Butler County softball all-stars: Meet the 2025 player of the year, first team, honorable mentions
In 2022, Lexie Hames took to the pitching circle for the first time as a freshman for Seneca Valley’s varsity softball team.
She admits there were things she needed to learn, like what teams the Raiders would be facing in section play, and exactly what the WPIAL championship game was and the consequences of winning or losing it.
But hidden behind the green facade was a burning desire.
“I wanted to help put the program on the map and knew deep down that if I pushed myself to the limit, I had the ability to do that,” Hames said.
Excelling in travel tournaments all over the East Coast in the years leading up to high school fueled her confidence. Now, three years later and with a college career at Clemson awaiting her, Hames has some incredible high school accomplishments to look back on.
She was recently named Gatorade Pennsylvania Softball Player of the Year for the second straight season after going 17-3 with a 0.48 ERA, striking out 279 in 116.2 innings. Also a dangerous hitter, she batted .487 with seven home runs. She was walked 40 times this season, most of them intentional.
The Butler Eagle Sports staff has unanimously chosen Hames as its Softball Player of the Year.
Hames tallied 940 strikeouts in her high school career. Her pitching was the driving force behind SV winning WPIAL titles in 2022 and 2024.
“Lexie puts in so much hard work and sacrifices a lot to improve, but a pitcher has to have her defense working for her,” SV coach and Lexie’s mother, Marlesse, said in a previous interview. “Lexie’s accomplishments are really team accomplishments because her teammates have been a big part of her success.”
Following are the other nine players who made the Eagle’s first team, followed by honorable mentions, listed alphabetically.
Offense: Led team with a .446 average, had an on-base percentage of .530 and OPS of 1.030.
Pitching: 102 strikeouts
Honors: All-Conference
"Addison was very durable as a pitcher and offensively, was a consistent performer against even the toughest pitching," KC coach Michael Grazioli said. "She had a tremendous campaign."
Offense: Hit .458 with 23 runs scored, 19 driven in and 12 extra-base hits. Tallied a .585 on-base percentage as the team's leadoff hitter.
"She led by example in every way — on the field, in the dugout and in the classroom," Falcon Knights coach Lauren Forest said. "She was the kind of athlete every coach hopes to have."
Offense: As the team's leadoff hitter, managed a .375 average with six extra-base hits and 12 RBIs.
Defense: Committed just one error in 102 chances.
College: Juniata
"We never needed to worry about who was going to be behind the plate the last four years," Knoch coach Chris Gardner said. "You couldn't ask for a better leader than Grace."
Offense: Led team in average (.509), RBIs (37), runs scored (25) and home runs (10).
Honors: All-Section
"Emersyn has lifted this program to another level without even knowing," Gardner said. "She's a great kid, and the sky's the limit for her."
Offense: Tallied a .324 average, scored 13 runs and drove in 22. Had seven doubles and four home runs.
Defense: Had seven assists.
“She is a force at the plate and has the ability to remain composed in bigger moments,” SV coach Marlesse Hames said.
Offense: Batted .431 with four home runs and 17 RBIs.
Defense: Finished with a fielding percentage of .938.
Honors: All-Section
“Her softball skill set speaks for itself, but her ability to lead others, positive attitude and strong work ethic are those intangibles that stand out to me,” North coach Jason Paschel said.
Offense: Had a .432 average and scored 16 times. Two of her 19 hits were home runs.
Honors: All-Region
“She was a cornerstone for our team,” Rockets coach Dan Beebe said. “We’re looking forward to having her another two years as a focal point to changing the culture of Slippery Rock softball.”
Offense: Paced the Warriors with a .413 average, 22 runs scored, 21 RBIs and five home runs.
Defense: Fielding percentage of .975.
Honors: All-Conference at SS
"She started the year as the catcher and was probably the best catcher in District 9," Moniteau coach Bob Rottman said. "We moved her to shortstop about half way through the season to sure up the infield."
Offense: Hit .391, belted four home runs with 16 runs scored and 19 RBIs.
Defense: Did not commit an error all season.
Honors: All-Section
College: Youngstown State
“Her impact reaches well beyond the diamond,” Butler coach Kara Sroka said. “As we build, Lily is one of the kids that fully invested in leaving things better than she found them. She’s one of the best to wear a Butler uniform.”
Kennedy Brown, so., P, North Catholic; Lizzie Danik, jr., OF, Knoch; Maddy Dehart, jr., INF, Union/A-C Valley; Marlee Fraser, jr., P/3B, Knoch; Bella Gross, sr., 1B, Seneca Valley; Kyra Olivares, fr., INF, Butler; Kaila Purcell, so., P/OF, Knoch; Abby Robinson, sr., 2B/OF, Mars; Alex Stewart, sr., 1B, Moniteau; Aubrey Taylor, so., 1B, Karns City
