Published: July 30, 2009 11:20 pm      

Fort Hill’s Beavers, Lewis head All-City softball team

CUMBERLAND — Co-champion Fort Hill showed why the pitcher and catcher are the first two positions numbered in the scorebook as Shari Beavers and Adria Lewis head the newest edition of the Cumberland All-City Softball Team.

The importance of the relationship between the hurler and her backstop was never more clear than when the Sentinels’ Beavers fired to Lewis. The combination led to a 20-2 record and a repeat trip to the Maryland 1A State finals for the Sentinels. On many occasions the battery appeared to have their own personal pitch-and-catch while mowing down opposing batters, providing the charge behind most of those 20 wins.

Joining these two players on the first-team are Allegany’s Hayley Stankan, Katie Alkire, Hilary Lyons and Bethany Landis, and Fort Hill’s Lindsey Fisher and Kathryn Huber. Bishop Walsh placed Anne Mathews and Erin McGee onto the first-team.

The All-City team was decided by the head coaches of the three Cumberland high schools. Allegany and Fort Hill, who both finished with 3-1 marks in league play by splitting their season series, both listed four first-team and three second-team selections. The Spartans had two first-team selections, and one second-team.

Members of this year’s second-team are senior Chloe Detrick (catcher) of Bishop Walsh; juniors Cierra Miller (pitcher), Destiny James (shortstop) and Olivia Stanley (first base) of Fort Hill; and seniors Haylie Harper (catcher) and Jenna Mathews (shortstop) and junior Beth Szymanski (outfield) of Allegany.

Shari Beavers, Fort Hill (senior - pitcher)

Beavers threw a total of 16 innings against City competition, and allowed no earned runs. She faced a total of 54 batters, or six more than the minimum of 48 she would have had to face in 16 innings. Of those 54 batters, 32 were retired by strikeout, and only three of them managed to get a hit.

She could be just as dangerous at the plate, sporting a .400 batting average, and an on-base percentage of .438. She hit two doubles and a triple, and scored five runs.

Adria Lewis, Fort Hill (junior - catcher)

On the receiving end of Beavers’ pitches was the hard hitting catcher Lewis. The junior feasted on City pitching, batting .533 and getting on base at a .563 clip. Her biggest moment came during the second game against Allegany at Hudson Field.

The Sentinels trailed 3-2 and were one out from defeat when Lewis hit a two-strike delivery over the left field fence in the top of the seventh that lead to a 4-3 Fort Hill win, and secured a share of the City crown.

It was the only home run Lewis would hit in City action, though she would hit another one in a playoff win over Allegany.

Hayley Stankan, Allegany (sophomore - pitcher)

Stankan pitched all four of the Campers’ Cumberland match-ups, posting a 3-1 record with an earned run average of 1.05. She struck out 36 in 20 innings, while walking only two batters.

She also excelled in her handful of at bats, collecting five hits, all singles, in eight trips with four runs batted in. That equates to a .625 batting average, and she got on base 70 percent of the time.

Hilary Lyons, Allegany (junior - second base)

Lyons was a junior second baseman for the Campers who also stepped up her performance against City competition by getting on base over half of her plate appearances. Going with her .563 OBP was a batting average of .462 (6-for-13) with a triple and four RBIs.

Anne Mathews, Bishop Walsh (senior - shortstop)

Bishop Walsh senior Mathews had a season on-base percentage of .694, with two triples and a home run. She led the team in almost all offensive categories, including a .361 batting average. The shortstop was named the Spartans most valuable player for the season, and played center field as well as pitching.

Erin McGee, Bishop Walsh (junior - pitcher)

Junior McGee threw more than half of BW’s innings (49 innings in 11 games), as well as playing some at second and third base. She recorded 62 strikeouts during the 49 innings.

The winner of Bishop Walsh’s most outstanding player, McGee posted a .429 on-base percentage as the team’s leadoff hitter.

Katie Alkire, Allegany (senior - first base)

Allegany senior first baseman Alkire delivered four hits (two singles, a double and a triple) in nine at bats for a .444 average, and drove in two runs. She boasted an on-base percentage of .583.

Bethany Landis, Allegany (senior - third base)

Senior Landis was positioned at the hot corner for the Campers, and delivered three runs batted in one three singles and two doubles. She posted matching OBP and batting averages at .385.

Kathryn Huber, Fort Hill (junior - second base)

Huber, the Sentinels second baseman, bothered opposing pitching by getting on base and scoring. Using her speed to her advantage, the junior scored three runs, stole three bases and hit a triple. She finished with a .438 on-base percentage, and hit .357 in the four games.

Lindsey Fisher, Fort Hill (senior - outfield)

Fort Hill’s Fisher is the only outfielder to grace the first-team, and one of just two on the first or second teams. She charged the Sentinel’s not just on defense, but averaged one hit every three at bats, and had an OBP of .455. She also scored five runs.

Chris Appel is a reporter for the Cumberland Times-News. Contact Chris Appel at cappel@times-news.com.