Carroll County Times 2024 softball All County: FSK’s Stephen Turner named Coach of the Year

Stephen Turner knew going into the season with one of the best pitchers in the state and a roster returning a high percentage of his 2023 championship-winning squad, the target was on his program’s back in 2024.

Turner embraced the challenge and took his Eagles one step further, all the way to the state semifinals, winning another county and regional championship in the process.

For his efforts, Francis Scot Key’s Stephen Turner has once again been named Carroll County Times softball Coach of the Year.

With an intense and highly competitive softball rivalry with Liberty brewing on and off the field and pesky, persistent challengers like Manchester Valley giving the Eagles all they could handle, Turner kept his cool, stayed locked in and most importantly trusted in his players.

As a result, nothing phased his Eagles as they once again went undefeated in county play, extending the program’s current winning streak against county opponents to 28 games.

“We’ve been fortunate to have some great players come through our program and compete with the county and region’s best and come out on top,” Turner said after defeating Liberty and clinching the regional championship for the second straight season.

The Eagles rode that momentum all the way through what would end up being the program’s deepest playoff run in 25 years, defeating Liberty in the regional final and shutting out a Patterson Mill team that ended their season a year ago before falling to Boonsboro in the Class 1A state semifinals.

“Coach Turner became our head coach three years ago, just as I was coming on board and I feel fortunate our paths have crossed,” FSK athletic director Ryan Kimble said in a statement. “He is extremely hard working for his program and cares about the student-athletes he coaches. The softball team at FSK is as strongly connected a group, from coaches to athletes to the community as I have seen — and Coach Turner plays a huge role in making that happen. We are lucky to have him coaching softball at FSK.”

First team All-County

Myla Bell, South Carroll, sophomore, first base

Bell batted .418 for the Cavaliers, with 10 RBIs. In 55 at-bats, the sophomore only struck out twice.

Evelyn Conner, Liberty, senior, first base

Conner earns another first team selection after batting .377 and was one of the best in the county with 23 RBIs.

Kendall Jackman, Francis Scott Key, junior, first base

A second team selection last year as an outfielder, Jackman’s move to first base went seamlessly defensively. Jackman’s batting saw an uptick as well with a .500 batting average and 22 RBIs.

Emma Tawney, Francis Scott Key, senior, shortstop

Tawney batted .375 with three doubles and two home runs, one of which was a walk off home run against Liberty in the regional final.

Kasey Thomas, Manchester Valley, senior, shortstop

Thomas batted .397 with 10 stolen bases and scored 25 runs, all while anchoring the Mavericks defense as one of the county’s top defensive infielders.

Erin Martin, Liberty, junior, shortstop

Martin, another repeat first team selection, was a force in the middle of Liberty’s lineup, batting .425 for the Lions with nine extra base hits.

Caylee Clark, Century, junior, third base

Clark makes the jump to the first team after batting .390 with 11 RBIs. Clark also posted a 94.6% fielding percentage.

Hannah DeVincent, Liberty, junior, third base

The girls soccer Player of the Year in the fall made the jump from second team to the first team in softball courtesy of a .491 batting average, over 25 hits and some stellar defense on third base.

Emma Taff, Francis Scott Key, senior, third base

Taff followed up a 2023 first team selection with an even better .475 batting average for the county and regional champion Eagles. Taff also notched nine extra base hits, 19 RBIs and a 1.215 OPS.

Ryley Winebrunner, Westminster, junior, center field

Winebrunner did it all for the Owls this season, leading the team in batting average (.492), slugging percentage (.763) and on base percentage (.581).

Kaylee Lettau, Manchester Valley, sophomore, center field

After an impressive freshman season, Lettau batted .397 for the Mavericks. She proved to be one of the best on the base paths as well with 11 stolen bases.

Joelle Staub, Francis Scott Key, senior, catcher

Stab batted .370 with 12 RBIs, but it was her defensive work that made a difference. Staub threw out seven runners and picked off another three on the base paths this season.

Morgan Kenney, Francis Scott Key, junior, centerfield

Another first team selection for Kenney, who batted .420 with eight extra base hits and 21 RBIs for the Eagles.

Jordan Currie, Century, senior, pitcher

2023 first team selection, Currie won nine games this season on the mound with a 1.73 ERA and 115 strikeouts. Her standout performances include complete-game shutouts over Tuscarora, South Carroll and Manchester Valley.

Brooke Sims Manchester Valley, senior, pitcher

Sims led the Mavericks with five wins as a starter. She also batted .321 with five doubles, and 22 RBIs.

All-County second team

Sophia Steele, Liberty, junior, pitcher
Lilly Reiter, Francis Scott Key, senior, right field
Piper Beahm, Francis Scott Key, sophomore, second base
Alison Bald, Liberty, freshman, second base
Kaitlyn Clark, Westminster, senior,
Alayna Enoff, South Carroll, sophomore, infielder
Abby Mastria, Century, junior, outfield
Rileigh Coyle, Century, freshman, shortstop
Nichole Brosenne, South Carroll, junior, pitcher
Olivia Smith, Manchester Valley, sophomore, outfielder
Kiele Peterman, Winters Mill, senior, outfielder
Brianna Witter, Westminster, third base
Hannah Smipden, Winters Mill, senior, shortstop
Gabriella Pittinger, South Carroll, freshman, outfield