Poll results: O’Fallon center fielder BND Softball Player of the Week in southwest IL​

Ahmad Lathan, Garen Vartanian
·4 min read

Malia Robertson of O’Fallon High School is the winner of this week’s Belleville News-Democrat Softball Player of the Week high school poll, as selected by readers of bnd.com.

In recent action, Robertson, a senior center fielder, had 2 stolen bases, 1 triple, and 1 double for the Panthers.

According to Panthers coach Jamie Corbier, Robertson has been an “outstanding centerfielder” for OTHS this season. Corbier noted Robertson’s speed and arm strength make her a constant threat to any ball hit to the outfield.

Robertson also has been one of the team’s top hitters this season, batting .478 entering the weekend. Additionally, she leads the team in runs scored (14), stolen bases (11) and triples (1). Corbier said Robertson’s ability to slap, bunt, and hit from the left side makes her a true triple threat to opposing defenses.

Overall, Robertson — headed to Western Illinois University to play softball — secured 57% of the votes.

Here were the other candidates for the week of April 24-29:

  • Katie Bardwell, Collinsville High School, junior, SS. Bardwell hit a triple off the wall in the bottom of the 8th against Belleville West, helping lead Collinsville to a 3-2 win. According to her coach, Jessica Schmittling, Bardwell also played state defense. Faith hit a shot to center to score Katie. They also led our team defensively as our middle infielders.

  • Nicole Edmiaston, Freeburg High School, senior, 1B. Edmiaston had 1 HR and 3 RBI in a 12-2 win over O’Fallon.

  • Faith Fairchild, Collinsville High School, freshman, 2B. Fairchild’s base hit against Belleville West helped the Kahoks to a 3-2 victory. According to her coach, Jessica Schmittling, Fairchild also played state defense.

  • Emma Fetters, Belleville East High School, junior, 3B. Fetters had 3 hits and 5 RBI along with a HR in a 21-0 victory over East St. Louis.

  • Avery Hamilton, Edwardsville High School, senior, P/INF. Hamilton had 3 hits and 2 RBI in a 7-0 win over Pleasant Hill. She also notched 6 strikeouts in a 8-1 victory against Moline.

  • Olivia Hemmerle, Belleville East High School, sophomore, P. Hemmerle went 4-0 last week in the circle while striking out 28 and throwing a perfect game. She was also 6-for-13 from the plate with 6 stolen bases. According to coach Natalie Peters, Hemmerle has been the winning pitcher in 17 of the Lancers’ 20 wins, has a 1.78 ERA, and has struck out 146 batters this season. Additionally, Hemmerle is hitting .420 overall with 22 runs scored and 27 stolen bases.

  • Maddy Huels, Mater Dei Catholic High School, freshman, IF/P. Huels had 1 RBI and 4 hits in a 11-7 win against Red Bud.

  • Emma Janning, O’Fallon High School, junior, SS. According to coach Jamie Corbier, Janning has been O’Fallon’s starting shortstop this season, and has been a “tremendous leader” for the team on the infield. Last week, Janning had 10 assists and 6 putouts out of 18 attempts and one double play. She has also been one of the team’s top hitters this year, batting .379 with a .419 OBP in over 60 plate appearances. Janning is leading the team in RBIs, doubles, and singles.

  • Elizabeth Schauster, Belleville West High School, junior, C. Schauster batted .400 in 6 games last week. According to coach Kassandra Korte-Schaab, “Lizzy” has been a strong presence in the Maroons’ lineup all season.

  • Allie Zipfel, Red Bud High School, senior, OF. Zipfel had 1 HR and 4 RBI in a 6-1 victory over Belleville West. She also had 3 hits and 4 RBI in a 7-2 win against Wesclin. Overall, in 3 games last week, Zipfel was 7-for-10 with 4 doubles, 1 home run, and 8 RBI to help the Musketeers to a 2-1 record. Zipfel is currently hitting .440 with 14 doubles 2 home runs and 33 RBI on the season and, according to coach Brian Boeving, was a key component to helping Red Bud to 12 straight wins during the month of April.

The poll ended at 8 a.m. Friday.

To be clear, this poll is not scientific. In fact, we invite you to vote as many times as you want. It’s all for fun, BND readers.

The next poll will appear on the BND’s website — www.bnd.com — at 5 a.m. Tuesday. Please email nominations to gvartanian@bnd.com.

Previous winners: Aubrey Weaver of Belleville West High School; and Olivia Anderson of Belleville West High School.