Portageville Lady Bulldogs land three on All-Bootheel Conference team

The Portageville softball team added another accolade to their impressive season with three players selected All-Bootheel Conference.

The trio of Lady Bulldogs to be selected were senior centerfielder Jessica Priggel, sophomore catcher Reece Rone, and sophomore third baseman Ja’Niya Smith.

Jessica Priggel batted .395 with 23 hits including six doubles and five triples. She also had 15 RBIs, scored 25 runs and stole 10 bases.

“[Jessica Priggel] this year was one of the girls I had to lean on,” said Portageville coach Kelsey Snider. “She had a great year and was one girl I could always count on to put the ball in play or make a play in the field. She is one of our seniors we had this year and is going to be very difficult to replace.”

Portageville's Reece Rone competes in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 1 Championship against Malden.Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

Rone finished the year with a .333 batting average and 23 hits including five doubles and 19 RBIs.

“[Rone] was the type of player I knew I could ask anything of,” Snider said. “We worked all fall and winter on catching and she got stronger and stronger each practice and game. She had a tremendous year at the plate and catching. I’m excited to see how she grows as a softball player from year to year.”

Portageville's Ja'Niya Smith (21) rounds third base�during a 10-0 win over Dexter in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 1 Tournament in Portageville on Saturday, May 6, 2023.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Smith ended the season with a .320 batting average, three doubles, a triple and three home runs. She also had 24 RBIs and stole 11 bases.

“[Smith] is a beast,” Snider said. “She has some of the quickest hands in the field that I’ve ever seen. She was one I could always count on to make a play in the field, or at least keep the ball on the infield. [Smith] was another one I could count on to put the ball in play for us. She’s a great all-around player and I’m excited to have her for a few more years.”

Jessica Priggel and Smith were joined by senior second baseman Libbie Jo Priggel and junior pitcher Aubrey Greenwell for first-team All-Class 2, District 1 honors, while Rone, junior left fielder Laney Stone and sophomore right fielder Bryleigh Adams were second-team selections.

Libbie Jo Priggel had a .299 average with 20 hits including five doubles, a triple and a home run. She also had 21 RBIs, scored 25 runs and stole 12 bases.

“[Libbie Priggel] is going to be missed,” Snider said. “She has a great glove on second base and a great bat at the plate. She stepped up at the end of the year. She had a five-RBI game during a 6-3 win over Kennett this year. She also hit her first home run ever in our championship game against Malden. She was always willing to work and get better. I knew I could always count on her in the field or at the plate.”

Portageville's Aubrey Greenwell (1) throws a pitch�during a 10-0 win over Dexter in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 1 Tournament in Portageville on Saturday, May 6, 2023.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Greenwell was Portageville’s top pitcher, recording a 12-9 record over 114.2 innings pitched. She finished the year with a 2.391 ERA and 92 strikeouts. At the plate, she batted .212 with a pair of doubles, eight RBIs, scored 11 runs and stole seven bases.

“[Greenwell] had to step up pitching this year and did well every game for us,” Snider said. “She is a very consistent pitcher and has good velocity. Most of all, she’s always willing to work and get better. She is one I knew I could always count on to get out of rough situations in a ball game. I’m very proud of the year she had on the mound and at the plate. I’m excited to have her one more year.”

Portageville coach Kelsey Snider congratulates Laney Stone (24) after a triple during a 10-0 win over Dexter in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 1 Tournament in Portageville on Saturday, May 6, 2023.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Stone finished with a .264 average and nine hits, including a double, a triple and a home run. She also had seven RBIs, scored 16 runs and stole eight bases.

“[Stone] stepped up in the outfield at the end of this season,” Snider said. “We had some unfortunate events happen toward the end of the season which led me to have to move her from first base to left field. She was great at first base and in the outfield. I couldn’t be more proud of this girl. She always wanted to work and get better in the field and at the plate. I’m glad to have her another year as well.”

Portageville's Bryleigh Adams (00) sprints�during a 10-0 win over Dexter in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 1 Tournament in Portageville on Saturday, May 6, 2023.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Adams had a .307 average with 16 hits including five doubles and one triple. She also had 12 RBIs, scored 17 runs and stole seven bases.

“[Adams] made some great plays out in the field for us,” Snider said. “She had a great bat up at the plate as well. She’s young and hungry and always wants to hit or have me hit fly balls to her in the outfield. She has a cannon of an arm as well. I always knew if someone ran on her that she was going to throw them out as they tried to advance to the next base. I’m excited to have her for a few more years.”

Senath-Hornersville’s Kylie Walker and Kennett’s Logan Dollins were named the player of the coach of the year, and other all-conference selections were Kennett’s Handley McAtee, Hadley Wilson, Emma Tinnin; Malden’s Rachel Rommel, Brydon Maddox, Alyssa Broom and Mariah Loya; South Pemiscot’s Phoenix Simmons and Abigail Edwards; Senath-Hornersville’s Katie McClellan, Jada Burlison and Kaya Horton; Campbell’s Ava Baggett; and Caruthersville’s Emma Baldwin.