Kansas Pre-Season Softball All-State 2011

Coaches are telling us that this is the deepest class of quality softball players to come out of the Sunflower state in a long time and we're not going to argue with them.

With six of our starting nine players returning from last season, this year's pre-season softball team is as loaded as they come.

Last year we honored a total of 18 pitchers across Kansas with selection as either starter, relief, or closing pitchers. Ten of those ladies are back for another run, and a couple who were injured last year and weren't selected also return. .

We also selected six outfielders to our elite team of standouts last season and all six not only return for another season, but are headed off to compete at just about as high a level as they can play at. In fact, our great state is so loaded with talent that we have several girls who have committed to play at the next level who didn't make our elite team this season who in years gone by, would have been unanimously elected to positions.

We have selected two at every position, with no distinction between first and second team players. We have also selected a group of 15 of the top pitchers in the state for use in a five day rotation with one each starter, relief pitcher and closer for each day played.

Our starting team will be as follows:

Leadoff hitter: Kelsey Stewart, 2b from Arkansas City was named the Gatorade Player of the year last season as just a sophomore in a sport where this state is absolutely loaded for bear. In addition, Kelsey was selected this past summer to tryout for the ASA/USA Softball Junior Women's National Team. Kelsey has given her verbal commitment to the University of Florida, one of the premier top five teams in the USA. Kelsey also played in the 2010 Under Armour All American Game this past summer.

2nd: Shelby Davis, will hit second and play center field. Davis was also selected to try out for the ASA/USA Softball Junior Women's National Team this past summer as one of the best 40 players in the United States. A senior at Goddard this season, Shelby has committed to play at Oklahoma State University in the Big 12 upon graduation. With Davis batting second in the lineup, this gives us two of the fastest left handed slappers in the country in the top two positions-with each able to hit for power.

3. Taylor Zordel from Washburn Rural is working on a third Hovpen All-State award, having been selected in both 2009 and 2010 for the team, and was in our starting infield a year ago, hitting in the No. 3 position. Taylor as a junior last season was named a third team National Fast-Pitch Coaches Association All-American and was also selected to the South Central Region first team and will attend Emporia State University next season.

4. Erica Hampton, will hit cleanup for us and will start off catching although it is not known if she will catch or play the hot corner for University of Illinois-Chicago next season. Erica was selected to the Kansas Coaches Association first team 5A a year ago, and has finished in the final four at the state 5A tournament the past two seasons.

5. Alex Hugo, basically an outfielder out of Olathe South, will be our designated hitter, hitting for pitcher Jacinda Ramos from rival Northwest Olathe although we have all the faith in the world in Jacinda's hitting. Hugo although only a junior has given her verbal commitment to the University of Kansas and is expected to play her college ball in the Big 12 upon graduation in 2012. She is a two time coach's selection in Class 6A.

6. Sidney Stuever is another player headed for her third All-State honor and has helped her Andale team into the finals the past two seasons, winning 5A this past year. Stuever is another lefty with a ton of speed who can also hit for power. She will play in the Missouri Valley at the Division I level next season for Wichita State and is expected to contribute in her first season.

7. Stephanie Goodwin, will be attempting a repeat award from the Hovpen Sports Selection Committee and was a starter on last year's post season team. Stephanie has consistently hit over 500 throughout her career with Blue Valley and has committed to Emporia State for her college career. As a junior, she hit .508 with 22 runs, 33 hits, eight doubles, five triples and nine RBIs. She drew 13 walks and never struck out. Her on-base percentage was .605

8.Kelsey Berlin, not only is a part of what we consider one of the outstanding pitching staffs for a high school in Kansas this season, the left handed slugger can also hit the ball. Berlin will hold down first base for us this season on our team, and be responsible for cleaning the bases. Although not decided for sure, Berlin is probably headed to Butler County to play next season. Berlin was on the Eagle All-Metro team a year ago as well as selected to the All-State team. As a junior, Berlin had a 0.53 earned run average, and hit five home runs and led Northwest in runs batted in.

9. Devon McReath from defending state champion Maize High School will round out our field and play third base. Devon will play next year at Pittsburg State College in Kansas and is not your typical nine hole hitter with a .750 slugging percentage her junior season. Another Eagle All-Metro player, she was also selected for the coaches All-State team as a junior.

Pitcher: Jacinda Ramos not only has several no hitters to her credit over the past three seasons, but is one of few to throw consecutive no hitters in the same day. Ramos helped pitch her Olathe Northwest team to a perfect season as a sophomore in 2009, and is now on her way to throw NCAA Division I ball at UMKC. Summers are now spent with the Peppers out of Kansas City throwing against the best in the country. Ramos was selected as an ESPN Rise softball player of the week and is a returning All-State player for both coaches association and Hovpen Sports.

Relief Pitcher: Mackenzie Millspaugh is part of probably the best pitching staff in Kansas along with Kelsey Berlin for this season. As a junior, Millspaugh finished the High School season with 140 strikeouts and an era of 0.89 for the season. Her only loss came against Olathe South in the state tournament. With four perfect games as a junior, we count on her to come in to put out any fires.

Closer: Jessica Sturm has had considerable interest from a couple Division I schools including the University of Minnesota. A two year coach's selection, Jessica was second team All-State as a sophomore, moving up to first team as a junior. Jessica is the "lefty" on our top staff. As a junior, Jessica was on nearly everyone's All-State team and seems to get better as the competition does as evidenced by her shutout of Salina South last season in AV-CTL Division I play.

There were 226 schools participating in softball last spring, with a total of 5,021 athletes hitting the diamond. We feel those are the best of what is returning in even greater numbers this season.

That's our starting lineup at the present time should we head off to play a game against another state. Keep in mind however, starting lineups are subject to change with conditions so if these players want to be here when it really counts at the end of the season, they know what they have to do. Relax, play the game, and have fun.

Incoming freshmen are not eligible for the pre-season team as they have not yet played for a high school and we don't even know if they will get to play although we must say we know of at least four incoming freshmen who could challenge for spots on our team.

Our team consists of the following ladies and remember, this is the team which we here at Hovpen Sports would put together to compete in an all-Star game against another state. Another coach and you would have an entirely different team listed here.

Pitchers :

Kahli Barrett, Olathe South

Sydnee Eck, Andale

Mackenzie Millspaugh, Wichita Northwest

Jacinda Ramos, Olathe Northwest

Jessica Sturm, Goddard

Relief Pitchers:

Kelsey Berlin, Wichita Northwest

Alise Murray, Abilene

Kayla Oldham, Derby

Brooke Redmond, Basehor

Megan Wilson, Bishop Carroll

Closers:

Keelyn Bonar, Rose Hill

Leslie Ford, Garden City

Rachel Jacobs, Thomas More Prep

Mackenzie King, Buhler

Haleigh Rider, Andover

Catchers :

Erica Hampton, Bishop Carroll

Megan McCracken, Olathe North

Alex Millspaugh, Wichita Northwest

Courtney Parker, Lawrence Free State

Infield:

Kelsey Harlow, Andale

Greer Hartman, Olathe East

Kristi Lee, Olathe Northwest

Devon McReath, Maize

Jenna Rangel, Newton

Megan Sorlie, Andover Central

Kelsey Stewart, Arkansas City

Taylor Zordel, Washburn Rural

Outfield

Shelby Davis, Goddard

Stephanie Goodwin, Blue Valley

Alex Hugo, Olathe South

Lauran Seeman, Maize

Kiki Stokes, Olathe East

Sidney Stuever, Andale

DH:

Mary Gooding, Blue Valley North

Austin Hilt, Derby

Katie Mertes, Wichita Heights

Utility:

Kaitlyn Carey, Bishop Carroll

Amanda Lowe, Blue Valley North

Payton Jones, Maize

Many players are interchangeable as to positions, and several pitchers can more than handle position assignments as well as a couple position players who can take the mound including Andale's Eck who pitched her team to the 5A title a year ago.

Players to watch around the state and there are many. IN fact, it is entirely possible that we have missed listing some we are very aware of simply because we thought they were already listed so if we did, please do not hesitate to help us, and others around the state to recognize these players by listing them in the message base. You will note several girls on our player to watch have been recruited by Division I colleges. It would be very easy for me to put together several extremely competitive ASA teams from this group.

Pitchers

Jaclyn Annis, Topeka West

Montana Bailey, Medicine Lodge

Maddie Becker, Augusta

Tori Benz, Rose Hill

Lacy Bolen, Andover Central

Jenny Brooks, Olathe East

Kaitlyn Buck, Wellington

Kenzie Dunlap, Girard

Elana Esterly, Southeast Cherokee

Taylor Frazier Baxter Springs

Taylor Gard, Chanute

Maddie Garton, Blue Valley

Morgan Gilmore Colgan

Lindsay Gorham Frontenac

Chelsea Grandstaff, Valley Center

Jordan Haney, Great Bend

Dellyn Hansen, Perry Lecompton

Molly Hein, Andale

Natalie Hill, Paola

Hayley Hume, Derby

Jillian Jobe Mill Valley

Chelsey LaPee Chetopa

Blair Lewis Olathe East

Jody Larsen, Maize South

Maddie Lovsky Olathe Northwest

Taylor Lowery Hesston

Taylor Kemp Parsons

Breana Mogle Columbus

Kaley Patterson, McLouth

Brittney Perez, Larned

Allie Reynolds Labette County

Kyndel Shelburn, Campus

Bre Smallwood, Campus

Karlie Stuteville, Louisburg

Yasnay Susoeff Ellinwood

Morgan Swisher, McPherson

Sophia Templin, DeSoto

Kori Thornton, Garden City

Aubrie Van Steenburg Halstead

Catchers

Makenzie Altman, Hays

Morgan Buie, Gardner Edgerton

Maggie Butaud, Olathe South

Cierra Carajo, Shawnee Mission Northwest

Kimberly Chamberlin Andover Central

Megan Dike Lansing

Rachel Evans, Lawrence

Chaney Fox, Southeast Cherokee

Tyler Frazier, Baxter Springs

Jordi Garrett, Pratt

Jacy Gibbs, Circle

Jessica Gragg, Topeka High

Kelsey Harris, Goddard

Alex Hill, Free State

Andrea Hucke, Cherryvale

Kate James, Maize

Kaysha Julich Labette County

Sydney Lipton Wellington

Callie Manche Wellington

Taylor Meeks, Hayden

Wren Michaels, Manhattan

Abby Morrison, Great Bend

Sami Olson, Olathe East

Emily Otte, Valley Center

Kim Paterson, Buhler

Megan Plouvier, Bishop Miege

Shelbie Thornton Bonner Springs

Lexie Zuniga Saint Thomas Aquinas

Anna Varriano, Blue Valley

Outfield:

Danielle Allen W. Independent

Kim Bognar, Garden City

Madeline Brungardt, Baldwin

Madison Bryant, Salina South

Asia Budd Arkansas City

Riley Campbell, McPherson

Alyssa Carney, Washburn Rural

Rashel Chickadonz, Rose Hill

Baily Cline Andover Central

Meredith Cook, Blue Valle Northwest

Kaci Copeland Wichita Northwest

Campbell Ditto, Wamego

Briana Drury Wichita Heights

Kylie Emerson, Shawnee Heights

Jordon Erickson, Perry Lecompton

Kayla Guerrero, Garden City

Taylor Hamilton Columbus

Haley Hansel, Blue Valley Southwest

Sarah Haywood, Goddard

Kellyn Holt Mulvane

Katie Hussey Valley Center

Darion Jaso, Olathe North

Kelsey Jones, Bishop Carroll

Kristin Lock, St. James Academy

Paige Mason, Saint Thomas Aquinas

Sarah McNamara, Shawnee Mission South

Kelsey Miller Mulvane

Cheslyn Mitchell, Riverton

Nicolle Murphy, Arkansas City

Taylor Nikkel Hillsboro

Nicole Oberdorfer, Blue Valley West

Samantha O'Brien, Lawrence

Dommi O'Neilo, Maize

Katie Pascuzzi, St. Thomas Aquinas

Maddie Pendry Newton

Rachel Potvin, Topeka Seaman

Madison Putman, Maize

Taylor Rains, Chase County

Michalla Rettinger, Olathe Northwest

Kalie Robinson Augusta

Ashley Rogers, Haven

Maggie Sloan, Pittsburg Colgan

Barbara Specht, Olathe North

Daria Sprew, Topeka High

Hannah Tush, Basehor Linwood

Amanda Vaupel, Olathe North

Sara Vicory, Washburn Rural

Destiny Williams, Augusta outfield

Taylor Williams, Augusta outfield

Bonnie Wilt, Olathe East

Emily Yoder, Hutchinson

Infield :

Sarah Balderas, Bishop Carroll

Avery Beard, Derby

Lily Behrmann, Blue Valley

Sloan Brady, BVNW

Jaden Bray, Shawnee Mission West

Shea Briggs, Hays

Taylor Brunson, Mill Valley

Riley Campbell, McPherson

Tori Colvin, Southeast Cherokee

Colby Dresher, Bishop Carroll

Madison Demel, Goddard

Kristina Downs, Augusta

Brittney Dyminiosky, Newton

Rylee Ellison, Andover

Haley Evans Columbus

Morgan Fluker, Valley Center

Mackenzie Hallstrom, Paola

Camille Hantla, Andover

Rachel Harding Galena

Taylor Hatfield, Mulvane

Madison Jones, BVNW

Hunter Klamm, DeSoto

Tina Loewen, Hillsboro

Kennedy Long, Derby

Bailey Marcotte, Riley County

Hannah Mason, Andover Central

Marisa McGregor, Rose Hill

Kayla McCully Baxter Springs

Lauren McKeown, Goddard

Kailyn Motley, Manhattan

Vashti Neal, Olathe Northwest

Avery Neumann, Pratt

Stephanie Patterson, Buhler

Jessie Peacock, Wellsville

Cheyenne Rankin, Paola

Katie Robinson, Augusta

Ali Rogers, Medicine Lodge

Katelyn Schumacher, Thomas More Prep

Bradie Schmelzer, Andale

Jade Southern Newton

Kelli Spring, Mill Valley

Ashley Stephenson, Dodge City

Johnna Sutton, Independence

Kyndra Thompson Galena

Max Williams, Valley Center

Emilee Vance, Olathe South

Abby Warkentine, Washburn Rural

Morgan Wulf, Labette County

Jessica Zidek, Inf, Blue Valley North

DH and Util

Nicole Bell, Blue Valley West

Lauren Hoebener, Bishop Carroll

Kylie Rupe, Manhattan

Raven Ortiz Valley Center

Missy Swanson, Oxford

Erin Tice, Andale

Kalia Wells, Shawnee Heights

Kaitlyn Wolken, Tonganoxie