Schaben tabbed first team All-State
STATE -- Led by first team selection Morgan Schaben of Harlan Community, five area softball players have been recognized on the Iowa Girls Coaches Association 2019 All-State softball teams.
A second-team selection last year, Schaben moved up to the Class 4A first team this summer following an outstanding season both at the plate and in the pitching circle for the Cyclones, who improved their record from 15-17 in 2018 to 28-8.
Also receiving all-state recognition this year were AHSTW senior Katie Anzalone (Class 2A third team), IKM-Manning junior Lexi Branning (2A honorable mention), Exira-EHK junior Kami Waymire (1A honorable mention) and Exira-EHK freshman Macy Emgarten (1A honorable mention).
Morgan Schaben, HCHS, sr. - The Central College recruit improved her numbers almost across the board this season, going 22-7 with a 1.30 ERA as a pitcher and hitting .472 with 43 RBI at the plate. She struck out 260 batters in 161 innings - giving her 804 career Ks - while allowing 89 hits and 71 walks. In a June 11 sweep of Kuemper, Schaben threw a pair of no-hitters (11 total innings) in a doubleheader with 15 Ks.
Schaben’s nine home runs and 15 doubles increased her slugging percentage to a career-best .868 while 50 hits and 20 walks helped her post an on-base percentage of .562.
Katie Anzalone, AHSTW, sr. - A steady defender at third base, Anzalone sparked the Lady Vike offense by hitting .387 with six extra-base hits, 16 stolen bases and 22 runs.
Lexi Branning, IKM-M, jr. - The Wolves’ shortstop led the team in nearly every offensive category this year, including a .377 average (.494 OBP, .681 SLG), 36 runs, 26 hits, five doubles, four home runs, two triples, 13 walks and 12 stolen bases.
Kami Waymire, E-EHK, jr. - Waymire batted .395 to lead a promising young Spartan lineup, totaling 21 runs, 25 RBI, five doubles, three homers and 15 walks.
Macy Emgarten, E-EHK, fr. - Already a two-year ace pitcher, Emgarten finished 12-14 this summer with a 2.15 ERA, allowing 163 hits, in 159.3 innings, walking just 44 and striking out 186.