Canton, Highland, Monroe City softball players earn all-state honors

QUINCY — Six area softball players earned all-state recognition from the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association, including four who received first-team plaudits.

In Class 1, Canton senior shortstop Macie Fisher and senior catcher Kinsey Biggerstaff were first-team selections, while in Class 2, Highland senior third baseman Emma Harshberger and Monroe City junior shortstop Audri Youngblood were first-team picks.

Fisher was the ultimate leadoff hitter with a .545 batting average and a .605 on-base percentage. She collected 61 hits in 31 games with seven doubles, seven triples and one home run. She scored 57 runs and drew 16 walks. She struck out just three times in 112 at-bats.

Biggerstaff hit .351 with nine doubles and 25 RBIs and was a rock defensively, committing one error in 183 chances — a .994 fielding percentage — and throwing out 16 would-be base stealers.

Harshberger was an extra-base machine, collecting 14 doubles, five triples and six home runs among her 63 hits. She finished with a .568 batting average, 44 RBIs and 38 runs scored while striking out just three times in 111 at-bats.

Youngblood hit .467 with eight doubles, five triples, two home runs, 23 RBIs and 32 runs scored. She struck out once in 81 at-bats. She committed just three errors defensively.

Highland has a pair of second-team selections — junior catcher Haleigh Winter and senior outfielder Olivia Ritterbusch. Winter hit .400 with seven home runs and 41 RBIs, while Ritterbusch hit .371 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs.