York's Kortes named conference player of the Year; York's Giannino, Marshwood's Eastman receive coaching honors

York High School softball player McKayla Kortes had a tremendous regular season highlighted by throwing four no-hitters, and getting her 100th career hit.

With that, the junior was named the Western Maine Conference Player of the Year. York went 14-0 in Class B South play, went 15-1 in the regular season and is the No. 1 seed in the regional tournament.

Kortes, and teammate senior Ella Moon were both named all-conference first-team selections.

"(Kortes) has made herself into one of the best high school players in the state," York head coach Kevin Giannino said. "At the plate she exudes confidence, has an excellent concept of hitting and the ball just screams off her bat. In the circle serving as the co-ace of the staff, her four no-hitters and .567 ERA speak volumes. She is not only a superb player with a great sense of humility, but she's an excellent team player who takes great delight in watching her teammates succeed."

Giannino, who was named Western Maine Conference Coach of the Year, called Moon a "throwback player" and a "coach's dream."

"She's fundamentally sound in all areas of the game," Giannino said. "I don't think there is any place she'd rather be than on a softball field. Whether it's a two-out RBI, tremendous diving catch in the outfield, game-winning home run or a clutch hit in the biggest game, Ella has done it all for York softball. Her (first-team selection) is just a testament to hard work and a love for the game."

York senior Maddy Raymond and freshman Maddie Fitzgerald were named to Western Maine Conference second team, and Emily Estes was an honorable mention selection.

Giannino called Raymond a "fierce competitor and big game player." She is 5-0 on the season with 56 strikeouts in 34 innings.

"Maddy is the best on the biggest stage and wants the ball under any circumstance," Giannino said. "After a cautious start due to injury, she's playing her best ball heading into the tournament. At the plate, Maddy is a fearsome hitter with the ability to hit for average to all fields. For the past four years, Maddy has been the face of York softball serving as our leader and two-year team captain. This recognition as a repeat all-conference all-star is well deserved."

Giannino calls Fitzgerald a "smooth fielding first baseman." Season highlights include a five-hit day against Cape Elizabeth, and blasting a home run into the street at Traip Academy.

"She possesses a natural lefty swing with excellent power to all fields," Giannino said. "One of the big reasons for our success this year has been the emergence of Maddie at first base which allowed us to move (Estes) to center. She's definitely a rising star player for York softball with a big future."

Giannino said it's a nice recognition for Estes who "plays an excellent center field, with gap-to-gap tracking ability and a strong, accurate arm."

"Just a winning ball player who does the little things that lead to victories and definitely a key to our success," he said.

Marshwood has first-team selection, three honorable mentions

Marshwood freshman Piper Catanese was named to the Southwestern Maine Activities Association first-team, while junior Lindsay Bennett, senior Jadyn Eastman and freshman Emily Hester were all honorable mention selections.

“Piper plays well beyond her age with a great softball future ahead of her,” said Marshwood head coach Peter Eastman, who was named the SMAA Coach of the Year.

“Lindsay is a great player who can play multiple positions,” Eastman said. ”She does what ever she needs to for the better of the team.”

Eastman said that Jadyn is the greatest competitor he’s seen in a long time.

“She has an on-field vision like no other,” Eastman said. ”It’s like having a coach on the field, she was our on-field leader.”

"(Hester) provided depth to our pitching and is another one of our freshmen who had a great season," Eastman said.