Meet the 2024 Daily American Somerset County All-Star Softball Team and Coach of the Year

Meyersdale claimed its fourth straight District 5 Class 1A softball title and advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals before falling to eventual state champion DuBois Central Catholic.

The Red Raiders (22-3) were guided by senior standout Izabella Donaldson. For the third consecutive year, Donaldson was tabbed Daily American Somerset County All-Star Softball Team Player of the Year.

"As a senior, I knew I had to improve and become better than I was as a junior," said Donaldson. "Junior year was awesome, but senior year, I really wanted to show all the hard work I put in. It's been awesome. It was a really great experience. It was a sad ending, but we decided as a team we were going to get over that first-round hump."

Donaldson batted .456 with 36 hits, including nine doubles, a triple, eight home runs, 31 RBIs and 19 runs scored. In the circle, the Frostburg St. University recruit went 20-3 with a 1.11 ERA in 24 appearances. Donaldson struck out 234 batters in 126 innings of work and allowed 20 earned runs.

Stats and awards were meaningful for Donaldson but not more than how much the game meant to her over the years.

"Being a Red Raider has been quite the experience," Donaldson said. "I made a lot of friends. The bonds I've made with these seniors has been awesome. I can't even put it into words."

Coming up short Meyersdale ousted by DuBois Central Catholic in PIAA 1A softball quarterfinals

Meyersdale coach Tim Miller saw the impact Donaldson made on the program.

"She's worked hard to get where she is at," Miller said of Donaldson. "She's dedicated to softball and it's evidence by her work on the field. She's probably one of the best players to come through Meyersdale's softball program. She's taking it to the next level, and we wish her the best at Frostburg. Those players don't come around too often. It is going to be a big whole to fill with her and the other seniors."

Miller collected Coach of the Year honors for the third straight season. Being a part of a tight-knit group was special for Miller.

"That group of seniors is awesome," Miller said. "The last four years have been great with them. It's been a lot of fun. They have made coaching fun. They are fun to be around. They are leaders. They worked with the younger girls. It was a great run for them. It was a good group of girls and I know they'll be successful at whatever they do down the road.

"Also, I can't thank coach (Jessica) Deakins and all of the volunteer coaches enough. Their efforts played a big part in our success."

2024 Daily American Somerset County All-Star Softball Team

Elsie Barna, So., Berlin Brothersvalley, C

In 24 games, Barna batted .375 with 30 hits, including five doubles, six home runs, 36 RBIs and 30 runs scored.

Kori Boozer, Sr., Shade, INF

Boozer batted .516 in 20 games with 32 hits, including 11 doubles, 27 RBIs and 33 runs scored. She also swiped a team-high 31 bases.

Tara Corradini, Sr., Shade, P

Corradini contributed 30 hits, including 14 doubles, 33 RBIs and 26 runs scored. She batted .484 and stole 16 bases. In the circle, Corradini went 11-5 in 17 appearances. She had 72 strikeouts in 78⅔ innings.

Laurel Daniels, Sr., Meyersdale, INF

Daniels led the Red Raiders with a .459 average, 40 RBIs and 10 home runs. She contributed 34 hits and scored 20 runs.

Marcella Dupre, Sr., Meyersdale, INF

In 25 games, Dupre batted .383 with 31 hits, including nine doubles, 21 RBIs and 28 runs scored. Dupre had a .958 fielding percentage with just two errors.

Kendell Donaldson, So., Meyersdale, OF

Donaldson batted .387 with 24 hits, 15 RBIs and 26 runs scored. She swiped a team-high seven bases.

Izabella Donaldson, Sr., Meyersdale, P (Player of the Year)

Kaylie Gaye, So., Windber, INF

Gaye batted .518 with 29 hits, including six doubles, six triples, two home runs 30 RBIs and 26 runs scored. She stole a team-high 17 bases.

Zoe Hetz, Sr., Meyersdale, INF

Hetz delivered 31 hits, including six doubles, 21 RBIs and 26 runs scored. She batted .408 in 25 games played.

Angel James, Jr., Windber, C/UTIL

James batted. 403 with 25 hits, including six doubles, five triples, 10 RBIs, 25 runs scored and 16 stolen bases.

Savannah Landis, Jr., Somerset, OF

Landis batted .393 with 22 hits, seven RBIs and 12 runs scored.

Amber Long, Jr., Meyersdale, INF

In 25 games, Long batted .338 with 24 hits, including six doubles, four homers, 25 RBIs and 18 runs scored.

Payton Maddy, Fr., Shade, INF

Maddy batted .526 in 20 games with 30 hits, including 12 doubles, three triples, 33 RBIs and 26 runs scored. She stole 16 bases.

Coral Prosser, Fr., Berlin Brothersvalley, INF

Prosser set the tone at the top of the order. She batted .568 with 46 hits, including 12 doubles, two triples, four homers, 25 RBIs and 42 runs scored. She also stole a team-high 12 bases.

Elena Ritchey, Fr., Berlin Brothersvalley, P

Ritchey racked up a team-high 41 RBIs. She batted .515 with 34 hits, including five doubles, four triples, 13 home runs and 30 runs scored. Ritchey went 10-6 with a 2.88 ERA in 17 appearances. She struck out 112 batters over 90 innings.

Brooke Snyder, Sr., Rockwood, INF

Snyder batted .435 in 18 games with 27 hits, including 11 doubles, two triples, three home runs and a team-high 18 RBIs and 21 runs scored.

Sydney Walker, So., Berlin Brothersvalley, INF

In 24 games, Walker provided 27 hits, including six doubles, two home runs, 30 RBIs and 16 runs scored. She batted .342. Walker also went 5-1 in the circle.

Riley Wiencek, So., Somerset, INF

Wiencek batted .351 with 20 hits, including a triple, four home runs, 17 RBIs and 16 runs scored.

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

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: 2024 Daily American Somerset County All-Star Softball Team named