Lexie Hames put a positive spin on her sophomore season ... literally.

Coming off a standout freshman campaign that included a 1.17 ERA and 1.25 strikeouts per inning that helped Seneca Valley's softball team reach the state final in 2022, Hames worked this past offseason on adding more movement to her pitches and the results were startling.

Hames struck out 269 batters, an average of 2.2 per inning, and lowered her ERA to a minuscule 0.46 as the Raiders won 17 of their 19 games this spring.

"You need speed with your pitches and Lexie already had that, but the spin she added this year made a big difference," said SV coach Marlesse Hames, Lexie's mother.

Included in her superb season was a 20-strikeout, no-hit performance in a win over North Allegheny in early May. She struck out at least 16 batters in eight other games.

The effort recently earned for Hames not only First Team All-State honors from the Pennsylvania Softball Coaches Association, she was also named Class 6A Pitcher of the Year. Five other Butler County-area players were recognized as among the best in the state. Lexie's teammate, Bella Gross, was second team at third base. In Class 5A, Mars' Taylor Schmitt was second team at catcher. Moniteau's Brianna Rottman and Emma Covert were named to Class 2A's first team as an outfielder and utility player, respectively, and A-C Valley/Union's Mackenzie Parks was a first team shortstop in Class 1A.

Lexie Hames was an All-State selection as a freshman as well, but she reached another level this season.

"I was able to incorporate a spin into every pitch I throw, but it was most effective with my rise ball, which I threw about 90 percent of the time," she said. "I spent a lot of time over the winter working on my strength and conditioning. This year was all about stepping up in big moments for me and I was able to build on the energy that my teammates created around me."

Lexie became such a dangerous threat at the plate this season that many teams elected not to pitch to her. In the WPIAL championship game, a 2-1 loss to Hempfield, the Spartans intentionally walked her four times. She batted .393 (11 for 28) this spring with five home runs and was walked 35 times.

"The positive thing was that each time she walked, it gave us a baserunner," Marlesse Hames said. "But I could tell she was getting frustrated not being pitched to. We needed to separate that from her pitching, didn't want it to affect what she was able to do in the circle."

"I just wanted a pitch I could do something with," Lexie said. "But I had trust in the girls hitting behind me."

Hames is currently playing for Carolina Elite, a travel team that competes in tournaments all over the country.

Bella Gross was also a major contributor to SV's run to a WPIAL title a year ago and, like Lexie, improved this season as a sophomore. She batted .400 (22 for 55) and struck out just four times in 63 plate appearances.

"Bella was able to recognize the spin on pitches and was very selective with which pitches she swung at," Marlesse Hames said. "She took over as a starter late in her freshman season and it carried over. She's continued to get better and better."

Bella said she was "excited" about learning of her All-State nod.

"Especially as a sophomore, it was eye-opening for me," she said. "It's an honor."

Losing to Hempfield in the WPIAL final meant no return trip to the state playoffs for the Raiders. But with Lexie and Bella leading the way, SV has high hopes for what next spring could offer.

"We have a lot of starters coming back and some good young players coming up to varsity," Bella said. "I definitely think we can push further next year."

With Schmitt behind the plate, Mars did not give up a stolen base all season and she excelled at the plate, batting .459 and smacking seven home runs.

"Offensively, I really didn't stand out before this year, but I'm very thankful to be named All-State," said Taylor. "I worked hard for it and it's nice to see it pay off."

Her improved ability at the plate prompted Mars coach Mike Bell to move her up in the batting order.

"She started out hitting fourth for us, but we wanted to put as much pressure on teams as possible, so I put her in the leadoff spot," he said. "She brought a lot of consistency and power to the lineup."

"At first, it was weird batting first, but I ended up liking it," said Taylor, now a senior. "Three of my home runs came at the start of the game and I like getting a big hit early like that."

Moniteau benefitted from excellent senior seasons from Emma Covert and Brianna Rottman, who will continue their playing careers at Grove City College and Thiel, respectively.

Covert played first and third base, the outfield and also pitched on her way to being named MVP of the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference. She hit .609 and tied the school record for home runs in a season with 11.

"The number of home runs she hit was a bit of a surprise," said Warriors coach Bob Rottman. "I think she hit four last year, but she's always been a good hitter."

"It just came down to another year of working out in the offseason," said Emma. "I was not expecting to be named All-State. I know I had a good season, but there are a lot of great players out there."

Bob Rottman knew his daughter, Brianna, was adept at getting on base. As a junior, she drew 22 walks and had an on-base percentage of .600.

“She was our leadoff hitter and was really good as a sophomore, was named All-KSAC that year,” the coach said.

This spring, Brianna’s batting average vaulted from over .300 as a junior to .580.

“We went to South Carolina in March, got a number of games in down there and that helped get me ready for the season,” she said. “The All-State honor is pretty cool. As a senior, there’s no better way to go out.”

Mackenzie Parks recently graduated from A-C Valley High School and was named All-State for the third consecutive year. She pitched, earning a record of 7-2 this season, along with playing shortstop.

"Hitting is what she does best," said A-C Valley/Union coach and Mackenzie's father, Mike Parks. "She sees the ball well and was consistent throughout her whole career."

Along with batting .564, Mackenzie had 13 of her 31 hits go for extra bases. She scored 28 runs and drove in 28, both totals leading the team. She will attend Clarion University and hopes to earn a roster spot with the Golden Eagles.

"I've been playing softball since I was 8 and I can't get enough of it," she said. "I'll always remember being on the field with my teammates and good friends like Lexi Bauer."