PEAK PERFORMERS
Four Gaels placed on the all-state team
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Faith Shirbroun, Toryn Helle, Rihanna Myers and Ella Vandi were all integral pieces to the St. Edmond softball team getting within one win of the Class 1A state championship game this summer.
And for their efforts, the quartet was named all-state this week by the Iowa Girls Coaches Association.
Shirbroun, a multi-time all-stater, closed out her Gael career by making the first team, with Helle, a sophomore, joining her. Freshmen Myers and Vandi were on the second and third squads, respectively.
"I think it really shows how far we have come as a program to have four all-state players," SEHS head coach Bill Shirbroun said. "The future of St. Edmond softball is extremely bright."
The lone senior and squad captain, Faith Shirbroun ranked third among all players in the state in batting average, hitting .632. The senior ended her SEHS career holding virtually every school record for batting, including home runs, RBI and runs scored.
Shirbroun belted 11 home runs this summer with 21 doubles, seven triples, 74 runs scored, 52 RBI and 40 steals. She has signed with Keiser University in Florida to play softball.
"I put a lot of pressure on Faith," Bill Shirbroun said of his daughter. "For the last five years, she handled it all so well and became one of the best players in the state.
“I'm proud of all that she has accomplished, and we are going to miss her so much next season."
Helle went 22-5 inside the circle, striking out 119 with just 21 walks in over 157 innings pitched. She had a 2.94 earned run average. At the plate, Helle .410 with 14 extra-base hits and 34 runs in 83 at-bats.
"I think Toryn really took that next step as a pitcher," Shirbroun said. "She never got rattled out there and the fielding from her position was such an added bonus to what she brought to the field."
Myers had a memorable state tournament, blasting a game-tying three-run homer in a win over eventual Class 1A champion Clarksville. She ended the season hitting .415 with 10 home runs, 10 doubles, three triples, 46 runs scored, 45 RBI and 36 steals on 36 chances.
Vandi moved into the leadoff position in the batting order midway through the year, stealing 50 bases with a .432 average, 14 doubles, six triples, 48 runs scored and 26 RBI.
"Rihanna and Ella are going to be fun to watch over the next three years playing shortstop and second base," Shirbroun said. "Add in what they do at the plate and on the basepaths, and we are expecting a lot out of them both in the coming seasons."
Shirbroun and Helle were both named to the IGCA 1A all-district team.
The Gaels went 28-11 overall and placed third at state – the highest finish in program history.