2008 ALL-DIGITALSPORTS SOFTBALL TEAM

All-DigitalSports Softball Player of the Year
Lauren Gibson
Chesapeake junior pitcher

Gibson pitched the Cougars to their second straight Class 4A state title in convincing fashion. The three-year starter pitched a no-hitter against Sherwood to highlight her team's 7-0 win at the University of Maryland.

It was the second season in a row, Gibson, who verbally committed to the University of Tennessee last summer, did not allow a hit in the state championship. In 2007, she fanned 13 en route to a 2-0 win over Damascus.

"Lauren throwing back-to-back no-hitters in the finals is pretty much unheard of," said Chesapeake coach Don Ellenberger, who has started Gibson in the circle for the state championship three times in as many years.

"She wants it bad. She goes out and makes it happen."

Gibson sported an 17-2 record for the Cougars (24-2) with 165 strikeouts. She finished with a 1.23 ERA and surrendered just 21 earned runs on the year. She has a career record of 50-7.

At the plate, Gibson batted .500 and hit eight home runs. She led Chesapeake in batting average, home runs, runs (34), runs batted in (29) and stolen bases (16). Her 34 hits tied teammate Kelly Hickman for most on the team.

To see the final season stats for the entire Chesapeake team, click here.

"This was a great accomplishment in my career," said Gibson, who clubbed an RBI-double in the sixth to open the seven-run lead in the championship.

"A win like this is just amazing. This is the most fun I've had in a while. The team is amazing and we blend so well together. On the field with these girls just makes my day."

 

All-DigitalSports Softball Coach of the Year
Paul O'Brien
Archbishop Spalding

O'Brien, in only his second year at the helm, led the Cavaliers to a perfect season in the IAAM A Conference. Spalding finished the year 17-1 overall, 14-0 in the league and captured its fifth conference title since 2000.

The Cavaliers were dominant on their way to a 6-0 victory over Institute of Notre Dame in the finals.

"The goal of any competitive team is to walk away with (the trophy) and this group came through," O'Brien said after the team's championship victory. "I had nightmares about the New England Patriots last night because the season would not have been complete without a win here today."

Spalding won the previous two meetings with the Indians by the scores of 4-3 and 5-0.

"What I like about this team is its exceptional senior class," said O'Brien, who coached at Pallotti for seven years before taking over at Spalding in 2007.

"This class will stand out, for me, for a long time. I put them among the top two or three classes I've ever coached. It was just tremendous senior leadership and they kept their eye on the prize."

This summer, O'Brien will continue to work with some of the best players in the state while coaching the Maryland Chill, an 18-and-under club team that draws talent from Howard and Anne Arundel Counties along with players from Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore.

2008 All-DigitalSports Softball Team
First Team

INFIELDERS
Kate Bollino, Severna Park, Sr.
Jessica Grimshaw, Centennial, Sr.
Autumn Herrin, Northeast, Sr.
Kelly Hickman, Chesapeake-AA, Jr.
Lisa Bilski, Fallston, Sr.
Marissa Ronan, Franklin, Jr.
Ashley Thomas, Broadneck, So.
Meghan Van Meter, Spalding, Sr.

OUTFIELDERS
Christina Crawford, Mount de Sales, Sr.
Jen Rindone, Archbishop Spalding, Jr.
Corie Seitler, Broadneck, Sr.
Erika Stasch, Chesapeake-AA, Sr.
Kelsea Zeglin, Perry Hall, Sr.
Mary Kate Smith, John Carroll, Jr.

PITCHERS
Lauren Gibson, Chesapeake-AA, Jr. (Player of the Year)
Kayla Martinez, Arundel, So.
Elaine Nescio, Spalding, Jr.
Chelsea Ponce, Atholton, Jr.
Kourtney Salvarola, Broadneck, So.
Stephanie Speierman, Hammond, Jr.

CATCHER
Erin Delaney, Annapolis, Sr.
Nicole Lowenstein, John Carroll, Sr.

UTILITY PLAYERS
Jacki Merkel, Mount de Sales, Sr.
Brianna Jones, Institute of Notre Dame, Sr.

Second team

Katie Blackston, Western Tech, Sr., catcher
Heather Brown, Northeast, Jr., pitcher
Jessica Butler, Towson Catholic, So., pitcher
Andrea Catucci, Spalding, Jr., catcher
Gabby Devaud, Institute of Notre Dame, Sr., outfielder
Jordan Eades, Franklin, Jr., pitcher
Michelle Gravdahl, Long Reach, Sr., catcher
Taylor Kairos, Seton Keough, Fr., outfielder
Stephanie Martin, Seton Keough, Fr., infielder
Nicole Mantheiy, Chesapeake-AA, So., infielder
Caitlin Palmieri, Arundel, So., infielder
Mary Sobota, Franklin, Fr., utility
Autumn Taylor, Severna Park, Jr., outfielder
Kelly Trimble, St. Vincent Pallotti, So. catcher
Corrine Ung, Centennial, Sr., infielder
Holly Whitehead, Mount de Sales, So., pitcher
Abby Wilson, Catonsville, Jr., outfielder