OLYMPIC LEAGUE SOFTBALL: PA’s Natalie Robinson named league MVP

PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles’ Natalie Robinson was named the Olympic League’s softball Most Valuable Player.

Robinson was the Olympic Peninsula softball MVP last year. She is committed to play for Columbia Basin College in Pasco, set a record this year for most career home runs by a Port Angeles player, finishing with 36 in four years. Robinson, who also played spectacular defense at shortstop, finished the season hitting .483 with 12 home runs, 12 doubles, five triples, seven steals and 43 RBIs in 28 games. Her on-base-plus slugging was 1.683.

In her junior year, Robinson hit .533 with 12 doubles, nine home runs, three triples and 38 RBIs.

Also making the first team as a pitcher was Port Angeles’ Heidi Leitz. She pitched 123⅓ innings, went 17-4, had an ERA of 2.67 and struck out 159 batters. She was also outstanding as a hitter, batting .379 with four doubles, five triples, four home runs and 28 RBIs.

Port Angeles second baseman Kennedy Rognlien made the first team. She hit .368 with eight doubles, two triples, three home runs, 10 steals and 21 RBIs.

Riders outfielder Ava-Anne Sheahan was another first-team pick. Sheahan, who made several spectacular catches in right field for the Riders, also hit .406 with four doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 25 RBIs.

These players helped the Riders to a 23-5 record and a fourth-place finish at the state 2A tournament. All of them but Robinson return next season.

Also making the first team in the infield was Sequim’s Taylee Rome, who had an incredible senior season to cap off her stellar high school career. Rome hit .644 with eight doubles, four home runs, 20 RBIs and 19 runs scored in 18 games.

Utility player Mikki Green of Sequim also made first team. She hit .424 for the Wolves.

Second-team selections

Making the second team were first baseman Lexie Smith of Port Angeles (.304, 4 HRs, 24 RBIs), catcher Abby Kimball (.356 with 8 doubles, 3 home runs and 18 RBIs) and Sequim infielder Mia Kirner (.340).

Named to the sportsmanship team were Port Angeles’ Ali Money and Sequim’s Kiley Winter.

Full all-league teams

MVP: Natalie Robinson, Port Angeles.

First team

• Pitchers — Heidi Leitz, Port Angeles; Brenda Morrison, Olympic.

• Catchers — Beya Richmond, Olympic; Brooke Steele, Kingston

• Infielders — Kennedy Rognlien, Port Angeles; Taylee Rome, Sequim; Jenna Markuson, North Mason; Hailey Feltis, Olympic; Sofia Peato, Bainbridge; Cerenity Fake, North Kitsap; Nevaeh Sullivan, Kingston

• Outfielders — Ava-Anne Sheahan, Port Angeles; Jordan Young, North Mason; McKaela Robinson, Bremerton; Hannah Linn, Olympic; Hannah Richards, North Kitsap; Reyna Blackwood, North Kitsap.

• Utility — Mikki Green, Sequim; Sierra Berry, Bainbridge.

Second team

• Pitchers — Reese Anderson, North Kitsap; Audrey Rienstra, Kingston

• Catchers — Abby Kimball, Port Angeles; Attianna Cabato, Bremerton

• Infielders — Mia Kirner, Sequim; Lexie Smith, Port Angeles; Alex Godbolt, Bremerton; Kennedy Haas, Olympic; Taylor Madison, North Mason; Ja’Leiyah Turner, Bremerton; Allison Dvorak, North Kitsap.

• Outfielders— Shaeinna Cherrey, Olympic; Maddie Miller, Olympic; Tegan Stanford, Kingston; Kennady Carson, North Mason; Kendall Becker, North Kitsap; Joey Castillo, Kingston

• Utility — Evelynn Abbay, Olympic; Sofia Brown, Olympic

Sportsmanship — Ali Money, Port Angeles; Kiley Winter, Sequim; Charlee Brown, North Mason; Alexia Ojeda-Gaffney, Bremerton; Shainna Cherrey, Olympic; Rollins Anderson, Bainbridge; Ava Adrig, North Kitsap; Jayla Moon, Kingston.