Vote now: Who is the best right-handed pitcher in Texas high school softball in 2023?
As the 2023 Texas high school softball season comes to a close, SBLive searched high schools big and small to metropolitan and rural, for the top softball players in the state by position during the spring.
From seniors down to standout freshman, there were no shortage of tremendous pitching talents to choose from. We started by identifying the top 40 right-handed high school pitchers.
Now, we want to hear from you: Who is the best of the best?
Read up on the nominees and make your pick for the best in the poll below. Voting remains open until Thursday, June 7, 2023.
Editor's note: There are hundreds of outstanding right-handed pitchers in Texas, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. Tag us on Twitter or Instagram @SBLiveTX and let us know about other right-handed pitchers worthy of fans’ attention.
TOP 40 RIGHT-HANDED PITCHERS IN TEXAS IN 2023
Amy Abke, Sr., Katy Seven Lakes
Abke, who has been signed with Sam Houston State since 2021, notched her 1,000th career high school strikeout in a fitting 17-strikeout outing against Fulshear Jordan. She threw 75 strikeouts as a junior and a 20-strikeout no-hitter to go to the fourth round as a sophomore. She led Katy Seven Lakes in batting average (0.371), on-base percentage (0.551), home runs (five) and was dominant on the mound to the tune of 149 strikeouts, 1.68 ERA in 87.1 innings pitched.
Ava Brown, Sr., Montgomery Lake Creek
The Florida signee is the No. 4 prospect in the country in 2023, according to Perfect Game, delivered all year for Lake Creek. She threw an 11-strikeout no-hitter to clinch a playoff berth against Elgin. Simply put, she was dominant in 25 appearances, posting a 0.56 ERA and 23-0 record with 257 strikeouts across 150 innings. Gatorade Texas Player of the Year as a junior.
Nevaeh Brown, Jr., Harker Heights
Brown was utterly dominant again after a breakout sophomore season. She was named District 12 MVP and struck out 19 of the 21 batters she faced in Harker Heights' postseason opening win over Legacy. As a sophomore, she posted a 22-3 record with a 1.87 ERA and 317 strikeouts in 29 appearances in the circle this season.
Mattison Buster, Sr., Como-Pickton
Louisiana Tech signee is a dominant presence in the circle. She threw 358 strikeouts during her junior seasons and hit 13 home runs and drove in 46 RBI at-bat. In the regional final opener, she struck out eight in a 14-1 win over Shelbysville.
Haley Carmona, Sr., Comal Canyon
Senior leader (one of two) and the top arm has led undefeated Comal Canyon (31-0) to the 5A state semifinals. She's been brilliant and moments and remarkably consistent. Carmona had a perfect game in a late March regular season bout with Boerne Champion where she had 13 strikeouts, then turned around and threw 15 more strikeouts and added a home run at the plate against Pieper.
