HIGH SCHOOL

Homers, gems and steals: Vote for 2024 IndyStar high school softball player of the year

Indianapolis Star

IndyStar has been recognizing the top softball players in Indiana with our Players of the Week poll. With the season now complete, we’ve decided to run a Player of the Year poll. Obviously, it’s impossible to get every deserving player on here, but we did our best, compiling a list of 17 players from around the state.

Thanks to everyone who’s nominated players and participated in these weekly polls. The participation has been off the charts. Stay tuned for our Central Indiana all-underclassmen and ALL-USA Super Team teams, which will be out later this month.

Congratulations to Hamilton Heights’ Addie Doak on being voted Player of the Week for Regionals! The freshman went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored in a 6-3 win over Beech Grove.

Voting is open until noon EST, Monday.

If you have a stat correction, please email me. MaxPreps has been very hit-or-miss lately.

IHSAA softball way-too-early rankings:Our Insider makes his 2025 predictions

State championship central:Complete coverage

Here are the year-end nominees.

Ally Bland, Edgewood

Edgewood’s Ally Bland runs to first base during the IHSAA sectional softball championship game against Owen Valley at Owen Valley on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.

The sophomore hurler went 21-6 with a 0.98 ERA and 271 strikeouts over 171 innings for the regional champion Mustangs. She also batted .373 with 38 hits and 28 RBIs.

Allie Blum, New Palestine

New Palestine High School senior Allie Blum (6) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during an IHSAA softball game against Zionsville High School, Friday, April 19, 2024, at New Palestine High School. New Palestine won, 6-1.

There are so many options to choose from for the 4A runner-up, but we’ll give one final nod to the Miss Softball finalist. The Kentucky-bound Blum led the state with 21 homers, and led the Dragons with a .548 average, 51 hits, 64 runs, 55 RBIs and 14 doubles. She also had a .979 fielding percentage with five double plays.

More:New Palestine seniors went from no sectional titles to state final: 'A crazy feeling.'

Emma Bruggenschmidt, Castle

Castle Knights Emma Bruggenschmidt (12), middle, high fives her teammates after making an out against the Noblesville Millers during the Carmel Softball Invitational on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Cherry Tree Softball Complex in Carmel, Indiana.

The multi-sport standout maintained her sharp upward trajectory as a sophomore, collecting 60 hits (.484 average), 43 RBIs and 45 runs. She homered eight times, tripled five times and smacked 12 doubles. Bruggenschmidt also stole a couple bases and has 78 career RBIs entering her junior season.

Keirys Click, Hobart

A Miss Softball finalist, Click batted .653 this season with 47 hits, 48 runs, 32 RBIs and a career-best 12 home runs. The shortstop/catcher also swiped 30 bases and turned four double plays in the field. The Illinois commit graduated with a .523 average that included 168 hits, 131 runs, 101 RBIs and 30 home runs.

Krystin Davis, Lapel

Lapel High School Bulldogs Krystin Davis (1) takes a swing against the Eastern Hancock Royals on Friday, May 3, 2024, during the varsity girls softball game at Lapel High School in Lapel, Indiana. The Eastern Hancock Royals defeated the Lapel High School Bulldogs 2-1.

The team’s lone senior, Davis batted .553 with 57 hits, 44 runs, 20 RBIs and seven triples. She also stole a school-record 31 bases and led Lapel through regional and semistate despite having a broken hand. Davis also accrued 25 strikeouts and three wins in the circle. She finished her softball career with a .498 average, 158 hits, 126 runs and 50 RBIs.

More:A broken hand couldn't stop Lapel's lone senior. 'She has that fire in her.'

Jenna Donohoo, Tecumseh

What a four-year run it was for Donohoo, who helped lead Tecumseh to three straight state championship game appearances. The senior Evansvillle commit batted .485 with 50 hits, 37 runs and 57 RBIs as a senior, with 12 doubles and 11 homers. She homered and had four RBIs to lead the eventual Class A runner-up Braves to a 7-5 win over Barr-Reeve in the regional championship.

State wrap:Jenna Donohoo had spectacular career at Tecumseh. And her brother supported her every step of the way.

Peyton Drummond, Floyd Central

Floyd Central’s Peyton Drummond (23) heads for first as the Castle Lady Knights play the Floyd Central Lady Highlanders in the 2024 IHSAA Class 4A Softball Regional in Newburgh, Ind., Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

The speedy senior cleared 40 stolen bases for a third consecutive season, swiping a career-high 55 bags. She also set career-highs for batting average (.564), hits (66), runs (49), RBIs (66), doubles (6), triples (3) and homers (3). Drummond was nearly flawless in the field (one error on 40 chances) and even logged a pitching appearance, recording an out vs. Lanesville in May.

Brynley Erb, Western

Western sophomore Brynley Erb connects on her second home run of the game, this a two-run shot in the third inning of an IHSAA Class 3A softball semistate championship game against New Prairie Monday, June 3, 2024, at Twin Lakes High School in Monticello.

The sophomore put up video game numbers for the 3A state champions: .632 average, 60 hits (17 doubles, five triples, 15 homers), 57 runs scored and 66 RBIs. She also swiped 16 bases and posted a .939 fielding percentage with a couple double plays. Through two seasons, Erb has 126 hits, 121 runs, 140 RBIs and 36 home runs.

More:Lucy George dominates; Chloe Linn's homer lift Western

Grace Gray, Cascade

Cascade Cadets Grace Gray (9) is announced into the starting lineup during the IHSAA Class 2A softball state championship against the Lapel Bulldogs, Friday, June 7, 2024, at Purdue University’s Bittinger Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Cascade Cadets won 4-2.

The junior Ball State commit further established herself among the state’s best, posting a 17-2 record with a 1.65 ERA and 228 strikeouts in her first season as the state champion Cadets’ primary pitcher. Gray also swiped 19 bases and batted .505 with 47 hits, 48 runs and 35 RBIs.

More:Cascade softball wins school's first state title: 'It'll sink in in a little bit.'

Riley Janda, Center Grove

Center Grove Trojans Riley Janda (8) jogs back to the dugout Thursday, May 23, 2024, during the IHSAA Class 4A sectional finals at Center Grove Elementary School in Greenwood. The Center Grove Trojans defeated the Mooresville Pioneers.

The Louisville-bound Janda had a breakout senior season, batting .515 with 50 hits (14 doubles, six triples and 11 homers), 59 RBIs and 29 runs scored — all career-highs. She also swiped 22 bases and turned four double plays in the field. Janda hit a 3-run homer to lift Center Grove to a 3-1 win over East Central in regional.

Avery Layton, Rossville

Rossville Hornets Avery Layton (21) pitches during the IHSAA Class 1A softball state championship against the Tecumseh Braves, Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Purdue University’s Bittinger Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Rossville Hornets won 2-1.

A junior Virginia Tech commit, Layton dominated in the circle, posting a 14-2 record with a 0.89 ERA and 250 strikeouts (102.2 innings pitched). She also batted .462 with 37 hits, 22 runs, 41 RBIs and seven homers. Layton also had 11 assists and a double play for the Class A champion Hornets.

Audrey Lowry, Tri-West

Tri-West Hendricks Bruins Audrey Lowry (1) pitches during the IHSAA Class 3A softball state championship against the Western Panthers, Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Purdue University’s Bittinger Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Western won 1-0.

The Oklahoma commit capped a decorated career with a dazzling senior season, going 19-3 with a .049 ERA and 249 strikeouts. She also batted .524 and led the Bruins to a record-tying third consecutive semistate championship. Lowry graduates among the all-time leaders in strikeouts (1,092).

Anna Moore, Cathedral

Cathedral Fighting Irish Anna Moore (5) rushes after the ball Saturday, April 13, 2024, during the game at the Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.

The junior Purdue commit reset all her career-highs for the sectional champs: .628, 49 hits, 52 runs, 27 RBIs, 12 doubles, eight triples and five homers. Moore also stole 14 bases and was nearly flawless in the field (.965 with six double plays). She carries a career .540 average with 141 hits, 69 RBIs and 129 runs into her senior season.

Malone Moore, Beech Grove

Beech Grove's Malone Moore poses for a photo Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at the Indianapolis Star.

The Coastal Carolina commit racked up 20 wins, 183 strikeouts and a 1.12 ERA over 137 innings for the sectional champion Hornets. Moore also batted .518 with 43 hits, 41 RBIs and 12 doubles.

Kate Renschen, Lake Central

Renschen had a heck of a season, leading the regional champs in average (.550), hits (61), runs (49) and triples (7) and ranking third in RBIs (28). The junior also homered four times and stole 37 bases (60 career steals). She has 109 hits and 99 runs for her career.

Hannah Sutton, Avon

Avon Orioles Hannah Sutton (5) celebrates a base hit against the Roncalli Royals on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, during the Class 4A regional championship softball game at Avon High School in Avon, Indiana. The Avon Orioles defeated the Roncalli Royals 10-2.

The senior Murray State commit led the Orioles to a regional championship, batting .467 with 35 hits, 11 homers, 44 RBIs and 29 runs scored. A career .396 hitter, she graduates with 109 hits, 91 runs, 121 RBIs and 34 homers.

More:Avon team bus breaks down on way to softball sectional. 'I was freaking out a little bit.'

More:Avon softball reminded why they play, but New Palestine earns shot at state final

Grace Swedarsky, Hamilton Southeastern

Hamilton Southeastern Royals pitcher Grace Swedarsky (3) high-fives a teammate during the IHSAA Class 4A softball state championship against the New Palestine Dragons, Friday, June 7, 2024, at Purdue University’s Bittinger Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. HSE won 2-1.

The stats: 140 innings pitched, 18-2, 270 strikeouts, 1.05 ERA, .143 batting average against. She dominated the state tournament and closed out the season by allowing just one run to a New Palestine team that was out-scoring its opponents 72-7 since the start of sectionals.

Insider:4A softball final was everything anyone could have hoped for and more as HSE walks it off.

Abby Widmar, Penn

Penn senior Abigail Widmar runs off the field excited after the Kingsmen got out of an inning during an IHSAA Class 4A softball semistate semifinal game against Lake Central Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Harrison High School in West Lafayette.

Plenty of options for the 2023 state champions, but we’re giving the nod to the senior, who batted a career-best .419 with 48 RBIs and 31 runs scored. Of her 39 hits, Widmar collected 12 doubles and three homers. She also stole 12 bases and was charged with only one error at first (three double plays). Widmar graduates with a .367 average and 139 RBIs.

Brooklyn Willis, Eastern Hancock

Back and mostly healthy, Willis was a force atop the Royals’ lineup alongside fellow senior Sammie Bolding. The UIndy commit batted .560 with career-highs in hits (51), runs (47) and RBIs (49), and was second only to New Palestine’s Allie Blum on the state leaderboard for homers (18).

More:Eastern Hancock 'earned' confidence, regional championship

Riley Zache, South Bend St. Joseph

Saint Joseph senior Riley Zache (8) gets up after missing a diving infield catch during a high school softball game between Saint Joseph and Penn on Monday, May 6, 2024, at Penn High School in Mishawaka. Penn won 8-2.

The Miss Softball finalist batted .516 with 49 hits, 43 RBIs and 38 runs scored, with nine doubles, seven triples and 10 home runs. The OU commit was a steady disruptor at the plate and was virtually perfect behind the plate for younger sister Berkley, posting a .985 fielding percentage with 30 assists and four double plays.

Archive:One brings the heat, the other, the pop. How Zache sisters lift Saint Joseph softball.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.