September 09, 2024

Sims headlines Newton trio on all-conference softball squad

Benson, Swank earn honorable mention recognition

Mack Sims

Newton sophomore Mack Sims ranked in the top 10 of the Little Hawkeye Conference in nine different statistical categories.

For her efforts, Sims was named to the all-conference first team recently. She was joined by junior teammates Chloe Swank and Paige Benson, who both were honorable mention selections.

All-conference honors are based on statistics inside conference play only. The Cardinals were 7-11 in league games.

Chloe Swank

Sims ranked 10th in the LHC with a .446 batting average and finished eighth in the league with an on-base percentage of .516. She tied for the conference lead with nine steals and ranked in the top 10 with 21 runs (fifth), 25 hits (tied for seventh), seven doubles (tied for fourth), three homers (tied for ninth), seven walks (tied for sixth) and 43 total bases (tied for sixth).

Sims added 11 RBIs from the lead-off spot and had a fielding percentage of .892.

Swank batted .339 and had an on-base percentage of .344. She finished with 20 hits, 11 runs, five doubles, one homer, 28 total bases and 11 RBIs. Her fielding percentage was .892.

Benson hit .286 and tallied an OBP of .375. She led Newton with 13 RBIs and tied for first in the LHC with three hit by pitches. She added 14 hits, nine runs, two homers, three doubles, four walks and 23 total bases. Her fielding percentage was .914.

Paige Benson

Little Hawkeye Conference

Softball

Final Standings

Team Conference Overall

DCG 16-2 32-10

Norwalk 16-2 30-8

Pella 10-8 22-12

Indianola 9-9 20-18

Newton 7-11 15-17

Oskaloosa 5-13 12-22

Pella Christian 0-18 1-24

All-Conference

First Team

Pitchers — *Olivia Dougherty, sr., Norwalk; Aubrey Johansen, sr., DCG.

Catcher — Lauren Black, sr., Norwalk.

Infielders — *Sam Gripp, fr., Indianola; *Macee Reiling, sr., DCG; *Bella Mulder, sr., DCG; Ava Curry, sr., Pella

Outfielders — Mack Sims, so., Newton; *Nyah Hilbert, jr., Norwalk; Lydia Zaruba, sr., DCG.

Utility — Carly Brewer, jr., Norwalk; Dana Blake, jr., Indianola; Jaylynn Brandt, sr., Norwalk.

Second Team

Pitchers — *Tessa Jones, fr., DCG; Emma Eekhoff, jr., Pella.

Catcher — Addison Lyddon, so., DCG.

Infielders — Alexus Guyer, fr., Indianola; Addi Downe, sr., Norwalk; Haylee Parker, fr., Oskaloosa; Katie Scheckel, so., Pella.

Outfielders — Tessa Gripp, so., Indianola; Maddie Gollion, jr., Norwalk; Summer Campbell, sr., DCG.

Utility — Reese Burke, sr., DCG; Bailey Birmingham, jr., Norwalk; Katie Fosenburg, sr., Indianola.

*denotes unanimous selection

Honorable Mention

Chloe Swank, jr., Newton; Paige Benson, jr., Newton; Amelia Ehlert, sr., DCG; Addie Abens, fr., DCG; Addie McKain, sr., Oskaloosa; Kassie Johnson, sr., Oskaloosa; Claire Braafhart, sr., Pella Christian; Faith Kacmarynski, jr., Pella Christian; Grace Dehmer, sr., Norwalk; Jada Livingston, sr., Norwalk; Kiki Riggen, sr., Pella; Lucy Carlson, so., Pella; Ava Tichy, jr., Indianola; Mak Sloan, jr., Indianola.