Each year since 2008, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school softball. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2023 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence, in addition to local and state accolades.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which is scheduled to be released in June. Read on for a look at our picks from states that have completed play, teams that play in the fall as well as the announcement date for other states.
Alaska
Karlee Transburg, Chugiak
Pitcher | Class of 2023The senior pitcher was on the bump for the Mustangs for nearly every single inning this season, including five straight playoff games which led to a 2023 Division 1 state championship. The Clarke University commit was a warrior and helped her squad win their first title since 2003.
AlabamaPitcher | Class of 2024The three-sport athlete for a 7A school, the Maryland commit is now a
two-time state champion and only a junior. Phillips edged out fellow
junior Mya Holt of Wetumpka because of the strength of the Huskies
played and their 2-1 win over Holt and the Indians, where she
struck out 12. The talented athlete earned state tournament MVP for her
performance in the circle and she was also 4-for-7 at the plate with
five RBI.
Arizona
Gianna Mares, Salpointe Catholic (Tucson)
Pitcher/Utility | Class of 2023Winning
is a major factor when considering this award, and Mares did nothing
but that during her prep career. The BYU commit capped off a third
consecutive state title as a player after pitching a seven inning
complete game shutout in a 2-0 win against Greenway in the state
championship game. Salpointe's win over Greenway gave Mares the nod for MaxPreps Arizona Player of the Year over UCLA commit Kaitlyn Terry, who shined all season for Greenway. Mares also hit .486 with 15 home runs.
Arkansas
Alyssa Houston, Benton
Pitcher | Class of 2023The Stanford signee will go down as one of the most dominant players in state history. She capped off her illustrious career leading her team to a third consecutive 5A state championship. She closed it with a bang, pitching a complete game with 13 strikeouts and also a double and a pair of walks at the plate.
California
Randi Roelling, Central Catholic (Modesto)
Pitcher | Class of 2023 The Cal signee struck out more thanhalf the hitters she faced. She led the state with 375 strikeouts, which was 57 more than the next player. Roelling mowed down 94 batters, tossed a perfect game and allowed one earned run during their seven playoff games.
Colorado
Hailey Maestretti, Lutheran (Parker)
Pitcher | Class of 2024The Utah pledge was dominant in all phases of the game for the 4A state champions, winning 27 games in the circle, batting .506, and hitting nine home runs.
Connecticut
Chelsea Villar, Ludlowe (Fairfield)
Utility | Class of 2023
The Hofstra commit led the LL state champions in batting average (.506), RBI (45) and home runs (11). In the championship game, she went 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI against one of the top pitcher's in the state.
Delaware
Brooke Holdsworth, Caravel (Bear)
Catcher | Class of 2023
She was the rock behind the plate for the Buccaneers, who captured their third consecutive state championship. She led the team in batting average, RBI, home runs and total hits.
Florida
Katelynn Oxley, Bartow
Pitcher | Class of 2024It was a tight race for player of the year in the Sunshine State between three phenomenal pitchers; Jasmine Francik of Melbourne, Jayden Heavener of Pace Oxley. But what separated Oxley was capturing a state championship and beating Heavener and Pace in the finals. The Florida commit battled through an injury and struck out 16 during the team's 5-1 6A state final victory.
Georgia
Olivia Duncan, Buford
Pitcher | Class of 2023The Clemson signee helped guide her team to a fall Class 7A title, doing it all for the Wolves as she was 13-1 in the circle and hit eight home runs at the plate.
Hawaii
Pitcher | Class of 2023
The
Nevada commit finished the season as the Most Outstanding
Player of Division 1 state tournament play. She guided her team to a
16-0 season and the school's fifth overall state title, and
first since 2017. The Sabers ace pitched in every inning of postseason
play. She finished 15-0 overall with a 1.22 ERA.
Idaho
Samantha Hatzenbeller, Owyhee (Meridian)
Utility | Class of 2024The do-it-all junior led the team in home runs (16) and RBI (53). In total, the 5A state champions hit 85 jacks as a team and batted a combined .440. Hatzenbeller went out with a bang as she sent two balls deep during the state championship win against Rigby.
Illinois
Sage Mardjetko, Lemont
Pitcher | Class of 2023The South Carolina commit was perfect all season, and that is not an exaggeration. She finished 22-0 and didn't allow a run all year in 137 innings. The right-handed pitcher struck out 326 batters on the season, including a 24 strikeout performance during the team's 1-0 win over Antioch in the 3A state game.
Indiana
Erin Hoehn, North Posey (Poseyville)
Pitcher | Class of 2023The Michigan commit went out with a bang in the 2A state title game, tossing a no-hitter while fanning 15. She also hit a three-run bomb in the seventh as her team won its first state title and finished 29-0.
Kansas
Madison Walker, Olathe West (Olathe)
Infielder | Class of 2023The Mizzou commit put up ridiculous numbers this season for the 6A state champions. She batted .659 with a 1.545 slugging percentage. She had 39 extra base hits, which included a state-best 18 home runs and drove in 71 runs.
Kentucky
Brooke Gray, Ballard (Louisville)
Pitcher | Class of 2023The University of Louisville signee capped off her remarkable career with a second-straight state title. The left-handed pitcher finished 29-0 with an 0.81 ERA. She mowed down 307 batters in 190 innings.
LouisianaPitcher | Class of 2023
The Boston College commit led the 34-2 Gators to a Division I
(Non-Select) Louisiana title, finishing the season with a five-hit
shutout over Sam Houston. For the season, Jackson was 31-1 with a 0.93
ERA and 288 strikeouts in 188.2 innings. At the plate, she hit .500 and
at the time of the selection, she led the country with 28 home runs. She
finished her career with two consecutive state titles.
Maine
Brooke Gerry, Windham
Pitcher | Class of 2024The left-handed pitcher was once again nearly unhittable all season as the Eagles ace. She finished the year with an 0.18 ERA and struck out 169 batters in 78 innings. At the dish she was a beast as well, batting .547.
Maryland
Delaney Reefe, Urbana (Ijamsville)
Pitcher | Class of 2023The Maryland signee will be a catcher next season for the Terps, but she finished her high school career as a powerful right-handed pitcher who led her team to a Class 4A state championship going 20-3 in the circle. She also hit 11 home runs.
Massachusetts
Samantha Lincoln, Taunton
Pitcher | Class of 2024Lincoln's teammate and Louisville commit Ava Venturelli was also strongly considered, but what the Texas Tech Tech softball commit did in the circle during the postseason, and all year, is what set her apart. The powerful lefty struck out 53 and allowed two earned runs during a playoff run that helped the Tigers win their third-straight state championship.
Michigan
Kylie Swierkos, Hartland
Pitcher | Class of 2023The Grand Valley State University commit was a massive reason the Eagles won their first state title since 1996. She finished the season with over 260 strikeouts, a sub-1 ERA and was in the circle in the biggest moments during the team's Division 1 playoff run. She also got it done in the batters box as she was second on the team in batting average.
Minnesota
Jessa Snippes, Rosemount
Pitcher | Class of 2023The Minnesota pledge was dominant in the batters box and in the circle for the Irish. She batted above .600 and was flawless as a hurler. In the Class 4A state title game, she ended the game with a strikeout wrapping up a second title in three years.
MississippiPitcher | Class of 2024
The
Southern Mississippi commit led her team to its first state title in
14 years. She finished the season with 213 strikeouts, including 17 in
the two-game sweep of South Panola in the 6A championship series. The
junior also hit nearly .400 at the plate.
Montana
Ella Farrell, Glacier (Kalispell)
Pitcher | Class of 2024The
Wolfpack put the ball in her hands when it mattered most, including all
but one inning of their postseason run to a Class AA state
championship. She did work at the dish too, crushing seven home runs and
batting .486.
Nebraska
Maddia Groff, Marian (Omaha)
Pitcher | Class of 2023The Southern Illinois commit was a force all over the diamond for the Class A fall state champions, going 25-1 in the circle and batting over .500 at the plate.
Nevada
Talia Tretton, Douglas (Minden)
Pitcher | Class of 2024The Iowa commit helped her Tigers squad win a title for the first time since 1992. The powerful pitcher and hitter did it all this season, including smashing 14 home runs. In the circle, she struck out 193 in nearly 120 innings. The junior finished the season with four no hitters.
New Hampshire
Sarah Taylor, Concord
Pitcher | Class of 2024Both Taylor and teammate Maddy Watchter were both considered for state player of the year as both were equally dominant in the circle, but what separated the Stonehill softball commit was what she did at the plate. Taylor hit .534 with three home runs and 38 RBI.
New Jersey
Sophia Bordi, Haddon Heights
Pitcher | Class of 2025The sophomore sensation showed off her talent once again on the biggest stage, throwing a perfect game with 16 strikeouts during the Garnets' 3-0 win over Jefferson in the Group 2 state final. She's already surpassed over 500 strikeouts in her prep career.
New Mexico
Faith Aragon, Carlsbad
Pitcher | Class of 2023The UTEP commit capped off a stellar career leading her team to a
second consecutive state championship. In the decisive "if necessary"
game Aragon struck out nine and allowed one hit as the Cavegirls
beat Piedra Vista 6-0. She was also a major weapon at the plate,
finishing the season with a .632 batting average and 13 home runs.
New York
Kari Graziano, Ichabod Crane (Valatie)
Pitcher | Class of 2025The young ace helped the Riders win a second-straight state championship. She finished the season with an 18-1 mark with a 1.18 ERA and struck out 184 batters. She did some damage in the box as well batting .400 on the season.
North Carolina
Lily Huneycutt, West Stanly (Oakboro)
Pitcher | Class of 2023She stepped in as the ace for the Colts as a junior and has been dominant since. She surpassed over 500 strikeouts in two years. The right-handed pitcher went 27-1 this season with a 0.64 ERA and 259 Ks as the school captured its fourth straight state championship.
North Dakota
Taylor Christensen, Beulah
Utility | Class of 2023The do-it-all player led the Miners to their first ever Class B state championship. At the plate, she hit .527, drove in 52 runs, and went yard eight times. In the circle, she finished 14-1 striking out 196 in 88 innings.
Ohio
Sydnie Watts, Austintown-Fitch (Youngstown)
Pitcher | Class of 2025The sophomore threw a perfect game in the district semifinals, a no-hitter in the regional semis, a no-hitter in the state semis and she capped it off with a 13-strikeout performance to help the Falcons win their first state championship.
Oklahoma
Keegan Baker, Edmond Memorial (Edmond)
Pitcher | Class of 2026Named to the Oklahoman All-Big City first team after an incredible year in the circle, she capped it with a Class 6A fall state title.
Oregon
Payton Burnham, Sheldon (Eugene)
Pitcher | Class of 2024
A word to describe the Oregon State-bound pitcher would be unhittable. Opponents batted .077, her ERA was 0.18 and the powerful right hander struck out 386 in 192 innings. The 6A state champion also batted .409 with five home runs.
Pennsylvania
Julia Shearer, North Penn (Lansdale)
Pitcher | Class of 2023The Maryland signee ended her prep career about as good as anyone can dream of. The lefty went 28-0 with 0.21 ERA in the circle. She led the state with 355 strikeouts and pitched her 22nd shutout during the Knight's 1-0 win in the PIAA 6A state championship.
Rhode Island
Phoenyx Silva, La Salle Academy (Providence)
Utility | Class of 2025One of the top young talents in the country had some of the biggest hits all season for the Rams, including a double that cleared the bases during their 4-2 state title victory over St. Mary Academy-Bay View. The sophomore finished the season batting .500 with 10 home runs.
South Carolina
Ansley Bennett, Summerville
UTIL | Class of 2025
The sophomore did it all for Green Wave. helping her team win the school's first state championship. She was the ace for the team and also one of their biggest bats. She pitched a shutout and drove in a pair during their 2-0 championship win over Byrnes.
Texas
Ava Brown, Lake Creek (Montgomery)
Pitcher | Class of 2023
The Florida-bound ace will go down as one of the most dominant high school players of all time. She topped off her remarkable prep career with a second-straight 5A title, a perfect career record of 81-0 in the circle and an astonishing 0.55 ERA in over 468 innings of work. And to top it off, she hit 40 career home runs.
Tennessee
Kailey Plumlee, Gordonsville
Pitcher | Class of 2025She's been a star in the circle since she was in eighth grade for the Tigers. She has already surpassed the 1,000-strikeout mark. This season she struck out 323 batters, batted .547, hit eight jacks and guided her team to a Class 1A state championship.
Utah
Avery Sapp, Spanish Fork
Pitcher | Class of 2023The Utah Valley commit wrapped up her outstanding high school career with a third consecutive state championship. Sapp finished with 660 career strikeouts and a 53-5 total record. She can hit too, batting .464 with 11 home runs during her senior year.
Virginia
Katie Kutz, Bishop O'Connell (Arlington)
Pitcher | Class of 2023It was a tight race between Kutz and Auburn pitcher Kristen Fleet, but what separated the Oklahoma State commit was the fact she never lost a game during her prep career. As a senior, she went 19-0 with a 0.45 and struck out 268 batters. At the plate, she hit .557 with 13 home runs.
Vermont
Sierra Yates, Bellows Free Academy (St. Albans)
Pitcher | Class of 2023The senior ace put an exclamation point on the Comets' perfect season in the D1 state championship game by tossing a no-hitter. The right-handed pitcher struck out 15 and left no doubt who the top team was in the state.
Washington
Yanina Sherwood, Jackson (Mill Creek, Wash.)
Pitcher | Class of 2024The junior ace for the top team in Washington was lights out all season for the Timberwolves. The UNLV commit finished 23-1 in the circle with a 0.53 ERA. She also mowed down 250 batters. The powerful righty also blasted five home runs helping her team take home a 4A state title.
West Virginia
Kadence Petitt, John Marshall (Glen Dale)
Pitcher | Class of 2023The West Liberty pledge struck out nine during the Monarchs Class AAA softball title victory 6-2 over Cabell Midland. She finished her career with over 600 strikeouts.
Wisconsin
Karlee Meredith, Kaukauna
Pitcher | Class of 2025The Galloping Ghosts have won 81straight and return their ace for two more seasons. The sophomore beast finished with a flawless record in the circle, under a 1.00 ERA, and over 200ks. The youngster can swing it too, as she batted .542.
Wyoming
Ella Partlow, Thunder Basin (Gillette)
Pitcher | Class of 2023The Bolts had several players to consider, but in the end it was what Partlow did on both sides of the ball. The ace threw over 400 pitches during the three-day state tournament to help lead her team to a second consecutive state title. She was a workhorse for the team. At the plate, the Utah State-Eastern commit hit over .500 and had 23 total walks.
