McCook puts five on all-SWC diamond team

Laurel Schmidt gets set to dash off first base and also led McCook’s softball team as the lone senior this fall. Schmidt was named to the all-Southwest Conference first team for her efforts in center field.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Bison softball team’s well-represented on this year’s all-Southwest Conference team with fiv selections named recently.

A quartet made the first team including two utfielders in senior Laurel Schmidt and junior Kaylin Martin.

Martin stepped into a starting role and quickly became one of McCook’s best hitters/RBI-producers.

Schmidt was one of the few returning players from a 2017 district champion squad. She sparked the 2018 Bison all season both offensively and playing solid center field.

Versatile junior Candace Coleman earned irst team as an infielder.

Coleman also played catcher early this season while ranking among McCook’s best hitters.

Sophomore Trinity Raburn completes the quartet of Bison first-team selections.

Raburn was named the SWC’s best utility player although she usually handled that “hot corner” at third base where many rockets are hit.

However, Raburn launched plenty of impressive blasts during her strong first season on McCook’s varsity team.

Junior Brolin Morgan took over the starting shortstop duties and captured all-SWC honorable mention.

Players from Minden, Cozad and Goenburg joined the Bison in this SWC elite group.