Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The annual Your Prep Sports softball team honors 12 of the top area players for their performance on the diamond this season.

This year’s team features all-state and all-conference performers from seven different schools.

Regina junior Katie Bracken is the team captain after helping the Regals to a runner-up finish at the Class 2A state tournament.

Bracken won five consecutive postseason starts without allowing an earned run to help Regina return to a fourth consecutive state title game.

2018 Your Prep Sports Softball Team

*P – Katie Bracken, Jr., Regina: Earned first-team all-state honors for the second consecutive season after hitting .376 with 22 RBI and going 17-14 with a 2.56 ERA and 158 strikeouts in 183 innings in her first season as the Regina ace. Bracken was at her best in the postseason, posting a .54 ERA with 41 strikeouts and just four walks in 38 1/3 postseason innings.

P – Ayana Lindsey, Fr., City High: One of the most versatile players in Class 5A Lindsey was among the most improved pitchers in the state this season going 12-10 with a 2.39 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 146 1/3 innings. Lindsey also hit .370 and led City High with 53 runs and 33 stolen bases while earning second-team all-state honors. 

C – Carey Koenig, Fr., City High: Koenig didn’t miss a beat coming off off-season elbow surgery ranking in the top 10 in Class 5A in home runs, RBI and walks. One of the best defensive catchers around, Koenig hit .360 and led City High with eight homers, 53 RBI and 26 walks. 

INF – Kiahna Hill, Soph., West High: A rare combination of power and speed, Hill was one of only eight players in the state with seven or more home runs and at least 20 stolen bases. Hill batted .402 with seven home runs and 23 stolen bases and also led West High with 28 runs and 24 RBI.

INF – Keli Potter, Soph., City High: Potter was among the best stories in the state going from six hits a year ago to one of the best hitters on a City High squad that returned to the state tournament for the first time since 2001. The second baseman hit a team-high .383 with 12 doubles and seven home runs while scoring 34 runs and driving in 40.

INF – Danielle Wnek, Sr., Clear Creek Amana: Senior third baseman closed her prep career with her best season, leading the Clippers with a .355 batting average, 38 hits and 22 runs while driving in 11 runs.

INF – Ella Cook, Fr., City High: Cook followed up a strong debut season by hitting .336 with a team-high 13 doubles and 32 RBI as a freshman. The first baseman was second on the team with 44 runs and had two home runs and 16 stolen bases and also posted a 12-7 record with a 4.01 ERA in the circle.

OF – Taylor Ryan, Jr., Solon: A career .460 hitter Ryan had her best season yet ranking fourth in the state with 73 hits and seventh with a .579 batting average on her way to being a first-team all-state selection. The junior center fielder led Solon with 52 runs and 37 stolen bases and drove in 21 runs from her leadoff spot.

OF – Brylee Klosterman, Soph., Liberty High: Emerged as an anchor in the middle of the Liberty High lineup hitting a team-best .360 and leading the Lightning in hits (40), doubles (9), triples (7), home runs (3), RBI (26), walks (17), on-base percentage (.450) and slugging percentage (.649) while earning second-team all-state honors in Class 4A.

OF – Jess Hunter, Jr., Regina: A second-team all-state pick Hunter led Regina with 45 runs and 42 stolen bases while batting .350 and driving in 19 runs from her leadoff spot. Hunter was one of only six players in the state with at least two home runs and 40 stolen bases.

UTIL – Skylar Stookey, Jr., Solon: Stookey was a second-team all-state pick after hitting .426 and leading Solon with nine home runs and 44 RBI. The junior struck out just six times in 115 at bats while posting a team-best .739 slugging percentage.  

UTIL – Nicki Henson, Fr., West Branch: Earned all-state honors for the second season in a row after hitting .370 and leading West Branch in runs (26), hits (37) walks (11) and stolen bases (25).