The Northwestern Lehigh softball team didn’t go as far as it planned in the PIAA playoffs last spring, but four of its players were given all-state honors for their efforts.

Abby Dunstan, who led the Tigers in home runs (10), RBI (39), and average (.491) was named to the All-State First Team.

“Abby was phenomenal for us throughout her high school career,” said Northwestern head coach Kate Farber. “Her work ethic was unbelievable, and she really was a team leader for us and younger players picked up a lot just from watching her and how she prepared for games and what she did to help the team.”

Dunstan will be playing softball and continuing her academic endeavors at Georgia Tech.

In each of her four seasons, Dunstan was named to the all-state team. As a freshman she was a second team choice as a designated player and was a first team selection as a catcher in each of the past three seasons.

Also earning first-team accolades were Emma Freeman and Ella Bressi.

Freeman went from being the mainstay of the pitching staff to helping the team by playing various positions this past season while still working out of the circle.

She was named to the all-state team at the utility player position, after being a first-team selection as a pitcher in her sophomore and junior seasons.

Bressi was named to the first team as an outfielder.

“The fact that Emma was able to help us in so many ways by doing more than pitching was huge for us,” said Farber. “She also did a great job for us at the plate and that sometimes got overlooked because of what she had done as a pitcher in the past.

“Ella really came into her own this season. She’s the type of player who you can just count on to go out there and do the job. She didn’t always get the attention she deserved, but for her it was more about just doing what she needed to do.”

Shortstop Natalie Conner was named to the All-State Second Team.

Conner provided clutch hits at the plate and anchored the shortstop position for the Tigers providing strong defensive play.

“She is just a gifted athlete,” Farber said. “She has great anticipation and instincts for the game and is one of those players you love to coach because she can do the things you need her to do for the team.”

Bressi and Conner earned their first selections to the all-state team, which is chosen by the Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association. Conner, who is a rising junior, will be the only returning player among the four with Bressi, Dunstan, and Freeman all having graduated.