Anytime Trinity Lutheran’s Bailey Tabeling or Brownstown Central’s Rylee May came up to bat, more often than not the opposition would have a hard time getting them out.

Due to their success, they have been named The Tribune’s Co-Softball Players of the Year.

If the eye test wasn’t enough to confirm that, the numbers back it up.

May hit .459 in 98 plate appearances. She had 39 hits, 30 RBI, 30 runs, had 14 doubles and hit six home runs. May had an on-base percentage of .531.

Her six home runs tied the Brownstown Central school record for most HRs in a season held by Renee Smith. It also gave her 13 home runs for her career, which broke the school record that was previously held by assistant coach Katelyn Campbell at 12.

“It makes me think all my hard work went to use,” she said on breaking the records. “It makes me happy.”

As for Tabeling, the senior had a stellar season, batting .572 average in 100 plate appearances. She had 49 hits, 23 RBI, 45 runs, 30 stolen bases, hit seven doubles, six triples and four home runs. She had an OBP of .679.

Tabeling, an all-area volleyball player and DI basketball commit, was usually known as a “slap-hitter” for most of her softball career. But this year, she was able to smack balls over the fence.

“It felt good,” Tabeling said after homer No. 2 this season. “It hit the sweet spot and I just kind of knew it was going. It never gets old, especially because I don’t hit many.”

As tough an out as there was in Jackson County this season, both players were also impressive on the other side of the ball.

Tabeling played a little bit of catcher but mostly played shortstop, where she had a fielding percentage of .921 with 92 putouts. She also helped turn five double plays.

For May, the BC junior was one of three pitchers for the Braves this season. She had the lowest ERA on the team at 2.98, and she threw 51.2 innings with 37 strikeouts and a win-loss record of 4-0.

When May wasn’t pitching, she’d often be in the outfield, where she had a fielding percentage of .911 with 27 putouts and 14 assists.

Both players helped their teams to winning records as well as the Cougars went 15-11 and the Braves were 17-10. Both teams also each won one sectional game.

For Tabeling, this marked the end of her softball career at Trinity Lutheran, where she holds 10 school records. Those are season batting average (.621), career batting average (.572), runs scored in a season (45), hits in a season (49), stolen bases in a season (30), triples in a season (6), OBP in a season (.679), OBP in a career (.627), plate appearances in a season (100) and at-bats in a season (86).

Tabeling will now head to Ohio University to join the Bobcats’ women’s basketball program for the next four years.

May will be entering her senior season with the Braves next year, where she and the team will look to build off all the good things they accomplished this season.

Remaining members of The Tribune’s 2023 All-County Softball team:

Phoebe Underwood, So., Seymour: .313 BA, 21 hits, eight runs, 10 RBI, 2.18 ERA, 54.2 IP, 33 strikeouts.

Kelsey Schneider, Jr., Brownstown Central: .469 BA, 45 hits, 40 runs, 15 RBI, six doubles, 3.07 ERA, 59.1 IP, 65 strikeouts.

Grace Lance, So., Trinity Lutheran: .311 BA, 23 hits, 25 runs, 22 RBI, 161 IP, 15 wins, 191 strikeouts, .229 OBA.

Abby Followell, So., Seymour: .398 BA, 33 hits, 24 runs, 12 RBI, 11 doubles, three HR.

Kyndle Huddleston, Jr., Brownstown Central: .393 BA, 35 hits, 14 runs, 34 RBI, eight doubles, two HR.

Madison Keith, So., Trinity Lutheran: .443 BA, 35 hits, 23 runs, 24 RBI, six doubles, four triples, one HR.

Kendall Allman, Sr., Seymour: .419 BA, 26 hits, 14 runs, 16 RBI, six doubles, three HR.

Olivia Justice, Fr., Brownstown Central: .376 ERA, 32 hits, 17 runs, 25 RBI, eight doubles, four HR.

Olivia Cain, Jr., Trinity Lutheran: .329 BA, 27 hits, 16 runs, 10 RBI.

Alexia Rieckers, Sr., Seymour: .297 BA, 22 hits, 12 runs, 17 RBI, six doubles, three triples, 4.94 ERA, 56.2 IP, 35 strikeouts.

Rylin Huddleston, Sr., Brownstown Central: .219 BA, seven hits, two RBI, 66.1 IP, 94 strikeouts.

Emily Dillman, Jr., Brownstown Central: .338 BA, 24 hits, eight runs, 16 RBI, seven doubles.