The Sports ReportsThe accolades keep rolling in for Corning senior Matti Johnston as she headlines The Sports Reports / Ziff Law Firm All-Region softball team as the "Player of the Year."
Johnston, who is committed to play D-I softball at the University of Albany, was the Class AAA New York State Player of the Year this past season.
She guided Corning to the regional final, and reached at least the state quarterfinals each of her three years, making two state final fours and winning a state title in her career.
This year she had a 0.84 ERA with 160 strikeouts in 99 2/3 innings. She was 17-1 on the year and allowed just 12 earned runs.
At the plate, she hit .525 with a .623 on-base percentage. She had 11 extra-base hits, with four home runs, 23 RBI and 36 runs scored.
On her career, Johnston had 374 strikeouts on the mound, going 39-8 with a 1.70 ERA. She had a career average of .459 with an on-base percentage of .588, hitting 12 home runs and scoring 111 runs.
"Offensive Player of the Year" honors are shared this year by Horseheads’ Caitlin Yearick and RaeAnne Feeko of Tioga.
Yearick, a St. Johns’s commit, broke the Blue Raiders' 30-year-old school record for career home runs. She had seven home runs and 19 extra-base hits this year, with a .507 average. In the sectional final, she hit two home runs and a double. She was a second-team all-state pick this year.
Feeko, a first-team Class C all-state selection, is an excellent defender at shortstop and runs the bases exceptionally well, while bringing a big bat to the plate.
Feeko hit .660, 39 hits in 65 at bats, with 12 walks and a .671 on-base percentage. She had a 1.169 slugging percentage and an OPS of 1.840. She had eight doubles, a triple and nine home runs, driving in 37 and scoring 39 runs. She was 19-for-19 in stolen bases.
The "Defensive Player of the Year" is Lexi Smalley of Williamson. She had zero errors on the season behind the plate, and threw out 12 of 19 would-be base-stealers. At the plate, she hit .404 with a .547 on-base percentage, with one home run, nine doubles, with 20 runs scored.
Gretchan Hiley of Athens is the "Pitcher of the Year." She went 13-3 on the mound with a 0.79 ERA, before her season ended with a broken arm in the final week of the regular season. Hiley struck out 204 and walked just 25 in 106 1/3 innings, with opponents hitting .152 against her.
Leila Cobb of Towanda is the "Breakout Player of the Year." A season after she threw just six innings, Cobb threw 119 2/3 innings this year, with 210 strikeouts and a 1.287 ERA.
Corning’s Hannah Kauffmann is the "Newcomer of the Year. "She was a third-team all-state pick, and hit .382 with 19 RBI on a regional finalist.
Corning coach Mike Johnston Jr. is the "Coach of the Year." He guided the Hawks to the STAC title, an unbeaten regular season and a sectional title. The Hawks reached at least the state quarters for a third straight year.
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PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Matti Johnston, Corning.
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: Caitlin Yearick, Horseheads, and RaeAnne Feeko, Tioga.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Lexi Smalley, Williamson.
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Leila Cobb, Towanda.
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Gretchan Hiley, Athens.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Hannah Kauffman, Corning.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Mike Johnston Jr., Corning.
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ALL-REGION SOFTBALL
FIRST TEAM
MATTI JOHNSTON, CORNING: See above
CAITLYN YEARICK, HORSEHEADS: See Above
RAEANNE FEEKO, TIOGA: See above.
GRETCHAN HILEY, ATHENS: See above.
LEXI SMALLEY, WILLIAMSON: See above.
LEILA COBB, TOWANDA: See Above
LAUREN DEROSA, CORNING: A first-team all-state selection in Class AAA. After missing most of last year with an injury, DeRosa came back this year and hit .458 with three home runs.
AURORA PARLO, EDISON: A fourth-team all-state pick in Class B, Parlo hit .403 this year with 14 RBI and 21 runs scored. She was 4-2 on the mound with a .89 ERA in 39 innings, with 48 strikeouts.
PRESLEY MCGINNIS, HORSEHEADS: McGinnis hit .412 on the year with three triples and three home runs as an 8th-grader.
BROOKLYN EVANS, TOWANDA: Evans hit .456 on the year with eight doubles, a triple, three home runs, 23 RBI and 20 runs scored.
ADDISYN BLY, WYALUSING: Bly hit .441 with 31 runs, seven doubles and five triples. Defensively, she was a standout centerfielder.
ADDISON FLUCK, WYALUSING: Fluck threw 123 2/3 innings with a 0.23 ERA and 140 strikeouts. At the plate, she hit .355 with 17 RBI, six doubles and three home runs.
ERINN KNAPP, TROY: Knapp threw 114 1/3 innings with 129 strikeouts and a 1.71 ERA. She hit .309 with two triples, three home runs and 11 runs scored.
TAYLIN GONZALEZ, WAVERLY: Gonzalez sas a force on the mound and at the plate for the Wolverines. She hit .616 (40 hits in 65 at bats) with eight doubles, seven home runs, 36 RBI and 31 runs scored. Also had 13 walks and a .684 on-base percentage. She was 10-6 on the mound with a 2.77 ERA. Struck out 133 in 108 2/3 innings.
KATE KITHCART, TIOGA: Kithcart hit .579 (44 hits in 76 at-bats and struck out just twice) with an .829 slugging percentage for a 1.419 OPS. She had six doubles, two triples, and three home runs with 35 RBI, 26 runs scored, and was 8-for-8 in stolen bases. In the circle, Kithcart was 10-6 with a 3.66 ERA. She struck out 100 and walked just 12 in 99 1/3 innings.
HANNAH CARPENTER, WAVERLY: Carpenter hit .448 (30 hits in 67 ABs) with 10 doubles, one triple, five home runs, 33 RBI and 19 runs scored. She was also a Gold Glove defender behind the plate/
DANASIA THOMPKINS, NOTRE DAME: Thompkins hit .488 with four home runs, 19 RBI and 14 runs scored.
EMELIA SMITH, CORNING: Smith hit .353 with five doubles, three triples and three home runs. Drove in 19 and scored 23.
SOPHIE SCHOONOVER, CORNING: Schooner hit .354 with five home runs and a double, scored 25 runs and had 18 RBI.
HALEY LITZELMAN, NORTH PENN-LIBERTY: Litzelman hit .518 with 29 hits, 11 for extra-bases, including three home runs, five doubles and three triples. The Bucknell-commit added 23 RBI and 17 runs scored, stole nine bases and had a .568 on-base percentage. She also threw 11 innings, without allowing a run, striking out 17.
ELYNA BOOTH, NORTH PENN-LIBERTY: Booth went 12-4 on the mound, throwing 106 2/3 innings with a 1.38 ERA and 169 strikeouts. The East Stroudsburg-commit also hit .298 with 14 hits, a .450 on-base percentage, eight RBI and four runs scored.
LILAH LABARRON, COWANESQUE VALLEY: LaBarron hit .500 with 34 base hits, including two home runs, three triples, and four doubles, 29 RBI, 14 stolen bases, 19 runs scored and a .507 on-base percentage. As the Lady Indians’ ace, LaBarron threw 86 1/3 innings and went 5-6 with a 3.00 ERA with 93 strikeouts.
ZERAYA WILSON, COWANESQUE VALLEY: Wilson batted .492 and had a .577 on-base percentage, collecting 32 base hits, including one home run, one triple, and seven doubles, 34 runs scored, 19 RBI and 13 stolen bases.
SECOND TEAM
HANNAH KAUFFMAN, CORNING: See above.
TREANNA NICKESON, WYALUSING: Nickeson had an .891 fielding percentage at shortstop with 44 put outs. She hit .349 with four doubles, a triple and 17 runs scored.
LAUREN REED, TROY: Reed hit .355 with seven doubles, one home run, 18 RBI, and 17 runs scored.
HAIDYN WATSON, TROY: Watson hit .328 with 21 runs scored, six doubles, four home runs, and 12 RBI.
BRYNSEN VARGASON, TOWANDA: Vargasonhit .327 with four doubles, 15 RBI, and 15 runs scored.
MADDIE HILEY, ATHENS: Maddie Hiley hit .339 (19 hits in 56 ABs) with three doubles, two home runs, 17 RBI, seven runs scored and four stolen bases. She walked 10 times, was hit by pitches three times and had a .449 on-base percentage. In the circle, she was 1-1.
MADDIE CRON, WAVERLY: Cron hit .478 (33 hits in 69 ABs) with 12 doubles, two triples, 23 RBI, 31 runs scored, and three stolen bases. After being a top-notch defender at third base for three years, Cron switched to the outfield this season and was the Valley Sports Report Defensive Player of the Year.
LILY MEZZATESTA, TIOGA: Mezzatesta hit .468 with a .710 slugging percentage and a 1.270 OPS. She had 29 hits in 75 ABs, with eight doubles, two triples, one home run, 24 RBI and 13 runs scored, and walked 13 times for a .560 on-base percentage.
LYLIE COLUNIO, NOTRE DAME: Colunio hit .368 with 19 stolen bases and strong defense in center field.
AUBREY HOWE, HORSEHEADS: Howe hit .316 with five doubles and three home runs.
ROSIE WHEELER, EDISON: Wheeler hit .390 on the year with a .478 on-base. Had seven doubles 14 RBI, 21 runs scored and 10 stolen bases. Also went 3-1 with a 1.976 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings.
KAYLA ROSSI, EDISON: Rossi threw 23 1/3 innings with a perfect 0.00 ERA. She hit .368 on the year with five doubles and a triple, 21 RBI, and 11 runs scored.
MADDI SMITH, ELMIRA: The Express senior was a standout on the mound. She also was a strong defender at first base. (No stats provided.)
CATE LAMBERT, ELMIRA: The sophomore was a force in the lineup for the Express this year. (No stats provided.)
MIA MADDEN, CORNING: Madden hit .390 with a .471 on-base percentage, five doubles, one home run, 12 RBI and 16 runs scored.
KEANA MANN, CORNING: Mann hit .340 with a .417 on-base percentage. She had five doubles, one home run and one triple, with 16 RBI, and 16 runs scored.
JULIA KACZYNSKI, NORTH PENN-LIBERTY: Kaczynski hit .446 with 25 base hits, including nine doubles, and had 20 runs scored, nine RBI, eight stolen bases and a .523 on-base percentage.
HAYLIE SMITH, WELLSBORO: Smith batted .328 with 20 base hits, including three triples and three doubles, and had 27 runs scored, seven RBI, nine stolen bases and a .432 on-base percentage.
ADY FRANTZ, WELLSBORO: Frantz hit .453 with 29 hits, including one home run, six triples, and seven doubles, and had 19 runs scored, 26 RBI and a .500 on-base percentage. In the circle she was 9-11 with a 2.69 ERA and 217 strikeouts in 113 innings.
THIRD TEAM
RAYA PRESTON, CANTON: Preston hit .405 with 18 RBI, five doubles, one home run, and 11 runs scored, while striking out 57 in the circle.
JAYLEE WARD, CANTON: Ward hit .355 with 16 RBI, six doubles, and 16 runs scored.
LUCE PROSEUS, CANTON: Proseus hit .359 with four doubles, and 11 runs scored.
MADDY ROGERS, TIOGA: Rogers hit .406 (28 hits in 69 ABs) with two doubles, one triple, 14 RBI and 19 runs scored. She also walked 11 times for a .488 on-base percentage and stole six bases.
MCKENNA JARVIS, ATHENS: Jarvis hit .310 (18 hits in 58 ABs) with two doubles, two triples, one home run, nine RBI, 15 runs scored, and nine stolen bases.
LECKSIE DOUGLAS, WAVERLY: Douglas hit .414 (29 hits in 70 ABs) with three doubles, one home run, 15 RBI, 30 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases.
PAIGE BUBNIAK, WAVERLY: Bubniak hit .419, with 26 hits in 62 at bats. She had six doubles, a triple, 14 RBI and 28 runs scored.
RYLEE LANTZ, SAYRE: Lantz hit .306 (15 hits in 49 ABs) with two doubles, three triples, eight RBI, 12 runs scored, and three stolen bases.
AUBREY MATICIC, HORSEHEADS: Maticic hit .283 with 18 hits and 10 walks on the year.
CARISSA COWAN, EDISON: Cowan hit .361 with three doubles, three triples and one home run. She scored 20 runs and drove in 12.
RYLEE GONZALEZ, ELMIRA: Gonzalez had a strong freshman season for the Express. (No stats provided.)
ANNABELLA DECKER, ELMIRA: Decker had a strong freshman season for the Express. (No stats provided.)
KEIRA BRASS, CORNING: Brass hit .395 with two triples and one double, 13 RBI and 13 runs scored.
KATIE GROVER, CORNING: Grover hit .389 with four doubles and, one triple. She drove in 12 runs and scored 20.
OLIVIA GEE, WILLIAMSON: Gee hit .383, with 23 hits, including two doubles, one triple, and one home run. She had nine RBI, 23 runs scored, 20 stolen bases, and a .479 on-base percentage.
KENNA THOMAS, WILLIAMSON: Thomas hit .358 with 19 hits, including six doubles, one triple and two home runs. She had 20 RBI, 15 runs scoed, and a .500 on-base percentage.
JOCELYN COLEGROVE, WILLIAMSON: Colegrove batted .333 with 20 hits, including six home runs and four doubles. She had 26 RBI, 13 runs scored and a .437 on-base percentage.
EMMA CARL, COWANESQUE VALLEY: Carl hit .350 with 21 hits, including seven doubles, and 15 runs scored, 12 RBI and a .403 on-base percentage. In the circle, she was 3-0 with a 2.85 ERA and 18 strikeouts.
MADILYN CALLEAR, NORTHEAST BRADFORD: Hit .410 with 15 RBI and 19 runs scored, and threw 47 1/3 innings with 30 strikeouts on the mound.
CADENCE WELLS, TOWANDA: Wells hit .293 with five doubles, three home runs, and 15 RBI.
MEMPHIS PAUL, ATHENS: Paul hit .308 with 8-RBI and four doubles, while playing a Gold Glove catcher.
PAYTON PERRY, TOWANDA: Perry hit .333 with 22 runs scored, and 10 RBI.
KYLA CARPENTER, WYALUSING: Carpenter hit .263 with 13 runs scored and a .953 fielding percentage.
JOSIE FERRIS, WYALUSING: Ferris hit .258 with 17 RBI and five doubles.
SYDNEE BELLOWS, TROY: Bellows hit .317 with 16 runs scored.
ORISSA GARDNER, NORTHEAST BRADFORD: Gardner hit. 321 with 14 RBI and six doubles.
ALL-REGION ROOKIE TEAM
HANNAH KAUFFMAN, CORNING: See above.
MADDY ROGERS, TIOGA: See above.
KAYLA ROSSI, EDISON: See above.
RYLEE GONZALEZ, ELMIRA: See above.
JULIA KACZYNSKI, NORTH PENN-LIBERTY: See above.
HAYLIE SMITH, WELLSBORO: See above.
MADILYN CALLEAR, NORTHEAST BRADFORD: Caller hit .410 with 15 RBI and 19 runs scored, and threw 47 1/3 innings with 30 strikeouts on the mound.
KYAH NELSON, TIOGA: Nelson hit .408 (20 hits in 49 ABs) with a slugging percentage of .612 and a 1.075 OPS. She had five doubles, one triple, one home run, 14 RBI, 14 runs scored, and three stolen bases.
OLIVIA SHUGARS, TIOGA: Shugars hit .275 (14 hits in 51 ABs) with two doubles, one home run, 13 RBI, and 18 runs scored. On the mound, Shugars was 3-1 with a 2.95 ERA. She struck out 22 and walked 13 in 19 innings in the circle.
KENDALL GALASSO, ATHENS: Galasso hit .304 (seven hits in 23 ABs) with two doubles, four RBI, four runs scored, and one stolen base.
ABBY DELOSA, ATHENS: DeLosa ended her second varsity season with one double, two home runs, 11 RBI, seven runs scored, and one stolen base.
MYA FREESE, TIOGA: Freese hit .343 (12 hits in 35 ABs) with one double, five RBI, eight runs scored, and two stolen bases.
KOLBY CHAFFEE, HORSEHEADS: Chaffee hit .283 with 15 hits on the season.
KEIRA BRASS, CORNING: See above.
