Raiders. Besides playing superb defense from her catcher position, Hare batted cleanup for Waynesburg, adding 23 RBIs and 10 extra-base hits with a .446 clip at the plate.
Madison Lampe, West Greene: The junior third basemen once again showcased her power and speed with the Lady Pioneers in 2018. For the season, Lampe batted .527 with a .901 slugging percentage and a .670 on-base percentage with 44 RBIs, 50 runs scored, 18 extra-base hits and 22 stolen bases.
McKenna Lampe, West Greene: Just like her twin sister, McKenna displayed another outstanding season in the field and at the plate. The junior center fielder led West Greene with a .571 batting average to go along with 31 RBIs, 56 runs scored, 18 extra-base hits, 35 stolen bases and a .939 slugging percentage.
Brooke Meek, Waynesburg Central: No matter where she was in the lineup, Meek was a productive hitter for the Lady Raiders. In her senior season, she was not only a strong leader for Waynesburg but she had an impressive stat line on offense with a .346 batting average, 17 RBIs and 18 runs scored.
Lexie Mooney, West Greene: The senior first baseman was one of the most consistent six-hole hitters not just in the county, but also in Class A. She had her biggest moments in the postseason. To go along with a strong glove at first, Mooney also delivered a .346 batting clip with 18 RBIs and 13 runs scored.
Gina Ranieri, Carmichaels: The Lady Mikes’ cleanup hitter had another steady season in 2018. Ranieri had a .344 batting average this spring, while also smacking 21 hits, eight extra-base hits (two home runs), 17 RBIs, 17 runs scored and a .394 on-base percentage.
Jade Renner, West Greene: The sophomore lefty was a true, dynamic dual-threat for West Greene. She posted an 18-4 record in the circle with a 2.22 ERA over 126 innings with 109 strikeouts and just nine walks. Offensively, Renner had a batting average of .530 with 38 RBIs and 16 extra-base hits.
Madison Renner, West Greene: She was the voice of the Lady Pioneers on the field and also a strong leader with her glove and her bat. Renner carried a .551 batting average, a 1.000 slugging percentage and a .707 on-base percentage to go along with 45 RBIs, 23 runs scored and 20 extra-base hits.
Kaitlyn Rizor, West Greene: Rizor was another key piece to the Lady Pioneers’ success this year when she batted at a .476 clip at the plate with 21 RBIs, 22 runs scored and 10 extra-base hits. The junior second baseman was fantastic in the field, as she was a defensive rock for West Greene on the infield.
Bailee Shimek, Waynesburg Central: The junior first basemen provided Waynesburg with a lot of key, clutch hits in her first year as a full-time starter. Shimek was very athletic at first base and also was strong with her bat with a .436 batting average, 28 RBIs and 19 runs scored.
Kylie Sinn, Carmichaels: Sinn didn’t have a sophomore slump for Carmichaels and was a dependable starter for the Lady Mikes on the rubber and in the lineup. Sinn compiled a 12-7 record with a 1.54 ERA over 109 innings with 123 strikeouts. On offense, she held a .453 average, 28 RBIs and 10 extra-base hits.
Megan Walker, Carmichaels: The Waynesburg University recruit finished off her stellar career with the Lady Mikes in grand fashion this spring. Walker was a reliable threat from her lead-off spot in the lineup and behind the plate. On offense, she batted .355 with 20 RBIs, 24 runs scored and eight stolen bases.