Nine Area Softball Players to Watch This Season
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
The softball season officially opened for team across the state on Monday.
In less than two months the season will conclude at the state tournament at Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge.
Before the state meet kicks off on July 16 here are nine area players to make sure to catch on a diamond near you.
Ella Cook, City High
Freshman, Pitcher/First Baseman
One of three eighth-graders to start for City High last season Cook tied for the team lead in hits (44) and home runs (6) in her first varsity season.
Cook hit .341, ranked second on the team with 31 runs and drove in 22 runs last season.
A versatile athlete, Cook is expected to play a key role in the circle this season as well after posting a 4-4 record and 7.93 ERA in 47 2/3 innings a year ago.
Katie Bracken, Regina
Junior, Pitcher
Bracken did it all last season to help Regina to the Class 2A state title.
The versatile Bracken was a first-team all-state selection last year when she hit .351 with five home runs and a team-high 33 RBI and posted a 10-4 record and 2.06 ERA.
With the graduation of Sarah Lehman Bracken becomes the number one pitching option for Regina after striking out 135 and walking 19 in 98 2/3 innings last season.
Brylee Klosterman, Liberty High
Sophomore, Outfielder
As a freshman at West High last season Klosterman earned first-team all-state honors after hitting .452 with a team-high 39 runs.
Klosterman showed a blend of speed and power as a freshman with 26 extra-base hits, including six home runs, and 15 stolen bases.
The left-handed hitting Klosterman had 35 RBI and drew 16 walks while striking out just 13 times in 126 at bats.
Ayana Lindsey, City High
Freshman, Shortstop/Pitcher
The freshman burst onto the scene last year as an eighth-grader leading the Little Hawks with 41 runs and 34 stolen bases from her leadoff spot.
Lindsey batted .320 with 10 doubles and a pair of home runs while playing centerfield.
As a pitcher Lindsey emerged as the ace of the City High staff going 11-11 with a 4.87 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 133 2/3 innings.
Cynthia Hull, West High
Freshman, Utility
Hull burst onto the varsity scene last summer as an eighth grader hitting .333 with four home runs and 29 RBI before ever taking a high school class.
Playing mostly as a designated hitter a year ago Hull ranked fourth on the team with 25 runs and had 13 extra-base hits.
Hull posted a .549 slugging percentage and drew 17 walks while striking out 12 times.
Ainsley Schrock, Clear Creek Amana
Sophomore, Catcher/First Baseman
Schrock was a big-time threat in the middle of the Clipper lineup last season as a freshman batting .411 with a team-high 11 home runs a 44 RBI.
A second-team all-WAMAC West Division pick a year ago Schrock led the Clippers with 53 hits and 12 doubles and also scored 25 runs.
Carey Koenig, City High
Freshman, Catcher/Third Baseman
Koenig made an instant impact in the City High lineup hitting .345 with a team-high 14 doubles but her biggest impact came behind the plate on defense.
In her first season of varsity action Koenig shut down the opposing running game, throwing out eight of 13 would be base stealers.
Koenig drew a team-high 18 walks, scored 26 runs and drove in 26 runs last season.
Taylor Thein, West Branch
Sophomore, Outfielder
There is a solid nucleus of young talent returning at West Branch and Thein is a part of that group that has expectations for the Bears as high as they have been in years.
Last season as a freshman Thein hit .444 with a team-high, 10 doubles, four home runs and 36 RBI.
Thein also ranked second on the team with 28 stolen bases and 37 runs on her way to earning honorable mention Class 2A all-state honors.
Taylor Ryan, Solon
Junior, Outfielder
A second team all-state pick last season the speedy Ryan became a threat at the top of the Spartan order.
Ryan led Solon with a .529 average and 10 sacrifices and ranked second on the team in runs (46), hits (73) and stolen bases (38).
In addition to her speed Ryan also showed the ability to drive the ball at times with 12 extra-base hits.