by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi
Senior Ayla Saunders received first team All-Region 1A softball honors as Lancaster’s only representative on the squad released Thursday, June 12. Saunders, a starting outfielder who played in all 23 games this season, helped lead Lancaster to its first state berth in over two decades.
Rappahannock, which finished as a state semifinalist with a 4-2 loss to Auburn, had sophomore pitcher Avery Brann named region player of the year and Ellen Gaines, coach of the year. Rappahannock beat William Campbell, 1-0, in the state quarterfinal and won the region tournament championship, 3-2, over Lancaster.
Raiders teammates joining Brann on the first team were junior first baseman Lauren Johnson and senior shortstop Kahler Goodman. The first team also included Middlesex senior pitcher Magen Daniels, senior catcher Kayleigh Moye, senior second baseman Libby Oliver, junior third baseman Courtney Jessie and junior designated player Cheyenne Musik; King & Queen senior outfielder Janiya Brown; and Northumberland sophomore pitcher Braylin Beauchamp.
The second team included West Point senior pitcher Tara Henrich, senior first baseman Shelby Donahue, senior shortstop Haley Spradlin and junior outfielder Maggie Winter; Westmoreland junior pitcher Emma Burgess, junior catcher Morgan Gooch and sophomore second baseman Leah King; Chincoteague junior pitcher Caitlyn McPherson, sophomore outfielder Meredith Wright and junior designated player Carmela Rosanova; Colonial Beach junior outfielder Olivia Cooke; and Essex senior third baseman Makiryn Williams.
