BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Tug Valley’s softball team had a great season and is well represented on the Class A All-State team released Monday by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

Junior Bailee Hall, freshmen Emma Lackey and Katie Hall were all voted for the honors. Bailee Hall and Lackey are on the first team, while Katie Hall made the second team.

Hall, a pitcher and infielder, had some exceptional stats. The veteran batted .511 for the season, belted 14 home runs, 14 doubles and had 38 RBIs. She was 13-6 in the circle striking out 145 batters. She also had 42 stolen bases and 59 runs scored.

Lackey also had some great stats in her first high school season. She had a batting average of .400 and smacked five home runs and had seven doubles with 154 RBIs. Lackey had a 7-5 pitching mark striking out 154 for the season. She finished with a fine 2.24 ERA.

Lackey and Bailee Hall split time pitching in the circle for Tug Valley.

Katie Hall had a solid season as a 9th grader for Coach Rocky Hall’s squad. The freshman had a .475 average, with 25 RBIs, seven two-baggers and a pair of triples. She had 31 stolen bases and 39 runs scored.

The three will return with several other starters next season that should put the Lady Panthers in contention for a state tourney berth. They were ranked in the top 10 in the state for most of the regular season.

Baylee Beachler, a senior from Pendleton County, was named as captain of the first team. Beachler saw her 2024 campaign come to an end after tearing a tendon in her shoulder at the end of that regular season.

The injury kept her from throwing until December, but when she returned this year there was no indication of a setback in the circle, where she went 19-1 with 158 strikeouts and a 1.13 ERA, or at the plate where she batted .558 with 12 home runs and 65 RBI. Lexi Lowe of Sherman, a player Tug Valley saw this season, was also on the first team.

Tolsia freshman Kalyn Salmons was voted to the second team. Summer Harvey, Savanah Drake and Emma Russell of Sherman are also on the second team.

Tug Valley’s Paisley Bolyard was named as an honorable mention.

The complete lists of the first, second and honorable mentions are below:

First Team

P – Bailee Hall, Tug Valley (Jr.)

P – Baylee Beachler, Pendleton County (Sr.) (CAPTAIN)

P – Elissa Hoffman, Wahama (Sr.

C – Lexi Lowe, Sherman (Soph.)

C – Josalyn Phillips, Trinity (Soph.)

IF – Avery Townsend, Pendleton County (Sr.)

IF – Kalyn Christian, Wahama (Sr.)

IF – Layla Smith, Gilmer County (Sr.)

IF – Jessa Anderson, Magnolia (Jr.)

IF – Preslee Treadway, Greenbrier West (Sr.)

OF – Audrey Reynolds, Wahama (Soph.)

OF – Maddie Owens, Madonna (Soph.)

OF – Maddie Fields, Greenbrier West (Sr.)

U – Brilee Redden, Greenbrier West (Jr.)

U – Emma Lackey, Tug Valley (Fr.)

U – Fiona Vanmatre, Wahama (Jr.)

Second Team

P – Mallory McDiffitt, Magnolia (Sr.)

P – Phoebe Dudgeon, Mount View (Jr.)

P – Peyton Conley, Madonna (Fr.)

C – Kylee Ross, Wirt County (Sr.) (CAPTAIN)

C – Chloe Orrechio, Madonna (Sr.)

IF – Katie Hall, Tug Valley (Fr.)

IF – Kalyn Salmons, Tolsia (Fr.)

IF – Paige Montgomery, Gilmer County (Jr.)

IF – Savannah Drake, Sherman (Jr.)

IF – Lizzie Alt, Pendleton County (Sr.)

OF – Peyton Moore, Trinity (Soph.)

OF – Summer Harvey, Sherman (Jr.)

U – Jenna Smith Pendleton County (Sr.)

U – Susan Vincell, Pendleton County (Soph.)

U – Peyton Hicks, Tucker County (Soph.)

U – Emma Russell, Sherman (Jr.)

Honorable Mentions

Aubrey Thomas, Cameron; Calli Brown, Van; Ava Shaffer, Tucker County; Shana Cabell, Van; Taylor White, Montcalm; Kayleigh Rose, Mount View; Hailey Tackett, Van; Emily Smith, Tygarts Valley, Addison Armentrout, East Hardy, Meri Hickman, Gilmer County; Kenley Hartshorn, Gilmer County; Kailyn Williams, Richwood; Brandi Mullins, River View; Brooklyn Adkins, Greenbrier West; Paisley Bolyard, Tug Valley.