2009 Softball Division 1 All-Stars Lauren Walker, Central York, player of the year; Samantha Bader, Central York; Leah Beach, Dallastown; Allison Burkhart, Central York; Jen Deardorff, Dallastown; Krista Donsen, South Western; Leah Herman, Central York; Lauren Miller, Central York; Maddie Sechrist, Red Lion; Rachael Stermer, Red Lion; Carissa Throckmorton, South Western; and Dave Marsh, Central York, coach of the year. (Daily Record/Sunday News)
The York Daily Record/Sunday News has announced its 2009 Div. I softball all-stars
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
   Lauren Walker, Central York: Walker has become the driving force behind Central York softball in her first two seasons. The sophomore pitcher has accumulated a won-loss record of 34-6 over two campaigns. Walker has only allowed five earned runs in two seasons. She has fired 432 strikeouts in two years. Walker finished her sophomore year with a 0.170 ERA.

During her freshman year, Walker hurled six no-hitters, 11 shutouts and one perfect game. Finishing off the fantastic inaugural season was a miniscule 0.143 ERA.

Pitching isn't the only part of Walker's game, as she was strong on offense in 2009, registering a hit in every game. She finished the season with a .525 batting average, six home runs and 28 RBIs. The Panthers will be counting on Walker for the next two years, as she will be a very important part of a team looking to repeat as Division I champions.
  
ALL-STARS
   Samantha Bader, Central York: Bader consistently called great games as Walker's battery-mate. Bader only yielded two base runners the entire 2009 season. The senior catcher had a .386 batting average in her final scholastic season.
   Leah Beach, Dallastown: This is the second year that Beach has been selected to the first team for the Division I all-stars. The junior outfielder carried a .345 batting average and a .578 slugging percentage.
   Allison Burkhart, Central York: Burkhart had 28 hits and a .438 batting average for the Panthers. The senior shortstop's defensive and leadership abilities were hallmarks of the recent Central York softball squads.
   Jen Deardorff, Dallastown: The senior shortstop finished the season with a .500 batting average and a .667 slugging percentage. Deardorff was very solid on defense, as she carried a .932 fielding percentage. Deardorff earned a scholarship to continue her softball career at Shippensburg for the 2010 season.
   Krista Donsen, South Western: The senior outfielder had a .294 batting average for the season and was perfect in the field with 11 put-outs and no errors.
   Leah Herman, Central York: The outfielder only had one error the entire year and registered nine assists. Herman's ability to read the ball off the bat was an asset that helped the Panthers persavere some shutout victories in 2009.
   Lauren Miller, Central York: This was Miller's second selection to the Division I all-star team. The junior second baseman played solid defense all year for the Panthers and finished with a .347 batting average. Miller was an important part of a Central York team that won Division I of the YAIAA.
   Maddie Sechrist, Red Lion: The senior first baseman led the Lions in hits, runs scored and batting average. Sechrist was voted to the first team of the YAIAA all-stars for the third time in her high school career. Sechrist not only provided offense for Red Lion, but also led the Lions with 132 put-outs and carried a .959 fielding percentage.
   Rachel Stermer, Red Lion: Stermer's defensive prowess was a big reason she made this year's all-star team. The junior third baseman had 55 assists and 87 total chances, which are very high numbers for a third baseman. Stermer played every inning in Red Lion's season, and she'll be a vital component for the 2010 Lions.
   Carissa Throckmorton, South Western: The sophomore pitcher fanned 96 batters in 2009 and finished the season with seven victories and an ERA of 1.29. Throckmorton had fine offensive numbers, ending the season with a .460 batting average with 23 hits and 16 RBIs.
  
COACH OF THE YEAR
   Dave Marsh, Central York: Coach Marsh acknowledged that his selection as Coach of the Year for the YAIAA Division I was a testament to how hard his players worked all season and that without them performing at a high level, it would be difficult to receive such an accolade.

In the last three seasons, the Panthers have racked up an impressive divisional record of 28-3. Central York has won Division I the past two seasons and tied for the division title in 2007.

Coach Marsh has a mantra for his players to "play catch well" and put the ball in play on offense and place pressure on the opposing team's defense -- keep the game simple and focus on the fundamentals.