Texas high school softball: Meet the Top 25 corner infielders in 2022-23

By Cody Thorn | Photo by Brian McLean 

With the 2023 Texas high school softball season is in the rear view, SBLive is taking a closer look at the Lone Star State's top players by position. 

We started with the top right-handed pitchers, left-handed pitchers, top outfielders and the top catchers in the state.

Next, we turn to corner infielders — a loaded position in a state with some of the nation's best talent. Here are 25 standouts — and then some more — who rose above the pack in 2023.

Editor's note: There are hundreds of outstanding softball players in Texas. Would you like to make a case for an omission? Email andy@scorebooklive.com, tag us on Twitter or Instagram @SBLiveTX and let us know about other players worthy of additional consideration.

TOP CORNER INFIELDERS IN TEXAS 

Trinity Allen, sr., Cypress Bridgeland

The McLennan Community College signee landed on the Houston Chronicle postseason team after hitting .400 with 44 hits, 49 RBIs, 47 runs scored and 10 home runs. Also was on the Class 6A All-Tournament team at the UIL finals.

Ariel Arambula, fr., Cypress Ridge

The ninth grader was named the District 17-6A MVP after hitting .559 with 15 home runs and 33 RBIs for the Rams. Also showed a very keen eye with only four strikeouts all year. She was the Houston Chronicle Newcomer of the Year. 

Ella Berlage, so., Prosper Rock Hill

She’s ranked as the No. 68 player in the Elite 100 in the Class of 2025 by Extra Inning Softball. She was the Dallas Morning News Newcomer of the Year last year and helped the Blue Hawks reach the Class 5A state semifinals. After hitting .471 last year, she hit .406 this year as Rock Hill made the move to Class 6A. She was the 5-6A co-offensive player of the year.

Mimi Blackledge, sr., Center Point 

A dominant force at the plate and on the mound for the Pirates. She was an all-state pick her first two seasons and is in line to make it three in a row this season on the sportswriter list. The Texas Tech signee was on the SB Live 2022 All-CenTex first team.

Tori Edwards, sr., Flower Mound Marcus

The LSU commit led the Marauders to a Class 6A regional finals and hit. 464 with 11 home runs this year and had a .455 average in 12 playoff games. She was the 6-6A co-offensive player of the year last year, hitting 14 home runs with a .418 average.

Bryanna Fuentes, sr., Deer Park 

Landed on the Houston Chronicle all-area team after hitting .435 for the Deer this spring. She had an OBP of .547 and drove 30 runs on 30 hits. She has signed to play at Incarnate Word.

Melaney Granados, sr., Dumas

She won the SB Live voting last year for the top corner infielder. The McPherson College signee was named to The Greater West Texas All-Star Game that was played last week in Frenship. Drove in 89 runs for the Demonettes this year with 19 home runs and a .556 average.

Veronica ‘Roni’ Harrison, sr., Alvin

She helped the Yellowjackets win more than 90 games in her three years of varsity and finished her career with 16 home runs and 138 RBIs. The Lamar University signee was twice named the 23-6A defensive player of the year for her play on the hot corner.

Saniya Hill, jr., Keller Timber Creek 

She’s ranked No. 19 in the Class 2024 by Extra Innings and is a Missouri softball commit. She hit .404 with 99 hits, 74 runs scored and 82 RBIs for the Falcons.

Abby Howell, jr., Bushland

The 1-3A co-district MVP — with teammate Brylee Adams — earned all-state honors this year for the Lady Falcons. She hit .524 with 17 home runs and 73 RBIs. Landed on the Amarillo Globe-News Softball Super Team squad.

Victoria Hunter, sr., St. Pius X Houston

The Texas signee hit an impressive .625 this spring with a 1.864 on-base-plus slugging for the Panthers. She smacked nine home runs and drove in 37 RBIs this spring. According to Extra Inning Softball rankings, she is the No. 12 recruit in the country. Hunter earned all-state honors all four years.

Marcella Jacques, sr., Plano John Paul II

The senior put up solid numbers across the board for the TAPPS 6A champions, with a .482 average, 54 hits, 46 RBIs and 30 extra-base hits. Finished with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs, on her way to earning all-state honors.

Avery Jefferson, sr., Denton Guyer

The Abilene Christian University signee helped the Wildcats go 38-2 this season and a spot in the Class 6A title game this year. She hit .504, had an on-base percentage of .717 and led her team with six home runs and 58 RBIs.

Jenna Joyce, sr., Royce City

Made the coaches' Class 6A all-state team after picking up all-state honors in Class 5A last season. She hit .588 with 20 doubles, six home runs and 49 RBIs this spring. Last year, the Texas A&M-Commerce signee set a school record with 68 RBIs. She’s been a district offensive player of the year for the past two years.

Paige King, sr., San Antonio Antonian College Prep 

The Baylor signee helped the Apaches win the TAPPS 6A title in 2022. She has been on the all-state team for the past two years. Helped her squad return to the state finals this season.

Danae Lopez, jr., Amarillo 

A pitcher and corner infielder, she was an all-state pick last year and has won the last year 3-5A offensive player of the year awards. She hit .563 with 23 home runs and 80 RBIs this season for the Sandies, who went 34-5.

Madison Lux, sr., Lake Belton 

She raised her average from .361 as a sophomore to .395 last year and a .526 average this spring for the Broncos. She landed on the Class 4A all-state team last year and had the unique distinction of qualifying for the state track and field meet in the discus. She has signed to play at Tarleton State.

Larisa Perez, jr., Copperas Cove 

A two-time all-state pick already, Perez has been the District 12-6A co-offensive player of the year the past two seasons for the Lady Dawgs. She’s committed to play for Texas A&M.

Texas Ray, sr., Aledo

The All-State infielder, one of the top players in North Texas, was a four-year starter for the Bearcats and led them in RBI this year with 30 with a .369 average. She hit nearly .400 in her career and was the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Defensive MVP and district MVP as a junior. She’s signed to play at Tulsa.

Sam Riley, fr., Frisco Heritage

Made the Dallas Morning News All-Area team this year. She was the only Dallas-area player on the 5A all-tournament team. The freshman hit .400 with 27 total extra-base hits, 8 home runs, 53 RBIs and scored 33 runs. Riley helped the Coyotes reach the semifinals falling to eventual champion Montgomery Lake Creek in the semifinals.

Emily Smith, jr., Kountze 

One of the Lone Star State's best home run producers with 20 this spring. The Louisiana commit also put up a .567 average, had 55 hits and drove in 63 runs.

Megan Smith, so., Cypress Christian 

Helped the Warriors win the TAPPS 4A title for the first time in school history. Landed on the first-team all-state squad and earned postseason accolades from the Houston Chronicle. She hit .509 with 30 RBI and had a .958 fielding percentage.

Desirae Spearman, sr., Hanks

The El Paso Times Player of the Year this year, she hit an impressive 30 home runs, hit .688 and scored 101 home runs this season for the Class 5A playoff qualifier. The New Mexico State signee had 80 home runs in her career for the Knights

Tristian Thompson, sr., Waco Midway 

She is ranked No. 85 in the country in the Class of 2023 and is headed to continue her career at Indiana University. She was an all-state pick and a member of the SB Live All-CenTex team last year.

Hailey Van Beekum, sr., Idalou 

The Navarro College signee hit 19 home runs this spring to help her team reach a Class 3A regional quarterfinals. She hit 509 with 75 RBIs and had. 1.785 OPS for the Wildcats.

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OTHERS OF NOTE

Alaunah Alamarz, jr., Corpus Christi Calallen — The junior third baseman hit .532 for the Class 4A UIL champs.

Santrea Armstead, sr., Fort Worth Boswell — Signed to play at Hampton.

Kimber Craig, sr., Lubbock Cooper — The Odessa College signee was an all-state pick last year at first base.

Izzy De Los Santos, so., Kingsville Santa Gertrudis Academy — Landed on the UIL Class 3A All-Tournament team and hit .496 on the year.

Brynlie Dunkin, jr., Aubrey — 11-4A District MVP hit .396 and had a team-high 43 RBIs for the Lady Chaps.

Z’Natria Evans, sr., Garland — Was the District 9-6A offensive player of the year for the third year in a row, hitting .569. 

Alyson Higginbotham, jr., Montgomery Lake Creek — The Tarleton State commit helped the Lions repeat as 5A champions.

Kaylee Jordan, sr., Belton — A district defensive player of the year and all-state pick, she signed to play at Weatherford College.

Raenna Liscano, jr., Pearland — The junior is ranked No. 60 in the Class of 2024 by Extra Innings. 

Morgan Lloyd, jr., Crosby — The left-handed hitting Lloyd hit .442 this year with a 1.215 OPS for the Cougars. 

Daniela ‘Dani’ Lopez, jr., Cypress Bridgeland— She hit .420 with a 1.263 OPS while adding 13 extra-base hits and 26 RBIs for the Class 6A semifinalist. 

Makayla Menchue, sr, Hallsville — An all-state pick lat year signed with East Texas Baptist University.

Abbey Papadimitriou, so., Kingwood Park – Was a Class 5A all-state pick by sportswriters last year for the Panthers.

Ella Ryan, sr., Houston Second Baptist – Hit .529 and wasn’t caught stealing all season. Her grandpa is baseball legend Nolan Ryan. 

Ava Sharp, so., Amarillo River Road — The 1-3A co-offensive player of the year hit .626 with 15 home runs, 49 RBIs and scored 50 runs for the Lady Cats. 

Taylor Smith, so., Weimar — Middle-of-the-order bat for the Class 2A champs, hitting .465. 

Rylee Williams, jr., Trophy Club Byron Nelson — The Navarro College pledge was the District 4-6A utility player of the year. 

Kaelyn Zusi, sr., The Woodlands — Hit .333 this spring and signed to play at Case Western Reserve University.