Oak Glen High School has a rising star in sophomore pitcher Mattie Carney, and she’s already helping to shape the school’s athletic legacy. After a phenomenal season, Carney has been named captain of the Class AA All-State first team, as selected by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
Her season ended with Oak Glen winning its second-ever state softball title — and Carney was at the heart of it all.
“She’s competitive, focused, and always willing to take on the pressure,” said head coach Sherrie Garner. “Mattie understands the responsibility of being the pitcher. She’s a team-first athlete who thrives in tough moments.”
Carney’s stats speak for themselves: a 20-7 pitching record, 223 strikeouts to only 28 walks — nearly an 8-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Offensively, she hit .431 with four home runs, 27 RBIs, 52 runs scored, and 27 stolen bases. She pitched every single postseason game for Oak Glen, including all three state tournament games and their conference tournament matchups.
Her grit and endurance helped push the Golden Bears through both the OVAC and state tournaments.
“She came into the OVAC title game when we were trailing 2-0 and helped win it,” Garner said. “She also carried us through every sectional, regional, and state game. Her preparation all year long was outstanding.”
Carney wasn’t the only Golden Bear to earn honors. Senior shortstop Riley Bruce was named to the Class AA first team as well, thanks to her athleticism and consistency at the top of the lineup.
Bruce batted .325 with 15 extra-base hits (including six triples), scored 44 runs, and drove in 28.
“Riley is one of the most athletic kids I’ve ever coached,” Garner said. “She played soccer, basketball, and softball — and excelled at all three. Her leadership was vital, especially being a four-year player who stepped up when we had no seniors last year.”
Bruce was one of four seniors on Oak Glen’s squad — along with Addie Smith, Maddie Murray, and Kayla Wright. Smith also earned honorable mention, hitting .396 with 38 hits, 22 RBIs, and eight extra-base hits. Junior Danice Holden, another honorable mention, hit .291 with 34 RBIs and seven doubles.
Carney was one of four pitchers named to the Class AA first team. She shares the spotlight with St. Marys senior Cali Masters (0.99 ERA, .552 average), Logan junior Myleigh Adkins (1.50 ERA, 232 strikeouts, 11 home runs), and Wheeling Central senior Josie Frizzell (2.02 ERA, 246 strikeouts). All three joined Carney as multi-year all-state honorees.
The first team also includes standout players from across the state, such as freshman catcher Alyssa Scarbro (Liberty), infielders Miley Tingler (Petersburg), Ava Sampson (Scott), and Maddie Miehle (Wheeling Central), and outfielders like Kiera Cochran (Buffalo).
Second team selections include pitchers like Macy Casto (Ravenswood), Carli Raye (Wyoming East), and Bryleigh Thomas (James Monroe), while Ella Chew of Petersburg captains the second team at catcher.
Honorable mentions featured numerous rising stars, including multiple players from Oak Glen and Wheeling Central.
To commemorate these honors, players named to the first team, second team, and honorable mentions can order custom plaques from the Bear Wood Company through WVSWA.org or Bearwoodcompany.com.
This year’s Class AA softball season proved that West Virginia is brimming with talent — and Oak Glen is certainly at the center of it.
