T-R FILE PHOTO - West Marshall junior shortstop Jillian Karsjen throws the ball across the diamond from her shortstop position for an out during the Trojans’ July 8 game against Iowa Falls-Alden in State Center.

The West Marshall softball team reached the regional finals for the first time in seven years, sparking its postseason run with a runner-up finish in the Heart of Iowa Conference.

The Trojans were rewarded accordingly as eight players were named to the HOAIC’s all-conference squads, including a whopping four first-teamers.

West Marshall juniors Jillian Karsjen and Lillian Fischer and freshmen Aubree Greenwood and Jenna Randall each were named first-team all-conference for the first time, as voted by the league’s coaches.

Karsjen, selected as an infielder, was a second-team honoree last summer but gained the promotion after standing out as the Trojans’ shortstop this season. Karsjen finished fifth in the conference batting average race with a .460 average in league play, and she committed just one error in posting a .974 fielding percentage.

Karsjen was second in the conference in total hits (23) and runs batted in (18), and third in doubles (5).

Fischer earned her first all-conference honor of any kind after a strong season at the plate and in left field. She batted .417 in league play with six doubles, a home run and 15 RBIs, which ranked fourth in conference play. Her 16 runs scored ranked fourth in HOIAC games, and she struck out only twice in 48 at-bats.

Greenwood moved up from honorable mention a season ago after pitching the Trojans to eight of their 12 conference wins. She was 8-2 in the circle with a 1.93 earned run average, also recording a save in her 69 innings pitched. She struck out 75, walked only 10 and hit two batters.

Randall was a first-team utility pick after a strong season batting leadoff for a potent Trojan lineup. She hit .422 with two doubles, a triple and two home runs in conference action, scoring 19 runs to rank second in the league. Randall held down the hot corner with a .900 fielding percentage.

West Marshall’s second-team selections were junior right fielder Lily Zahnd and sophomore second baseman Rachel Randall. Zahnd batted .368 with four doubles and five RBIs, scoring 13 times, while Rachel Randall hit .318 with two doubles, two triples, a home run and 12 RBIs. She also posted a .981 fielding percentage playing second base for the Trojans.

Honorable mention selections were junior center fielder Amelia Ranson and sophomore pitcher Taylor Thomas. Ranson hit .282 in league play with four doubles, a home run and 13 RBIs, while Thomas was 4-0 with two saves and a 1.73 ERA.

All-Heart of Iowa Conference Softball Teams

FIRST TEAM

Rylee Parsons, so., P, PCM

Aubree Greenwood, fr., P, West Marshall

Peyton Jeter, jr., C, Roland-Story

Addison Steenhoek, jr., C, PCM

Meagan McGaffin, jr., C, Nevada

Jillian Karsjen, jr., INF, West Marshall

Dakoda Wright, sr., INF, Saydel

Karagyn Whelchel, so., INF, Perry

Z McKay, sr., INF, Saydel

Lark Drake, sr., INF, PCM

Lillian Fischer, jr., OF, West Marshall

Libby Winters, 8th, OF, PCM

Tanna Thompson, sr., OF, S. Hamilton

Camden Webb, 8th, UT, PCM

Jenna Randall, fr., UT, West Marshall

SECOND TEAM

Jenna Davidson, fr., P, Saydel

Maci Tunink, sr., P, Perry

Hunter Tenborg, sr., C, Saydel

Tori Lindsay, so., INF, PCM

Kate Berggren, jr., INF, Roland-Story

Emmalee Bell, sr., INF, Perry

Rachel Randall, so., INF, West Marshall

Lily Zahnd, jr., OF, West Marshall

Colbie Tenborg, so., OF, Saydel

Ashlyn Erickson, sr., OF, S. Hamilton

Cate Erickson, fr., OF, Perry

Kalley Whelchel, fr., UT, Perry

Makena Galetich, sr., UT, S. Hamilton

HONORABLE MENTION

Greene County — Sara Morlan, fr.; Payton Kokenge, jr.

Nevada — Jadyn Melohn, so.; Melanie Khounsourath, sr.

PCM — Addison Hudnut, so.; Lillian Humpal, so.

Perry — Sydney Barkley, sr.; Callie Steva, sr.

Roland-Story — Miley Geise, fr.; Keely Oberender, so.

Saydel — Lauren Frantz, fr.; Jayden Benda, fr.

South Hamilton — Emma Lammers, 8th; Kendra Hoversten, sr.

West Marshall — Amelia Ranson, jr.; Taylor Thomas, so.

Final Conference Standings

PCM 13-1

West Marshall 12-2

Saydel 11-3

Perry 6-8

South Hamilton 5-9

Greene County 3-11

Nevada 3-11

Roland-Story 3-11