Steady arm earns Dale elite honor

Hannah Dale has come a long way.

As a freshman pitcher for Olathe Northwest, she was blasted 22-0 by Olathe East, which went on to win the Kansas 6A state title that season.

As a senior this season, Dale defeated the Hawks for the second straight year and led the Ravens to an undefeated 6A state title, the first team championship in Northwest school history.

Capping her career with a 13-0 season, which included 137 strikeouts in 92 innings and a 0.53 earned run average, Dale was named The Olathe News Softball Player of the Year for the second consecutive spring.

The Ravens’ ace, who also started for the Kansas all-stars in the Mo-Kan All-Star Softball Series, allowed only 38 hits, walked only 12 walks, achieved six shutouts and allowed only seven earned runs this season.

Despite a rocky start to her career as a freshman, Dale went out on top.

Also, she was named first-team all-state by the Kansas Softball Coaches Association and was honored as the Sunflower League Player of the Year.

Dale is walking away on top. The spring season was her last in competitive softball.

“It’s hit me that we won state, but in a few months that’s when it will really hit me,” Dale said following the Mo-Kan series. ALL-OLATHE SOFTBALL TEAM  P Kahli Barrett, freshman, Olathe South

A second-team all-league selection, she pitched the Falcons to state, had a 12-7 record and one save, posted a 1.52 earned run average in 124 1/3 innings.

INF Jessica Brooks, senior, Olathe East

A slugging third baseman, she played in the Mo-Kan all-star game and was named first-team all-state and first-team all-league. She batted .431 with seven doubles, three triples, a home run and 30 runs batted in.

P Hannah Dale, senior, Olathe Northwest

Selected first-team all-state, first-team all-league, the Sunflower League Player of the Year and Mo-Kan all-star game participant, she had a 13-0 record for the undefeated Kansas 6A champion Ravens, struck out 137 in 92 innings and posting a 0.53 ERA.

OF Chantelle Dietz, senior, Olathe Northwest

A first-team all-state and second-team all-league performer, the Ravens’ center fielder batted .405 with 17 RBIs, five doubles, three triples and a home run. She also played in the Mo-Kan all-star game.

INF Lauren Dorsey, junior, Olathe South

Selected to the second-team all-league, she batted .324 with a team-high 20 RBIs and six doubles.

OF Kendall Grimm, senior, Olathe East

A leadoff batter who is headed for the University of Wisconsin, the center fielder led the Hawks with a .570 average and 38 runs scored. First-team all-state and first-team all-league, she played in the Mo-Kan all-star game.

C Katie Henning, junior, Olathe South

A sturdy catcher, she batted .423 with five doubles, three triples and 18 RBIs and earned second-team all-league and all-state.

OF Alex Hugo, freshman, Olathe South

This versatile Falcon was named second-team all-state and second-team all-league and led South with a .434 average. She stole seven bases, socked six doubles, five triples and two home runs, including one to lead off the Kansas 6A state tournament.

UT Kristi Lee, sophomore, Olathe Northwest

Named first-team all-state and second-team all-league, the third baseman batted .375 and drove in 14 runs to help win a state championship.

P Darin Lewis, junior, Olathe East

Pitching the Hawks to third place at state, she was a second-team all-league selection, had a 12-2 record, two saves and a 1.78 ERA.

C Megan McCracken, sophomore, Olathe North

One of the Sunflower League’s most feared hitters, she was named first-team all-league.

INF Amy Pierce, junior, Olathe Northwest

A nightmare on the bases for opposing teams, the Ravens’ shortstop was named first-team all-state and first-team all-league. She played great defensively and batted .367 with nine doubles, three triples, 14 RBIs, 28 runs scored and 22 stolen bases.

DP Jenny Polivka, senior, Olathe East

First -team all-league, she batted .397 with seven doubles and 15 RBIs.

P Jacinda Ramos, sophomore, Olathe Northwest

The second half of the Ravens’ ace rotation, she was named first-team all-state and all-league, had a 12-0 record and 0.45 ERA and struck out 80 strikeouts in 78 innings. Known as Tex to her teammates, she batted .418 with 18 RBIs.

OF Kiki Stokes, freshman, Olathe East

Named the Sunflower League Newcomer of the Year and second-team all-league, this lightning fast left fielder batted .532, scored 26 runs and stole seven bases.

INF Emilee Vance, junior, Olathe South

A first-team all-league performer, this slugger’s three-run home run was pivotal in an upset in the regional opener against Shawnee Mission North. She batted .329 with 14 RBIs, seven doubles, a triple and two home runs.

INF Laura Vickers, junior, Olathe East

The league’s (and perhaps the state’s) most feared slugger, the Hawks’ shortstop was first-team all-state and first-team all-league. She batted .536, drove in 50 runs and had nine doubles, 10 triples and two home runs.

INF Kendra Wright, junior, Olathe Northwest

First-team all-state and all-league, the Ravens’ second baseman batted .453 with a team-high 21 RBIs for the undefeated state champion.