Here are the 20 hitters in Washington high school softball to watch in 2022 WIAA playoffs
From Othello's Camryn McDonald to Redmond's Tia Milloy - these are girls who know how to do game-changing damage from the batter's box.
Based on their recent hitting success, and on the recommendation of coaches throughout the state, here are SBLive’s 20 hitters to watch in the Washington 2022 playoffs.
The list is broken up by classification, and names are listed in alphabetical order.
Editor's note: Again, this is a list of hitters in the postseason, or players such as Woodinville's Taylor Fitch, Mountain View's Mary Fogg and North Central's Isabella Bay would have been given serious consideration.
Also, if a player showed up on the SBLIve WA's pitchers' list, they did not make this list.
SBLIVE WA'S 15 SOFTBALL PITCHERS TO FOLLOW IN POSTSEASON
CLASS 4A
Puyallup ninth grader Gracie Ream pitches - and hits the best pitching (11 home runs, 40 RBI) in Washington.
Gracie Ream photo by Todd Milles
Maleah Andrews, Bothell, junior
It's difficult to stand out in one of the deepest lineups in the 4A KingCo - but Andrews and her sweet left-handed swing sure do. Third baseman has rare gift to hit for power the other way - and can run. Also an all-KingCo volleyball player.
Ella Claus, Redmond, senior
When she stands in the box, you know it. The 4A KingCo's most fearsome slugger (10 HR, 22 extra-base hits, .545 BA) was in top two in league's "triple crown" of hitting - including No. 1 for RBI (48). Center fielder signed with North Dakota State.
Kaiea Higa, Tahoma, senior
This Oregon State University signee sends long balls into orbit - and chills down the spine of top ace pitchers. She is the pre-eminent power hitter in all of Washington - and leaves Tahoma program with 27 home runs (and many "oohs and aahs")
Kya Jenkins, Skyview, senior
A true unflappable tone-setter at shortstop for the Storm, the 4A GSHL player of the year took a step forward in her power numbers this spring (.581 BA, six HR, 26 RBI), especially after she was moved to the 3-hole. Headed to WWU.
Tia Milloy, Redmond, sophomore
Just like her older sisters, a true special talent on the diamond. The 4A KingCo MVP (.600 BA, six HR, 51 hits, 20 extra-base hits, 21 RBI, 17 SB) can single-handedly take over a game - as a power-speed threat from leadoff spot or on defense at shortstop.
Gracie Ream, Puyallup, freshman
Oh, that glare. Oh, that intensity. The Vikings' best two-way player (.570 BA, 11 HR, 40 RBI) would be among the state leaders in "exit velocity" on her hits. And with her astute eye at the plate, she seems to hit best against the elite pitchers in Washington.
Allie Thomsen, Jackson, freshman
It's the poetry-in-motion left-handed swing that even Ken Griffey Jr. would marvel at. This center fielder creates effortless power (.380 BA, 10 HR, 38 RBI, nine SB) with incredible hand-eye coordination in the hitting zone. Future D1 talent.
CLASS 3A
Want a high-average shortstop who hits home runs (7) and steals bases (11)? Bellevue's Brooklyn Jones is your type.
Photo by Todd Milles
Audrey Allen, Gig Harbor, senior
In an 3A SCC that features one of Washington's best pitchers (Peninsula's Alli Kimball) - this infielder was consensus league MVP (.552 BA, 11 HR, 24 extra-base hits, 50 RBI). Why? Her bat sends out loud missiles. Signed with Academy of Art University (Calif.).
Lilly Bean, Lake Washington, senior
All those hitting lessons have paid off for the 3A KingCo MVP (.630 BA, 13 HR, 47 RBI), who generates as much power as any hitter in Washington with a compact swing. The catcher known as "Queen" signed with Weatherford College (TX).
Kaitline Chapman, Walla Walla, senior
Some hitters live for the big moment - and this two-time, all-MCC first baseman (.549 BA, eight HR, 31 RBI) does. Nine of her RBI this spring came with two outs. Her energy and intensity give this balanced lineup all the juice it needs to perform.
Brooklyn Jones, Bellevue, senior
Just so smooth - both playing shortstop and swinging the bat. And it's plainly obvious she sticks to a plan in the batter's box. The all-3A Kingco first teamer (.587 BA, seven HR, 19 extra-base hits, 33 RBI, 11 SB) did it all for the Wolverines this spring.
River Mahler, Monroe, senior
Considered the best all-around player in the state, Mahler - a Stanford shortstop signee - was a monster at the plate (.690 BA, six HR, 23 extra-base hits, 33 RBI) as the Bearcats' leadoff hitter. Nobody is more prepared for battle taking the field.
CLASS 2A
Idaho State University commit Camryn McDonald makes case to be eastern Washington's best softball player.
Camryn McDonald photo courtesy of Othello athletics
Ashlyn Alexander, Lynden, senior
This a big bat-swinging name in Whatcom County. Lynden's record-setting home run hitter (10 HR, .571 BA) is the daughter of Dante Alexander, one of the school's best baseball players. Center fielder generates easy power, distinct bat "ping" sound, too.
Savannah Hawkins, W.F. West, junior
As her coach notes, 2A EvCo's top hitter (.426 BA, six HR) just "rises to the occasion." After she hit five home runs in pivotal six-game stretch, teams started to approach her differently. Pedigree is noteworthy - she is sister of WSU pitcher Dakota Hawkins.
Camryn McDonald, Othello, junior
She very well could be eastern Washington's best player. The 2A CWAC player of the year at shortstop expanded her power-hitting profile, showing she could hit any pitch to any part of the field (.734 BA, seven HR, 38 RBI, 52 runs). Idaho State commit.
CLASS 1A
In her past 31 games over two seasons, Eatonville's Hailey Rath has blasted 31 home runs to lead the state.
Photo by Skip Smith
Hailey Rath, Eatonville, senior
In back-to-back seasons, this Cruisers' slugger has led the state in home runs (20 HR, 31 extra-base hits, 58 RBI, .611 BA). And in this program, there's a $6 replacement fee for every home-run ball that leaves the yard. That's a big tab for this WWU signee.
CLASS 2B
Karlee VonMoos is not only Adna's best run-producing power hitter (34 RBI), she is a power pitcher, too.
Photo by Eric Trent/The (Centralia) Chronicle
Kaya Enriquez, Warden, senior
This 2B EWAC East MVP is "stout, strong and self-confident," her coach says - and the numbers back her breakout campaign (10 HR, 25 extra-base hits, 53 RBI, .732 BA) as a senior. This long ball-hitting catcher headed to Wenatchee Valley CC.
Karlee VonMoos, Adna, junior
She is power everything for No. 1 Pirates, including as a middle-of-the-order hitter (.661 BA, six HR, 18 extra-base hits, 34 RBI). And right now, her swing is "dynamite," her coach says. 2B Central MVP just hit two home runs in Dist. 4 title game against PWV.
CLASS 1B
Seattle University signee Hadley Dunham is the toughest out at the 'B' level, stealing 51 bases at DeSales.
Photo courtesy of Desales athletics
Hadley Dunham, DeSales, senior
The best hitter in 'B' ranks is also classification's lone NCAA Division I signee (Seattle University). The Class 1B Southeast East MVP's game is predicated on speed in eadoff spot (.768 BA, seven games of four-plus hits, 51 SB). Walla Walla High transfer.
Others to watch: Sydney Aman, Columbia of White Salmon, jr.; Kyla Cross, Bonney Lake, jr.; Kate Gotts, Mount Si, sr.; Isabel Quintanilla, Emerald Ridge, jr.; Trinity Richardson, Shadle Park, sr.; Sam Rohwer, Kamiak, jr.; Chloe Saxton, Holy Names Academy, sr.; Ali Stanley, Moses Lake, sr.; Rachel Sysum, Jackson, soph.; Katie Thorson, Roosevelt, sr.; Briannica Titus, Glacier Peak, fr.; Gabi Toney, Inglemoor, soph.; Kiah Trammell, Sedro-Woolley, sr.; Maya Valdez, Othello, sr.; Aly Waltermeyer, Tumwater, sr.
