Submitted Photo Kelsey Stuart posted a 14-3 record with a 1.45 earned run average and struck out 140 with 14 walks in 106 innings for the Warren Area High School softball team this spring.

One thing COVID’s cancellation of the spring 2020 high school season did, for sure, was delay opportunities for rising athletes.

That couldn’t be more true than for Warren Area High School senior Kelsey Stuart.

Stuart was a region all-star in 2019 as a sophomore outfielder. She was a varsity starter as a freshman and sophomore and part of two straight District 10 runner-up teams.

With the graduation of four-year starting pitcher Ellie Lobdell, Stuart was set to step in the varsity pitching circle, and COVID hit.

So, she must have been chomping at the bit to take over in 2021. Being named Co-Region 5 Pitcher of the Year and a first-team region all-star is proof.

Stuart led Warren to a 14-3 regular season — with all three losses by one run. She had 23 hits and a .426 batting average in those 17 games. In the pitching circle, she was 14-3 with a 1.45 earned run average and struck out 140 with 14 walks in 106 innings.

Finishing 14-4 overall, the Dragons also lost by one run, 5-4, to Franklin in the D10 4A playoffs. Stuart is advancing to the next level to pitch while attending Penn State DuBois beginning this fall.

“Kelsey definitely deserves her accolades for Co-Region Pitcher of the Year,” said Warren coach Carissa Stuart. “Finally getting her chance to be the starting varsity pitcher after missing last year, she was ready to take care of business. I had complete confidence in her taking on that role and I couldn’t be more proud of her. Region 5 was packed with solid teams and ending the season with a region record of 14-3 just shows how much Kelsey deserves this award.”

Dragon teammate Ellee Irwin was also named a first-team all-star in outfield as a junior. She hit .360 with 11 RBIs and played a sparkling centerfield. Also a junior, shortstop Katie Madigan was voted a second-team all-star for hitting .316 with 18 runs and 14 stolen bases in the regular season.

“You can’t be as successful as we were without great fielders and teammates as well and Ellee Irwin and Katie Madigan sum that up,” said Coach Stuart. “Ellee was my upperclassman in the outfield and she was my center fielder for a reason. She knows how to take charge and communicate. She covered a lot of ground for us and came up with some sliding catches that saved us numerous times, not to mention robbing a home run or two as well. It’s a huge accomplishment for Katie making Region 5 second team as a shortstop as well. She transitioned from the outfield to the infield, although with Katie’s athleticism there was no doubt that she was capable of doing it. Also, becoming our leadoff hitter as well. Katie’s actions speak for themselves.”

Coach Stuart added: “She’s the first one chearing, she’s the first one picking up a teammate, and she’s always the player wanting just one more rep.”

Warren County was represented all over with Youngsville senior Kamryn Weissinger being named a second-team Region 2 all-star as an outfielder. Weissinger is quite versatile, and also can play shortstop. She will be playing both softball and volleyball at Grove City College beginning this fall.

On a Region 2 all-star team littered with players from Union City and Cambridge Springs, Eisenhower junior pitcher Taylor Napolitan was also voted a second-team all-star.

REGION 2 ALL-STARS

First team

Jordyn Brozell, Union City, sr., C

Cyaira Zielinski, Union City, sr., 1B

Sydney Gilbert, Union City, sr., 2B

Lucy Higley, Union City, so., 3B

Eliza Reynolds, Union City, sr., SS

Paige Verbanac, Cambridge Springs, sr., OF

Kam Gates-Bowersox, Union City, jr., OF

Kennedi Winslow, Rocky Grove, sr., OF

Emylee Zielinski, Union City, so., OF

Kylie Thompson, Saegertown, so., DP

Abby Tingley, Union City, jr., P

Hailee Rodgers, Cambridge Springs, so., P

Second team

Makenzie Lewis, Cambridge Springs, jr., C

Eve Beuchat, Maplewood, jr., C

Sydnie Smith, Saegertown, sr., 1B

Lexie Moore, Cochranton, sr., 2B

Taylor Smith, Cambridge Springs, jr., 2B

Aly Acosta Reyes, Cambridge Springs, fr., 3B

Alyssa Arblaster, Saegertown, fr., 3B

Brittany Houck, Saegertown, jr., SS

Chloe Schultz, Cambridge Springs, sr., SS

Kylee Miller, Cambridge Springs, fr., OF

Carly Richter, Cochranton, jr., OF

Kamryn Weissinger, Youngsville, sr., OF

Jocelyn Lane, Maplewood, fr., DP

Taytum Jackson, Cochranton, so., P

Kennedi Winslow, Rocky Grove, sr., P

Taylor Napolitan, Eisenhower, jr., P

Region champion – Union City

Region player of the year – Eliza Reynolds, Union City

Region pitcher of the year – Abby Tingley, Union City

REGION 5 ALL-STARS

First team

Hannah Powierza, McDowell, jr., C

Amanda Bentley, Fort LeBoeuf, sr., C

Rylee Kregel, Villa Maria, fr., 1B

Ally Hiltabidel, Fort LeBoeuf, jr., 2B

Ally Leonard, McDowell, sr., 2B

Sam Herberg, General McLane, sr., 3B

Makenzie Kulik, Fort LeBoeuf, sr., 3B

Brooke Wise, Conneaut, so., SS

Ellee Irwin, Warren, jr., OF

Kassie Plyler, Erie, sr., OF

Lorelei Hiltabidel, Fort LeBoeuf, so., OF

Hilary Sissem, McDowell, so., OF

Alyssa Draghi, McDowell, jr., DP

Kendall Stull, Fort LeBoeuf, so., P

Kelsey Stuart, Warren, sr., P

Jenna Wagner, Villa Maria, so., P

Second team

Anna Grychowski, Erie, sr., C

Meghan Kapp, McDowell, sr., 1B

Avery Phillips, Meadville, jr., 2B

Caitlyn Plyler, Villa Maria, jr., 2B

Lexxie Biel, McDowell, jr., 3B

Katie Madigan, Warren, jr., SS

Hayley Dever, Villa Maria, fr., SS

Elena Halmi, General McLane, sr., OF

Kaley Cook, Conneaut, so., OF

Madison Hess, Villa Maria, jr., OF

Maggie Hoover, McDowell, sr., OF

Emily Bortnick, Conneaut, sr., OF

Madison Hess, Villa Maria, jr., P

Bailey Cannon, General McLane, so., P

Alivia Soule, McDowell, sr., P

Erika Shrock, Conneaut, jr., P

Region champion – Villa Maria

Region quad-players of the year – Linda Shepard, Conneaut; Makenzie Kulik, Fort LeBoeuf; Hilary Sissem, McDowell; Jenna Wagner, Villa Maria

Region co-pitchers of the year – Jenna Wagner, Villa Maria; Kelsey Stuart, Warren