Redhawk shortstop Gabby Seda (13) throws to first for the out after fielding a line drive during North Tama’s win over the Baxter Bolts back in late May. The left-handed Seda was again a first team infield selection this season for the Iowa Star Conference South all-division teams. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – The North Tama softball program continued its upward trajectory this season under second-year head coach Madonna Merchant by landing seven players on the Iowa Star Conference South all-division teams.

For the second year in a row, Redhawk infielder Gabriella ‘Gabby’ Seda was selected as a first team pick. At the plate this season, she hit .312 with one four-bagger, five doubles, and nine runs batted in with three stolen bases and 14 runs scored.

Five Redhawks were selected as second team picks for the 2023-24 season including senior pitcher Adelyn Sienknecht, sophomore catcher Addy Hochstetler, freshman infielder Harper Rausch, and junior outfielders Gabby Velasco and Faith Dvorak.

Across 15 starts, Sienknecht notched a 5.11 ERA with 74 strike-outs. At the plate, she hit .413 including a trio of home runs, one triple, five doubles, and 20 runs batted in; she also scored four times.

Rounding out the North Tama selections, Hochstetler hit .370 including six doubles and eight runs batted in with six stolen bases and 10 runs scored; Rausch hit .378 including four doubles and four runs batted in with five stolen bases and 13 runs scored; Velasco averaged .222 at the plate including two doubles and three runs batted in with four stolen bases and eight runs; and Dvorak hit an even .300 including two doubles and five runs batted in with eight stolen bases and six runs scored.

Junior first baseman Briar Blake was named to the all-division honorable mention squad as well. Blake batted .200 with two doubles, two RBIs and nine runs scored. She was 6-for-6 in stolen bases and among the team’s top defenders with a .930 fielding percentage.

The Redhawks finished this season 7-10 (6-7) – one of their best finishes since 2018 – and third in the conference behind Collins-Maxwell in first and BCLUW in second.

All-Iowa Star Conference South Division Softball Teams

Coach of the Year: Troy Houge, Collins-Maxwell

Player of the Year: Erica Houge, sr., Collins-Maxwell

FIRST TEAM

Erica Houge, sr., P, Collins-Max

Callie Swanson, sr., C, BCLUW

Haylee Merryman, so., INF, Collins-Max.

Emma Pasquariello, sr., INF, Collins-Max.

Sarah Garber, jr., INF, BCLUW

Gabby Seda, so., INF, North Tama

Jayden Peters, fr., OF, Collins-Max.

Cypress Erickson, so., OF, Collins-Max.

Molly Angell, jr., OF, Colo-NESCO

Klayre Gallentine, jr., U, BCLUW

Annabelle Nessa, sr., U, Colo-NESCO

SECOND TEAM

Adelyn Sienknecht, sr., P, North Tama

Addy Hochstetler, so., C, North Tama

Vivian Kahler, sr., INF, Collins-Max.

Harper Rausch, fr., INF, North Tama

Rylee Upchurch, sr., INF, Colo-NESCO

Morgan Bergman, jr., INF, BCLUW

Hannah Kimberley, sr., OF, Collins-Max.

Cassie Nason, jr., OF, BCLUW

Gabby Velasco, jr., OF, North Tama

Faith Dvorak, jr., OF, North Tama

Emie Tuhn, jr., OF, Baxter

HONORABLE MENTION

Kendall Brummel, fr, Baxter

Maliah Gunderson, sr., BCLUW

Kaylee Atwood, fr., Collins-Max.

Cassidy Muschick, sr., Colo-NESCO

Briar Blake, jr., North Tama

Final Conference Standings

Collins-Maxwell 13-0

BCLUW 8-5

North Tama 6-7

Colo-NESCO 2-11

Baxter 0-13