Softball boasts five All-Region Members

HERKIMER, NY – The Herkimer Generals softball team added four first and one second team All-Region selections to the Region III from their 2015 campaign, a season the team finished second overall in the nation.

Elyssa LeBaron, Kayla Bancroft, Karintha Myslivecek and Brittany Ormond were among the 11 players chosen on the first team. LeBaron and Bancroft were both selected from their infield positions. LeBaron, who is from Corning, NY, was Top 10 in the region in runs scored (51), hits (59), home runs (6), runs batted in (45) and stolen bases (24). Her best game of the season came against conference rival Mohawk Valley where she hit two home runs, helping the freshman to a season-high five RBI in the game. As for Bancroft, the resident of Fort Ann, NY was Top 10 regionally in runs scored (43), hits (64), doubles (14), runs batted in (48), fielding percentage (1.000) and double plays (11). One of her best games came against Jefferson in the Region III Semifinal, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a double, home run and two runs batted in, helping the sophomore to multiple RBI in a game 14 times on the season.

Myslivecek, a resident of Redfield, NY, was the only General selected from the outfield. The sophomore was Top 10 in runs scored (45), sacrifice hits (16) and stolen bases (16) regionally. Her best game of the season came against the College of Southern Maryland during the spring trip and best moment came against Hudson Valley in the national tournament. Against Southern Maryland Myslivecek went 4-for-4 with a double, triple and two runs batted in. Against Hudson Valley she went 1-for-3, but drove in the game winning run on a sacrifice to defeat the Vikings 5-4 in seven innings.

Ormond, who is from New Paltz, NY, was the only General selected as a pitcher. The sophomore was eighth regionally in wins (10), third in shutouts (3), sixth in batting average allowed (.306), and second in earned run average (2.09). Her best pitching came in her last four starts of April, allowing two earned runs on 10 hits in 17 innings pitched. She also struck out 22 batters in that time.

Joining the 12 members of the second team was freshman Taylor Daniels. The infielder from Watervliet, NY was Top 4 regionally in doubles (17), triples (7), home runs (8) and runs batted in (45) – all just in 35 games played. She had an impressive four-game span in the beginning of May where she totaled six home runs and 15 runs batted, going 11-for-16 (.688) during that stretch.

"To put five girls on the All-Region team speaks volumes about the respect that our players garner throughout the Region III teams as this is voted on by other coaches," said Head Softball Coach P.J. Anadio. "I couldn't be happier for my three sophomores on this list; Kayla Bancroft, Brittany Ormond and Karintha Myslivecek. They have worked very hard to reach this level after setting goals last summer to become the best at what they do. Those three young ladies will be sorely missed. As for Elyssa and Taylor, two of the very best athletes and players in the nation and both very deserving. Best is yet to come for both of these young ladies!"

-Giorgio Varlaro