MADISON TOWNSHIP — The University of Pittsburgh is getting a steal and not just because Madison’s Leah Boggs is a once-in-a-generation athlete.
The Richland Source Player of the Year has the work ethic to match her athleticism.
“Leah has been blessed with a large amount of athletic ability, but she got where she is because she works on softball nearly every day,” Madison coach Tim Niswander said. “People don’t see the things that she does and the time and effort that she puts in to the game on a daily basis.”
Just a sophomore, Boggs committed to the Panthers last August. She celebrated this spring by leading the Rams to their first district title since 2013.
The catcher batted a team-high .506 with two home runs and 36 runs batted in. She scored 40 runs and was a perfect 20-for-20 on steal attempts.
“Leah is a relentless hitter who attacks every single at bat, understands the situation and knows what the pitcher is trying to do before she ever steps in the box,” Niswander said. “She can hit to all fields with power and is fast and aggressive on the bases.”
Boggs is the focal point of an All-Richland Source team that includes two of her Madison teammates and three members of Hillsdale’s Division IV state championship team.
Catcher: Madison’s Leah Boggs led the Rams in on base percentage (.554) and slugging percentage (.759) while committing just three errors. She was an All-Ohio first team selection in Division II and an All-Ohio Cardinal Conference first team pick.
First Base: Madison’s Egypt Murphy batted .488 and matched Boggs with 36 RBIs. The senior was an All-Ohio Cardinal Conference first team pick.
Second Base: Hillsdale’s Keirah Smetzer helped lead the Falcons to the seventh state title in school history. The diminutive senior — she’s listed at 5-foot-1 — belted a home run in Hillsdale’s regional semifinal win over Bristol and had a run-scoring double in the regional championship game against Mohawk. Smetzer will play collegiately at Division II Ohio Dominican University. She was an All-Wayne County Athletic League first team pick.
Third Base: Hillsdale’s Emily Crossen joined Smetzer on the All-Wayne County Athletic League first team after batting .372 during the regular season. In addition to her work at the plate, Crossen was one of the area’s top defensive third basemen.
Shortstop: Galion’s Nevaeh Clark had a monster sophomore season. Clark batted .494 with six doubles, eight triples, two home runs and 26 RBIs. She was an All-Mid Ohio Athletic Conference first team selection.
Utility: Madison’s Mackenzie Mullins pitched and played shortstop and third base. The senior batted .443 with two home runs and 27 RBIs, earning a spot on the All-Ohio Cardinal Conference first team.
Outfield: Clear Fork’s Carson Crowner was an All-Ohio honorable mention selection in Division III. She batted .526 with 41 runs scored, eight doubles, six home runs and 21 RBIs. Crowner was a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference first team pick.
Outfield: Galion’s Gabby Kaple was the catalyst for the district-champion Tigers. The speedy lead-off hitter batted .476 with eight doubles and scored 30 runs. She was selected to the All-Mid Ohio Athletic Conference first team.
Outfield: Lucas’ Morgan Spitler spent most of her time behind the plate this season, but was the everyday left fielder during the Cubs’ Final Four run last spring. Spitler was selected the Mid-Buckeye Conference Player of the Year after batting .514. The sophomore drove in 32 runs while scoring 39.
Designated Hitter: Hillsdale’s Kaylee Cline was an All-Ohio honorable mention selection in Division IV and scored the most important run of her career in the state semifinals. The senior came home on a wild pitch with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning as Hillsdale beat Bradford 1-0. Cline batted .357 with 24 RBIs during the regular season.
