Amherst's Cassidy Kettleman and EC's Annika Bredel named Co-Miss Softball winners

LAGRANGE — Elyria Catholic's Annika Bredel and Amherst's Cassidy Kettleman never met on the field during their high school softball careers, yet somehow the two were undeniably linked throughout their careers. Both were named to the All-Ohio first teams the past two seasons in their respective divisions, both assaulted the Lorain County record book and, on Wednesday night before the Senior All-Star Game, they were both given the Miss Softball award as the county's top senior players. "I mean, being able to have us both break the career batting average and just knowing that we also get to share being Miss Softball is just insane," Kettleman said. "The fact that there's somebody out there that can help you continuously push yourself is just unbelievable." "Coming in freshman year it was definitely a goal and it's even better getting to share it with a great player like Cassidy," Bredel said. "She's going to a Big Ten school, she's awesome, and it just shows how Lorain County is a hotbed for softball." Bredel became the first Panthers player to be named Miss Softball, and she did it by batting .649 with 11 doubles, five triples, nine home runs, 28 RBIs and 37 runs scored in 19 games. She also finished with a .903 fielding percentage at shortstop, and was successful on all 27 stolen base attempts. "She can do everything," said Elyria Catholic coach Jim Piazza, who coached 11 Miss Softball winners during his years at Keystone. "She's definitely a difference maker. You could tell when she got hurt for our (postseason) tournament, it deflated our team. But anytime she gets up (to bat) you know something special is going to happen." Bredel posted one of the greatest single-season hitting performances in Ohio history as a junior when she set the county record for home runs (17), RBIs (70) and batting average (.758). She set the county records for career home runs (37) and batting average (.626) this season. "I give all the credit to my trainer for pushing me so much," Bredel said. "And my coaches — Coach (Terrel) Dixon started my junior year, staying after practice and hitting with him — and my parents just loading balls on the tee non-stop without complaints … it's really awesome." Kettleman is the Comets fourth Miss Softball winner, joining Christina Swiers (2004), Lacey Reichert (2000) and Heather Zehel (1992). In 28 games this season, she batted .623 with seven doubles, six triples, three home runs, 40 RBIs and 39 runs scored. She also finished with a .957 fielding percentage in her first year at shortstop, and was walked 21 times while striking out just once. "Her grandma said she's following in (my) footsteps," said Reichert, Amherst's coach. "You root for all of your kids and when you see them accomplish things that 22 years ago I was able to do … I'm just so happy for her. "We have little kids and parents of little kids always come up to me and the first person they mention is Cassidy Kettleman. She's the face of Amherst softball now." Kettleman joined Bredel as the only players in county history to bat over .600 in their career by finishing at .611. Last season, she finished with 65 hits — just three behind Keystone's Kerrigan Williams for the county all-time lead. Kettleman also set the county record for RBIs in a game as a freshman with eight against Westlake and accomplished the feat again this season against Olmsted Falls. Bredel eclipsed her last season with a nine-RBI game versus Fairview. Kettelman joked about knowing whether she was even eligible for the award. "I didn't really think about wanting (to win) it until this year," she said. "I knew it was a thing, but it was always a Keystone girl winning it. So I thought maybe it's just something Keystone does. So being able to win it as an Amherst player and representing Lorain County … it's definitely big." The players were also named Co-Player of the Year by the Lorain County Softball Coaches Association. They needed a few minutes of adjustment just to be able to hold all the hardware after the pregame ceremonies. "They both bring their own special thing to the game," Piazza said. "I hope a lot of people in Lorain County realize what type of players these two were and it they didn't get a chance to see them play, hopefully today they get an opportunity to see how great and special they both truly are." Contact Shaun Bennett at 329-7137 or sbennett@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @ShaunBennettct on Twitter. Miss Softball winners 2022 — Cassidy Kettleman, Amherst and Annika Bredel, Elyria Catholic 2021 — Madi Herrington, Keystone 2020 — Season canceled due to coronavirus pandemic 2019 — Sydney Campbell, Keystone 2018 — Madi Nunez, Keystone and Gabby Shackelford, Midview 2017 — Sammie Stefan, Keystone 2016 — Summer Constable, Keystone 2015 — Anna Edwards, Avon 2014 — Carleigh Herrington, Keystone 2013 — Caitlyn Minney, Elyria 2012 — Kenzie Conrad, Keystone 2011 — Kristen Boros, Elyria 2010 — Melissa Rennie, Wellington 2009 — Tess Sito, Elyria and Kara Dill, Keystone 2008 — Jillian Van Wagnen, Admiral King 2007 — Sarah Stromack, Keystone 2006 — Kristie Malinkey, Keystone 2005 — Alex Boros, Elyria 2004 — Christina Swiers, Amherst 2003 — Brittney Robinson, Keystone 2002 — Jess Jesko, Firelands 2001 — Megan Meyer, Vermilion 2000 — Lacey Reichert, Amherst 1999 — Amie Leffew, Keystone 1998 — Rachel Baran, Firelands 1997 — Kim Evans, Keystone 1996 — Laura Dragan, North Ridgeville and Tammy Yount, Elyria 1995 — Jamie Cendrosky, Keystone 1994 — Amy Johnson, Keystone and Sarah Martin, Keystone 1993 — Ashley Anderson, Elyria 1992 — Heather Zehel, Amherst and Cassie Wilmoth, Firelands