CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — The Virginia High School League announces its 2024 Class 2 all-state softball team. Randolph-Henry senior pitcher Danner Allen is the Class 2 Player of the Year, and King William head coach Elizabeth Welshonce is the Class 2 Coach of the Year.
The left-handed Allen started and completed 26 games this season with a 21-5 record pitching 178.2 innings, striking out 367 batters with an ERA of 0.82, allowing 34 runs (21 earned runs), 16.7 K/BB ratio, .154 OBA, and a .187 OBP. Additionally, she limited opposing batters to 102 hits and 22 walks. Offensively in 2024, she batted .412 with 33 hits in 80 at-bats, two home runs, 15 doubles, and 15 RBI. Allen has a career pitching line of a 67-10 record and 1,178 strikeouts, which is fourth in VHSL history. Allen is a Liberty University signee.
Welshonce, the Class 2 coach of the year, guided the Cavaliers to a 21-2 record and the school’s first-ever state softball championship with a 2-0 win over Randolph-Henry in the state finals. King William reached the state finals with a 15-1 win against Riverheads in the quarterfinals and a 4-3 win over Appomattox County in the semifinals. Welshonce has led the Cavaliers program for eight seasons and has a 111-27 record. She has a career record of 140-56, which includes three seasons as head coach at Patrick Henry (Roanoke) from 2011-14. Welshonce earned Region Coach of the Year honors in 2018, 2023, and 2024.
The all-state softball team consists of three pitchers, one catcher, four infielders by position, three outfielders, and one DP. Only those players selected as first-team all-region players are eligible for selection to the all-state team. The all-state selection committee comprises eight coaches, with two from each region.
