Six Selected to All-Heart Squads
Oskaloosa–Six members of the Statesmen softball team were awarded for outstanding seasons this spring as the 2025 all-Heart of America Athletic Conference teams were announced Friday.
Laila Smith (So., Olympia, Wash., Elementary Education) and Chelsey Huff (Sr., Douds, Iowa, Exercise Science) were two of the 20 individuals who claimed first-team recognition, while Madie Anderson (Sr., Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Elementary Education) and Ella Pierce (Sr., McClelland, Iowa, Business Management) were picked for the 20-person second squad.
A total of 22 honorable-mention recipients were named as well, including Tori Smith (So., Olympia, Wash., Secondary Education) and Laila Pelds (Jr., Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Elementary Education).
The award is the third of Huff’s career (second time on first team), while Laila Smith is now a two-time league recipient (honorable mention in 2024). Anderson, Pierce, Tori Smith, and Pelds are all first-time winners.
The six honorees are the most for the program since also having a half dozen in 2015. They helped WPU to a 29-21 record this season and an appearance in the Heart Championship.
Laila Smith finished her campaign leading the navy and gold with a .382 batting average, 55 hits, 13 home runs, 45 RBIs, and 33 runs scored. She also recorded a .722 slugging percentage and a .480 on-base mark that included 27 walks. The sophomore also stole a trio of bases.
Selected as a catcher, Smith had 14 multi-hit games (high of four on three occasions) and had a nine-game hitting streak at one point.
Huff, an at-large honoree, was 11-10 as a pitcher with a 3.19 Earned Run Average. In 144 2/3 innings, she posted 11 complete games, four shutouts, two saves, and one perfect game. The senior struck out 188 batters (47 walks) and opponents hit just .235 against her.
She managed 17 games with at least five strikeouts, headlined by eight double-digit strikeout performances (high of 15).
At the plate, Huff also hit .277 with one home run, 26 RBIs, and nine runs scored.
Right-handed hurler Anderson posted a 12-8 record with a 2.35 ERA in 128 innings in the circle. She managed 10 complete games, five shutouts, and two saves, while finishing the year with 124 strikeouts and only 20 walks.
Anderson recorded at least five strikeouts on nine occasions with a high of 12 twice.
Pierce, selected as a utility player, hit .358 this spring with 34 hits, 13 RBIs, and 10 runs scored. She posted a .400 slugging mark and a .446 on-base clip with 13 walks and three hit-by-pitches (two steals as well).
The senior wrapped up her career with 10 multi-hit outings this spring (high of three).
Tori Smith and Pelds were both honored as infielders.
Smith tallied 47 hits, including a team-high 15 doubles, en route to a .326 batting average. She powered three home runs, along with 22 RBIs and 19 runs scored. The sophomore owned a .493 slugging percentage and a .365 on-base mark that featured nine walks and a hit-by-pitch. Smith also stole a pair of bases.
Smith totaled 11 multi-hit showings (three hits twice) and had a nine-game hitting streak at one point.
Pelds finished her senior season with a .303 batting average, 50 hits, 1 home run, 24 RBIs, and 10 runs scored. She posted a .352 slugging clip and a .343 on-base percentage (11 walks).
The senior notched 14 multi-hit games and had three hits in four separate outings.
Elizabeth Palumbo of Central Methodist was chosen as the Heart’s Player of the Year, while Kira Baker of Baker earned the Pitcher of the Year laurel. Rachel Pederson of Baker (Newcomer) and Hanna Vaught of Park (Freshman) were also lauded by the league.
Central Methodist’s Pat Reardon was named Heart Coach of the Year by his peers.
