All-area softball teams

First team

C -- Ashley Ebersole, Central
The Falcons' unquestioned leader behind the plate, Ebersole complemented her defensive prowess with one of the area's most potent bats as she hit .415 and blasted an area-leading seven home runs. Ebersole, who was also named the Northwestern District's Player of the Year, is headed to Emory and Henry in the fall to play both softball and basketball.

1B -- Bethany Doman, Strasburg
Doman ranked among the area's top run producers across the board, highlighted by her .541 batting average, five triples, 22 runs and 21 RBIs. She was a second team pick in the Bull Run.

2B -- Bethany Fauber, Strasburg
The junior was an all-district and all-region selection for the Rams while batting .410 with six doubles and 13 RBIs.

3B -- Amanda Lizama, Sherando
Lizama played the hot corner and was one of the Warriors' top hitters, producing a .369 batting average and ranking in the area's top 10 in doubles and RBIs. She was a first team all-district pick.

SS -- Amy Hagerdon, Clarke
Hagerdon was fond of the extra-base hit, belting 10 doubles, a triple and two homers while hitting over .400 and ranking in the top five in the area in runs, RBIs and stolen bases.

OF -- Jaclyn Ayers, Strasburg
The Rams' spark plug was outstanding offensively and defensively, hitting .519 and leading the area in steals (33) and finishing second in runs (34).

OF -- Amanda Lutz, Sherando
A first team pick in the district and second team selection in the region, Lutz hit .403, scored 20 runs and drove in 21 more for the Warriors.

OF -- Misa Alvarez, Handley
Alvarez hit a robust .444 while homering once and scoring 20 runs for the Judges. She was a first-team pick in the Northwestern District.

UTIL -- Brianna Smith, Clarke
Smith was in a hurry all season long, as evidenced by her school-record seven steals on March 27. She finished with 30 swipes, which broke a school record set in 1977, and hit a mind-boggling .548 while leading the area in hits and runs.

UTIL -- Brea Hinegardner, Central
What can't she do? Hinegardner, one of the area's most-feared pitchers coming into the season, showed off her bat in 2009. She led the area in batting average (.594) and doubles (12), hit five homers and drove in 15. She also started all 19 games for the Falcons, piling up a dozen wins, striking out 147 in 126 innings while posting a microscopic 1.95 ERA.

UTIL -- Brittany Larrick, Sherando
Larrick was the catcher for one of the area's top hurlers -- Nicole Musser -- and hit .439 with three homers, while leading the area in triples and RBIs.

UTIL -- Lauren Stickles, Strasburg
Stickles was one of the Rams' top performers in her final season, piling up 13 wins, striking out 98 and posting a 2.35 ERA. She also did damage at the dish, ranking in the top 10 in the area in batting average, doubles, triples, runs and RBIs.

UTIL -- Kourtney Paige, Sherando
Paige, a first team pick in the Northwestern District and second team pick in Region II, hit .446, scored 23 runs and had 20 RBIs.

P -- Nicole Musser, Sherando
Musser rarely faltered in 2009, posting a 15-3 record with a 1.29 ERA in 114 innings. She also struck out 152 batters and led the Warriors to regional play.

P -- Jordan Wolford, Clarke
The Bull Run District Player of the Year led the area with a 1.21 ERA over 922⁄3 innings. She finished 10-2 and struck out 152 batters -- almost two per inning. Wolford also hit over .400 for the Eagles.

Second team

• C -- Taylor Bass, Warren County


• 1B -- Morgan McCarthy, James Wood


• 2B -- Lauren McCabe, Clarke County


• 3B -- Sam Herndon, Clarke County


• SS -- Sarah Mastrangelo, Central


• OF -- Tara Fields, Clarke County


• OF -- Casey Spiker, Strasburg


• OF -- Alex Gibson, Stonewall Jackson


• UTIL -- Tiffany Milgrim, Strasburg


• UTIL -- Rachel Buckner, Clarke County


• UTIL -- Lauren Yaider, Handley


• UTIL -- Allyson Ponn, Strasburg


• UTIL -- Amanda Morrison, James Wood


• P -- Nicole King, Warren County


• P -- Chelsea Hamric, Handley

Honorable mention
Marcy Beall, Stonewall Jackson; Taylor Cooper, Central; Lindsey Dean, Strasburg; Whitney Dennis, James Wood; Margo Gurganus, Central; Sam Hedrick, Central; Kaitlyn Hendershot, Millbrook; Casey Henry, Skyline; Taylor Henry, Skyline; Tootie Jackson, Skyline; Caitlin Johnson, Handley; Stephy Keller, Warren County; Kayla Lewis, Handley; Amanda Litwin, Skyline; Allie Lockhart, Central; Ariel McCarter, Strasburg; Eric McCarthy, James Wood; Samantha Meeker, Sherando; Brittney Mumaw, Central; Paige Partlowe, Warren County; Raven Porter, Sherando; Odessa Ryan, Stonewall Jackson; Julie Shifflett, Skyline; Jessie Seymour, Sherando; Haley Stover, Stonewall Jackson; Ashley Thorpe, Clarke County; Amber Wells, Millbrook; Danielle Walls, Handley.