Changing positions did not alter her play on the softball field in 2015. Sydney Jenkins delivered on the field as shortstop for Newton High’s Cardinals as she did as catcher the past two years.
Little Hawkeye Conference coaches noticed and recognized Jenkins by naming her to the 2015 All-Little Hawkeye Conference first-team softball squad. After two years as the all-conference catcher, Jenkins received honors as an infielder.
Two of the younger members of the Newton softball team received honorable mention honors from the conference coaches. Peyton Maher, an eighth-grader, and freshman Karley Leiker were the Cardinals’ top pitcher and right fielder, respectively.
Jenkins was joined on the first team by unanimous selections Alexis Groet and Aubrey Miller of Oskaloosa, Madison Carpenter of Dallas Center Grimes, Miranda Hughes of Norwalk and Sara Tallman of Pella. Only two seniors made the first team — Paige Shanno and Allison O’Brien of DCG.
Others named to the first team were Taylor Goode and Alyx Witt of Norwalk, Rachel Lowary of DCG, Emma Schnell of Pella Christian and Kylee Silliman of Oskaloosa.
Norwalk was the 2015 LHC champion at 10-1 followed by Oskaloosa at 8-3 and Dallas Center-Grimes at 8-4. Pella Christian went 7-5 followed by Pella at 4-7, Newton at 3-8 and Grinnell at 0-12.
DCG wrapped up its third straight Class 4A state softball tournament title Friday. Four of the LHC teams finished in the final regular-season rankings — 4A: 4. Oskaloosa, 7. Norwalk, 9 DCG; 2A: 6. Pella Christian. Pella reached the 4A state tournament along with DCG, finishing fourth.
Jenkins led the Cardinals in all offensive categories during the 2015 season. She led the team in hitting for the third straight season with a .500 batting average. She owned a .830 slugging percentage and a .597 on-base percentage.
As Newton’s leadoff hitter for most of the season, Jenkins was 20 of 22 on stolen base attempts. She drew 21 walks and was hit by pitches three times. She only struck out eight times. Jenkins had 50 hits, which included eight doubles, five triples and five home runs. She drove in 29 runs and scored 37 runs.
Jenkins’ batting average and stolen base total ranked third in the LHC.
Jenkins switched from catcher to shortstop this season. She had a .882 fielding percentage. She had 15 errors on 127 fielding chances with 49 putouts and 63 assists.
Maher went 12-12 for the Cardinals, who finished 16-17 on the season. She had a 1.90 earned run average in 162 innings pitched. Maher allowed 122 hits and 72 runs, walked 43 batters and hit seven with a pitch.
Maher chalked up 151 strikeouts, which was fourth most in the conference. She had a fielding percentage of .944 and three errors.
Maher provided plenty at the plate for the Cardinals as the clean-up hitter. Her .355 batting average was second best for the team. She had 38 hits, which included six doubles. Maher drove in 24 runs and scored eight.
Leiker usually hit in the second slot of the Newton batting order. She finished the season with a .282 batting average, which was fourth on the team. She had 29 hits and one double. Leiker drove in 23 runs and scored 16 runs.
Leiker walked twice and struck out 11 times. She was 5 of 5 on stolen base attempts. In right field, Leiker had a .960 fielding average, and had one error.
Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com