By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman put four players on the 2023 All-United Kansas Conference softball first team while Shawnee Heights had two first-team picks.
Seaman, in its first season in the UKC, tied league champion Basehor-Linwood for the most first-team selections, with the Vikings represented by sophomore pitcher Kaelyn O'Rourke, junior infielder Aspen Burgardt, junior outfielder Paige Glasgow and junior designated player Jersey Jellison.
Shawnee Heights sophomore pitcher Grace Proctor earned first-team All-United Kansas Conference softball honors for the second straight season. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Shawnee Heights, which finished third in the Class 5A state tournament (17-8), put sophomore pitcher Grace Proctor and junior outfieler Ally Millard on the first team.
Seaman junior infielder Rosalie Schneider was named to the All-UKC second team along with Shawnee Heights junior infielder Karlyn Bowman and T-Bird sophomore infielder Taylor Brees and Topeka West junior outfielder Siani Sanchez.
Basehor-Linwood senior Taylor Cruse was named the conference player of the year for the second straight season while Bobcat coach Susan Mayberry was a repeat pick as the UKC coach of the year.
ALL-UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE SOFTBALL
First team
Pitchers -- Taylor Cruse, sr., Basehor-Linwood; Kaelyn O'Rourke, so., Seaman; Grace Proctor, so., Shawnee Heights.
Catcher -- Kylie Brockman, sr., Piper.
Infielders -- Amanda Knutson, sr., Basehor-Linwood; Mila Seaton, sr., Basehor-Linwood; Marisa Johnson, jr., De Soto; Sage Grann, jr., Piper; Aspen Burgardt, sr., Seaman.
Outfielders -- Bella Rollo, sr., Basehor-Linwood; Gabby Salazar, jr., Piper; Paige Glasgow, jr., Seaman; Ally Millard, jr., Shawnee Heights.
Utility -- Jayden Hanna, jr., KC-Turner.
Desinated player -- Jersey Jellison, jr., Seaman.
Second team
Pitchers -- Grace Rose, sr., Basehor-Linwood; Maddie Reynolds, sr., De Soto; Emma Moppin, jr., Piper.
Catcher -- Ashlynn Jaccard, jr., Lansing.
Infielders -- Jade Chames, so., De Soto; Rosalie Schneider, jr., Seaman; Karlyn Bowman, jr., Shawnee Heights; Taylor Brees, so., Shawnee Heights; Jerzey Hanna, so., KC-Turner.
Outfielders -- Abbie Richards, jr., Basehor-Linwood; Casey McCollum, jr., De Soto; Paradise Wright, jr., Leavenworth; Siana Sanchez, jr., Topeka West.
Utility -- Zoe Church, fr., De Soto.
Designated player -- Ainsley Yoakum. jr., Lansing.
Honorable mention
Basehor-Linwood: Addie Thom, so.; Kaleigh Small, jr.; Harley Baker, jr. De Soto: Kaitlin Cook, sr. Lansing: Jordyn Koontz, fr.; Hannah McNabb, so.; Gracelyn Collins, fr.; Addison Callaway, so. Leavenworth: Jada Eagle, jr. Piper: Regan Wiehe, jr.; Taylor Gladieux, jr.; Rylie Wiseman, so. Seaman: Raegan McConnell, so. Shawnee Heights: Mackenzie Birch, jr.; Audrey Schulte, jr. Topeka West: Taniyah Stafford, sr.; Amia Alexander-Sims. sr.
Player of the year -- Taylor Cruse, Basehor-Linwood.
Coach of the year -- Susan Mayberry, Basehor-Linwood.
