T-R FILE PHOTO - West Marshall senior shortstop Jillian Karsjen earned her third all-Heart of Iowa Conference honor with her second-straight selection to the first team in a vote of the league’s coaches. Karsjen was one of three repeat first-team picks for the Trojans.

The West Marshall softball team was dealt a debilitating blow before the season started, but the Trojans persevered and finished third in the Heart of Iowa Conference.

West Marshall was recognized accordingly, earning three spots on the all-conference first team in a vote among the league’s coaches.

The Trojans had seven honorees overall, including the Distinguished Award for sophomore Jenna Randall. The team’s returning starter at third base suffered an offseason knee injury and did not take the field this season.

Three West Marshall players earned repeat selection to the all-conference first team, led by senior shortstop Jillian Karsjen. Karsjen earned her third all-HOIAC honor after leading the Trojans in most statistical categories this season.

Karsjen, who was a second-team pick as a sophomore, led the Trojans this summer and ranked 12th in the conference with a .429 batting average. She was ninth in runs scored (14), eighth in hits (21), fourth in doubles (5), fourth in triples (1), third in home runs (2), and ninth in RBIs (14). Karsjen also led West Marshall with seven stolen bases in conference play, and she committed just one error in 30 chances defensively for a .967 fielding percentage.

Fellow senior Lillian Fischer earned her second-straight all-conference first-team selection after posting a .413 batting average with four doubles, one home run and nine RBIs in league play.

West Marshall sophomore pitcher Aubree Greenwood got her third all-conference accolade as well, returning to the first team after gaining honorable mention as a sophomore. Greenwood finished third in the league with an 8-2 record, posting a 1.93 earned run average with 69 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings pitched. Opposing hitters batted just .224 against her.

Another trio of Trojans earned selection to the all-HOIAC second team for the second year in a row. Senior Lily Zahnd switched positions, moving from right field a year ago to the right side of the infield. She batted .425 in league play with four doubles, two home runs and 14 RBIs, scoring 13 runs and stealing three bases. She also had just one error in conference action, posting a .972 fielding percentage while playing first or second base.

Senior center fielder Amelia Ranson also racked up her second-straight second-team honor after hitting .286 with two doubles, a home run and seven RBIs. Junior Rachel Randall took over at third base and returned to the second team after batting .350 with two doubles, seven RBIs and 11 runs scored.

Junior catcher Riley Randall and eighth-grader Ashtyn Blood were named honorable mention as well for West Marshall, which went 11-4 in conference play. The Trojans never made up their second game against South Hamilton, which likely would have meant a win and a share of second place in the final Heart of Iowa standings.

All-Heart of Iowa Conference Softball Teams

FIRST TEAM

Camden Webb, fr., P, PCM

Aubree Greenwood, so., P, West Marshall

Addison Steenhoek, sr., C, PCM

Peyton Jeter, sr., C, Roland-Story

Becca Anderson, jr., INF, Greene County

Tori Lindsay, jr., INF, PCM

Jillian Karsjen, sr., INF, West Marshall

Livy VanDerSluis, jr., INF, Grand View Christian

Grace Kruse, jr., OF, Grand View Christian

Libby Winters, fr., OF, PCM

Lillian Fischer, sr., OF, West Marshall

Payton Kokenge, sr., UT, Greene County

Chloe Cox, fr., UT, Grand View Christian

Miley Geise, so., UT, Roland-Story

SECOND TEAM

Rylee Parsons, jr., P, PCM

Alaina Heard, so., P, Greene County

Maiah Murphy, jr., C, Grand View Christian

Karagyn Whelchel, jr., C, Perry

Bella Johnson, so., INF, Greene County

Lily Zahnd, sr., INF, West Marshall

Jorie Hillman, so., INF, Nevada

Brookelyn Jondle, so., INF, Roland-Story

Kaycee Pittman, jr., OF, Greene County

Kyra Naeve, jr., OF, PCM

Amelia Ranson, sr., OF, West Marshall

Addie Hackett, jr., UT, Grand View Christian

Lillian Humpal, jr., UT, PCM

Cate Erickson, so., UT, Perry

Rachel Randall, jr., UT, West Marshall

DISTINGUISHED AWARD

Jenna Randall, so., West Marshall

Jenna Davidson, so., Saydel

HONORABLE MENTION

Grand View Christian — Morgan Pelham, jr.; Sophie Bird, 8th.

Greene County — Makenna Ebersole, so.; Sara Morlan, so.

Nevada — Meagan McGaffin, sr.; Jadyn Melohn, jr.

PCM — Hadley Millang, fr.; Addison Hudnut, jr.

Perry — Kalley Whelchel, so.; Tina Kanealy, sr.

Roland-Story — Lauren Crabbs, fr.; Keely Oberender, jr.

Saydel — Savannah McClay, fr.; Colbie Tenborg, jr.

South Hamilton — Emma Lammers, fr.; Claire Hewitt, jr.

West Marshall — Riley Randall, jr.; Ashtyn Blood, 8th.

Final Conference Standings

PCM 16-0

Grand View Christian 12-4

West Marshall 11-4

Greene County 10-6

Roland-Story 8-6

Perry 6-8

Nevada 2-12

South Hamilton 2-13

Saydel 2-14