2013 MSA Sports Diamond Dolls Softball All-Stars

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, June 21, 2013 | 11:11 AM

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It’s no secret that pitching dominates girls softball. Pitching also dominates this year’s MSA Sports Diamond Dolls team.

The all-star team is made up of the top 10 players in the WPIAL and is picked by the MSA Sports staff. Of the 10 players picked this year, eight are pitchers. Three led their teams to WPIAL championships (Kirsten Wilson of Riverside, Alayna Astuto of Canon-McMillan and Mary Funderlich of North Allegheny).

Here is a look at the 2013 MSA Player of the Year and the rest of the Diamond Dolls all-star team:

2013 MSA SPORTS PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

KIRSTEN WILSON – RIVERSIDE, P, SR.

Whether it was pitching or hitting, Wilson dominated this season in leading Riverside to a WPIAL title. The Panthers’ only loss of the season came in the PIAA Class AA final, 1-0.

Wilson finished 22-1 and it was a big event when she gave up a run. At one point this season, she had 11 shutouts in a row. Opponents hit only .076 against her. Her earned run average was 0.28 and she allwed only eight runs in 150 innings. She struck out 271.

As a hitter, Wilson had an impressive .549 average and a slugging percentage of 1.039. To show you the fear she put in opponents, she was intentionally walked 27 times. She had five doubles, one triple, six home runs and 22 RBIs and her on-base percentage was .737.

Wilson will play NCAA Division II softball next season at Bloomfield College in New Jersey.

ALAYNA ASTUTO – CANON-McMILLAN, P, Sr.

Astuto helped everything turn golden for the Big Macs this year as they won WPIAL and PIAA championships. Astuto had a 25-0 record and a 1.06 ERA. Opponents batted only .157 against her and she pitched a perfect game against Hempfield in the WPIAL semifinals. She struck out 142 in 145 innings. She will play next season at Waynesburg.

MARY FUNDERLICH – NORTH ALLEGHENY, 3B, JR.

Funderlich used to be a pitcher. She converted to third base this season and shined. She batted .446 and helped the Tigers make it to the WPIAL Class AAAA championship game. She also had eight doubles, one triple, 15 RBIs and 10 runs scored. She will undoubtedly be one of the top position players in the WPIAL next year.

PORTIA McBRIDE – ELIZABETH FORWARD, P, SR.

McBride was the driving force in the Warriors’ march to a section title and they also made it to the WPIAL quarterfinals. She pitched every game for Elizabeth Forward and finished with a 17-5 record and a 1.20 ERA. She had 161 strikeouts and only 12 walks. She lost to West Allegheny, 1-0, in the WPIAL playoffs.

JAYNE OBERDORF – GREENSBURG-SALEM, P, SR.

Oberdorf was the heart of the Lions’ run to the WPIAL Class AAA championship. She was a force as a pitcher and hitter. She finished with a .390 batting average and 15 RBIs, but her dominance was most evident as a pitcher. She was 21-1 with 239 strikeouts and walked only 21. She finished her career with a record of 48-8 and had more than 500 strikeouts. She is an excellent athlete, averaging 17 points per game for the Greensburg Salem girls basketball team. She will play softball next season at Division I Marist.

CASEY FARKASOVSKY – BEAVER, P, FR.

Farkasovsky made a gigantic impact in her first season of high school softball. She did most of her damage as a hitter. She batted a whopping .645 with a school record eight home runs and also had 19 RBIs and scored 30 runs. She had an 11-8 record as a pitcher with 130 strikeouts.

KAYLA BRIGGS – CHARTIERS-HOUSTON, P, SR.

Char-Houston has a rich tradition with top pitchers, and Briggs kept the tradition going this season. She had three no-hitters, including a perfect game against Beth-Center. She finished with a 17-1 record and 172 strikeouts. She also played a big role in the Bucs’ offense, batting .429 with 32 runs scored and 16 RBIs.

KIERSTEN BADZGON – KEYSTONE OAKS, OF, SR.

Just about everything was good for Badzgon this season. She helped Keystone Oaks make the WPIAL Class AA playoffs. Badzgon had an eye-opening .725 batting average. She displayed plenty of power, hitting eight home runs and driving in 36 runs. 

ERICA BURNS – CARMICHAELS, P, SOPH.

Burns burned many opponents in only her sophomore season. She pitched every game for Carmichaels and helped the Mikes to a second-place finish in WPIAL Class A. She finished with a 22-4 record and 202 strikeouts. She also did damage as a hitter with 22 RBIs and 30 runs scored. She should be a dominating force for the next two seasons.

BAILEY BENNINGTON – WEST GREENE, P, FR.

West Greene isn’t known for great girls softball, but West Greene has a gem in Bennington. She drew rave reviews in her freshman year at West Greene. As a hitter, she batted over .500 with 25 RBIs. As a pitcher she was 9-9 with an impressive 183 strikeouts. She could put up some big statistics over the next few years.

Tags: Beaver, Canon-McMillan, Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston, Elizabeth Forward, Greensburg Salem, Keystone Oaks, West Greene