Kosanke named Player of the Year in Sky-Em League

Senior pitcher/outfielder Dara Kosanke was named the Sky-Em League's Player of the Year.

The Sisters High School right-hander was a force both on the mound and at the plate. She led the Sky-Em in hitting with a .675 average, base hits with 27, runs scored with 23, on-base percentage at .690 and stolen bases with 20. That was all accomplished in 12 league games. She had a base hit and scored at least one run in each game.

She dominated Sky-Em on the mound, winning 10 games and losing only once. She had six shutouts, two no-hitters and recorded 111 strikeouts in 67 innings. She had a .062 earned run average.

Marist's Nyree White, named Co-player of the Year in the Sky-Em League in 2008 and 2009, was named Pitcher of the Year, edging Kosanke. White struck out 133 batters in 77 innings and led the Sky-Em with an 0.38 ERA. She pitched every inning for the Spartans en route to an 11-1 record.

Joining Kosanke on the Sky-Em all-league team are teammates, junior Amber Milliman (first base), who led the league in RBI with 25 and was second to Kosanke in league batting at .564; junior outfielder Marisa Calavan, who was third in the Sky-Em League in batting with a .545 average; sophomore catcher Taylor Walker and senior infielder Brooklyn Walker.

"Milliman's season was worthy of Player of the Year consideration as well," said coach Tom Mauldin. "She had big numbers - averaged nearly two RBI per game and more than an extra base hit per game."

Milliman's slugging percentage was a robust 1.125.

Taylor Walker tied with White for second in the league in RBI with 17 and Calavan was third with 16. Calavan was also second in hits, runs scored and stolen bases.

In addition to the four first-team selections, Brooklyn Walker, who played errorless ball for 20 straight games, including all dozen in league, was named second team All-League and junior teammates Cassie Hernandez, McKenzie Cooper and freshman Harley Rowe received honorable mention honors. It is the third time Cooper has received all-league accolades.

Kosanke and Brooklyn Walker are the only seniors on the Outlaws roster.

Mauldin said he was very pleased with the recognition his team received, noting many players had outstanding seasons.

"But the best part was being presented the league championship trophy," said Mauldin. "It took the entire team to accomplish that - right down to our swing players, who share time between the varsity and junior varsity."

The Outlaws, 21-5 on the season, finished 11-1 and co-champions with Marist of Eugene, the winner of the last seven league titles. The Outlaws defeated Marist 3-1 this season, to end the Spartans' 59-game Sky-Em League winning streak.

The Outlaws have a first-round bye in the 4A State Playoffs and were to visit Baker in the second round on May 25.