The Montezuma softball team’s battery mates – pitcher Kallie Robison and catcher Carissa Van Zee, were named to the SICL all-conference second team, chosen by the coaches.
Van Zee, a senior, was second on the team in hitting at .283 and in hits with 17 total during Montezuma’s 18-game season.
But it was her leadership role that her father and coach, Jeremy Van Zee, said will be hardest to replace.
“She handled an eighth-grade and a freshman pitcher (Robison), and she and senior Chloe Latcham brought a young team along,” Jeremy Van Zee said. “Carissa is a three-year leader behind the plate and will be missed.”
Van Zee had 18 total bases, tying for first on the team. She hit one double and drove in seven runs. She also went five-for-five in stealing bases.
Van Zee’s .975 fielding percentage on 122 chances was best on the team among players who handled 30 or more chances. She threw out three runners trying to steal bases.
Robison started 16 games in Montezuma’s 9-9 season. She pitched 101.2 innings and had a 3.79 earned run average.
Robison walked 18 batters and struck out 86, among the best strikeout totals in the SICL. She gave up 134 hits.
“Kallie hit more spots this year,” Van Zee said, citing her precision in a close 4-2 loss to state tournament team Lynnville-Sully as her best work.
The coach said working on developing more effective off-speed pitches will be important for Robison during the off-season.
ALL-SICL SOFTBALL
First Team
(# unanimous)
Pitchers – #Denali Conover, jr., Lynnville-Sully; Madison McKay, jr., North Mahaska; Kylie Doty, soph., Colfax-Mingo.
Catchers – Korrinne Jansen, jr., Lynnville-Sully; Maci DeJong, sr., North Mahaska.
Infielders – #Megan Stuhr, sr., Sigourney; Lilly Parrott, sr., Belle Plaine; Mallory Loftus, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Caitlyn Alberts, jr., Lynnville-Sully; Gwen Mews, soph., English Valleys.
Outfielders – #Laci Keen, jr., Lynnville-Sully; Chloe Bossard, sr., North Mahaska; Taylor Moel, jr., BGM; Caylee Cunningham, fr., Colfax-Mingo.
Utility – Abi Rawlins, fr., Colfax-Mingo; Kaleah Ehresman, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Kiley Alcott, soph., Belle Plaine; Morgan Hudson, soph., North Mahaska.
Second Team
Pitchers – Kallie Robison, fr., Montezuma; Hannah Marsh, jr., English Valleys; Carly Goodwin, 8th, Sigourney.
Catchers – Carissa Van Zee, sr., Montezuma; Kaylee Weber, jr., Sigourney.
Infielders – Addy Westfall, fr., English Valleys; Carley Underwood, fr., Colfax-Mingo, Kayla Jack, jr., HLV; Rylie Van Ersvelde, sr., BGM; Zoe Deucore, soph., North Mahaska.
Outfielders – Karlee Chandler, sr., North Mahaska; Maddie Mikesell, soph., English Valleys; Olivia Bohlen, soph., Belle Plaine; Courtney Hemsley, fr., Sigourney.
Utilitiy – Karlee Timm, jr., HLV; Cayler Noun Harder, jr., Lynnville-Sully.
Coach of the Year – Stacey Alberts, Lynnville-Sully.