QND’s Cornwell earns first-team all-state, six area softball players receive second-team honors

QUINCY — Despite a shoulder injury that now has her prepping for surgery, Eryn Cornwell remained a force in the middle of the Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s lineup.

Her production resulted in receiving Class 2A first-team all-state honors from the Illinois Coaches Association.

QND freshman Caitlin Bunte was a second-team selection, while five area players received second-team plaudits in Class 1A.

Cornwell, who has signed to play at St. Ambrose University, hit .514 with an .841 slugging percentage as she led the Raiders with 20 doubles, five home runs and 42 RBIs. She also struck out just seven times in 116 plate appearances.

Defensively, Cornwell had 48 assists and helped turn six double plays. In the pitcher’s circle, she went 15-4 with a 2.94 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 109 innings as the Raiders finished 24-8 and won a regional championship.

Bunte emerged as a force in the leadoff spot, hitting a team-leading .527 with a team-high 20 walks and 40 runs scored. She had six doubles, one triple and two home runs. As a pitcher, she went 4-0 with a 1.55 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 40 ⅔ innings.

In Class 1A, Brown County senior third baseman Cortni Law and junior pitcher Taryn Moorman, Central junior catcher/outfielder Carlie Goehl, Pleasant Hill sophomore pitcher McKinley Lowe and Western junior pitcher Skylar Bainter were second-team selections.

Law hit .526 with 14 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 45 RBIs. She had 16 walks and just three strikeouts in 114 plate appearances. Law also committed just two errors and had 44 assists at third base.

Moorman went 20-1 with two saves and a 1.87 ERA over 127 innings. She struck out 140 and walked just nine. The Hornets went 29-2.

Goehl hit .495 and led the Panthers in hits (47), RBIs (36), doubles (12) and triples (5). She struck out eight times in 105 plate appearances. Central finished 19-9.

Lowe hit .528 with a team-leading 47 hits and 40 RBIs, to go along with seven doubles and six home runs. She also struck out 159 and walked nine in 97 ⅓ innings with a 2.73 ERA. The Wolves went 18-9.

Bainter struck out 143 batters over 95 2/3 innings while putting together an 8-4 record with a 1.83 ERA and a .218 opponents batting average. She also hit .524 with eight doubles, two triples, two home runs and 14 RBIs.