Arkansas' best high school softball players: Meet the state's top second basemen
By Kyle Sutherland
With the high school softball season in full swing, SBLive is looking at the best players in Arkansas. Today, we feature some of the top second basemen across all classifications.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not meant to be a comprehensive list as there are hundreds of great second basemen statewide. These are players we have seen along with recommendations from coaches. Also, for the purpose of balancing the lists, some players might be mentioned with their secondary positions.
Remington Adams | Farmington | SR
The Ouachita Baptist signee has been a staple of the Lady Cards’ program for quite some time and has proven her ability to hold down the middle infield moving from second base to shortstop prior to this season. As the leadoff hitter, Adams led Farmington through mid-April with a .512 batting average to go with four home runs.
Kelsey Baker | Marion | JR
Baker was one of a handful of key returnees for the Lady Patriots this season after batting .353 as a sophomore with 4 home runs and 15 stolen bases, which ranked second on the team, and committed only three errors at second. Baker has increased her batting average to .411 with an on base percentage of .534 to go with 3 home runs and 17 stolen bases this year through April 25.
“Kelsey has developed into an all-around hitter and improved her at bats earning her way on over half the time she is at the plate,” Marion head coach Sean Gray said. “Once she gets on base, it's nearly impossible to slow her down. She runs the bases extremely hard and once she's on base it's almost a guarantee she will score.”
Molly Bennett | Baptist Prep | FR
Baptist Prep has consistently churned out great players and Bennett is one who seems to be the next in line. After beginning the year as the leadoff hitter, Bennett has been moved to the sixth spot while she continues to adjust to the varsity level. Defensively, she has played like a seasoned veteran through April with a .977 fielding percentage committing just one error which is very impressive considering the Lady Eagles have played one of the toughest schedules in Arkansas.
Bailey Clayton | Dumas | SO
After being tabbed all-conference as a freshman, Clayton has started every game for the Lady Bobcats this season at second base. Through late April she has hit .345 with a .444 on base percentage. She ranks within the Top 5 on the team for batting average, hits, runs, and runs batted in.
“Bailey has a plus glove and always turns in a quality at bat,” Dumas head coach Scottie Harrison said. “She has a positive attitude and is a joy to be around.”
Brianna Crowley | Har-Ber | SR
The UA-Rich Mountain signee is the ultimate team player Har-Ber head coach Candi Bailey said, and she played a key role in late year’s first round state tournament match up with Conway, losing by just one run to the eventual state runner-up. This season in 6A West play, Crowley has batted .387 with an on base percentage of .457 through late April.
Madalyn Ferrell | Bauxite | JR
Ferrell has been another big bat in a Lady Miner’s lineup that boasts some of the most powerful hitters in the state. Through mid-April, she was tied for first on the team with a .422 batting average, 25 runs batted in, and 2 home runs. Bauxite head coach Maddie Rhodes mentioned she would consider Ferrell as one of the Top 10 second basemen in Arkansas.
“Madalyn has been amazing at second base this year,” Rhodes said. “She has made some incredible plays in really intense moments.”
Katelyn Fleming | Harrison | SO
Fleming is a true middle infielder playing both second base and shortstop, but in most cases holds down second. She leads the team in hit by pitches and walks, but when she does have the opportunity to hit the ball she has batted .471 with an on base percentage of .597 and three home runs through late April.
“Katelyn is an amazing defender who never shies away from laying out for a fly ball or diving into a bag to beat the tag,” Harrison head coach Robin Taylor said. “She has a desire to play at a very high level after high school, so she tries to surround herself with people who can help make her a better player on the field and a better person off the field.”
Raielynn Fudge | El Dorado | JR
The UA-Rich Mountain commit primarily lines up at shortstop but has also spent time playing second which of course adds to her strengths as a middle infielder. Through late April (12 games) Fudge has hit .400 with 4 doubles, 3 triples, 13 runs batted in and a home run for the Lady Wildcats.
“Raielynn is a gap-to-gap hitter [who is] able to use the whole field,” El Dorado head coach Chris Ezell said. “She has increased her defensive range tremendously this year and has plus arm strength to finish those tough outs.”
Riley Gillis | Sheridan | SR
The Ouachita Baptist signee is the lone senior on one of Class 5A’s top teams and has made a popular reputation for her work not only on the diamond but in the classroom, as well as the Sheridan community. Against multiple tough batters Gillis has a .921 fielding percentage on 38 attempts and has turned four double plays through late-April. At the plate she has hit .362 with 8 doubles and 19 runs batted in.
“Riley is just an all-around solid ball player,” Sheridan head coach Scott Hoffman said.
Josie Golden | North Little Rock | SR
Golden is signed to play at Henderson State at the conclusion of her high school career and has been very consistent as a true utility player for the Lady Charging Wildcats. Though mid-April Golden hit .529 with an on base percentage of .607. North Little Rock head coach Courtney Clark mentioned that Golden has been very reliable batting behind fellow senior star Janiah Wilson to create a lethal 1-2 punch.
“Josie is a great contact hitter and has done a wonderful job,” Clark said. “If opponents want to walk Janiah, Josie makes them pay.”
Laken Golden | Carlisle | SO
Golden has already received some small college offers along with plenty of interest in just her sophomore season with the Lady Bison. She is a natural outfielder but has spent time in the middle infield, most of that time at third as of late, due to team needs. Through mid-April she led the team in batting average hitting .554 with an on base percentage of .643 and 30 stolen bases.
Jocelyn Harless | Alma | JR
After starting the previous two seasons at first base, Harless moved back to second where she has adjusted well per Alma head coach Charla Parrish. Harless also plays shortstop in certain situations. She has hit just under .400 at the plate with 19 runs batted in as of April 25 and another underrated trait, she finds ways to get on base with 13 walks which is tied for first on the team.
“Jocelyn has had some great hits to score runs for us to win games,” Parrish added.
Karsen Hart | Paris | SO
Hart is in her second season with the Lady Eagles after batting .347 with 20 runs batted in and 16 stolen bases her freshman year. She has improved her batting average to .517 and leads the team with 30 hits and 13 doubles. She ranks second on the team 16 runs batted in and has stolen 8 bases all through late April. Defensively she has also been very good with a .978 fielding percentage on 38 putouts with just one error.
“Karsen is a hard worker with a great attitude,” Paris head coach Donald Hart. “She plays second base with good range and a strong arm. She is a versatile player that can play shortstop when needed. Great leader by example on and off the field.”
Hadley Herrington | Magnet Cove | SO
Herring was mentioned by Magnet Cove head coach Hunter Vincent as one of the team’s most reliable infielders and has shown that with her .920 fielding percentage on 34 opportunities. Based on how hard the Lady Panthers’ pitching staff throws, the right side of the infield normally has more balls hit their way and with Herring there it is typically an “automatic out.” Offensively, she is the team’s top bunter and will happily take one for the team on a sacrifice to move or score runners.
“Hadley is one of our most reliable infielders,” Vincent said. “She has the ability to move to her left and right to field hard ground balls and the range to chase down shallow pop ups.”
Lauren Golden | Malvern | SR
Coming off an all-conference junior season, Golden has been a senior leader for the Lady Leopards and clutch defensively holding down second base with a .969 fielding percentage on 34 total chances through April 28 playing in Class 4A’s toughest conference. In that time, she has also hit .406 with 20 runs batted in and a home run.
Kelly Ann Lucas | East Poinsett County | FR
Just a freshman, Lucas has displayed great range this year and typically gets the most from her at-bats. At the mid-way point of April Lucas was batting .438 with a .571 on base percentage. She was voted the SBLive Arkansas Athlete of the Week for April 4-10 for her four runs batted in, including a double and triple in a 12-3 victory over Jonesboro.
Maddie Mills | Van Buren | SR
Mills has started in the middle infield for the Lady Pointers since her freshman year and started at shortstop for two years, so she has a lot of experience holding down the middle infield. On offense, she is a career .305 batter and has hit .358 this season with a .414 on base percentage through April 25. Defensively she has a .925 fielding percentage on 53 total chances.
“Maddie is very reliable, she's one of our senior leaders,” Van Buren head coach Andy Williams said. “She’s a hard worker and a good, solid player.”
Lilly Oxford | Hackett | FR
Oxford has had a fantastic start to her high school career, not only playing for one of the top teams in Class 3A, but also individually. Through late April Oxford has hit .362 scoring 29 runs and batted in 20 runners. Defensively she has compiled a .968 fielding percentage on 50 attempts.
“Lilly is just a winner, always in the right place at the right time to make the play,” Hackett head coach Jeff Oxford said. “I feel as though she is one of the best defensive second basemen in the state, she just makes plays.”
Bre Rea | Southside Batesville | SR
Rea missed the first two weeks of April due to injury but has continued to produce for the Lady Southerners following an all-state junior season. Southside head coach Bo Gould mentioned that Rea is the team’s best defender and plays shortstop in certain situations. Through mid-April Rea had zero errors in the field and at the plate hit .500 with an on base percentage of .523.
Olivia Self | Morrilton | JR
A left-handed power hitter, Self hit .403 with 23 runs batted in and 5 home runs to go with 8 stolen bases through April 20. The Lady Devil Dogs have played some solid competition this year and Self has done well against them defensively with a .939 fielding percentage on 49 total chances with just three errors.
Hannah Taylor | McCrory | SR
After beginning her career as the team’s right fielder as a freshman, Taylor has held down second base the past two years for the Lady Jags. She knows how to use her glove and makes smart decisions not only on defense, but also when on base with around a .600 on base percentage this season.
“Hannah makes the plays that a lot of people don't make because she doesn't mind getting dirty and playing hard,” McCrory head coach Ronnie Massanelli said. “She finds ways to get on and also finds ways to make the plays on defense.”
Roni Tillery | Booneville | FR
Tillery has stepped up big as an underclassman for the Lady Bearcats lining up at second base when she is not in the circle pitching. Following a slow start in the first three games, Tillery has since hit .436 with a .544 on base percentage, 26 runs scored, 16 runs batted in, and two home runs.
“Roni makes us better every single time out and she has a lot of potential,” Booneville head coach Ronnie Denton said. “As a freshman, she is already a key part of this very veteran team. We expect great things from her, she just keeps getting better.”
Lila Toll | Vilonia | FR
Toll has been “exceptional defensively” per Vilonia head coach Kevin Sullivan at second base in her first varsity season. Through mid-April, Toll scored 22 runs, batted 13 runners in with a .347 batting average and was one of three freshmen on the Lady Eagles’ squad to have 3 homeruns in that span. Along with her incredible potential on the diamond, Toll maintains a 4.0 GPA.
Jayden Wells | Paris | JR
Wells is Paris’ primary shortstop but is essentially just a true utility player who “has all the tools to play in the infield or outfield,” according to Lady Eagles head coach Donald Hart. The Razorback commit leads the team in home runs (6) and runs batted in (22) and has hit .459 with a .951 slugging percentage through April 28.
“Jayden is a hard worker and has great passion for the game,” Hart added. “She has speed and power at the plate with a great arm.”
