Following a season in which they finished with an overall record of 14-8, 5-3 in the league, and one win from the state tournament, the Pratt High School softball team dominated the MSAA All-League team. Coached by Mike Forshee, the Greenbacks earned six first-team selections as well as an honorable mention pick.
Named to the first team for the Greenbacks was pitcher Brooke Blankenship, outfielder Hannah Page, first baseman Haley Pevoteaux, designated hitter Courtney Landis, shortstop Ashton Neumann and catcher Jordi Garrett. Avery Neumann was selected honorable mention at second base.
PHS first-team selections
Brooke Blankenship, Sr., pitcher – Blankenship tied for top vote-getter among pitchers; honorable mention pitcher in 2007 and 2009; 7-2 with nine complete games, two shutouts, 1.84 ERA, 39 strikeouts and just seven walks; broke the PHS record with 44 wins as a pitcher.
“Brooke has been our varsity pitcher since she was a freshman,” Forshee said. “She goes out and does what you need her to do. She doesn’t get rattled and is very coachable. You know what you are going to get — a lot of ground balls, no walks, and 44 wins.”
Hannah Page, Sr., outfield – Page was the leading vote-getter among outfielders; four-year All-league selection, tied PHS career record for hits with 103; set the PHS stolen base record with 75; led team in batting average (.544), 34 runs, 37 hits, and tied for the team lead with 20 RBIs. Signed to play softball at Pratt Community College.
“As Hannah went, so did our team,” Forshee said. “I relied on Hannah to ‘set the table’ for us offensively. Defensively she covered a lot of ground and came up with catches other players could not get to.”
Haley Pevoteaux, Sr., first base – Pevoteaux was honorable mention as a sophomore. This season she hit .431 with 28 hits, 23 runs and 19 RBIs.
“Haley lettered four years and started three years for us,” Forshee said. “Haley had a good glove and strong arm. When she got hot with the bat, she could carry us.”
Courtney Landis, Sr., designated hitter – Landis was a two-year starter and letter winner for Pratt. She hit .389 with 14 hits and scored 13 runs while driving in eight runs. Signed to play soccer at PCC.
“Courtney is a battler. She has been limited by some injuries that a lot of players would have given up on,” Forshee said. “She got big hits in the last two regional championship games. She has been one of the toughest outs down the stretch the past two years.”
