Even though the postseason awards that rolled in for the Wright City softball team appear to be individual honors, to a girl, that fact couldn’t be further from the truth.

Senior infielder Sadie Sehnert, who earned first-team all-district and second-team all-region honors, said the hardware she and every member of the Wildcats collected is a tribute to the entire program.

“Good things happen with good teammates by your side,” Sehnert said.

In her inaugural campaign, Sehnert hit .407 with five doubles, a triple, two home runs and 20 RBI for the Wildcats (12-18).

Freshman catcher Harper Martin, who was named all-state, first-team all-region, first-team all-district and to the all-Eastern Missouri Conference second team, said she was pleased with the body of work she put forth this fall.

“I am very happy to have received the awards I got,” Martin said. “I worked very hard and had a good freshman season.” 

Along with Sehnert and Martin, sophomore pitcher/outfielder Ava Swaringen, freshman outfielder Haley Elsenrath and sophomore infielder Lorelai Kellner each earned honors.

Coach Fred Ross said the hardware compilation was the direct result of each player's hard work.

“I am very proud of how the girls finished up the season,” Ross said. “This is the first time (for) postseason honors for Ava, Harper and Haley. It shows that the hard work that they (all) put in over the summer to improve their skills paid off.”

Martin hit .477 to pace the Wildcats’ offense.

She also produced 10 doubles, four triples and 29 RBI.

“Harper had an outstanding season behind the plate as a freshman,” Ross said. “She caught every inning that we played this season and was rock solid throughout the year. This is the first time that I have had a freshman lead the team in hitting.” 

Swaringen was a second-team all-conference outfield selection, and first-team all-district and second-team all-region pitcher.

She hit .410 with seven doubles, a home run and 27 RBI while earning an 8-8 record with a 4.62 earned run average and 67 strikeouts in 92 and one-third innings.

“Ava played at a very high level in centerfield and was key to our late-season success when she was on the mound,” Ross said. “Her bat significantly improved over last year and became a key to our offense.”

Kellner earned first-team all-district, all-region and all-state honors for her play at shortstop. She hit. 407 with 13 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 20 RBI.

“Lorelai received her second all-state award,” Ross said. “She was solid on the mound but really excelled in her first year at shortstop. She made many plays that most shortstops do not make and continued to hit the ball.”

Elsenrath was honored with a second-team all-district selection for a season in which she hit .282 with two doubles and nine RBI. 

For her part, Martin said there should be plenty of optimism within the program going forward.

While the Wildcats didn’t win the team’s district, that should be a goal for years to come.

“We fell short of winning districts this year, and we are losing four seniors, but I think we have the girls to step up and fill the holes and we aren’t losing any pitchers,” Martin said. “Ava and Lorelai pitched great this year and they will both be stronger next year. Now we start working towards winning districts next year.”