All-County Softball: Clinton's Kendall Phillip repeats as Lenawee Player of the Year

CLINTON — When Kendall Phillip joined the Clinton softball team as a freshman, she faced quite a bit of pressure.

She knew outsiders, and maybe even some on the team, would talk whether she belonged so early or if she was there because her mother was the coach. She also put pressure on herself, not only because her mother was the coach and to prove naysayers wrong, but her mom was also a standout for Clinton in her playing days.

"She let it slip once that she was trying to fill my shoes," coach and mother Kim Phillip said. "I told her it's a different game than when I played in the 90s. I told her to be yourself."

Kendall became her own player and has now earned back-to-back Lenawee County Player of the Year honors as she wrapped up a great four years for the Redwolves.

Phillip hit .500 this season with 57 hits, 11 doubles, a county-best 10 home runs, 49 RBIs and 51 runs. She was also 13-5 in the circle with a 2.23 ERA and 178 strikeouts in 100.2 innings pitched.

"I just wanted to improve because there is always room for improvements," Kendall said. "I felt more comfortable and more confident. Last year I was getting in the groove of pitching and this season was perfecting it and working on the mental side. I wasn't trying as hard."

A big help for Kendall when she came into the program was the senior class she had leading the team and helping her along. Libbi Fair, Jaecy Jones, Lily Thompson, Eliana Dotson, Emily Gilroy and Chloe Houghton.

This season, Kendall wanted to be the kind of leader they were for her with the big group of underclassmen Clinton had this season.

"I hope I left a good impression on how to be good teammate and leader," Kendall said. "I wanted to be that leader like those six were for me because they set me up to be a better person and player."

Her mother will miss having Kendall on the field, but she believes her daughter left impact she wanted to leave on her own.

"Kendall said she wanted to channel Libbi Fair," coach Phillip said. "She showed it in our first LCAA game when she hit that walk-off home run against Dundee. She found that confidence."

Like her mother, Kendall is going on to play at the next level. The younger Phillip is committed to Michigan Dearborn where she'll be able to both hit and pitch.

"Dearborn really wasn't on my radar until they reached out and when I went there for a visit I fell in love with the campus," Kendall said. "I was able to still hit and pitch, so I think it's going to be a great fit."

ALL-COUNTY HONORS

Player of the Year: Sr. Kendall Phillip, Clinton

Pitcher of the Year: Sr. Bella Treloar, Blissfield

Coach of the Year: Kim Phillip, Clinton

FIRST TEAM

Pitchers

Sr. Bella Treloar, Blissfield

Sr. Kendall Phillip, Clinton

Catcher

Sr. Bella Juozapaitis, Tecumseh

Infielders

Sr. Laci Patterson, Addison

Jr. Taryn Hernandez, Clinton

Jr. Madeline Osburn Sand Creek

Sr. Wendy Ketola, Tecumseh

Outfielders

Sr. Ciara Ernst, Adrian

So. Annabell Preston, Clinton

Sr. Lucy Whelan, Tecumseh

Utility

So. Taylor Kopin, Hudson

Designated Player

Jr. Zoey Martinez, Morenci

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers

So. Addyson Valentine Morenci

Sr. Claire Pickens Sand Creek

Catcher

Sr. Kyleigh Ramos, Clinton

Infielders

Sr. Natalia Wilson, Blissfield

Fr. Kaylin Sposite, Clinton

Jr. Mya Solis, Madison

Jr. Makenna Wheeler Sand Creek

Outfielders

Sr. Maycie Valasek, Blissfield

Jr. Micajah Briggs, Madison

Sr. Jamairah Powers, Madison

Utility

Sr. Dinah Horwath, Hudson

Designated Player

So. Lily Hawkins Sand Creek

HONORABLE MENTION

ADDISON - Sr. Lexi Patterson

ADRIAN - Sr. Hailey Vetitoe, Sr. Elaine Gordon, Fr. Kavonna Galloway

BLISSFIELD - Fr. Savannah Stalker, Jr. Mikayla Busdieker, Sr. Alyssa Barnhart

BRITTON DEERFIELD - So. Karina Dotson, So. Elayna Thornton

CLINTON - Fr. Lola Szczesniak, Jr. Raven Aldridge

HUDSON - Fr. Ryen Rogers, So. Sam Anderson, So. Brooke Clark, Jr. Teagan Arredondo, Jr. Malia Grayer

MADISON - Sr. Caylan Sower

MORENCI - So. Evelyn Joughin

ONSTED - Sr. Olivia Harding

TECUMSEH - Jr. Ella Sattler, Jr. Jessie Wilkinson, Sr. Emma Leitner, Sr. Natalie Petty, Sr. Ally Feuerbacher