Rock Island hurler Ashley Peters and Moline slugger Becca Barnett have taken as different routes as one can take to arrive at the same honored destination.
The two have been named first-team Illinois Coaches Association Softball All-State performers after capping dominating seasons.
In leading Rock Island to the Class 4A state title, Peters went 21-4 with a mind-blowing 1.00 ERA.
“I would say it means a lot because I was second-team last year and this means I impressed more people and got better," Peters told the Dispatch-Argus. "The state championship kind of takes over this honor, but I’m excited about it.”
Always the perfectionist, Peters hopes to achieve it all again and then some next season, when she returns to Rock Island for her senior season.
“I want to check the records and see what the pitching record are at Rocky and try to get some of those,” she said. “That would mean a lot to me. I want to be a main leader and a captain. And of course, win the state title again.”
In the case of Barnett, the senior infielder hit .552 for the Maroons last season while proving just as stellar on defense in her first and only season with Moline. She spent her first three seasons at Alleman.
“Last year, Alleman didn’t send any nominations in, so I’m very excited and happy to get this honor,” she told the Dispatch-Argus. “It was pretty easy fitting in at Moline because I knew a lot of the seniors. It was a struggle, but we came to practice and worked hard every day. I see the girls next year having a good season.”
Barnett is now off to Drake University, where she plans to compete for the Bulldogs next season.
“I think I’m ready to be a college player," she added. “This move to Moline helped because I had to adapt to a new team and new coaches. I’ll be ready for that part. They have me as a utility player, so I have no idea where I will be playing.’
Rock Island’s Lauryn Stegall and United Township’s Brandi LaFountaine earned second-team honors. Moline’s Aubrie Dodd and UT’s London Jackson were third-team picks.
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