Mona Blais, the York High softball coach, already knows she isn’t going to replace pitcher Stephanie Rundlett next year.

“A pitcher like that comes along once in a lifetime,” she said. “You’re lucky to have a few who have done what she’s done. Special players like that, you don’t replace them, you just hope the next group comes in and buys into what you’re teaching and build from there.”

Rundlett graduated from York this spring and will pitch at Fordham University.

After helping York reach the Class B state championship game for the first time in 25 years, Rundlett was selected as the Maine Sunday Telegram Player of the Year in softball.

She was the state’s most dominating pitcher, striking out an astounding 303 batters in 119 innings – including 64 in 29 innings in four playoff games – while compiling a 16-1 record as York won the Class B South title before losing to Old Town 6-3 in the state championship game. As disappointing as the loss was, Rundlett said the season was definitely a success.

“We were close as a team,” she said. “We did everything together and not just on the field, everything that happened outside, too. Hanging with everybody was a great time.”

Rundlett, a two-time Telegram All-State selection, finished her career with 684 strikeouts. She also led the Wildcats this year with a .632 batting average, hitting four home runs, driving in 24 and scoring 12.

“She was one of the most unselfish players I’ve ever met,” said Blais. “She really thinks about her teammates before herself. And she’s very humble in what she does.”

Rundlett’s leadership – and her fastball – were on display during the Class A South championship game.

With York leading Greely by a run, Greely loaded the bases with one out. After calling the team to the pitching circle for a huddle, Rundlett threw six consecutive rising fastballs. Each was a strike and the threat was over.

“It was amazing where she found it in herself to dig down and do things like that,” said Blais. “In a high-pressure situation, to keep your composure like that, you don’t see that in many players.”

Rundlett, who plays softball for a travel team in Virginia Beach, Virgina, said last year’s playoff loss in the quarterfinals spurred her preparation for her senior season.

“I thought about it all winter,” she said. “I felt the pressure to be better than last year. And I told my dad (John) that I wanted to work as much as I could to get everything as good as we could.”

Telegram All-State team

Bri Brochu, Gardiner senior, outfielder: The KVAC Class B player of the year, Brochu was limited defensively by a shoulder injury but batted .627 with 40 stolen bases as the Tigers’ leadoff batter. She hit two home runs and scored 33 runs. Brochu will play at Husson University.

Brook Davis, Biddeford sophomore, catcher: Perhaps the most dangerous power hitter in the state, Davis finished with 11 home runs with 40 RBI and 35 runs. She batted .633 with 10 doubles and two triples, and had a 1.417 slugging percentage.

Emily Gilmore, Bangor senior, second base: A repeat all-state selection, Gilmore moved in from the outfield this year. She batted .440 with 16 RBI and 33 runs as the leadoff hitter. She also hit seven home runs and stole 19 bases. Gilmore will play at UMaine.

Chloe Griffin, Scarborough sophomore, outfielder: One of the most dangerous hitters in the SMAA, Griffin batted .547 with 35 hits, 30 runs, a school-record 35 RBI and four home runs. As a pitcher, she went 5-0 with a 0.26 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 26 innings. She did not commit an error.

Tess Haller, Cape Elizabeth senior, shortstop: A two-time all-state selection, Haller hit .500 to help the Capers to the Class B South quarterfinals. She had seven doubles, 10 RBI and 22 runs. Haller, who also played catcher, was charged with only one error.

Jen Jones, Sanford senior, pitcher: The SMAA pitcher of the year, Jones is a repeat all-state selection. She went 10-3 with a 1.92 ERA and 142 strikeouts in 88 innings, and batted .373 with 10 RBI and 15 runs. She will play at Husson University.

Aly LeBlanc, Madison senior, catcher: A repeat all-state selection, LeBlanc helped the Bulldogs win the Class C state title. She hit .508 with five home runs and 30 RBI, along with 11 doubles, and committed only one error. LeBlanc will play at Division II Augusta University in Georgia.

Maggie Murphy, Scarborough senior, third base: A two-time all-state selection, Murphy hit .712, and set school records for hits (42) and runs (39) while driving in 20 runs. She committed only two errors. She will play at Division II St. Anselm.

Kirsten Pelletier, Messalonskee senior, pitcher: The Gatorade player of the year and a repeat all-state selection, Pelletier had a 14-0-1 record with a 0.25 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 105 innings. She also batted .367 with 16 runs and 14 RBI. She will play at Bates College.

Stephanie Rundlett, York senior, pitcher: Our Player of the Year, Rundlett went 16-1 with 303 strikeouts in 119 innings, leading the Wildcats to the Class B South title. She also batted .632 with four home runs, 21 RBI and 12 runs. She will pitch at Division I Fordham University next year.

Karli Thebarge, Hermon senior, pitcher: The winner of the Miss Maine Softball Award, Thebarge was a double threat. She went 12-0 with a 0.73 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 77 innings, and batted .623 with two home runs, 33 RBI and 31 runs. She will pitch at Castleton State.

Lilly Volk, Scarborough junior, pitcher/outfielder: Already verbally committed to the University of Maine, Volk did not allow an earned run in the regular season. She ended up 9-1 with 58 strikeouts in 37 innings while hitting .429 with four home runs, 19 RBI and 15 runs.

Coach of the Year

Ray Magnant, Biddeford: In just his second year as the Tigers’ head coach, Magnant led the team to its first Class A state championship since 2006. Magnant made the necessary moves midway through the season to strengthen the infield defense and kept his players aggressive at the plate, where they scored 21 runs in their final two playoff games.

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