Kankakee Times

The Kankakee Daily Journal recently unveiled its list of stars who shine brightest on the softball diamond.

Junior Molly Cann of Herscher made the 2017 all-area softball team after hitting .553, driving in 36 runs and notching 10 doubles, five triples and four home runs this year. She also scored 36 runs and stole 20 bases. She made it to base in all but one of her 34 games and hit above .500 for the third year in a row.

Fellow Herscher player Chloe Jefferson didn't suffer from any sophomore jinx after a stellar freshman season last year. The sophomore racked up a team-high nine homers to go along with her 12 doubles, five steals and a batting average of .362. 

Also making the list from Herscher were Gabby Schultz, a junior who hit .400 with 41 RBIs and six home runs, and Morgan Scivally, a sophomore who threw 182 strikeouts and had 15 wins thanks to a 1.23 ERA. She also had a .341 batting average, seven home runs and 26 RBIs. 

Morgan LaMore, a senior at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School who has signed a letter of intent with Eastern Illinois University, batted .464, with four home runs, 18 doubles, five triples and 43 RBIs. Her classmate Liz Schriner, a sophomore, hit .420, drove in 31 and led the team with six homers, while junior Miranda Wehrle had 35 RBIs, 12 doubles, three home runs and a batting average of .384. 

Matti Lanie was recognized as a "five-tool player" at Momence High School team, batting .470 batting with three home runs and 29 RBIs. She also stole 20 bases and was stellar behind home plate. 

Kankakee High School junior Sara Serena struck out 29 over three games and boasted a total of 268 strikeouts for the season. She knocked in 11 runs in one game and had a season batting average of .653 to go along with her nine home runs and 68 RBIs. 

Her teammate Ashton Thomas, a junior, had a .805 on-base percentage, leading the area with 59 runs scored to go along with 27 RBIs. She batted .489, had 16 doubles, five triples and three home runs. 

St. Anne freshman Kendall Yuknis was new to the team but batted .548, had eight doubles, five triples, three home runs and 33 RBIs. She also scored 34 times and stole 19 bases.

Other students who received honorable mentions include Shelby Davis of St. Anne, Brooke Kelly of Momence, Hailey Morris of Momence, Kenzie Nicholson of St. Anne, and Alex Benoit, Evey Evans and Hunter Sherman of Bradley-Bourbonnais.