Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

It was an impressive season for softball in the Your Prep Sports area.

The Your Prep Sports area featured some of the individual talent in the state this summer, was home to four teams that reached regional title games and produced 2022 Class 2A state champion as Regina won its fourth title in program history.

The annual Your Prep Sports area softball team is a way to recognize some of the top players in the area for their outstanding effort on the diamond.

The sixth edition of the Your Prep Sports area squad features all-state and all-conference performers as well as state champions.

This year’s 19-member team has 10 repeat selections from a year ago including Solon junior infielder Hilary Wilson who is appearing on the team for a fourth consecutive season.

Clear Creek Amana’s Ashley Webb and Bailey Olerich, Solon’s Camryn Keith, Regina’s Courtney Kessler and Emma Nibaur and West High’s Ella Nelson are all repeat picks along with Liberty High’s Kennedy Daugherty and Mischa Reiners and City High freshman Lianna Hull.

Regina senior pitcher Emma Nibaur is the 2022 team captain after leading the Regals to the 2A state title.

Nibaur earned wins in six consecutive postseason starts finishing the season 18-7 with a 2.48 ERA with 122 strikeouts in 135 2/3 innings.

The 2022 Your Prep Sports Area Softball Team

*P – Emma Nibaur, Sr., Regina: The lone senior on the Regina roster did it all while leading the Regals to the 2A state title hitting .357 with eight doubles and 16 RBI and going 18-7 with a 2.48 ERA with 122 strikeouts in 135 2/3 innings pitched while earning first-team all-state honors.

P – Kinsley Robertson, Sr., Liberty High: Robertson took her performance to another level as a senior posting a 15-7 record with a 2.09 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 137 innings pitched while also leading the Lightning with a .449 batting average and driving in 30 runs on her way to earning second-team all-state honors in Class 5A.

P – Ashley Webb, Jr., Clear Creek Amana: Webb continued to build her resume as one of the best in Class 4A this season posting a 14-5 record with a 1.33 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 137 1/3 innings pitched on her way to earning all-state honors for the second year in a row.

C – Courtney Kessler, Jr., Regina: A stalwart behind the plate and in the middle of the order for the 2A state champs Kessler earned all-state honors for the second consecutive season after hitting .412 and leading the Regals with 25 runs, 22 RBI and 14 walks

C – Mischa Reiners, Soph., Liberty High: Reiners continued to stake her claim as one of the best overall players in the state earning first-team all-state honors for the first time after ranking fourth in 5A in hits while batting .418 with 22 extra-base hits, five home runs and 30 RBI to go with a 1.111 OPS.

INF – Lianna Hull, Fr., City High: A starter last season as an eighth-grader the breakthrough for Hull came this season as she ranked in the top three in Class 5A in hits (75), runs (56) and batting average (.536) while earning second-team all-state honors from the IGCA.

INF – Haileigh Smith, Jr., Liberty High: One of the most improved players in the state from a season ago Smith hit .342 with 21 extra-base hits leading Liberty High with nine home runs and 52 RBI.

INF – Avy Lindsey, Fr., City High: Another second-year freshmen starter for the Little Hawks Lindsey had her own breakout season earning third-team Class 5A all-state honors after hitting .409 with 15 extra-base hits, three home runs and a team-leading 43 RBI.

INF – Hilary Wilson, Jr., Solon: Among the most consistent players around Wilson earned all-state honors for the fourth consecutive season landing on the 4A third-team by the IGCA. Wilson hit .382 with four home runs, 33 RBI and led Solon in runs (30), on-base (.457) and slugging percentage (.582).

INF – Reese Stockman, Soph., Clear Creek Amana: Stockman took a big step forward in her second season as the full-time starter at shortstop earning third-team all-state honors after hitting .364 with eight doubles and leading the Clippers in RBI (39), walks (24) and on-base percentage (.508).

INF – Maddie Caylor, Sr., West High: Caylor followed up a breakthrough junior year with a stellar senior season in which she hit a team-high .400 with six doubles, three home runs and 29 RBI on her way to earning third-team all-state honors.

INF – Lanie Meyer, Fr., West Branch: Meyer built on a strong eighth-grade season with an impressive freshman campaign earning honorable mention all-state status in Class 2A after leading the Bears in batting average (.417), hits (30), runs (17), doubles (12), home runs (5), RBI (17), walks (11) and on-base (.494) and slugging percentage (.792).

INF – Camryn Keith, Sr., Solon: Keith continued to produce in the middle of the Spartan lineup hitting .347 with 10 extra-base hits, three home runs and 27 RBI to go with 24 runs scored.

OF – Bailey Olerich, Sr., Clear Creek Amana: A threat at the top of the Clipper order, Olerich led Clear Creek Amana in batting average (.430), hits (61), runs (46), stolen bases (38) and total bases (69) on her way to earning second-team Class 4A all-state honors.

OF – Dani Laughlin, Jr., Regina: A Texas State commit, Laughlin was a big part of the Regals’ run to the 2A state title going 6-for-11 with two extra-base hits, four runs and three RBI in three state tournament games while earning all-tournament honors.

OF – Ella Nelson, Jr., West High: A repeat all-area pick, Nelson hit .378 and drove in 14 runs while leading the Trojans with 28 runs, 42 hits, 18 walks, 10 stolen bases and a .469 on-base percentage.

UTIL – Olivia Miller, Jr., Clear Creek Amana: Miller had her best season as a prep while helping the Clippers to 29 wins and a berth in a 4A regional final hitting .388 with 30 RBI and 32 runs scored.

UTIL – Makayla Ribble, Sr., City High: A senior stalwart surrounded by young talent in the City High infielder Ribble capped a strong career by hitting .378 while leading the Little Hawks in extra-base hits (16), home runs (33) and ranking second on the team with 33 RBI.

UTIL – Kennedy Daugherty, Jr., Liberty High: Among the most versatile players in the area Daugherty did it all for the Lightning this season while earning second-team all-state honors. Daugherty hit .314 with a team-high 25 extra-base hits, nine home runs ands 41 RBI and also went 12-7 in the circle with a 2.54 ERA in 129 2/3 innings.

* – Denotes Team Captain

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