By Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The inaugural Your Prep Sports softball team honors 10 of the top area players for their performances on the diamond this season.

This year’s squad features division I recruits, all-state and all-conference performers, school record holders and state champions.

Regina senior Sarah Lehman is the team captain after directing Regina to the Class 2A state title.

Lehman had a state tournament record 22 strikeouts in a 5-4 16-inning win over Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont in the 2A title game and earned first-team all-state honors for the third straight season.

2017 Your Prep Sports Softbal Team

C – Jess Heick, Sr., Solon: In her first year behind the plate Heick earned first-team Class 3A all-state honors after hitting .458 and leading the Spartans with nine home runs, 54 RBI and a .750 slugging percentage.  

*P – Sarah Lehman, Sr., Regina: Among the most dominant pitchers in the state the past three seasons Lehman was at her best as a senior leading Regina to 30 wins and a second Class 2A title in the past three seasons. The hard-throwing right-hander had a 16-6 record and .95 ERA in 162 1/3 innings, striking out 266 while walking a career-low 38.

INF – Karsyn Stratton, Fr., Clear Creek Amana: An injury caused Stratton to miss some time but didn’t cause a drop in production for the freshman shortstop. Stratton hit .410 with seven home runs and 17 RBI posting a .783 slugging percentage.

INF – Ellie Grace Dixon, Sr., City High: The lone senior in the batting order, Dixon was the top run producer in much improved City High offense. The senior shortstop hit .320 and led the Little Hawks with 17 extra-base hits and 39 RBI.

INF – Katie Bracken, Soph., Regina: A two-way threat for Regina, Bracken hit .384 with five home runs and a team-high 33 RBI as a first baseman and also posted a 10-4 record with a 2.06 ERA in 98 2/3 innings. Bracken drew a team-high 25 walks and scored 30 runs.

INF – Nicki Henson, 8th, West Branch: In her first varsity season Henson ranked fifth in 2A with a .527 batting average on her way to third-team all-state honors. Henson led West Branch with 58 hits, 41 runs and 33 stolen bases.  

OF – Brylee Klosterman, Fr., West High: Among the top freshman in the state, Klosterman followed up a strong debut campaign with another impressive season. Klosterman led West High with a .452 batting average and 39 runs and had six home runs among her team-best 26 extra-base hits.

OF – Bryn Hanrahan, Sr., Solon: Iowa State recruit was the spark atop a Solon offense that ranked among the best in 3A. A five-time all-state pick, Hanrahan hit .472 and led Solon in runs (49), hits (76), extra-base hits (23) and stolen bases (46).

OF – Taleah Smith, Sr., West High: Northern Iowa recruit wrapped up impressive career by earning first-team all-state honors for the third straight season. Smith ranked third in Class 5A in stolen bases with 43 without being caught and hit .436 with 34 runs and 19 RBI from her leadoff spot.

UTIL – Ayana Lindsey, 8th, City High: Lindsey did a little bit of everything this season while helping City High win 20 games for the first time in five seasons. The eighth-grader hit .320 and led the Little Hawks with 40 runs and 34 stolen bases while playing infield and outfield and also went 11-11 with 4.87 ERA in a team-high 133 2/3 innings pitched.

*-Captain