Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Summer is on the way and in Iowa that means it is time for softball.

Softball season officially opened for teams across the state on Monday with the schedule quickly getting into full swing for area teams this week.

The Your Prep Sports area had a pair of state tournament qualifiers last season with City High winning its first state tournament game since 1982 and Regina advancing to the 2A title game for the fourth consecutive season.

As the season opens every team has the goal of reaching the state tournament which this season will run from July 22-26 at Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge.

Before the season gets into full swing here are nine players in the Your Prep Sports area to keep an eye on this season.

Katie Bracken

Senior, Regina

Already a two-time first-team all-state selection Bracken is back to put the finishing touches on what has been an amazing prep career.

Bracken led Regina to a runner-up finish in Class 2A last season posting a .54 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 38 1/3 postseason innings.

For the season Bracken was 17-14 with a 2.56 ERA in the circle with 158 strikeouts in 183.

A two-way standout, Bracken also hit .376 with 22 RBI for the Regals. 

Ayana Lindsey

Sophomore, City High

After standing out as a hitter during an impressive eighth-grade season two years ago Lindsey was among the most improved pitchers in the state last season.

Lindsey posted a 12-11 record and a 2.48 ERA last season striking out 108 in 152 1/3 innings to help City High reach the 5A state tournament.

She remained a dangerous threat at the plate as well, hitting .355 with a team-high 53 runs and 33 stolen bases while earning second-team all-state honors.

Carey Koenig

Sophomore, City High

Off-season elbow surgery didn’t stop Koenig from putting together a monster freshman season in which she set school records for home runs, RBI and walks.

Koenig hit. 351 and had 20 extra-base hits including a team-leading eight home runs while driving in 53 runs a year ago while earning third-team all-state honors.

The sophomore catcher ranked in the top 10 in Class 5A in home runs, RBI and walks (26) last season.

Kiahna Hill

Junior, West High

Hill flashed a rare combination of power and speed during a breakthrough sophomore season in which she was one of only eight players in the state with seven or more home runs and at least 20 stolen bases.

The junior infielder hit a team-leading .402 last season with 13 extra-base hits that included a team-high seven home runs.

Hill also led West High in runs (28), stolen bases (23) and RBI (24) last season on her way to being named to the Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division second team.-

Taylor Ryan

Senior, Solon

A career .460 hitter Ryan is coming off the best season of her career when she ranked fourth in the state with 73 hits and seventh with a .579 batting average last season.

The speedy center fielder earned first-team Class 3A all-state honors last season after leading Solon with 52 runs and 37 stolen bases and driving in 21 runs from her leadoff spot.

An Iowa signee, Ryan led Solon in on-base percentage (.613) and was second on the team in slugging percentage at .651.

Brylee Klosterman

Junior, Liberty High  

All all-state pick in each of her first three prep season Klosterman ranks among the players in the state.

The Iowa recruit enters her junior season already with 63 extra-base hits including 13 career home runs and 93 career RBI.

Klosterman hit .360 last season in her first year at Liberty High and led the Lightning in hits (40), doubles (9), triples (7), home run (3), RBI (26), walks (17), on-base percentage (.450) and slugging percentage (.649) while earning second-team Class 4A all-state honors.

Nicki Henson

Sophomore, West Branch

Henson earned all-state honors for the second straight season after hitting .370 and leading West Branch in hits (37), runs (26), walks (11) and stolen bases (25).

A versatile athlete that can play both infield and outfield, Henson was a River Valley Conference Elite team pick last season after earning South Team honors as an eighth-grader.

Karsyn Stratton

Junior, Clear Creek Amana  

A three-year starter at shortstop for the Clippers, Stratton batted .325 with a team-high four home runs and 20 RBI last season on her way to earning second-team all WAMAC West Division honors.

Stratton had 11 extra-base hits and ranked second on the team in hits (37), walks (10) and slugging percentage (.500).

Ella Cook

Sophomore, City High

One of three sophomores on the City High roster that have been starting since their eighth-grade seasons Cook is coming off a freshman season in which she hit .331 with a team-high 13 doubles and 32 RBI.

Cook ranked second on the team in both this (51) and runs (44) and had two home runs and stole 16 bases.

The big breakthrough for Cook last season came in the circle where she went 13-7 with a 3.78 ERA in 120 1/3 innings.

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