ST. TAMMANY FARMER 2023 ALL-PARISH SOFTBALL TEAM

Three St. Tammany Parish teams made the state quarterfinals this season, and those postseason runs highlighted a year of exciting softball across the parish.

Hannan won district once again even as the Hawks moved up in classification. Pope John Paul II claimed an undefeated district crown as the Jaguars continue their softball resurgence, while Fontainebleau surprised with a District 6-5A runner-up finish and an exciting playoff victory.

And several underclassmen posted impressive numbers to show that age doesn't matter if you can play the game.

Below is our annual All-Parish Softball Team that honors the best across St. Tammany.

The team, which was selected by Farmer sports editor Joseph Halm, is listed by the Pitcher, Hitter and Coach of the Year first, then by pitchers, catchers, infielders, outfielders and utility players in alphabetical order by their last name. Each player has their season highlights listed.

PITCHER OF THE YEAR

Jenna Samuel, Northshore, senior

The App State signee was selected as Hitter of the Year last season, and honestly, she could have taken home that honor once again. But no one in the parish was more important to her team in the circle than Samuel. She finished with a 16-5 record and 246 strikeouts. That's not a typo — she fanned 246 of the 604 hitters she faced. She struck out 41% of the hitters she faced while allowing just 28 earned runs and holding opponents to a .152 batting average. Samuel posted a 1.33 ERA while stranding 103 runners on base. She saved her best performance for the second round of the playoffs as she struck out 16 in a 1-0 win over Central-Baton Rouge. The District 6-5A first-team selection was just as good at the plate, posting 21 home runs and 49 RBIs while drawing 28 walks with a .435 batting average.

HITTER OF THE YEAR

Kayla Benedic, Pope John Paul II, junior

The Jaguars' shortstop was a special player on a special Pope John Paul II team. The District 7-2A MVP led the Jaguars to their first district title since 2014 as PJP II outscored its district opponents 76-16 en route to an undefeated district crown. Then, the Jaguars made a quarterfinals run with a team with no seniors. Benedic hit .452 with a 0.892 slugging percentage, including 54 RBIs, 36 runs scored, 17 doubles and six home runs. She also provided steady leadership on a young team and played solid defense at shortstop.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Chelsea Nette, Northshore

Settling into her third season at the helm, Nette provided to be the perfect manager for the experienced yet young Panthers. Northshore started the season 14-0 before battling through some adversity as the Panthers dropped three district games. But Nette and her team didn't panic. They steadied the ship, claimed a No. 8 playoff seed and made a quarterfinals run before falling to state champion St. Amant. Nette was able to gain some valuable experience for her underclassmen while giving her squad a legitimate chance to make a playoff run. All those factors make the young coach a fitting choice for this award.

PITCHERS

Tristyn Baugh, Hannan, senior

Baugh earned Pitcher of the Year honors in 2022, and the District 8-4A first-team selection had another great season in 2023. Baugh struck out 158 batters en route to 15-9 record with a 3.33 ERA. She also drove in 22 runs at the plate as the Hawks won another district title.

Emily Graham, Fontainebleau, senior

Graham was the heart and soul of a talented Fontainebleau team that claimed District 6-5A runner-up honors. In the circle, she posted a 15-5 record with 168 strikeouts and a 2.04 ERA. It was her fearless attitude and toughness that rubbed off on her teammates as the Bulldogs won their first playoff game in six years. The first-team District 6-5A selection was also effective at the plate posting a .273 average with 12 RBIs.

CATCHER

Caroline Butscher, Fontainebleau, sophomore

The first-team District 6-5A selection contributed both at the plate and behind it. She hit .435 with 19 RBIs and four home runs, two of which came during a 14-4 win over Slidell on April 4 that clinched district runner-up honors. She also posted a .983 fielding percentage behind the plate.

INFIELDERS

Addison Engelhardt, Northshore, junior

The first-team District 6-5A second baseman was one of the most complete players on a very talented team. She hit .409 with 17 stolen bases, 16 RBIs and eight walks. Engelhardt also had a .986 fielding percentage.

Kasia Rodriguez, Pope John Paul II, sophomore

Rodriguez is part of a talented group of underclassmen at PJP II. The sophomore second baseman hit .500 with a 1.187 OPS, including 40 runs scored, 24 RBIs and seven doubles. Her speed and ability to make contact led to first-team District 7-2A honors.

Carolyne Willie, Northlake Christian, junior

The District 7-2A first-team selection hit .423 with a .564 OBP and drew 20 walks while playing a solid third base. Willie's steady offensive production helped guide the Wolverines to a dominating 15-0 first-round playoff victory.

OUTFIELDERS

Mylie Elsensohn, Pearl River, sophomore

The District 8-4A first-team center fielder was an offensive machine for the Rebels. She hit .642 with a .680 OBP, including 43 hits, 31 runs scored and 15 stolen bases. 

Cheyenne Jenkins, Hannan, junior

A third-year starter and member of this team, the Hawks’ center fielder was a true table setter for the offense. The District 8-4A first-team selection hit .354 with a .448 on-base percentage, including 34 runs scored, 24 RBIs, 17 walks, seven double and seven triples.

Ella Sanchez, Northshore, freshman

Sanchez was the fastest person on the Northshore roster, and it showed. She hit .404 with 32 stolen bases, 30 walks, 16 RBIs and nine doubles. When she wasn't causing trouble on the base paths, she was playing flawless defense, posting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

UTILITY

Sydnie Ferrant, Hannan, junior

The District 8-4A first-team shortstop was a key part of the Hawks' offense. She hit .321 with a .795 slugging percentage, including 30 runs scored, 27 RBIs, 23 walks, 10 home runs and five doubles.

Jade Fischtziur, Covington, junior

The first-team District 6-5A third baseman hit .434 with a .559 OBP, including 44 RBIs, 27 walks, 15 doubles and five home runs.

Emma Franklin, Slidell, freshman

Franklin was the epitome of a utility player for the Tigers. In the circle, Franklin threw 97.2 innings allowing 67 earned runs, 43 walks and 90 strikeouts for a 4.79 ERA. She posted a 6-8 record with three saves. At the plate, the District 6-5A second-team selection hit .459 with 34 RBIs and 29 runs scored.

Mia Graefenstein, Mandeville, freshman

Graefenstein continued an impressive youth movement in St. Tammany Parish. The District 6-5A second-team third baseman led the team in most offensive categories while hitting .387 with 15 RBIs, nine doubles and posting a .977 fielding percentage.

Lilli McCaleb, St. Scholastica, senior

The Doves' third baseman earned first-team District 8-4A honors. She hit .314 with a .671 slugging percentage, including 30 runs scored, 24 RBIs, 15 walks and seven home runs.

Lindsay Taylor, Lakeshore, junior

The Titans' third baseman was a key part of the team's offense, hitting .419 in 86 at-bats with a 1.124 OPS. The first-team District 8-4A selection also posted 15 RBIs, 14 extra base hits and seven walks.

Baleigh Tillison, Pope John Paul II, freshman

The first-team District 7-2A center fielder used her speed to perfection. She hit .479 with a 1.122 OPS, including 44 runs scored, 40 singles and 20 RBIs.