Oak Glen's Matti Carney (left) and Brayley Lash (right) were named to the All-West Virginia softball first- and second-teams, respectively. (Morning Journal/Ron Firth)

NEW MANCHESTER, W.Va. — Oak Glen’s softball team had an admirable run in the Class AA state tournament in an attempt to defend its state title and for that the West Virginia Sports Writers Association has honored three Golden Bears with All-West Virginia distinctions.

Junior pitcher Mattie Carney was named to the first team, while senior infielder Brayley Lash was named to the second team. Senior Danica Holden grabbed an honorable mention nod.

Carney, a member of the all-state tournament team, went 16-11 with 212 strikeouts with a 2.25 ERA while surpassing 500 strikeouts for her career.

“Mattie is a competitor and I admire that about her,” Oak Glen softball coach Sherrie Garner said. “Mattie has invested in the craft of pitching, and she does it well. She surpassed her 500th career strikeout this season, which was a fantastic milestone. It is awesome that she has another year ahead of her before she faces graduation, I like our chances each time Mattie steps on the mound. Her competitive nature added with her skill set is proven to have winning results.”

At the plate she was also a terror as she had a .422 batting average with 25 RBIs, 35 runs, 43 hits of which 18 were for extra bases and 14 stolen bases.

“The challenge Mattie presents to opposing hitters doesn’t take a break when she is up to bat,” Garner said. “Her bat is solid, and she can quickly add an extra base even when it is of normal single depth. She is quick around the bases, and she is smart in her efforts to steal while on base.”

Garner said Carney has been on the radar for a while

“One on the best parts of the game as a whole is when I see younger girls who to come and watch the older girls play,” Garner said. “I have been coaching long enough to remember when Mattie was the youngster looking onto the field to see the high school girls play. It is great to see the joy of sharing the game.”

Lash, a West Liberty University recruit, had a .375 batting average with seven home runs, 34 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. She was also on the all-state tournament team. She had played her previous three seasons at Weir High.

“Brayley has been great to work with and she made an impact for us this year,” Garner said. “She went into an unfamiliar position from her previous three years of high school from day one. It was work in progress and thought that she was at her best defensively during the state tournament. Brayley has an excellent attitude and brings out the best in her teammates.”

Garner thought she handled the change well.

“Although familiar with many of the girls, this year was a change and I felt Brayley adjusted well,” Garner said. “Day to day and game to game, the team’s skill development came together, confidence built and I know Brayley’s enthusiasm and love for the game played a part of that. That is for sure the entire team has in common, they enjoy playing the game and we were playing our best in May.”

Garner said Lash was a hard out and was an excellent base runner. She also showed a lot of power at times, hitting two home runs in one game against Independence in the state tournament.

Holden, a third baseman, batted .295 with two home runs, 23 RBIs and 13 free passes. She was 5-2 as a pitcher with three saves and 54 strikeouts. She will attend Wheeling University.

“Dani is a strong utility player,” Garner said. “She has proven to defend both sides of the infield well, and she has pitched for us. She is a solid part of our successes for her collective four years.”

Garner said she was versatile at the plate.

“Offensively, she is capable of a delivering the long ball as well as providing a small ball game,” Garner said. “I will cherish the time this year at the state tournament when we had bases loaded and I called for a squeeze bunt, with Dani on third. Kylie Robinson had a successful bunt and the run counted. Dani hit the ground running had and sealed it with a great slide into the home plate. Her effort and determination to win were on display for others to witness as we have seen it year to year.”

Class AA All-West Virginia Softball

by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association

FIRST TEAM

P – Myleigh Adkins, Logan, Sr.

P – Mattie Carney, Oak Glen, Jr.

P – Jozey Wilson, Sissonville, Fr.

C – Ava Parks, Independence, Jr.

C – Ella Chew, Petersburg, Sr.

C – Lydia Ellis, Sissonville, Sr.

INF – Miley Tingler, Petersburg, Jr. (Capt.)

INF – Shyane Tawney, Petersburg, Jr.

INF – Aspen Dyer, Lincoln, Soph.

INF – Brooke Dehaven, Doddridge County, Soph.

INF – Ava Sampson, Scott, Sr.

OF – Jenna Joyce, Independence, Jr.

OF – Maddie Rader, Midland Trail, Jr.

Util – Eliza Utt, Weir, Sr.

Util – Stephanie Harrell, Midland Trail, Soph.

SECOND TEAM

P -Adrianna Elder Lincoln, Jr.

P – Hannah Miller, Scott, Fr.

C – Ashlin Brumfield, Logan, Sr. (Capt.)

C – Katie Mullens, Liberty, Sr.

INF – Ella Markwell, Petersburg, Soph.

INF – Paytin Brehm, Independence, Sr.

INF – Brenna See, Moorefield, Jr.

INF – Bella Weber, Weir, Jr.

INF – Brayley Lash, Oak Glen, Sr.

OF – Kennedy Linville, Lincoln, Soph.

OF – Addison Richardson, Logan, Sr.

Util – Bristol Tiller, Wayne, Fr.

Util – Dayahna Imes, Frankfort, Jr.

Util – Kambri Beard, Scott, Jr.

Util – Jordan-Marie Owens, Frankfort, Jr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Bayleigh Asbury. Poca; Brianna Blankenship, River View; Lila Boilegh, Weir; Allie Bowles, Liberty; Gracie Carpenter, Petersburg; Laken Cline, Westside; Olivia English, Bluefield; Avery Helbig, Roane County; Danica Holden, Oak Glen; Isabella Holtz, Doddridge County; Allyson Jarrett, Sissonville; Holly Johnson, Tyler Consolidated; Shayle Montgomery, Williamstown; Jessi Mooney, Midland Trail; Nevaeh Moore, Williamstown; Riley Myers, South Harrison; Kyndal Parsons, Midland Trail; Aubrey Plummer, Mingo Central; Abby Queen, Sissonville; Payton Raban, Independence; Carlee Rollins, Wyoming East; Gracie Rush, Williamstown; Kami Samples, Buffalo; Kamryn Satterfield, Doddridge County; Paisley Shannon, Westside; Grace Simmons, Moorefield; Stevie Torman, Tyler Consolidated; Layna Whited, Ravenswood.