Brianna LaMonica from Merrill and Sammy Laatsch from Wausau West were selected as WFSCA All Stars, to play in the 2013 Senior All Star Games June 10-11 in Wisconsin Dells.
Wisconsin’s top Senior HS fastpitch players compete annually in the WFSCA Senior All-Star Game. The girls are nominated by their coaches and then selected from a committee of State Coaches for their outstanding softball accomplishments throughout their high school careers.
The girls were placed on a team with their peers from through out the state and practiced on Monday under the direction of a selected high school coach from WI. On Monday evening, each all-star was individually recognized at a formal banquet. On Tuesday, each player competed in two games against other all-star teams.
The seniors who were selected for this honor had to raise money for the event, which was donated to Special Olympics. Each player and her sponsors were recognized in the player book and on the WFSCA website.
Brianna and Sammy are rivals on the field, but have been friends since Middle School off the field. Brianna and Sammy have also played some traveling tournaments together. In addition, the girls were placed on the same All Star Team and roomed together in the Dells.
LaMonica said about the event, “It was such a great experience going to the Dells and playing with ‘the best of the best.’ This tournament was different than any other sporting event that I have taken part of. It was definitely a great way to end my competitive softball career!”
Laatsch added, “This was such an honor to be selected and play with such an outstanding group of players. It made it all the better to be with Brianna and have a familiar face there. It was an experience that I will never forget! I am so honored!”
Highlights from the tournament include an over the fence home run by LaMonica, while Laatsch hit a double and drove in 1 run.
LaMonica was Team Captain 2 years, 1st Team All Conference in 2011, and 2nd Team All Conference in 2012 and 2013. She played outfield for Merrill, mostly centerfield.
Laatsch was Team Captain 2 years and was 2nd Team All Conference 2010 and then again in 2012 and 2013. Laatsch has pitched for Wausau West since her freshman year and played outfield when she wasn’t pitching. Both are four-year varsity letterwinners.
Also selected from the area were girls from D.C. Everest (1), SPASH (5) and Wis. Rapids (2).