Three Outlaws named first team all-state

Three Sisters High School softball players, who combined to produce 192 runs during the 2010 season, have been named to the 4A All-State first team for the 2010 season.

Pitcher/outfielder Dara Kosanke, catcher Taylor Walker and first baseman Amber Milliman became the first softball Outlaws to earn first-team All-State honors. Jenny Kaiser was named second team outfielder in 2009 and a few other Outlaws have received honorable mention recognition.

Only state champion Cascade had more first team honorees than Sisters this season.

"That right there says a lot about our players and our 2010 season," said coach Tom Mauldin. "They worked hard and they deserve this recognition. I couldn't be prouder of them. But to me they were not just all-staters on the field, but off the field as well."

With Kosanke combining to score and drive in 64 runs, Milliman 76 and Walker 52, the Outlaws were among the state's top run-producing and hitting teams in 2010.

Kosanke, a senior, led the state in numerous offensive categories and was high on the list for many pitching categories. She batted .639, scored 54 runs, stole 39 bases and had an on-base percentage of .696. In addition to her offensive stats, Kosanke had the second-most pitching victories of any 4A pitcher, as well as strikeouts and shutouts. Enroute to her all-state honor, Kosanke set 20 school records.

Jessica Slate of state champion Cascade was named the 4A Pitcher of the Year.

Milliman, a junior, led 4A players with 39 runs batted in and scored 37 while batting .418 on the season. She also set school records for doubles (15) and home runs. Add to that, she stole 20 bases and committed only a single error in 27 games. Her slugging percentage for 2010 was .725, among the highest marks in Oregon.

"To say Amber is a clutch player would be an understatement," said the Outlaws coach. "I was pretty comfortable with runners on base and Amber in the batter's box."

Walker, a sophomore, batted .443 and drove in 28 runs. But it was her handling of Kosanke behind the plate that gained her notice. She also threw out a dozen runners and picked off seven.

"Teams just quit running on Taylor," said Mauldin. "Her quick release and aggressive nature behind the plate intimidated a lot of teams."