Softball Players to Watch in 2011
Katie Appelbe, Xavier, Sr., C: One of the leaders of a solid, experienced lineup, she’ll be key in handling Xavier’s pitching staff before she goes to Harvard next fall.
Amanda Baldwin, Queen Creek, Jr., P/OF: Desert Sky Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2010 has plenty of help to get Bulldogs deep into 4A-I playoffs.
Haley Culley, Red Mountain, Jr., IF: Her defense at shortstop has caught up with her swing and speed; Hit .463 with 59 runs, 26 RBI and 26 stolen bases in 2010.
Michelle Duncan, Gilbert, Sr., P: One of few experienced ace pitchers returning in E.V., she’s off to a great start in 2011 after a 16-6, 1.26 ERA in her junior season.
Grace Goulder, Cactus Shadows Jr., IF: Georgia-bound speedster set school record with 36 stolen bases in 2010 and stole home three times. She’s been a first-team All-Desert Sky shortstop for three years.
Kasey McCravey, Desert Mountain, Jr., IF: Her 60 hits last year was a school record in a season of .436 with 16 extra-base hits and a leader for the young, up-and-coming Wolves.
Kailey Regester, Basha, Jr., P: Suffered fractured bones in her face after being hit by a liner during practice, but is expected to return to health in the next week or two. Another with “ace” potential coming off a solid sophomore campaign.
Taylor Secemski, Saguaro, Jr., P/IF: Ace-caliber pitcher and a .400+ hitter with power, and she’s been that for two previous seasons.
Courtney Sherwin, Red Mountain, Sr., OF: Hit the big home run in last year’s 5A-I state championship. It wasn’t her first and certainly wasn’t her last. A threat to win “triple crown” of batting categories among E.V. players.
Jessica Wilkinson, Perry Sr., P: First-team all-region pitcher last year with 16 wins and 142 strikeouts, she heads Perry’s first significant senior class, one with deep tournament aspirations.
Other players to watch
Apache Junction: Ashley Gonzales, Sr., OF; Autumn Rhodes, Jr., IF; Lindsey Skinner, Sr., C/IF.
Basha: Theresa Asta, Jr., IF; Lauren Regester, Sr., IF; Kylie Shull, So., IF; Brittany Medina, Fr., IF.
Cactus Shadows: Taylor Decker, So., C; Kristin Hillier, Jr., IF; Camile McIver, Sr., P/OF; Amber Underdown, Sr. P/IF.
Campo Verde: Kennedy Garcia, Jr., C/OF; Paige Hess, Fr., IF; Alex Taravella, Jr., OF.
Chandler: Jordan Blakesley, Jr., C; Kayla Escobar, So., P; Alexis Leonard, Sr. Util.; Kristal Whiteside, Jr., P/IF; Vanessa Ybara, Sr., IF;
Chaparral: Ashtyn Coleman, So., IF/OF; Samantha Davis, Sr., IF/OF; Kerry Durnan, Sr., IF; Brooke Eifert, Jr., C.
Corona del Sol: Nicole Giannonatti, Jr., IF; McKenna Isenberg, So., P; Alexa Nenabor, Sr., IF; Taylor Tometich, Sr., IF; Paige Vallejos, Jr., C.
Desert Mountain: Jordan Conover, Jr., C; Maddie Francis, Sr., IF: Andy Wellins, So., P.
Desert Ridge: Kayla Heath, So., P; Jackie Hernandez, So., IF; Courtney Stoll, So., C; Jamine Zaker, Sr., OF.
Desert Vista: Alyssa Cerminara, So., C/IF; Emily Panther, Jr., P/IF.
Dobson: Jordan Barajas, Jr., IF; Kaylee Bordes, Sr., IF; Morgan Browning, Jr., C; Jacklin Lewis, Sr., P; Nikki Rodriguez, Sr., IF.
Gilbert: Shelby Meyer, Sr., C; Alexa Redman, Jr., IF/OF; Alex Vela, Sr., IF.
Hamilton: Stephanie Beuther, Sr., OF; Abigayle Kohler, Sr., P; Nicole Upshaw, Sr., IF; Bianca Vallejo, Sr., OF.
Highland: Ashley Moffatt, Jr., OF; Savannah Panell, Jr., C.
Horizon: Nicole Newbury, Jr., IF; Margaret Stahm, So., C; Leah White, Sr., OF.
McClintock: Amanda Hutchens, Jr., P/IF; Dynasty Lauvai, Jr., P; Kendi Nordstrom, Sr., C/OF; Tiana Paddock, Jr., IF.
Mesa: Aubrey Whitmer, Jr. IF; Sierra Whitmer, Jr., P/OF.
Mesquite: Alicia Enriquez, Jr., IF; Kaity Greco, Sr., P; Breona Peralta, Sr., Jr., C/OF; Ayssa Vargas, Sr., IF.
Mountain Pointe: Ciara Gonzales, Jr., P; Nyla Wambold, Jr., IF/OF; Cecily Abbadessa, Jr., C.
Mountain View: Jenna Hudson, Sr., IF/OF; Aly Ramsaier, Jr., IF; Heather Shomperlen, Jr., IF; Amy Tarnowski, Jr., P; Kelli Wickerman, Jr., IF/OF.
Notre Dame: Nicole Bailey, Jr., IF; Lindsey Buckner, Jr., IF; Tess McPherson, Jr., P;
Paradise Valley: Denali Johnson, So., IF; Alexix Nixon, So., IF; Alicia Ramirez, Jr., IF. Perry: Mandi Grebe, Jr., OF; Shawna Hash, Sr., C; Tori Herzberg, Sr., P; Jillian Leslie, So., IF; Toni Martinez, Sr., IF.
Pinnacle: Makenzi Dallas, Sr., IF; Jenna Makis, Sr., P; Katie McCallister, Jr., IF; Brittany Moralez, Jr., C.
Poston Butte: Samantha Castoldi, So., OF; Taylor Clark, So., C; Sarah McDonald, Jr., IF/OF; Amber Phipps, Jr., P/OF.
Queen Creek: Raianna Dobbs, Jr., IF; Kelsey Montgomery, Jr., IF/OF.
Red Mountain: Brittany Dvorak, Sr., IF; Sara Goodrum, Sr., OF; Siera Phillips, Jr., P.
Saguaro: Dana Dal Saglio, Jr., OF; Sami Hansen, Jr., IF; Elise Oldham, Jr., IF; Taylor Secemski, Jr., P.
Scottsdale Christian: Kenzie Cote, Sr., IF; Annie Fouts, Jr., OF; Erin Hayes, So., IF.
Seton Catholic: Madison Austin, Jr., P/OF; Bri Britcher, Sr., IF/OF; Crystal Lopez, Sr., C; Courtney Rodriguez, Jr., IF.
Skyline: Reba DePriest, Sr., P; Jenny Willis, Sr., IF; Sella Gonzalez, Sr., IF; Shannon Duel, Sr., IF.
St. Mary’s: Ariel Armandariz, Sr., C; Keanna Lomelli, Sr., IF;
Tempe Prep: Monica LeBeau, Jr., C/IF;
Valley Christian: Samantha Franks, Jr., IF; Larae Hunt, So, IF; Ashley Titus, Sr., IF;
Williams Field: Kaylie Brittain, Sr., C/IF; Brittany Heyer, So., IF; Dakota Keipert, Jr., IF; Ashlee Malone, Sr., IF.
Xavier: Katie Appelbe, Sr., C; Emma Bogart, Sr., IF; Sarah Stengel, Sr., IF; Amity Tello, Sr., IF.
