By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
BROWN COUNTY – Two area players were named the Fox River Classic Conference co-players of the year in softball.
Ashwaubenon pitcher Katelynn Cleveland and Bay Port first baseman Maddy Ehlke both took home the honor.
Ashwaubenon head coach Shannon VanLaanen was also named FRCC coach of the year.
The Jaguars finished 21-4 but bowed out in a regional final game.
The junior Cleveland was a sparkling 15-1 on the mound in conference play.
She struck out 90 batters in her 97 innings pitched, and gave up 55 hits and had a paltry 1.15 earned-run average.
Ehlke, also a junior, led the FRCC with a .607 batting average.
The left-handed power hitter connected on four home runs, scored 21 runs and had 34 hits.
Ehlke led the conference with 15 extra-base hits.
First team (*unanimous selection): Zion Estano* (Ashwaubenon – outfield), Josie Hilbert (Ashwaubenon – outfield), Lydia Foytik (Green Bay Preble – outfield), Ehlke* (Bay Port – infield), Keegan Piton* (Preble – infield), Kally VanLaanen* (Ashwaubenon – infield), Anna Wendorf (Ashwaubenon – infield), McKayleigh Piper (De Pere – pitcher), Makayla Alexander* (De Pere – catcher), Chloe Brabant* (Ashwaubenon – catcher), Katelynn Cleveland* (Ashwaubenon – pitcher), Lauren Dixon (Pulaski – pitcher).
Second team: Rachel Kerkhoff (De Pere – outfield), Josie Wesolowski (Pulaski – outfield), Kerena Wood (Bay Port – outfield), Kenzie Niespodzany (Pulaski – infield), Camryn Baenen (Preble – infield), Claire Price (Preble – catcher), Hannah Krueser (Pulaski – catcher), Nicole Vandervest (Bay Port – pitcher), Ally Eden (Preble – pitcher).
Honorable mention: Brynn Egnarski (Pulaski – outfield), Brooke Hock (Preble – outfield), Emma Krueger (Bay Port – outfield), Sophie LeMieux (Notre Dame Academy – outfield), Eleanor Hoge (Preble – infield), Alyssa Henrickson (Green Bay Southwest – infield), Peighton Agamaite (Pulaski – infield), Emma Wiese (Pulaski – pitcher).