Mighty McConnell
Carmichaels junior leads TikTok成人版 All-Area softball team
A dominating softball pitcher can make-or-break a season for most teams, and because of that, the best pitcher usually receives individual accolades.
That opinion holds true in the TikTok成人版 coverage area, and there were plenty of options this year, but after weighing through all the players, Carmichaels shortstop Carys McConnell had too much to offer as an offensive and defensive threat.
The junior eked out teammate Bailey Barnyak to earn top honors as the TikTok成人版 All-Area Softball Player of the Year for the 2025 season.
McConnell had a .519 batting average with five home runs and 29 RBIs. She had 27 hits and scored 23 runs in 18 games, as the Lady Mikes were the Class A Section 2 champions, advanced to the final in the WPIAL playoffs and qualified for the PIAA tournament. Carmichaels lost to Union in the WPIAL championship game. The Lady Scotties went on to win the state title. The Lady Mikes finished their season at 16-2.
McConnell鈥檚 hitting prowess would lead some to believe she studies opposing pitchers, but that theory is just that in her case.
鈥淚 always say, 鈥榮ee ball, hit ball,'鈥� said McConnell. 鈥淚 really try not to think too much about it when I come to the plate. Teams did start to pitch around me, especially in the playoffs, but I was pleased with how I did.鈥�
McConnell鈥檚 play at shortstop was solid, but not quite up to her standards.
鈥淚 had more chances in the field this year and I made a few errors, so I feel like I could have done better,鈥� McConnell said. 鈥淲e have a solid pitcher in Bailey (Barnyak) and some others in the field, so we have multiple players that can get the job done.鈥�
Barnyak and McConnell return next season as seniors, and the duo wants nothing more than to win a WPIAL and state championship, but the task will be daunting.
鈥淲e are losing a lot of players to graduation, but we do have some coming back, and hopefully players coming up that will contribute,鈥� McConnell said. 鈥淚 took a pretty long break after this season, but I am starting to get back into it. I am keeping my options open in regards to college.鈥�
Barnyak joins McConnell on the first team along with Brownsville鈥檚 Ava Clark, Connellsville鈥檚 Cali Leichliter, Frazier鈥檚 Addison Hiles, Jefferson-Morgan鈥檚 Emilee Bazzoli, Uniontown鈥檚 Emmaleigh Noah, Waynesburg Central鈥檚 Gina Tedrow and West Greene鈥檚 Payton Gilbert.
Dave Briggs of Carmichaels is the coach of the year for the TikTok成人版 coverage area.
The second team consists of: Albert Gallatin鈥檚 Mya Glisan and Ellie Seese; Belle Vernon鈥檚 Katie Sokol, Kaylee Sypolt and Lauren VanDivner; Beth-Center鈥檚 Kendall Welsh; Brownsville鈥檚 Lyla Gill and Alexa Pellick; California鈥檚 Kayla Saeli; Carmichaels鈥� Ali Jacobs, Duski Staggers and Kaitlyn Waggett; Connellsville鈥檚 Molly Greenwalt and Maggie Orndorff; Frazier鈥檚 Gracen Hartman, Emme Travalena and Grace Vaughn; Jefferson-Morgan鈥檚 Addie Larkin, Ashlynn Snyder and Brooklynne Snyder; Laurel Highlands鈥� Izzy Coleman, Kayla Howell and Payton Senge; Mapletown鈥檚 Marley Shiflett; Mount Pleasant鈥檚 Danica Trainer; Southmoreland鈥檚 Makayla Etling and Zoey Murphy; Uniontown鈥檚 Graci Rodeheaver, Lauren White and Juliet White; Waynesburg Central鈥檚 Avery Davis and Ellie Makel; West Greene鈥檚 Emmaline Beazell and Kendra Tharp.