A consistent threat in the Berks Softball League found the breakthrough it was looking for as the Hamburg softball team earned its first county title in 14 years with an 8-0 win over Wilson back in May. As such, the 2024 Berks County Interscholastic Athletic Association softball all-star team features three members of the BCIAA championship squad as well as two of the top hitters from the Bulldogs’ offense that put up more runs (256) than any other team in Berks.
The all-star team is voted on by BCIAA coaches.
In addition, the team is bolstered by two members of the District 3 Class 3A champion Kutztown Cougars, who won their second district title in three years.
Berks Catholic’s Dani Hayward earned Player of the Year honors for her exceptional play on both offense and defense.
Zena Lutz, who led the Hawks to the Berks III title as well as their coveted Berks championship, received the Coach of the Year award.
BCIAA 2024 Softball All-Star Team
Karli Arbegast, Twin Valley, Sr.
First-time selection at second base, batted .414 with 17 runs scored, 24 hits, 11 RBIs, five doubles and one triple.
Jade Fitzgerald, Kutztown, Fr.
Went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and three RBIs in the Cougars 4-2 District 3 Class 3A semifinal win over Susquenita. In the District 3 Class 3A final against Littlestown, hit an RBI single and went 2-for-3.
Dani Hayward, Berks Catholic, Sr.
A repeat selection and first-time Player of the Year, the Shippensburg commit batted .500, with 27 runs scored, 12 runs batted in, 10 walks, 6 doubles, 4 triples, 1 home run, and 11 stolen bases. On the mound, she went 13-6 with an ERA of 0.72 and struck out 200 batters over 125 innings pitched. She has 614 over her career.
Berks Catholic pitcher Dani Hayward struck out 17 batters back in 2022 in a 10-2 victory over Wyomissing. (BILL UHRICH — READING EAGLE)
Kaylee Jablonski, Muhlenberg, Soph.
A first-time selection, the third baseman/catcher batted .574 with 31 runs scored, 31 hits, 38 RBIs, 10 doubles, and eight home runs.
Kyla Lytle, Wyomissing, Jr.
A repeat selection, the first baseman was a dominant and consistent presence in the middle of the order for the Spartans throughout the season.
Ashley Noecker, Kutztown, Sr.
First-time selection at catcher went 2-for-3 in the District 3 Class 3A final.
Kylah Reading, Hamburg, Sr.
A three-time selection and right fielder, hit an RBI triple and scored a run in the following at bat to help give the Hawks a 2-0 lead against Exeter in what would become a 5-3 BCIAA semifinal win. Scored a run in the BCIAA final. She hit six home runs and had 35 RBIS in 2024. Finished her career with a .493 batting average, 161 hits, 23 doubles, 22 triples, 28 home runs and 132 RBIs. She was 36-for-68 at the plate in 2024 for a .529 average.
Hamburg senior Kylah Reading (COURTESY OF BILL SNOOK)
Jenna Shuman, Hamburg, Jr.
Third baseman and first time selection batted .423 with 33 hits, seven doubles, 17 RBIs and scored 28 runs.
Hamburg’s third baseman Jenna Shuman fields the ball for the final out in the fifth inning in an 8-0 victory over Wilson in the Berks County softball final in Lyons. (BILL UHRICH – READING EAGLE)
Hailey Strunk, Hamburg, Sr.
First-time selection who pitched a complete game shutout in the Hawks’ 8-0 victory over Wilson in the BCIAA final. A Jacksonville commit, she allowed just three hits and two walks in the complete-game shutout, her eighth shutout win of the season. She struck out four against Wilson’s league-leading offense. In 2024, she batted .428 with 30 hits, six doubles, 40 RBIs, and 22 runs scored. As a starter in 2024 over 129.33 innings pitched, she had 19 wins (finished her career with 56) and a 1.24 ERA. She recorded 122 strikeouts in 2024 and finished her career with 387 strikeouts.
Hamburg pitcher Hailey Strunk celebrates her final strikeout in an 8-0 victory over Wilson in the Berks softball final on Thursday in Lyons. (BILL UHRICH – READING EAGLE)
Kaya Werley, Wilson. Soph.
A first-time selection, the center fielder batted .610 with 22 runs scored, 25 hits, 23 RBIs and five home runs.
Tatum Werley, Wilson, Jr.
A shortstop and first-time selection, she batted .694 with 27 runs scored, 34 hits, 27 RBIs, seven doubles, one triple and three home runs.
Wilson’s Tatum Werley makes a diving catch to end a second-inning Berks Catholic scoring threat in a 5-3 Bulldogs’ victory over the Saints at the Forino Sports Complex. (BILL UHRICH – READING EAGLE)
Zena Lutz, Hamburg, coach
In her seventh season at Hawk Hill, Lutz guided Hamburg to its first county championship in 14 years, a 20-4 record and the Berks III title. The Hawks advanced to the District 3 quarterfinals.
Hamburg softball coach Zena Lutz Wednesday, April 13, 2022 (BILL UHRICH — READING EAGLE)
BCIAA All-Division I
Cheyenne Boyles, Exeter, Jr.
Taylor Hill, Exeter, Sr.
Mackenzie O’Brien, Exeter, Jr.
Katelyn Stanley, Exeter, Sr.
Olivia Grosch, Governor Mifflin, Fr.
Serenity Snyder, Governor Mifflin, Sr.
Maddie Wentzel, Muhlenberg, Soph.
Samiya Gonzalez, Reading, Sr.
Madison Farrell, Wilson, Jr.
Meghan Farrell, Wilson, Sr.
Ava Legath, Wilson, Fr.
Honorable mention: Sasha Bolonski, Exeter, Sr. Alena Dinnini, Exeter, Soph. Kellie Hearn, Governor Mifflin, Jr. Abby Brunelli, Governor Mifflin, Fr. Jaela Eaton, Muhlenberg, Soph.
Erin Smith, Muhlenberg, Sr. Kellyn Paulino, Reading, Soph. Tatiana Garcia, Reading, Sr. Ava Futrick, Wilson, Soph. Leah Berkis, Wilson, Soph.
All BCIAA Division II
Skylir Berger, Conrad Weiser, Fr.
Madison Derfler, Conrad Weiser, Soph.
Alex Trevena, Conrad Weiser, Jr.
Skyla Baer, Fleetwood, Fr.
Jessica Fanrak, Fleetwood, Sr.
Morgan Koehler, Fleetwood, Jr.
Kylie Krauss, Fleetwood, Sr.
Erin Cromwell, Twin Valley, Jr.
Emma Hahn, Twin Valley, Soph.
Ella Herbst, Twin Valley, Soph.
Maggie Krall, Twin Valley, Fr.
Honorable mention: Abby Frantz, Conrad Weiser, Sr. McKayla Reichard, Conrad Weiser, Sr. Aubrie Detwiler, Daniel Boone, Sr. Kaylee Henderson, Daniel Boone, Soph. Emily Miller, Fleetwood, Jr. Isabelle Santangelo, Fleetwood, Jr. Hailie Barton, Twin Valley, Soph. Maggie Stoltzfus, Twin Valley, Soph.
All BCIAA Division III
Marli Emrich, Berks Catholic, Sr.
Giana Mirenda, Berks Catholic, Jr.
Julia Schaffer, Berks Catholic, Sr.
Jenna Crist, Brandywine Heights, Jr.
Norah Davey, Hamburg, Fr.
Hailie Edwards, Hamburg, Sr.
Amelia Gassert, Hamburg, Jr.
Shayna Morales, Hamburg, Jr.
Brooke Angstadt, Schuylkill Valley, Fr.
Gabby Leone, Schuylkill Valley, Fr.
Katelyn Raymond, Schuylkill Valley, Jr.
Honorable mention: Celeste Mirenda, Berks Catholic, Jr. Izzy Thomas, Berks Catholic, Soph. Christina Schuster, Brandywine Heights, Jr. Elyse Stufflet, Brandywine Heights, Sr. Emily Zimmerman, Hamburg, Sr. Molly Krick, Hamburg, Soph. Adi Leroy, Schuylkill Valley, Jr. Brooke Andrews, Schuylkill Valley, Jr.
All BCIAA Division IV
Brianna Bauscher, Kutztown, Jr.
Sadie Berger, Kutztown, Jr.
Sammy Furst, Kutztown, Sr.
Felicia Oldt, Kutztown, Soph.
Dana Messner, Oley Valley, Sr.
Taylor Schlegel, Oley Valley, Fr.
Molly Goldberg, Tulpehocken, Fr.
Chloe Heckman, Tulpehocken, Sr.
Taylor Lawrence, Tulpehocken, Sr.
Lily Caldwell, Wyomissing, Jr.
Jay Fabian, Wyomissing, Fr.
Honorable mention: Mia Santigo, Antietam, Jr. Diana Travers, Antietam, Jr. Kourtney Dietrich, Kutztown, Jr. Jayden Gehris, Kutztown, Soph. Ava Walters, Oley Valley, Soph. Erin Day, Oley Valley, Sr. Juliet Snyder, Tulpehocken, Jr. Julianne Forry,Tulpehocken, Fr. Maggie Stever, Wyomissing, Sr. Taylor Watt, Wyomissing, Soph.
