Seven from Punxsy honored as District 9 League all-stars.

PUNXSUTAWNEY — The District 9 League for baseball and softball recently announced its allstar team selections for the 2021 season, and a total of seven Punxsy players — four from softball and three from the baseball team — were among those who were recognized.

The softball team, which finished its season this week with a loss to Mount Pleasant in the PIAA AAA semifinals, had four nominees. Three seniors were among them — Elliott Ferrent, Kendal Johnston and Riley Presloid — as was freshman Ciara Toven. Presloid and Toven were also honored in the second league Punxsy plays in, the Central Penn League.

The baseball team started the season as a young bunch but gained plenty of experience on their way to qualifying for the PIAA play-in game, where the Chucks fell to a tough Bedford squad. All three of its all-star nominees were underclassmen — junior Isaac London and sophomores Zeke Bennett and Carter Savage.

Ferrent played the majority of her senior season for the Lady Chucks at one of the two corner infield positions, first or third base, depending on where she was needed that day. She also provided a consistent presence offensively for Punxsy.

“Elliott is what every coach wants in a player with her position versatility,” Punxsy head coach Alan Pifer said. “I was very confident in her to play multiple positions, and that gives a coach a lot of flexibility to make moves and that sort of thing. It’s nice to be able to have confidence in a player like that.”

Presloid missed a fair portion of her senior season due to an injury, but when she was in the lineup, she was hitting the ball at a torrid pace and provided a steady and consistent presence at shortstop as well.

“Riley was a three-year starter for us, and she definitely solidified our shortstop position throughout those years, and she also had a heck of an offensive season for us this year,” Pifer said.

Johnston shared the pitchers’ circle with a few other Lady Chucks during the season but took charge of the role as the season neared its end, then led Punxsy into the playoffs with some dominant pitching. She was also in the heart of the lineup offensively and provided plenty of pop.

“Kendal’s pitching this season really spoke for itself,” Pifer said. “She was definitely a true leader for us, especially during the postseason run, and we were really glad to have her.”

Speaking about his seniors, who were the final graduating class to have been on the 2018 PIAA championship team, Pifer added, “All three of those seniors have a state title that they can always say is on their resume, and that’s something to look back on and be proud of.”

Last but not least was Toven, who found her place in the middle of Punxsy’s lineup as the season progressed and provided plenty of pop, especially in the postseason, on her way to a program-best six home runs.

“For Ciara, the future looks bright after coming in as a freshman and doing what she did, setting the single-season record for home runs for us,” Pifer said. “I’m confident she’ll add to that total during her career.”

For the Chucks, London did a good amount of pitching but was most frequently perched at the everimportant shortstop spot. He was also one of his team’s more steady hitters and played near the top of the lineup.

“Isaac was our most consistent performer all year, both offensively and defensively,” head coach Mike Dickey said. “He really solidified our lineup out of the leadoff spot and was a solid defender at short, as well as an instinctual baserunner. I am excited to see his growth going into his senior season next year.”

Savage brought a power threat to the middle of the lineup and was nearly always holding down the first base position for the Chucks, when he wasn’t toeing the pitcher’s mound.

“Carter made great strides in his first year of varsity baseball,” Dickey said. “He played a solid first base and had some big extra base hits in some pressure situations. Much like Isaac, I am looking forward to Carter's continued development over the next two years.”

Bennett brought his explosive speed to both sides of the card for the Chucks, using it as a weapon while trying to get on base but also while tracking down fly balls in center field for Punxsy.

“Zeke was a solid defender in the middle of the field for us and really adjusted well to varsity pitching as the year progressed, eventually finding a home in the two spot,” Dickey said. “His speed is a great weapon for us and puts pressure on opposing defenses. With two years remaining in the program, the future is bright for Zeke as he continues to get better.”

The roster for the baseball league all-stars also included Brookville’s Jace Miner (MVP), Chase Palmer and Hunter Roney; DuBois’ Garrett Starr, Chandler Ho, Alex Pasternak and Brycen Dinkfelt; and St. Marys’ Christian Coudriet, Connor Bressler and Garrett Bauer.

The remaining softball all-stars for the league were Brookville’s Tory McKinney; DuBois’ Sarah Henninger, Morgan Pasternak and Allie Snyder; and St. Marys’ Kendal Young (MVP), Olivia Eckels and Kara Hanslovan.