All-Metro Missouri softball team

PitcherFirst team •Kelsey Kessler, Blue Springs, freshman. Finished the season with a 30-0 record, 300 strikeouts and 0.40 ERA. She threw eight no-hitters and gave up just 11 runs for the Wildcats, who finished as undefeated state champions (31-0) in Missouri Class 4.

•Haley Pypes, Platte County, junior. She had a 26-3 record for the Missouri Class 3 state champion Pirates. She also recorded 267 strikeouts and had a 0.89 ERA. Her 22 strikeouts in the state tournament (semifinal and title game) led Platte County to its first girls team state championship in any sport.

Second team Kat Barrow, Kearney, sophomore; Kirsten Bennett, Harrisonville, senior

CatcherFirst team •Amanda Self, Blue Springs, senior. Hit .432 for the Missouri Class 4 state champion Wildcats. She had 29 RBIs and 41 hits. She also was respected for her arm. In 31 games, opposing teams stole only two bases against her.

Second team Jessica Camp, Belton, senior

First baseFirst team •Patrice Jackson, O’Hara, senior. Jackson had a .580 batting average and a 1.087 slugging percentage. She didn’t just hit for average, though. In addition to her 40 hits, Jackson had 50 RBIs, scored 24 runs and had five home runs.

Second team Chelsey Kavadas, Oak Grove, sophomore

Second baseFirst team •Jocelyn Price, Blue Springs, senior. Hit .421 with 29 runs, 21 RBIs and 40 hits for the Missouri Class 4 state champion Wildcats. She had the game-winning hit in the state semifinal, despite tearing a ligament in her finger during the game.

Second team Jessica Brewer, Liberty, senior

ShortstopFirst team •Natalie Johnson, Lee’s Summit North, senior. She hit .500 with four home runs and 37 hits. She also scored 29 runs and had eight doubles and nine triples. She struck out only four times all season.

Second team Sarah Elliott, Platte County, senior

Third baseFirst team •Mackenzie Sykes, Blue Springs, junior. Hit .390 for the Missouri Class 4 state champion Wildcats. She scored 33 runs and had 31 runs batted in, accounting for two runs per game for her undefeated squad.

Second team Katie Mertes, Smithville, freshman

OutfieldFirst team •Katie Huffman, Notre Dame de Sion, senior. Hit .475 and had 45 RBIs. Huffman also mixed speed with strength. In addition to her two home runs, she had 11 stolen bases.

•Taylor Lipps, Grain Valley, junior. Hit. .441 for the Eagles this season. An all-state selection, she finished the season with 28 runs, 20 RBIs and a .613 slugging percentage.

•Sydney Reynolds, Platte County, sophomore. A key part of the Pirates’ Missouri Class 3 state title, Reynolds hit .398 and was a solid glove in the outfield. She finished with a perfect fielding percentage.

Second team Hannah Alpers, Richmond, senior; Lauren McMinn, Winnetonka, junior; Alyssa Weatherly, Park Hill South, junior

UtilityFirst team •Rachel Hay, Oak Park, senior. Played catcher and first base. She was a weapon at the plate with seven home runs and 25 RBIs. She finished with a .484 batting average and was walked 21 times. She also scored 24 runs for the Oakies.

Second team Chelsea Ross, Liberty, freshman

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