Four players from Northwestern’s state semifinalist softball team have been selected to the Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches’ Association’s All State Team.

Sophomore Abby Dunstan was selected to the All-State first team at the catcher position. She batted .543 from the cleanup spot in the Tigers’ batting order. Dunstan led the team with 50 base hits, belted five home runs and knocked in 31 runs.

“As a sophomore, Abby plays the game beyond her years,” said Northwestern head coach, Kate Farber. “She’s poised and focused and she does the little things right like making the most out of her at bats, especially by making contact.”

Also selected to All-State First Team was senior shortstop Isabelle Akelaitis. She batted .427 with 41 hits, 31 RBIs, 33 runs scored and a team-leading 20 doubles. Akelaitis struck out just twice in 96 plate appearances last season. She also had a .909 fielding percentage.

“Izzy played very well under pressure, especially at the plate where we can count on her to put the ball in play,” said Farber. “She’s a strong power hitter and that’s why we had her hitting number three in the order.”

Tiger sophomore pitcher Emma Freeman was chosen Second Team All-State. She went 19-5 with an ERA of 1.70. Freeman struck out 183 batters in 2024 and is now only two strikeouts from a career mark of 300.

“Emma was simply dominant, confident, driven and focused. There was no rattle in her,” said Farber. “She was great against Valley View in states and just as solid against Blue Mountain, a team with exceptional hitting.”

Another Second Team All-State selection was junior first baseman Shelby Mitman, who hit .395 with 32 hits, 23 RBIs and 21 runs scored. “I’m super proud of Shelby,” said Farber. “She comes from a family of accomplished high school and college softball players and she set out to create an identity of her own and to leave her footprints on our program. She works very hard. She’ll stay after practice and do extra reps with her swing. Shelby also played a solid first base for us.”

With three all-state players returning next season to a team that reached league and district title games last spring, the Tigers could be just as strong or stronger in 2025.