Encinias named League MVP; Chacon nabs Freshman of the year honors

By Mike Pilosof

Photo by Adam Shrimplin

Garden City, KS-In just one season on the job, Amy Schmeckpeper transformed the Broncbusters from bottom feeders into legitimate league title contenders. And on Thursday, the first-year coach was honored for a sensational turnaround.

Schmeckpeper was named the Jayhawk West Coach of the year, McKayla Encinias won most valuable player, and Nya Chacon was tagged as the freshman of the year, while a total of six Broncbusters made the all-conference squad.

"McKayla had a great sophomore year, provided offensive and solidity for us all season," Schmeckpeper said. "She really shined in the region tournament."

Encinias hit .449, smashed the third most homers in the conference (18), and finished sixth in RBI (70). Her .942 slugging percentage was seventh in the Jayhawk. And she did a lot of her damage in the postseason, blasting three long balls while driving in 10. Her fourth-inning grand slam vs. Independence in the opening round of the Region VI Tournament broke a 3-3 tie.

Chacon had one of the most brilliant starts to a season in recent memory. The freshman drove in 22 runs and clubbed three homers in the first eight games. She followed that up with five long balls in their four-game series with Miles; then drilled two more in a 14-2 win over Colby on March 25.

"What a freshman year Nya had," Schmeckpeper explained. "She was able to provide offensive power and vocal leadership on the field and at the shortstop position."

Chacon led the league in homers (21), finished third in RBI (74), second in total bases (157), and first in slugging percentage (1.075). She began the season with a 22-game hitting streak, which included a 5-for-7, six RBI showing in a 27-26 loss to Miles on March 8.

Alexis Maestretti was named to the all-conference first team. She hit .456 with an .825 slugging percentage and nine home runs. She collected a season-high four hits vs. Miles on March 8 and drove in a career-high five runs, which included two home runs in the series finale.

"Alexis did a great job for us in the outfield, always giving great effort, and her bat came alive later in the season to help us with some big wins," Schmeckpeper stated.

Joining her on the first team was pitcher Lacey Kearsley, who appeared in 28 games and struck out 117 batters. She fanned a season-high 11 in a 9-3 win over McCook on March 30.

"Lacey contributed significantly at the plate and in the circle as a freshman," Schmeckpeper explained. "She really settled in later in the season, recording some big wins for us."

Kearsley hit .433, smacked two homers and drove in 43. She and teammate Tara Reid, who also landed on the first team, formed a dynamic duo in the circle all season long with Reid posting a 13-9 record with one save and 106 punchouts"Tara made a great impact as a freshman," Schmeckpeper said. "She was competitive and rose to the occasion under high-stress situations."

Carly Powley, who caught and played first base, made the second team, registering a .407 average with five home runs and 48 RBI.

"Carly did a great job filling in in multiple positions," Schmeckpeper added. "She was a leader both on and off the field."

All six players helped guide Garden City to a 25-20 record, a 14-win improvement from 2019.