tbanning@freemanjournal.net

WEBSTER CITY — The battery of Taylor Volkmann and Breanne Diersen have been very good to South Hamilton softball, and, in a way, they’re going out on top.

Together.

Volkmann, the Hawks’ senior pitcher, and Diersen, her classmate and the team’s catcher, were both recently named to the all-Heart of Iowa Conference first team. The league’s coaches made the selections.

—Cortney Harris, 1st team all-HOIC. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

They were joined on the top unit by teammate and classmate Cortney Harris, who made it as a utility player.

South Hamilton sophomore outfielder Emma Lewis and junior pitcher/infielder Jessi Harms were named to the second team. Honorable mention selections were senior designated player Krista Swenson and sophomore catcher/outfielder Hailey Diersen.

Working together for years, Volkmann and Breanne Diersen formed arguably the most dominant battery in the conference. Volkmann put together an 11-6 record with a 1.42 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 1132⁄3 innings of work overall. Breanne Diersen, who was also an all-district selection in Class 2A, was behind the plate for all of Volkmann’s innings.

Breanne Diersen led the Hawks’ offense with a .438 batting average. A left-handed hitter at the top of the order, she collected 42 hits, 10 of which were doubles, and drove in 18 runs.

Harris ranked second in the HOIC in home runs and RBIs with seven and 33, respectively. She trailed only North Polk sophomore and first-team outfielder Sydney Anderson (eight home runs, 36 RBIs). Harris hit at a .337 clip.

Harms, who made the second team as a utility player, was strong at the plate and in the pitcher’s circle for the Hawks. She hit .390 with 17 RBIs, and also put together an 8-3 pitching record with a 2.04 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 72 innings of action.

Lewis, who began the season as South Hamilton’s No. 9 stick before she moved all the way up to No. 2, put together a .333 average. She drove in 15 runs.

Swenson hit .313 with two dingers and 28 RBIs. Hailey Diersen, who moved behind the plate when Harms toed the rubber, owned a .310 average with six RBIs.

All-HOIC Teams

First Team

Pitcher — Taylor Volkmann, sr, South Hamilton; Sophie Swygman, sr, North Polk.

Catcher — Breanne Diersen, sr, South Hamilton; Alle Thompson, sr, Saydel.

Infield — Hannah Foster, soph, North Polk; Riley Nelson, sr, Gilbert; Ellie Owen, jr, North Polk; Susie Weaver, sr, Roland-Story.

Outfield — Sydney Anderson, soph, North Polk; Megan Carey, sr, Greene County; Nessa Johnson, soph, Gilbert.

Utility — Cortney Harris, sr, South Hamilton; Hailey Steffen, soph, North Polk.

Second Team

Pitcher — Madison Geise, fr, Roland-Story; Jade Olsen, sr, Saydel.

Catcher — Anna Shaver, sr, PCM; Samantha Grove, sr, Gilbert.

Infield — Bella Nelson, fr, Gilbert; Izzy Bravard, jr, Greene County; Addi Vorm, soph, Nevada; Bailey Hougham, sr, North Polk.

Outfield — Jordyn Pike, soph, Gilbert; Rylee Carney, sr, Saydel; Belle Hudnut, fr, PCM; Emma Lewis, soph, South Hamilton.

Utility — Jessi Harms, jr, South Hamilton; Jenna Beyers, sr, Greene County; Sabrina McKay, sr, Saydel.

Honorable Mention

Roland-Story — Reagan Faber, 8th grade; Macy Friest, fr.

North Polk — Trisha Sporaa, jr; Hailey Steffen, soph.

Nevada — Brooklynn Jensen, soph; Makayla Spaid, fr.

Saydel — Kathryn Van Houten, 8th grade; Rachel Barton, fr.

South Hamilton — Krista Swenson, sr; Hailey Diersen, soph.

Greene County — Emma Hoyle, 8th grade; Camryn Paup, fr.

Gilbert — Peyton Marty Clatt, sr; Emma Mostek, soph.

PCM — Camryn Wignall, sr; Paige Steenhoek, 8th grade.