The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Three players earn top softball awards
Keystone’s Nunez, Midview’s Shackelford, Elyria’s Howser honored
Three local athletes were honored with prestigious county awards on June 4 at the annual Lorain County All-Star Game.
Keystone’s Madi Nunez and Midview’s Gabby Shackelford were named Co-Lorain County Miss Softball, and Elyria’s April Howser was given the Lorain County Softball Coaches Association Player of the Year award.
Last year, Sammie Stefan (Keystone) won both the Miss Softball and the Player of the Year award. The talent level among Lorain County seniors showed this season with three players being honored.
Each athlete said she felt privileged to be recognized with their peers.
“I was honestly very surprised because we have an impeccable amount of great players in our county this year and even for years to come, so just having other people recognize my abilities has been great,” Shackelford said.
The Miss Softball award is based on a player’s accolades in her senior season and takes into consideration an ability to play at the next level and any academic success.
Shackelford had a .535 batting average with 42 hits (seven home runs), 31 runs, 57 RBI and a .614 OBP in 2018 and recently signed a letter of intent to continue her softball career at Cleveland State.
Nunez, fresh off a Division II state championship with Keystone, set the county RBI record with 66 and hit home runs in four consecutive games this season. In a sectional final game against Rocky River, Nunez went 4-for-4 with four home runs and seven RBI, finished the season with a .553 average and will continue her softball career at Wright State.
“I had people telling me that I might get it, that I was a nominee, but it was just really good to know I actually did get (the award). It’s an honor,” Nunez said.
“I didn’t really focus on my individual stats as a player but I ended up doing all right. ... Lorain County has a very high level of talent. I don’t mind sharing with (Shackelford). She’s an excellent athlete all around.”
For Howser, it was her junior season when Elyria won a Division I state championship, but her senior season saw much individual success even though the Pioneers fell short in a regional semifinal against eventual state semifinalist Perrysburg.
Howser, who will play softball at Malone University next year, had a .506 average, .546 OBP with 43 hits and 35 runs at the time of nomination. She also received a special mention for the Miss Softball award and was as shocked as both Shackelford and Nunez to have received such a high honor.
“I think it’s awesome that we have talent coming from different areas of the city and the county. It’s amazing,” Howser said.
“I had an amazing four years of high school. I’m going to miss it. ... I just worked really hard and I pushed myself really hard, practiced all the time to get better and I think that paid off.”