Arkansas' best high school softball players: Meet the state's top middle infielders
With the high school softball season winding down, SBLive is looking at the best middle infielders at second base and shortstop across all classifications in Arkansas.
There are many standout middle infielders in Arkansas, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. All stats listed from this season are through April. You can discuss the other middle infielders worthy of fans’ attention in 2023 by connecting with us on Twitter at @SBLiveARK or by emailing nate@scorebooklive.com.
Hailey Allen | Van Buren | JR
Allen holds down shortstop for the 5A top-ranked Lady Pointers and leads the team by a longshot in stolen bases (15) and triples (3). She is slashing .395/.441/.686 and has scored 28 runs, batted 30 runs in, and smacked four home runs.
Aniya Arnold | Arkansas High | FR
An underclassman to watch for the next few years, Arnold has committed just one error on 50 attempts playing short. She bats in the leadoff spot and is hitting .500 with a .569 on-base percentage with a solid 30 stolen bases, 20 runs batted in, and three home runs.
Abbi Baker | Wonderview | SR
Baker shines as a multi-sport athlete, but she has really torn it up for the Lady Daredevils this year slashing .652/.698/1.022 with nine doubles, a triple, 22 runs batted in, and two home runs. Defensively, Baker has compiled a .905 FPCT with 16 putouts and two assists.
Kelsey Baker | Marion | SR
The Jefferson (Mo.) College signee possesses one of the state’s stronger arms in the infield and also excels at the plate slashing .480/.596/.890 with 12 doubles, 37 runs batted in, four home runs, and 24 stolen bases.
Molly Bennett | Baptist Prep | SO
Bennett took over at second as a freshman and has not looked back since. She is slashing .370/.466/.575 with 29 runs scored, 13 runs batted in, and two home runs with only eight strikeouts. Defensively, Bennett has 24 putouts and 36 assists on 63 total chances.
Jordyn Besancon | Hazen | JR
Besancon helped Hazen to a third-place finish in the 2A-6 and consistently batted over .400 on the year. She also had earned nine extra bases and batted 20 runners in.
Lydia Bethards | Benton | SO
Bethards has been a part of a couple of the best teams in state history with the Lady Panthers and is also having a great sophomore season batting .446 and has a 1.095 OPS with seven doubles, two triples, 16 runs batted in, and seven stolen bases.
Audrey Blair | Marshall | SO
Following a breakout freshman year, Blair continued to thrive this season slashing .682/.770/1.364 along with eight doubles, five triples, four home runs, and 14 RBIs from the leadoff spot. She has also stolen 17 bases and not struck out once. Though a natural shortstop, Blair mostly pitched this season due to team needs and has struck out 128 batters in 88.2 innings.
Taviah Bradley | Russellville | SR
The Central Baptist College signee left the Lady Cyclone program on good footing thanks to her efforts. She finished her senior season batting .487 and had a solid 38 runs batted in and nine home runs, hitting her last one in the finale against top-ranked Van Buren.
Bryley Bowman | Bauxite | SR
Throughout her career, Bowman has played wherever she has been needed, but is a natural fit in the infield. She is batting .453 with a .505 on-base percentage, a solid 43 runs batted in, and 10 home runs.
Kymber Buckner | Des Arc | SO
Buckner has compiled a .920 FPCT with 53 putouts. At the plate batting in the two hole, she is slashing .383/.500/.451 along with four doubles, 23 runs scored, 10 runs batted in.
Mackenzie Byrd | Harding Academy | FR
Harding Academy head coach Rusty Garner said Byrd is “the best defensive second basemen we have had here, maybe ever” and has committed just three errors through 22 games. At the plate, she is batting .368 for the year but has increased that total to .500 over the past 10 games and also has a home run.
Layla Byrum | Booneville | SR
Byrum leads the Lady Bearcats at the plate with a slash line of .486/.542/.689 and has six doubles, three triples, 26 runs batted in, a home run, and has scored 33 runs. Defensively, she has 54 putouts and two assists.
Melanie Castillo | Fordyce | SR
Castillo has been one of the Lady Redbugs’ most consistent contributors for quite some time and is a true anchor in the middle. At the plate, she is batting .460 with a .550 on-base percentage as well as nine doubles, a triple, 26 runs batted in, and a home run.
Laney Chilton | Gravette | FR
Gravette head coach Samantha Luther spoke highly of Chilton’s potential coming into the season and the young freshman has lived up to the hype. She leads the team in OPS (1.460) and is slashing .477/.521/.938 with eight doubles, two triples, six home runs, and 32 RBIs. Defensively, Chilton has 44 putouts with just one error.
Kaci Cline | Stuttgart | FR
Cline has had standard freshman learning lessons in the field, but the flashes have shown especially at the plate. She leads the Lady Ricebirds with seven home runs and is slashing .325/.416/.636 with three doubles and 16 runs batted in.
Makinley Coffman | Atkins | SO
Coffman lines up at shortstop defensively and also bats in the 2 hole for the Lady Red Devils currently hitting .379 with a .438 on-base percentage. She has also scored 20 runs, batted 17 in, smacked three home runs and stolen eight bases.
Ireland Cooper | Greenwood | SR
Greenwood head coach Donald Hart refers to Cooper as a “phenom” in the field. She has turned five double plays and compiled a .932 FPCT with 35 putouts. The Lady Bulldogs’ senior leader is a slapper in the 2 hole currently slashing .411/.463/.466 two triples, 28 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases.
Kately Cornett | Concord | FR
Along with moving up to the varsity basketball team, Cornett earned a starting spot on the diamond. Batting from the leadoff spot, Cornett is the Lady Pirates' team leader in steals and is hitting .310 with a .400 on-base percentage.
Sam Corpier | Greers Ferry West Side | SR
Corpier was a crucial piece in West Side reaching the finals in 2022. Despite this season not going their way, Corpier was once again one of the Lady Eagles’ top performers with a .565 batting average and 1.801 on-base plus slugging percentage. She also led the team in runs scored.
Ashlyn Cossey | Concord | FR
One of the many underclassmen starters for the Lady Pirates, Cossey is batting .325 with an on-base percentage of 395 while hitting in the 3 hole. She also helped Concord win the 1A-2 district championship.
Adryan “AC” Cox | DeWitt | SO
The multi-sport athlete was a member of the SBLive Arkansas All-Newcomer team a season ago and has not slowed down a bit. She is batting .507 with a .718 slugging percentage with 33 runs scored, eight doubles, two triples, a home run, and 34 stolen bases. Defensively, Cox has 60 putouts with three turned doubles plays (one unassisted, two assisted).
Kaylee Cox | Riverside | SO
Cox has helped lead Riverside to the state's No. 2 ranking in Class 2A and recently a win over top-ranked East Poinsett County in the 2A-2 finals. She is batting .466 with 20 runs batted in.
Mollie Cox | Gurdon | SO
Cox has great command in the infield per head coach Beth Jackson and also adds consistency at the plate slashing .381/.544/.548 with three doubles, two triples, 16 runs scored, and nine runs batted in.
Taylor Darden | Smackover | SO
The injury bug has plagued Darden within the past year, but she has shown her potential on multiple occasions and really started to find her groove more towards the back end of the season. She has scored 24 runs and compiled a perfect stolen base percentage, while also turning six double plays defensively.
Addison Davis | Benton | SR
Davis hopes to finish out her successful career with a third consecutive state championship ring as one of the Lady Panthers’ primary senior leaders. Batting leadoff, Davis is hitting .420 with a .500 on-base percentage along with three doubles , 17 runs batted in, and stolen 17 bases.
Hadley Denevan | Wynne | SO
Denevan hits in the 2 hole as one of the Lady ‘Jackets’ top hitters currently sitting at a .433 average and a slugging percentage of .567 along with two doubles, a triple, seven runs batted in, and 11 runs scored with seven stolen bases.
Hannah Duvall | Mayflower | SR
Duvall has had a knack for scoring runs with 28 of her own along with batting 27 more in for the Lady Eagles. She is hitting .373 with a .429 on-base percentage along with five doubles and a home run.
Ryley Eakins | Riverside | FR
It is not an easy task for a freshman to consistently perform in the middle infield, but Eakins has done it well fielding a .970 FPCT. She is also batting .362 with seven doubles along with 10 runs batted in.
Makenleigh Easterwood | Bryant | SO
Easterwood has compiled an impressive .923 fielding percentage playing at second base with 22 putouts and just two errors. At the plate, she is slashing .373/.462/.537 with six doubles, a triple, a home run, 20 runs scored, and 13 runs batted in.
Katie Fleming | Farmington | JR
Fleming has been a great addition to Farmington's already talented roster after transferring in from Harrison. She is batting .400 with a 1.303 on base plus slugging percentage with seven home runs, 26 runs scored, 30 runs batted in, and 10 stolen bases.
Ashlyn “AJ” Fike | Malvern | JR
One of the big bats in the Lady Leopards lineup, Fike is slashing .385/.429/.692 along with 12 doubles, a triple, four home runs, 21 runs scored, and 23 runs batted in. Defensively, Fike has compiled a .944 fielding percentage with 50 putouts and an assist.
Karielle Forbes | Ashdown | JR
The hero of the 3A state championship game last season, Forbes has held down short all season after playing throughout the infield as a sophomore. She is batting .423 with a .500 on-base percentage with nine doubles, two triples, and a home run with 12 runs batted in.
Bella Frisby | Parkers Chapel | JR
Between basketball, golf, tennis, and softball, there is not a sport Frisby has played that she has not excelled. Frisby did not play softball last season but has still produced, slashing .453/.482/.698 with nine doubles, two triples, and 10 runs batted in from the leadoff spot. She has compiled a solid .982 FPCT with just one error in the field.
Michaelyn “Mikey” Freeman | Hackett | FR
Described as a “total stud” by Hackett head coach Jeff Oxford, Freeman has lined up at short all year, but is also utilized at centerfield when needed. She leads the team with a .573/.619/1.067 slash line along with 16 doubles, nine triples, a home run, 37 runs scored, and 35 runs batted in. Freeman has committed just one error in the field and has one turned double play.
Makenzie Guy | Sylvan Hills | JR
Guy has 51 putouts and turned six double plays in the field at shortstop. She also leads in essentially every category at the plate, slashing .547/.592/1.125 with eight doubles, seven triples, five home runs, 33 runs scored, and 36 runs batted in.
Kailynn Garis | Nemo Vista | SR
Garis completed a standout career on the Lady Redhawks’ basketball team and is also one of the top batters on the diamond batting in the 2 hole. Garis is batting .500 with a 1.276 OPS as well as four doubles, three triples, 12 runs batted in, and two home runs.
Cadee Glasgow | Horatio | SR
Glasgow may not be extremely well-known outside of Southwest Arkansas, but she has been a big part of the Lady Lions’ for quite a while. This season she is slashing .386/.452/.614 with a home run and has also compiled a .950 fielding percentage.
Laken Golden | Carlisle | JR
The Ouachita Baptist commit bats leadoff for the Lady Bison and is third on the team with a .517/.582/.724 slash line along with eight doubles, two triples, 25 runs scored, 16 runs batted in, and 21 stolen bases.
Alyssa Haggins | Mayflower | SO
Lining up at second, Haggins combines with Hannah Duvall to form a consistent duo in the middle infield. She has also succeeds at the plate batting .385 with a .494 on-base percentage with five doubles, five triples, two home runs, 19 runs batted in, and 29 runs scored.
Adrian Henderson | Atkins | JR
Henderson has enjoyed a highly productive junior season at the plate, as well as in the field at second base. Hitting in the 3 hole, Henderson is batting .370 with a .410 on-base percentage as well as 26 runs scored, 21 runs batted in, and three home runs.
Rylee Hoskinds | Melbourne | SO
Hoskinds has compiled a solid .960 fielding percentage in the field with just two errors. Batting in the 2 hole, Hoskinds leads the team in runs scored (31) and is slashing .306/.476/.435 with four doubles, two triples, and 15 runs batted in.
Gabby Jefford | Midland | JR
One of three Lady Mustangs batting .500 or better, Jefford is slashing .508/.573/.738 with nine doubles, three triples, 33 runs scored, and 18 runs batted in. She has also compiled a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
Cheyanne Kemp | Morrilton | SR
The Central Arkansas basketball signee has also thrived on the softball diamond since her freshman season. Kemp is batting .444 with a .581 on-base percentage despite being intentionally walked multiple times and has 28 runs batted in along with seven home runs and 14 stolen bases. Defensively, Kemp has compiled a .950 FPCT on 80 total chances.
Hope Konkler | Pea Ridge | FR
What makes Pea Ridge's run this season even more impressive is the middle infield is controlled by freshmen, Konkler being half of that tandem. At the plate, she is slashing .349/.465/.518 with 25 runs scored and 17 runs batted in.
Ryleigh Landrum | Lincoln | SR
Despite some ups and downs defensively this season, throughout her career Landrum has been consistent holding down short. She is having a great year at the plate slashing .389/.468/1.015 with nine doubles, three triples, 14 runs batted in, and 46 runs scored from the leadoff spot.
Kelly Ann Lucas | East Poinsett County | SO
After contributing heavily as a freshman, Lucas ranks second in the Lady Warriors' batting order with a .386/.523/.566 slash line as well as six doubles, three triples, a home run, 35 runs scored, and 34 runs batted in.
Emily Lyons | Bradley | JR
The Lady Bears are the top-ranked team in Class 1A going into regionals and Lyons hopes her continued efforts will lead them even further. She is slashing .366/.464/.476 with 20 stolen bases and 17 runs batted in.
AJ McCandlis | Viola | SR
The Delta State basketball signee has had a senior year to remember winning a state title in golf, finishing a hoops career with well over 2,000 points, and now succeeding at shortstop for the Lady Longhorns. She leads the team at the plate with a solid .594 batting average with eight doubles, five triples, a home run, and 20 runs batted in while only striking out five times.
Mattison McClelland | Taylor | JR
Due to graduation and injuries the middle infield has had some different lineups, but McClelland has been a constant after starting there as a sophomore. She is batting .348 with a .397 on-base percentage, along with 47 putouts and a .947 FPCT defensively.
Marleigh McCutcheon | Magnet Cove | JR
McCutcheon moved from first base to short last season and has done well currently with 34 putouts and two turned double plays this year. Batting in the leadoff spot, McCutcheon is slashing .313/.387/.493 with three doubles, three triples, a home run, 26 runs scored, and 12 RBIs.
Allie McMillen | Conway | SR
McMillen has had a long, successful career with the Lady Wampus Cats and was a part of the 2021 6A state runner-up squad. This season she is slashing .348/.347/.623 with nine doubles, two triples, two home runs and 20 RBIs.
Ally Mendoza | Mt. Vernon-Enola | JR
The National Park College commit is one of the top all-around players in Class 2A as a rock in the middle infield and has a ton of power in her bat. Menzona is hitting .655 with a solid 2.017 OPS, 38 runs scored, eight home runs, 32 runs batted in, and 12 stolen bases.
Kayla Midkiff | Baptist Prep | FR
One Midkiff sister, Katie who is a senior, has already made her mark for the Lady Eagles and Kayla is off to a great start in doing the same. She is batting .365/.427/.460 with 20 runs scored, 10 runs batted in, a home run, and eight stolen bases. Defensively, Midkiff has 27 putouts and 29 assists on 60 total chances.
Mikaela Miller | Lake Hamilton | FR
Underclassmen have led this Lady Wolves' sward and Miller been reliable both at shortstop, as well as playing in the outfield when needed. She is slashing .487/.643/1.720 with a double, two triples, six home runs, 25 runs scored, and 18 runs batted in with only four strikeouts.
Brooklyn Moore | Gosnell | FR
If Moore’s freshman is any sign of what is to come, the Lady Pirates will be set at shortstop for the near future. Moore has 18 putouts defensively and turned a double play, and is slashing .475/.508/.644 with 22 runs scored, 19 runs batted in, four doubles, and three triples from the leadoff.
Caty Moore | Wynne | JR
The Lady ‘Jackets’ leadoff is batting .455 with a .727 slugging percentage as well as three doubles and two home runs. Moore has also scored 15 runs and batted 11 in, along with 36 putouts defensively.
Kate Morgan | Monticello | SR
Morgan has been a great senior leader for this young Lady Billies squad that has opened a lot of eyes this year. Morgan is slashing .385/.417/.449 with a double and two triples as well as 33 runs scored, 14 runs batted in, and 11 stolen bases slapping from the leadoff spot.
Brianna Morquecho | Marion | SR
The Lyon College signee is one half of a very consistent Lady Patriots middle infield alongside Kelsey Baker. Morquecho is slashing .400/ .449/ .480 while only striking out seven times, along with six doubles, 26 runs batted in, and 24 stolen bases.
Kallee Nichols | Bryant | JR
Playing at short, Nichols is slashing .344/.452/.787 with three doubles, three triples, six home runs, 28 runs scored, and 20 runs batted in. Defensively Nichols has 24 putouts and turned one double play.
Addie Overturff | Shirley | SO
One of the top performers for Shirley as just a sophomore, Overturff’s natural position is shortstop but she has also earned a little time in the circle with 15 strikeouts this year. At the plate batting leadoff, Overturff is hitting .491 with a .615 on-base percentage with 27 runs scored and 12 RBI’s.
Lilly Oxford | Hackett | SO
Also a standout on the volleyball court, Oxford has compiled a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage at second base with 13 putouts and a turned double play. She is one of three Lady Hornets batting over .500 with a .509/.585/.642 slash line, as well as five doubles, a triple, 26 runs scored, and 23 runs batted in.
Tallulah Pascucci | Bentonville | SR
The Central Arkansas signee holds down second base for the two-time defending 6A champions. Pascucci has 25 putouts on the year, turned two double plays, and offensively is slashing .375/.437.472 with five doubles, a triple, 24 runs scored, and 17 runs batted in.
Addison Phillips | Clarksville | FR
The young freshman helped the Lady Panthers quietly finish second behind Mena in the 4A-4 regular season standings. She is one of the top batters on the team slashing .400/.470/.657 with six doubles, three triples, two home runs, 28 runs scored, and 18 runs batted in.
Terrin Powell | East Poinsett County | JR
Powell has compiled 34 putouts defensively and also done her job as the Lady Warriors’ leadoff batter scoring a team high 39 runs to go with 18 runs batted in, two doubles, and three triples while also slashing .304/.402/.386.
Gracie Ramage | Genoa Central | SR
Ramage leads the Lady Dragons in runs scored (26) and is slashing .392/.430/.581 with seven doubles, two triples, a home run, and 20 runs batted in. Defensively, Ramage has 25 putouts.
Chandler Reynolds | McCrory | SR
Reynolds is as tenured as anyone mentioned with four years of starting experience at short for the Lady Jags. She has compiled an impressive .948 FPCT defensively and head coach Ronnie Massanelli says she has an "unbelievable glove and outstanding arm. Reynolds is batting .416 with a .564 OBP, six doubles, five triples, two home runs, 34 runs scored, and 11 RBI's while only striking out twice.
Dakota Rhodes | Quitman | FR
Quitman head coach Stephanie Davis describes Rhodes as “tiny, but mighty” and she is also effective with only one strikeout on the year batting in the 3 hole. Rhodes is slashing .447/.527.698 with a solid 30 runs batted in.
Brynn Romine | Gravette | JR
Romine helped the 4A top-ranked Lady Lions to an undefeated regular season against in-class competition. In the field, Romine has compiled a .958 FPCT with just two errors and has turned two double plays. Batting leadoff, she slashing .516/.583/.645 with four doubles, two triples, 29 runs scored, and 13 runs batted in.
Kensey Rosson | Mena | JR
Also a standout playing in the outfield, Rosson has spent the majority of innings at second base. As the leadoff batter, Rosson is slashing .514/.566/.716 with eight doubles, two triples, a home run, 31 runs scored, and 16 runs batted in.
Brie Sage | Greene County Tech | SR
Sage has moved from the middle of the batting lineup to the back where head coach David Reynolds feels she has adjusted well. She is hitting .324 with a .451 on-base percentage, three doubles, a triple, nine runs batted in, along with a .920 FPCT on defense.
Olivia Self | Morrilton | SR
Holding down the infield alongside Cheyanne Kemp, Self has compiled a .921 fielding percentage on 76 total chances. She is batting .418 with an on-base percentage of .467, along with six doubles, two triples, four home runs, and 30 runs batted in.
Allison Smith | Salem | SO
Salem has made a lot of improvement from last season and Smith has been a big part of the turnaround. She is slashing .444/.539/.667 with 15 runs batted in as well as 50 putouts defensively.
Mia Smith | Little Rock Christian | SR
The Mid-America Christian (Okla.) basketball signee has adjusted well from the outfield full-time to playing more shortstop in her senior season. She is thriving at the plate, slashing .568/.579/.892 with six doubles, two home runs, 17 runs scored, 13 runs batted in, and five stolen bases.
Livy Smith | Salem | SO
Smith holds down second to form a solid middle infield duo along with her cousin, Allison. She has compiled a solid .930 FPCT with 49 putouts on defense and has also been outstanding offensively, slashing .538/.577/.908 with 29 runs batted in.
Kenzie Soden | Tuckerman | SR
Also a standout on the basketball court, Soden has been a key piece on the Lady Bulldogs' back-to-back 2A state championship teams. Despite battling injuries this year, she has played well when on the field in limited at-bats, slashing .474/.500/.579 with two doubles. Defensively, Soden has 48 putouts and has turned five double plays.
Annabelle Sowell | Clinton | SR
The North Ark signee has 17 putouts with 25 assists on the year and has also turned a double play. At the plate, Sowell is slashing .424/.500/.758 with five doubles, 11 runs scored, nine runs batted in, and two home runs.
Kadence Stafford | Bentonville | SR
The Kansas signee is one of multiple Lady Tigers who will play at the next level and is hoping to add to the trophy case before her varsity career ends. Stafford is slashing .372/.473.709 with 42 runs scored, six doubles, four triples, five home runs, and 25 runs batted in.
Haven Stapleton | Calico Rock | JR
Stapleton is having an outstanding year across the board, particularly on defense where she has compiled a 1.000 FPCT with 16 putouts. Batting leadoff, she is slashing .533/.576/.833 with 10 doubles, four triples, 24 runs scored, and nine runs batted in.
Skylar Sterritt | Sheridan | FR
Sterritt has blazing speed that she utilizes on the diamond, but also on the track where she has already made a name for herself. She is batting .516 with a 1.388 on-base plus slugging percentage with 25 stolen bases and five home runs.
Mayli Stockton | Lavaca | SO
Stockton is a utility player, but has spent the majority of innings this year at shortstop. She has compiled a .966 FPCT with 64 putouts and turned three double plays. She leads the Lady Arrows at the plate slashing .545/.643/.909 along with eight doubles, six triples, 36 runs scored, and 14 runs batted in.
Lainey Tippen | Hamburg | JR
The Arkansas-Monticello commit has been described by opposing coaches as a “vacuum” at shortstop and has turned two double plays with 47 putouts. Tippen also has got a good bat, currently slashing .412/./592/.900 with 19 runs scored, 24 runs batted in, and 17 stolen bases.
Kendall Tooke | Woodlawn | FR
Tooke has really increased her stock with plenty of time to keep improving just in her freshman season. She is slashing .329/.372/.548 with six doubles, two triples, 17 runs scored, two home runs, and 23 runs batted in.
Dahana Tuomala | Rogers | SO
The Lady Mounties have had a great run through the regular season with a lot of help from Tuomala who is batting .364 with a 1.092 on-base plus slugging percentage, five home runs and 20 runs batted in. Tuomala has been great on defense compiling a .923 FPCT with three turned double plays.
Morgan Uher | Farmington | SO
The Lady Cardinals’ lineup has been smacking the tar out of the ball and Uher is a crucial cog in the machine. She is batting .406 with a 1.120 on-base plus slugging percentage along with 29 runs scored, 19 runs batted in, and three home runs.
Kindle Walker | CAC | SO
Walker is one of four batting over .400 for the Lady Mustangs currently slashing .436/.569/.615 along with four doubles, a home run, 20 runs scored, and 10 runs batted in from the 2 hole.
Zaylee Warden | Pea Ridge | FR
Warden’s efforts have helped the Lady Blackhawks become one of the premier teams in Class 4A as they sit at No. 2 to start May. Warden is slashing .511/ .527/ .761 with 24 runs scored, 14 doubles, a triple, 27 runs batted in, and two home runs.
Eliana Warner | Harrison | SO
Warner has really come on as a top contributor for one of Class 5A’s top squads. She is batting .397 on 31 hits with seven doubles, a triple, one home run, 23 runs scored, 17 runs batted in, and six stolen bases.
Jayden Wells | Paris | SR
The Arkansas signee is the 27th-ranked player in the 2023 class per Extra Inning Softball. Despite the Lady Eagles struggling this season as a team, Wells had a great year individually increasing her batting average from .475 to .566 and also had three home runs with 25 stolen bases.
Mackenzie Whitlock | Valley View | SO
Whitlock has shined since she first took over in the middle infield for the Lady Blazers and was a top contributor on their 4A state title team a year ago. She is batting .400 with a .468 on-base percentage as well as six double, 25 runs batted in, and a home run on 26 hits.
Harleigh Wicker | Lamar | SO
One of three Lady Warriors batting over .400, Wicker leads the team in doubles (11) and is slashing .434/.634/.660 along with three triples, 13 runs batted in, a home run, and 28 runs scored. Defensively, she has 47 putouts and turned a double play.
Jessa Wiles | Carlisle | SO
Wiles has batted over .500 in two seasons playing varsity, slashing .517/.582/.724 this year. She has hit eight doubles and two triples, along with 24 runs batted in and 25 runs scored on 30 hits.
Gabby Williams | Nashville | SO
Despite the Scrapperettes having their share of learning experiences as a team, Williams has shined individually at shortstop batting .397 with eight doubles, two triples, and 23 runs batted in.
Anna Winkfield | Valley View | SR
The Arkansas Tech signee is one of the top multi-sport athletes in the state and helped the Lady Blazers win the 4A state championship in 2022. Winkfield is batting .300 with a .472 on-base percentage with three doubles, a triple, and two home runs on 17 hits. Defensively, she has 22 putouts.
Madison Wooldridge | Brookland | JR
After playing mostly at short and third last season, the true utility has held down second base this season when not pitching. Wooldridge has struck out 35 batters in 35.2 innings and is slashing .493/.539/.898 at the plate with 35 runs scored, 11 doubles, three triples, five home runs, and 18 runs batted in.
Jordan Youngblood | Melbourne | SO
Batting leadoff, Youngblood is slashing .327/.532/.986 with 24 runs scored, 19 runs batted in, two doubles, a triple, and a home run. She helped the Lady Bearkatz to a third place finish in the 3A-2 regular season and second place in the district tournament.
