As the Nebraska high school softball season heads into its third of eight weekends, Southern Valley/Alma infielder Kynlee Marquez appears to be in midseason form — already.
Not only did Marquez baffle opposing batters from the mound in the latter stages of August, the junior helped herself by carrying a big bat. Through the first five games, Marquez willed her team to wins on at least three occasions.
Having produced a 2.318 slugging percentage through Tuesday's action, Marquez scored eight runs collectively in wins over Blue Hill (9-1), Chase County (13-2) and Alliance (10-1). She also struck out 21 batters, combined, in the wins over Blue Hill and Alliance.
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In all of August, Marquez went 13-for-15, with eight doubles and five home runs, scored 12 runs and was credited with 17 RBI as Brad Reaves club built a 5-0 mark.
Omaha Skutt Catholic's Anna Newcomer sits in the No. 2 spot after going 4-for-4 in a 22-0 triumph over McCook. The senior outfielder scored three times and knocked in six RBI, while striking out five of the seven batters she faced in the contest. Did we forget to mention that she slapped a couple of balls out of the park as well?
Hannah Lytle of Beatrice and Omaha Gross Catholic's Karlie Chonis fill in at Nos. 3 and No. 4, respectively, after scoring five runs collectively and belting a double and two home runs a piece in wins, while Taylor Manion of Alliance rounds out the Top 5 with a two home run outing in a win over Holdrege.
McKayla Faimon of Blue Hill, Hastings Adams Central's Sadie Carpenter and Emily Prai of Lincoln East all tied for the tenth spot with performances that were oh so similar. Classes A, B and C are all represented this week, while Omaha Skutt Catholic, Beatrice and Omaha Gross Catholic all had two players each selected for this week's Top 10.
Nebraska's Top 10 individual softball performances for August
1. Kynlee Marquez, Southern Valley/Alma (Oxford), Jr. — IF/P3-for-3, four runs scored, three RBI, a double, two home runs, a walk and 10 Ks to no walks on the mound in a 10-1 win over Alliance, August 30
2. Anna Newcomer, Skutt Catholic (Omaha), Sr. — OF/P4-for-4, three runs scored, six RBI, a pair of home runs and struck out five of the seven batters she faced in a 22-0 win over McCook, August 29
3. Hannah Lytle, Beatrice, Sr. — CF/1B/UT3-for-3, three runs scored, five RBI, a double and a pair of home runs in a 12-3 win over Hastings, August 31
4. Karlie Chonis, Gross Catholic (Omaha), Sr. — C/3B3-for-4, two runs scored, five RBI, a double and a couple of home runs in a 15-3 win over Lincoln Southeast, August 31
5. Taylor Manion, Alliance, Sr. — OF2-for-3, three runs scored, six RBI, a couple of home runs and a walk in a 16-3 win over Holdrege, August 23
6. Abbie Jo Gaube, Omaha Gross Catholic, Sr. — OF/IF3-for-4, three runs scored, five RBI and a pair of home runs in a 10-1 win over Nebraska City, August 27
7. Tavia Hausman, Beatrice, So. — 1B/3B/RF3-for-3, two runs scored, six RBI and a couple of home runs in an 11-1 win over North Platte, August 26
8. Sophia Hoffman, Omaha Skutt Catholic, Jr. — 1B/3B/P3-for-3, a pair of runs scored, five RBI and a couple of home runs in a 13-3 win over Columbus, August 24
9. Makenzie Ridder, Fremont, Sr. — IF3-for-3, three runs scored, six RBI, a double and a home run in a 14-0 win over Arlington, August 31
10. (tie) McKayla Faimon, Blue Hill, Sr. — OF3-for-3, two runs scored, five RBI and a couple of home runs in a 10-9 win over Hastings Adams Central, August 31
10. (tie) Sadie Carpenter, Adams Central (Hastings), Sr. — IF/P2-for-2, three runs scored, four RBI, a pair of home runs and a walk in a 10-9 loss to Blue Hill, August 31
10. (tie) Emily Prai, Lincoln East, Sr. — CF/SS5-for-5, three runs scored, four RBI and a couple of triples in a 13-3 win over Bellevue West, August 23
