-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Kaili Henning of St. Edmond pitches against North Iowa during 1A regional quarterfinals on Wednesday

A historical season on the softball diamond for St. Edmond has resulted in more honors, as three Gael players were named to the Iowa Girls Coaches Association all-state teams.

Making the second team was Kaili Henning, while Faith Shirbroun was on the third and Lauren Gibb received honorable mention status.

St. Edmond ended an eight-year absence from the state tournament, qualifying in Class 1A after besting Newell-Fonda in a regional final. They also won the outright North Central Conference title.

The three selections were the most in a single-season for SEHS since 2015 when Maggie Harvey, Amanda Lansman, Jaci Stumpf and Anna Yung were named. The Gaels also had three selections in 2014 with Harvey, Lansman and Jessica Kuebler.

Henning went 14-6 inside the circle with 154 strikeouts in just over 120 innings pitched. Opponents hit under .190 off the junior, as she also walked only 22 batters.

At the plate, Henning collected 34 hits with 27 RBI, nine doubles and one home run, striking out only nine times in over 100 plate appearances.

“I am so honored to have made second team all-state,” Henning said. “It feels great to know that all my hard work is paying off.”

She is the first pitcher for the Gaels named since Lansman, joining a group that also includes Rose Crimmins, Jordan Florey and Kelsey Lunn. Henning is also the first repeat selection since Jocy Timmerman, as she made the second team last year.

“Kaili continued to show throughout the season that she is one of the top pitchers in the state,” SEHS head coach Bill Shirbroun said. “She was lights-out during the season and had one of her best games of her career in the state quarterfinals (a 1-0 loss to eventual runner-up Martensdale-St. Marys).”

“I am so excited to see what she does next season as a senior.”

Shirbroun, a freshman, led the team with seven home runs, including one at the state tournament. She had a batting average over .370 with a slugging of nearly .700, driving in 20 runs while stealing 36 bases.

She is the first ninth-grader from St. Edmond to make an all-state team since Harvey in 2014.

“With Faith hitting leadoff, it really helped get our offense going,” Shirbroun said. “It’s a pressure-filled spot in the lineup to be, but she took on the challenge and really delivered.”

Gibb led the team with a .425 batting average while driving in 18 with nine doubles, a triple and a home run. She struck out just twice in 36 games plated and 120 at-bats. The junior also stole 23 bases and had a fielding percentage of .959.

“Lauren had just an outstanding season,” Shirbroun said. “Not only was she one of our top hitters, but she played an incredible outfield.”