In 2025, Lebanon County’s softball programs were loaded with standout athletes representing all six high school teams. With such a deep pool of talent—from seniors all the way down to freshmen—narrowing down the top performers was no small feat.
Thanks to valuable input from the LebCoSports.com community and insight from local coaches, we’ve assembled a list of honorees selected from an outstanding group of nominees.
The list of award winners is led by Northern Lebanon—deservedly so—as the Lady Vikings advanced to the PIAA State Tournament, falling in a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to eventual state champion Valley View.
Taking home the top honor is ELCO’s Gabby Smith, who rose above a very talented group of players to earn the title of LebCoSports.com MVP for 2025.
A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to evaluate the nominees and submit their votes. If you’d like to revisit the full list of nominees, you can do so by clicking here.
With so much talent across the county, just being nominated was an accomplishment in itself. Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients!
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First Team All-County
LebCo Offensive Player of the Year / MVP
Gabby Smith – ELCO (Sr.)
In a season packed with standout performances across Lebanon County, no player shined brighter than ELCO’s senior standout, Smith, who turned in one of the most dominant all-around campaigns in program history.
At the plate, Smith was nothing short of unstoppable. She posted a staggering .558 batting average and an eye-popping .622 on-base percentage, setting the tone for the Raiders’ offense all season long. Her power was just as impressive—13 home runs, part of her 23 extra-base hits, helped her rack up 43 total hits, 33 RBIs, and 44 runs scored. Her offensive output earned her 1st Team honors in LL Section 3 and made her one of the most feared hitters in the region.
But Smith didn’t just dominate from the batter’s box. She also served as ELCO’s ace pitcher, leading the Raiders to 18 wins—the program’s highest single-season total since 1997. Over her career, she racked up an incredible 639 strikeouts, establishing a new all-time program record and cementing her legacy as one of ELCO’s greatest.
Smith’s exceptional performance throughout the 2025 season has earned her the title of LebCoSports.com Softball MVP—an honor well-deserved for a player who excelled in every aspect of the game.
Next stop for Smith: Southern Wesleyan University in South Carolina, where she’ll continue her softball journey at the collegiate level. If her senior season is any indication, big things are still to come.
LebCo Pitcher of the Year
Lynsie Mauser – Northern Lebanon (Sr.)
In a season where elite pitching was on full display across Lebanon County, Northern Lebanon’s Lynsie Mauser rose to the top. The senior ace turned in a dominant all-around performance in the circle and at the plate, capping off her high school career with a MVP-caliber season.
On the mound, Mauser was the driving force behind the Vikings’ 2025 success. She posted an 8-4 record across 11 starts, striking out 93 batters over 75.2 innings while maintaining a stellar 1.48 ERA. Her presence in the circle was a major reason Northern Lebanon powered its way to a 19-5 overall record and a berth in the PIAA State Tournament.
But Mauser’s impact didn’t end there. A true two-way standout, she also posted impressive numbers at the plate. The senior hit .512 with a .552 on-base percentage, collecting 41 hits, including 15 for extra bases—highlighted by 5 triples and 3 home runs. She also drove in 30 runs, scored 33 times, and stole 7 bases, making her one of the most well-rounded players in the county.
Mauser’s pitching dominance earned her 2nd Team All-State honors in Class 4A, as well as 1st Team All-LL Section 3 recognition—a testament to her consistency and ability to command the game from the rubber.
Whether dominating from the circle or delivering in clutch moments at the plate, Mauser consistently elevated her team. Her high-level production and leadership played a critical role in Northern Lebanon’s postseason run, and her accolades reflect just how complete her game was.
Rookie of the Year
Stephanie Palkovic – Northern Lebanon (Fr.)
Among a rising wave of young softball talent across Lebanon County, Palkovic made an immediate impact in her rookie campaign with Northern Lebanon. The freshman stepped into the varsity spotlight and delivered a strong season at the plate, earning Honorable Mention in LL Section 3.
Palkovic hit .322 with a .397 on-base percentage, collecting 19 hits, including 5 for extra bases. She also drove in 12 runs, scored 10 times, and swiped 3 bases, proving to be a reliable and well-rounded contributor to a Vikings squad that finished 19-5 and reached the state tournament.
Her performance represents just a glimpse of what’s to come—not only for her own career but for a talented class of underclassmen that’s already making noise across the county.
Second Team All-County
Offensive Player
Danika Setlock (Annville-Cleona / Sr.) – A key presence in the middle of the lineup and the infield, Setlock was a standout performer at shortstop for the Dutchmen. She delivered a stellar offensive season, hitting .517 with a .594 on-base percentage, collecting 30 hits—15 of them for extra bases, including 2 home runs. Setlock also drove in 23 runs, scored 25, and added 7 stolen bases to round out her impact. Her all-around performance earned her 1st Team honors in LL Section 4, highlighting her as one of the top contributors in the league.
Pitcher
Gabby Smith (ELCO / Sr.) – See write-up above
Rookie
Ava Rosario (Cedar Crest / Fr.) – Rosario made an immediate impact at second base for the Falcons, showcasing impressive poise and skill as a freshman. She posted a solid .425 batting average and an outstanding .550 on-base percentage, finishing the season with 20 hits, 15 RBIs, and 25 runs scored. Her strong performance earned her Honorable Mention in LL Section 1 and marked her as a key figure in a promising group of young Falcons talent that also includes fellow Rookie of the Year contenders Gwen Zimmerman and Mia Lutz.
Third Team All-County
Offensive Player
Lynsie Mauser (Northern Lebanon / Sr.) – See write-up above
Pitcher
Temperance Brubaker (Annville-Cleona / So.) – Brubaker made a strong impression in her sophomore season with the Dutchmen, securing 1st Team honors in LL Section 4. Over the course of 11 starts, she pitched 60.2 innings, earning a 4-3 record while striking out 66 batters and issuing just 18 walks. Her solid 2.65 ERA and limiting opponents to a .272 batting average highlighted her steady command and reliability on the mound.
Rookie
Justine Geyer (ELCO / Fr.) – Geyer made an immediate impact during her freshman season with the Raiders, hitting .375 and posting a .430 on-base percentage. She collected 27 hits, drove in 26 runs, scored 14 times, and showcased some power with 6 extra-base hits, including a home run.
All-County Honorable Mention
Offensive Player
Kate Poorman (Cedar Crest / Jr.) – Poorman was a reliable contributor for the Falcons, delivering consistent offense with a .382 batting average and a .413 on-base percentage. She notched 21 hits—five of them doubles—and drove in 25 runs while crossing the plate 16 times. Anchoring the hot corner at third base, her strong season earned her Honorable Mention in LL Section 1.
Pitcher
Addison Hollenbach (Northern Lebanon / Jr.) – Hollenbach dominated from the pitcher’s circle for the Vikings, earning 1st Team honors in LL Section 3. In 9 starts and 53.2 innings pitched, she posted an impressive 6-1 record while fanning 99 batters. Her strong 2.21 ERA underscored her status as one of the county’s elite pitchers and played a key role in propelling the Lady Vikings into the State Tournament.
Rookie
Ryleigh Hopkins (Northern Lebanon / Fr.) – Hopkins made a significant impact as a freshman for the Vikings, earning 1st Team honors in LL Section 3. She finished the season with a .310 batting average and a .420 on-base percentage, accumulating 18 hits, driving in 8 runs, scoring 17 times, and stealing 2 bases.
Link to the Nominations
The nominations for this honor were done by the coaches. The final rankings were compiled based on votes by the coaches, our writers, and the members of the LebCoSports.com community.
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