High school softball: MaxPreps Underclass All-America Team

The MaxPreps Underclass All-America Softball Team recognizes and celebrates the exceptional young talent who made a significant impact on their high school teams during the 2022-2023 school year.
First team

Leighton Arnold, So., White Plains (Anniston, Ala.)
The utility player led her class with 24 home runs and was named Class 4A Hitter of the Year. She was also the ace for the Wildcats.

Keegan Baker, Fr., Edmond Memorial (Edmond, Okla.)
Named MaxPreps Oklahoma State Player of the Year after an incredible year in the circle capped off with a Class 6A fall state title.

Ansley Bennett, So., Summerville (S.C.)
A do-it-all player for the Green Wave. She helped her team win the school's first state championship and was the MaxPreps South Carolina Player of the Year.

Sophia Bordi, So., Haddon Heights (N.J.)
The MaxPreps New Jersey State Player of the Year has already surpassed over 500 strikeouts and guided her team to a state championship this spring.

Lilly Goodwin, Fr., Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
The lefty was in the circle during the biggest moments of the Wolves' 5A state championship season, including an 11-strikeout performance in the title game.

Gianna Hillegonds, So., Marist (Chicago)
The ace for one of the top teams in the country finished 26-1 with a 0.97 ERA and helped her squad win a state championship.

Ava Hodo, Fr. Orange Beach (Ala.)
Showed why she's one of the top hitters in the entire Class of 2026. The catcher and third baseman hit .461 with 21 home runs and 77 RBI.

Karlee Meredith, So., Kaukauna (Wis.)
The MaxPreps Wisconsin Player of the Year finished with a flawless record in the circle, under a 1.00 ERA and over 200ks. The youngster can swing it too, as she hit .542.

Elsa Morrison, So., Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.)
The powerful hitter went yard 23 times this spring. She finished with a .596 average and 74 RBI.

Kailey Plumlee, So., Gordonsville (Gordonsville, Tenn.)
She has already surpassed the 1,000-strikeout mark. This season she fanned 323, while hitting .547 with eight jacks and guided her team to a Class 1A state championship.

Ava Ratliff, So., Bedford North Lawrence (Bedford, Ind.)
The catcher smashed 22 bombs, and also had a hit in all but three games this season. She finished with a .538 average.

Phoenyx Silva, So., La Salle Academy (Providence, R.I.)
Finished the season hitting .500 with 10 home runs and is one of the top young talents in the country.

Anne Wallace, So., Ridgeline (Millville, Utah)
Made a name for herself this season batting .458 and hitting a state-record 27 home runs.

Sydnie Watts, So., Austintown-Fitch (Youngstown, Ohio)
Tossed a perfect game in the district semifinals, a no-hitter in the regional semis and a no-hitter in the state semis. She capped off the postseason with a 13-strikeout performance to help the Falcons win their first state championship.

Berkley Zache, So., South Bend St. Joseph (South Bend, Ind.)
The powerful hitter and pitcher went 16-1 with a 0.13 ERA, including two no-hitters and a perfect game. She gave up two earned runs all season and finished with 251 strikeouts. At the plate, she batted .531 with nine jacks.

Second team

Avery Beals, Fr., Charleston (Ill.)
She swiped 36 bases and finished with a .615 average as the speedster scored 75 runs.

Lilly Bethune, So., West Limestone (Lester, Ala.)
The catcher and third baseman showed why she has one of the top bats in her class. She smashed 16 home runs, drove in 88 runs and batted .507.

Mia Clemmer, Fr., Coahoma (Texas)
The catcher led her class with 22 bombs. She had a .586 average and drove in 66 runs for the Bulldogs.

Emi Connell, So., Liberty (Issaquah, Wash.)
She went yard 21 times this season. Primarily slotted as a designated hitter, she drove in 75 runs including a single game where had 11 RBI.

Brynley Erb, Fr., Western (Russiaville, Ind.)
Hard to have a better start to your prep career as the utility player smashed 21 bombs, drove in 74 and hit .667.

Taylor Gillispie, So., Troup (Texas)
She tossed more than 200 innings and struck out 346. She also went deep eight times at the plate.

Kari Graziano, So., Ichabod Crane (Valatie, N.Y.)
The MaxPreps New York Player of the Year finished the season with 18-1 with a 1.18 ERA and 184 strikeouts. She did some damage in the box as well, hitting .400 on the season.

Berkley Hatten, So., Lincoln East (Lincoln, Neb.)
Led the country in the fall in her class with 20 home runs. The infielder also scored 55 runs and had 55 RBI.

Rylie Johnson, So, Fredericksburg Christian (Fredericksburg, Va.)
She's been on the varsity team since her eighth-grade season and continues to be dominant. She batted .719 and went deep 17 times.

Lacey Keck, So., Gibbs (Corryton, Tenn.)
The lefty threw in over 219 innings this spring. She finished with a nation-best 35 wins.

Lilly Mann, Fr., Sabino (Tucson, Ariz.)
The catcher can smash as she hit 14 home runs, drove in 61 and finished with a .526 average.

Kai Minor, So., Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
She was the player that got it going for the Lancers at the top of the lineup. The speedy outfielder batted .430 and stole 24 bases.

Ayla Tuua, Fr., Capital Christian (Sacramento, Calif.)
The powerful right-handed hitter and pitcher was the centerpiece of the Cougars' lineup, both offensively and in the circle. She hit 12 home runs, including four grand slams, and also mowed down 172 batters in 93 innings.

Sydnee Williams, Fr., O'Connor (Phoenix)
One of the top hitters in Arizona this spring, batting .606 with 11 home runs and 62 RBI.

Ava Zachary, So., Penn (Mishawaka, Ind.)
She played a massive role in helping the Kingsmen capture the 4A championship. The utility player led the team with a .495 average and hit nine jacks.