Darling, Baltzley named all-state

BY MARTY MYERS, Times-Shamrock Writer

For the last two years, Elk Lake’s Brooke Darling posted mind-boggling numbers in terms of strikeouts and earned run average. Yet the best the Columbia University-bound pitcher could earn was second-team all-state honors.

That changed with the release of this year’s Pennsylvania Softball Coaches Association all-state team.

Darling was one of six area players named to the squad, four of whom were honored on the first team.

Joining Darling on the Class AA team was batterymate Gabby Baltzley, who was picked as a designated player.

“It’s a good way to end my high school career,” said Darling, The Times-Tribune Player of the Year who was 18-1 this season with 218 strikeouts in 134 innings. “I was really hoping my numbers would influence them to pick me for first team.”

Her earned run average of 0.31 was higher than her junior season when she posted a 0.14 ERA, but this year Darling stepped up her numbers at the plate, too, hitting .456.

But it was on the mound where she dominated, walking just 12 hitters and 11 of those she didn’t issue any free passes, with a walks and hits per innings pitched (WHIP) of 0.51.

Baltzley also benefitted from the exposure of two state playoff games. Her stylish glove work and all-out hustle behind the plate earned her a nod as designated player with a .397 average.

“It’s really nice to see that more than one person on our team got recognition,” Darling said.

Her ability to frame pitches also helped Darling post her impressive walks-to-innings pitched numbers.

“Framing is a big thing,” Baltzley said. “I didn’t do too much of it last year, but if you frame it correctly, umpires will take an extra second and give you that strike. It helped out a lot.”

So did her mobility behind the plate that led to some dazzling plays.

“First team, that’s crazy,” Baltzley said. “Even just to get All-Region was a shock to me. I look back and see I improved as a catcher and a lot of people told me that. But I feel confident in myself and can say I do deserve a spot on the team, but it’s still a shock.”