Howard County 2024 softball All-County: Mt. Hebron sophomore Abby Magdar showcases growth, is named Player of the Year

Mt. Hebron softball coach Mark Graydon vividly remembers his exit meeting with then-freshman Abby Magdar. She told Graydon about her goals to gain strength and add more pitches to her repertoire.

Magdar’s father works out daily and always encourages her to do the same. She decided to not try out for basketball, electing instead to lift each day after school. Meanwhile, she also worked diligently over the winter with pitching coach Carly Martin, whom she’s trained with for eight years.

They went through numerous drills as Magdar began to see an increased break on her curveball and more control with her changeup.

That follow through on her offseason goals led to drastic improvement for her and the Vikings. Mt. Hebron went from a sub-500 team in 2023 to fourth in the county and a Class 3A South Region I final appearance. She started every game, finishing with a 12-6 record, a 2.39 ERA and a Howard-County-leading 123 strikeouts.

“She came in this season and she just was overwhelming a lot of the individuals that we were playing against,” Graydon said. “I think that was a big part of her game plan for this year. She constantly tries to get better. Her work ethic is phenomenal. She kept us in every ballgame. She would pinpoint pitches, and she has a devastating changeup that can really cripple you at the plate. She’s really savvy on the mound. She knows she has to adjust to the umpire’s strike zone.”

Magdar also got the Mt. Hebron offense off and running from the leadoff spot, hitting .394 with 28 hits, including nine for extra bases and 17 RBIs. With her all-around consistency, she is the 2024 Howard County Times softball Player of the Year.

“She was consistent at the plate,” Graydon said. “She was always putting the bat on the ball. As the leadoff hitter, I counted on her to set the tone for the rest of the lineup. She is really smart on the base paths and she’s fast. Her softball acumen is right on. She’s a complete athlete. She’s always in the gym and always at the batting cages.”

Graydon got an early indication of Magdar’s improvement in late January-early February, when he typically brings in pitchers for training to help reacclimate them. The veteran coach left those practices almost in disbelief of her increased velocity.

With her pitch speed and diversity increasing, Magdar also adjusted her mentality in the circle. One of several freshmen starting last year, Magdar sometimes felt the pressure to succeed, which caused her to overthink.

However, this year she consciously chose not to overanalyze and instead focused on the Vikings’ collective growth.

“Honestly, I don’t know how I do it sometimes,” Magdar said. “I go on the mound and I just pitch. I hope for the best because when I think about it, I overthink and that will mess me up. I go in there, I lock into the pitch to the catcher and I’m good.”

While freshman year brought some challenges, she gained familiarity with opposing hitters throughout the county. Magdar learned their strengths and weaknesses, which helped formulate her plan to attack each hitter.

Magdar took her game to new heights during the playoffs. Magdar and the young Vikings hosted Westminster in a regional semifinal, it’s first home playoff game.

She rose to the occasion, pacing the offense with three hits, including a double, in a 7-3 win. The sophomore also stymied the Owls’ lineup, not allowing an earned run and striking out nine.

“I was definitely nervous going in,” Magdar said. “I went in saying, ‘I can do it,’ but I was also hesitant. I think once we went out there and got ahead a little bit, I relied on myself and my teammates. I think we did a great job with holding our lead because that didn’t always happen earlier in the season.”

While the Vikings’ season ended in the regional final, Magdar remains focused on further growth. At this year’s exit meeting, Graydon didn’t need to say much, Magdar did much of the talking, a testament to her goal-oriented mindset.

“She comes back and says, ‘Coach, I’m going to come back stronger next year. I’m going to get back in the weight room,'” Graydon said. “I was thinking, ‘She is so committed to this sport.’ It was astonishing to me that she would come to me and say, ‘I know what I have to do. I have to get stronger and a little more accurate in some of my pitches that I didn’t have complete control over. I’ll master those by the time we come back next year.’ That spoke volumes about her commitment to the game and her pitching. I’ve got great expectations for next year.”

All-County first team

Lauren Latour, Atholton, freshman, infield

Latour burst onto the scene as a freshman with a .681 batting average and 30 hits, 16 for extra bases, including six home runs. She was one of Howard County’s top run producers with 34 RBIs and also stole 16 bases.

Reagan Law, Atholton, sophomore, infield

After missing her freshman season due to Tommy John surgery, she collected 24 hits, including eight triples, and finished with a .571 batting average. The sophomore went 15-for-15 on stolen bases.

Zoe Pachoca, River Hill, junior, infield

Pachoca was a force in the Hawks’ lineup with a team-high .557 batting average and 34 hits, 16 of those went for extra bases, including seven home runs. She drove in a team-high 25 runs. The junior didn’t strikeout all season and also stole 14 bases.

Cambell Sagin, Reservoir, junior, infield

Named first team All-County for a second straight season, Sagin was one of the county’s top power hitters. She finished with a .600 average, 13 doubles, five home runs and a team-high 33 RBIs.

Taylor Slonac, Long Reach, senior, infield

A four-year varsity starter, Slonac was the Lightning’s leadoff hitter and hit .507. The senior was second on the team with 36 hits and also drove in 16 runs, striking out just once.

Andaiye Smith, Reservoir, senior, infield

A Howard University commit, Smith was another key component of the Gators’ lineup, hitting .529. She had eight doubles, three home runs and was second on the team with 28 RBIs.

Janelle Wilson, Long Reach, sophomore, infield

Wilson was the Lightning’s No. 3 hitter and developed into a reliable run producer hitting .475 with 26 RBIs. Seven of her 29 hits were for extra bases.

Maddie Hall, Centennial, junior, outfield

Hall played an integral role for the Eagles throughout the season with a .432 batting average, 19 hits and 12 RBIs. The junior also had 10 stolen bases and showed great defensive range in left field.

Jasmin Kirkland, Marriotts Ridge, senior, outfield

Kirkland saved her best for her final season with the Mustangs, hitting .547 with a team-high 35 hits. She drove in 13 runs and was the leader of Marriotts Ridge’s outfield in center.

Jamie Shaw, Glenelg, senior, outfield

First Team All-County once again, Shaw set the tone for Glenelg from the leadoff spot. She hit .483 with 29 hits and 12 RBIs. The senior was one of the county’s to base runners with 16 stolen bases.

Olivia Ober, Marriotts Ridge, junior, pitcher

Ober pitched 68 innings and finished with a 6-5 record for the Mustangs and had one save. She struck out 28 in finished with a 3.91 ERA, pitching in the biggest games throughout the season.

Bella Wisniewski, Glenelg, senior, pitcher

Wisniewski was the Gladiators’ ace, finishing 9-1 with a 2.46 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 58 innings pitched. She also excelled at the plate, hitting .353 with 18 hits and 11 RBIs.

Reese Holden, Glenelg, senior, catcher

Holden provided power in the middle of the lineup, hitting .510. The senior had 26 hits and a team-leading 26 RBIs with 10 extra-base hits, including eight doubles.

Jordyn Isom, Long Reach, sophomore, catcher

Isom thrived in the cleanup spot for the Lightning with a .574 average and a Howard County leading 52 RBIs. She laced a team-high 39 hits, including a county leading 16 doubles and eight home runs, three of which were grand slams.

Abbie Frisvold, Reservoir, junior, utility

First team All-County for a second straight season, Frisvold played all over the field for the Gators. At the plate, she had a team-leading .609 average, with 12 extra-base hits and 27 RBIs. In the circle, Frisvold finished with a 9-4 record, striking out 86 in 73 2/3 innings. The junior threw two no-hitters and finished with a 2.19 ERA.

All-County second team

Paige Andrews, Oakland Mills, senior, outfield

Olivia Bixler, Wilde Lake, freshman, catcher

Olivia Coleman, Howard, sophomore, pitcher

Kaylee Brogan, Glenelg, junior, pitcher

Shelby Granzow, Reservoir, junior, infield

Annie Levine, River Hill, sophomore, pitcher

Brynne Mellady, Marriotts Ridge, senior, infield

Gianna Peluso, Marriotts Ridge, sophomore, outfield

Alyssa Perez, Mt. Hebron, freshman, infield

Maddie Reese, Centennial, sophomore, corner infield

Jasmine Smith, Marriotts Ridge, senior, utility

Maddie Stouffer, Glenelg, junior, first base

Rylie Thomas, Glenelg, sophomore, infield

Madison Wise, Long Reach, senior, outfield

Final Standings

1. Glenelg (16-2, 14-1, Howard County Champion, Class 2A West Region I Finalist); 2. Reservoir (14-4, 12-3, 3A South Region II Finalist); 3. Marriotts Ridge (14-5, 12-4, 3A State Quarterfinalist); 4. Mt. Hebron (12-6, 11-5, 3A South Region I Finalist); 5. Centennial (11-7, 10-6, 2A West Region II Finalist); 6. River Hill (11-8, 9-6); 7. Long Reach (10-8, 9-7); 8. Howard (8-8, 7-7); 9. Atholton (4-13, 3-11); 10. Oakland Mills (2-13, 2-12); 11. Hammond (1-16, 1-14); 12. Wilde Lake (1-17, 1-15).

IAAM C Conference Chapelgate Christian (7-5, 6-3).