GameTimePA.com YAIAA softball all-stars for 2015
Click here for more photos from this story.Player of the Year
Hayley Norton
Hayley Norton, Spring Grove, sr.: The Rockets moved up to Division I, which did not stop Norton from crushing the softball at an amazing clip.
In addition to hitting .627 this season, Norton was a run-producing machine and drove in 36 runs while scoring 31 times. She also accumulated a slugging percentage of 1.169. Of her 37 hits, 19 went for extra bases, including five home runs and 11 doubles.
Spring Grove coach Mark Hull said that while the four-year starter was always a great hitter, Norton entered her senior season with an even better approach.
"She matured to the point she was not trying to go for home runs. She was trying to hit the ball solid and into the gaps," Hull said. "Her hits were not bloopers. They were solid hits."
That's just the offense. The speedy Norton was outstanding while patrolling center field for the Rockets, and few opponents tested her arm strength.
Norton, who was a captain for three of her high school seasons, will play at NCAA Division I St. Francis University.
All-Star Spotlight Q&A with Player of the Year Hayley Norton
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First-team all-stars
Haylee Anders
Briannah Dobson
Katie Laughman
Kayla Resh
Kelsey Wisner
Lauren Craig
Natalie Cutright
Shelbee Holcomb
Mallory Lebo
McKenzie Somers
Kaitlin Yealy
Haylee Anders, Dallastown, sr.: A four-year starter, the speedy Anders hit at a .469 clip with a .734 slugging percentage. She had a team-high five triples and drove in 20 runs from the Wildcats' leadoff spot.
Natalie Cutright, Dover, jr.: The leader of the upstart Division II champion Eagles, Cutright ranks among the top shortstops with her glove. She hit .594 with 12 doubles, three home runs and did not strike out in 64 at-bats this season.
Briannah Dobson, Central York, so.: Wise beyond her years, the sophomore handled the catching duties for the YAIAA champs. At the plate, she did not strike out all season while hitting a robust .612 with 25 RBIs. During a victory against Dover, she was 3-for-3 with three runs batted in.
Shelbee Holcomb, Delone Catholic, jr.: The league's best hitter, Holcomb posted triple-crown numbers, mashing her way to a .740 batting average, with 57 hits in 77 at-bats, 10 home runs, 53 RBIs, 50 runs scored and a .767 on-base percentage while handling shortstop duties for the district champs.
Katie Laughman, Delone Catholic. jr.: While anchoring the corner for the District 3 Class AA champions, Laughman was a tremendous run producer. She scored 35 runs and drove in another 27, while hitting .500 with five home runs.
Mallory Lebo, Susquehannock, jr.: Lebo did not make an error in 110 innings while patrolling center field for the Warriors. The speedster was perfect in stolen-base attempts, had a .433 on-base percentage and hit .387 with 28 runs scored.
Kayla Resh, Central York, sr.: The latest in a strong line of great Central pitchers, Resh helped deliver Division I and YAIAA tournament titles, going 14-1 this season with an ERA of 1.39 and 95 strikeouts. She also had 28 hits and a .389 average at the dish.
McKenzie Somers, Littlestown, jr.: Pitcher or hitter, the Thunderbolts' ace was a major part of Littlestown's run to the YAIAA Division III title. She not only posted a 1.30 ERA with 95 strikeouts in the circle, but she also hit .562 with 25 RBIs, while reaching base nearly 60 percent of the time.
Kelsey Wisner, Central York, sr.: One of the best ever to play the hot corner in the YAIAA, the four-year starter had one of her best offensive seasons to go along with her incredible defense. She had eight doubles and a league-high six triples while batting .471.
Kaitlin Yealy, Littlestown, jr.: With 20 of her hits going for extra bases — nine doubles, two triples and nine home runs — Yealy led Division III in most offensive categories, including RBIs (48), batting average (.582) and on-base percentage (.641).
Coach of the Year
Lauren Craig, Dover: Craig guided the Eagles to an 11-8 record, the YAIAA Division II championship and the team's first above-.500 record since 2004. Craig was able to combine youth and experience in helping Dover earn a berth in District 3 Class AAA tournament.
Honorable mention
Emily Albright, Hanover
Lyndee Anders, Dallastown
Sierra Arnold, Eastern York
Kendra Becker New Oxford
Kaitlyn Chell, South Western
Jaelynn Harbold, Dallastown
Alyssa Lawton, Dover
Danielle Ludwig, Dallastown
Rhiannon McGlone, Kennard-Dale
Cassie Rickrode, Delone Catholic
Maddy Staub, Susquehannock
Alexis Valentine, Kennard-Dale
Kelsie Weaver, West York
Julia Wivell, Spring Grove
Madelyn Yannetti, Gettysburg
YAIAA coaches' all-star selections