Five Somerset County softball players collect PaHSSBCA All-State honors

Five Somerset County athletes have been named to the Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association All-State Team on Thursday.

Meyersdale's Izabella Donaldson and Zoe Hetz were chosen as first-team honorees in Class 1A. Fellow Red Raider Marcella Dupre was a second-team selection as well as Shanksville-Stonycreek's Liz Salsgiver.

Conemaugh Township's Olivia Weyandt garnered first-team accolades in Class 2A.

All-County softball teamMeyersdale pair garner top all-Somerset County softball awards

It was another exceptional year for Meyersdale. The Red Raiders went 20-3, capturing their fourth straight WestPAC title and second straight District 5 championship.

Donaldson guided Meyersdale. She played this year with a knee injury which required surgery at the end of the season. The sophomore batted .590 and paced the Red Raiders with 46 hits, including four triples and seven home runs, 46 RBIs and 47 runs scored. In the circle, Donaldson posted a 19-3 mark with a 1.44 ERA in 22 appearances. She allowed 43 hits, 39 runs (23 earned) and 47 walks while piling up 222 strikeouts in 112 innings pitched.

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Donaldson was also selected the inaugural Daily American Somerset County All-Star Softball Team Player of the Year, and the Somerset All-County MVP. It was a special season for the sophomore standout.

"It feels good to get all of these awards, especially for how hard I've worked," Donaldson said of her first all-state selection. "My parents have pushed me and they have really helped out."

Donaldson is quick to put her teammates ahead of her own personal achievements. She wants to see them thrive just as much as she does, making her a complete player on the diamond.

"We all had good mentalities. We were always in good spirits," Donaldson said of the squad. "We were always cheering and we picked each other up. I am looking forward to see how much we all improve together. This year was the first time we all played together. I am excited to see what we can do in the WestPAC and District 5 and see how much further we can go in the state playoffs."

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Hetz, who was also a Daily American All-Star and Somerset All-County first-team honoree, earned her first all-state selection. Hetz was second on the team with a .506 batting average and 41 hits, including a team-high eight doubles. She was tied for second on the team with 41 runs scored. Hetz recorded 22 RBIs.

The sophomore first baseman made a tremendous catch against Conemaugh Valley in the WestPAC Championship game to spoil a potential rally late in the game. Hetz was one of the integral pieces for the Red Raiders. However, her all-state selection came as a bit of a shock.

"I was honestly really surprised when (Meyersdale coach) Tim (Miller) called me," Hetz said. "It is a reward for working hard all season and seeing it pay off."

Hetz is a two-year starter for Meyersdale. She continues to develop her game and is quickly becoming one of the top players in the county.

"I was more confident in myself this year," she said. "Being my second year, I am more used to playing and what to expect. Having teammates and coaches there, too, help you feel more confident in yourself."

Dupre took over the leadoff hitter and shortstop role this season. The sophomore was poised and confident in her first year as a starter.

"It was really wonderful," Dupre said of the season. "I loved playing. Any opportunity I had to show myself that I wanted to be on the field, I was going to do it. The experience was amazing."

Dupre hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first inning against Conemaugh Valley in the WestPAC title tilt to spark a Meyersdale rally. She was an anchor at shortstop as well, with Donaldson moving from short to the circle this year.

"I've never been a leadoff hitter before," she said. "During fall ball, I was put in that position. I was a little nervous. I wasn't as confident as I started out in high school ball, but coach Tim (Miller) always told me, 'Do whatever it takes to get on.' I really instilled that into myself.

"A former coach of mine, Pap Boyer told me one of the most important phrases of my career, 'What am I going to do with the ball when it's hit to me?' I think about that and it really helps me stay focused and on my toes."

Coach Miller was elated to see the trio's contributions throughout the year pay off.

"I am super happy for them to be recognized for the hard work that they've put in and the great stats that they put up this year," Miller said. "I'm really proud of them."

Meanwhile, Weyandt was the senior leader for the Indians. She set the tone at the plate. An all-state selection is a fitting way to close her high school softball career.

"I am just really proud," Weyandt said. "I have been playing and working for this since I was 4 years old. All of the hard work finally went to something like this."

A Daily American All-Star and first-team all-county selection, Weyandt led the Indians with a .569 batting average. She had a team-high 29 hits, including 11 doubles. She was tied for the team lead with 20 RBIs. Weyandt scored 22 runs to pace Conemaugh Township. Weyandt was selected as an all-state utility player. She caught, played centerfield, shortstop and pitched.

"I was playing with all of my heart this year," she said. "This is the sport I love. I have played other sports throughout my years in high school, but softball was always my favorite. It means a lot that I got recognized."

Salsgiver helped Shanksville-Stonycreek to the District 5 semifinals. She tallied 28 hits, including five doubles, a triple and a home run, 17 RBIs and 28 runs scored. Salsgiver finished second on the Vikings with 24 stolen bases.

"This is very surprising. I was not expecting that," the outfielder said of the achievement. "It is a great honor and I am blessed to get it."

A three-sport athlete, Salsgiver left it all on the line in her final campaign.

"I wanted to give it my all," she said. "Being a senior and leading the rest of my team, I wanted to be a good role model for the underclassmen. I gave 100% effort each day, and I am thankful for all of this."

Note: Conemaugh Valley senior Anna Gunby was selected as the Class 1A All-State Player of the Year at second base. Delanie Davison (shortstop), Bella Grecek (outfield) and Katelyn Ledwich (catcher) were each first-team selections.

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.