2023 high school softball watch list

Emma Ody, Sr., Avon: Ody is the first and only first-team All-Ohioan in Avon softball. Was one of the top home run hitters in the area last year with nine home runs. Was also a first-team all-county, all-district and all-SWC selection.

Hannah Gurich, Jr., Keystone: A Division II second-team All-Ohio selection as a sophomore. She had a batting average of .473 with 33 runs batted in and 13 doubles. Keystone has a heavy-hitting stud in the midfield.

Delaney Peters, Sr., Keystone: An All-Ohio basketball player with a lot of raw talent inside the circle. Her .482 batting average was the highest on the Wildcats in 2022. She batted in 17 runs.

Autumn Behlke, Sr., North Ridgeville: Arguably the best pitcher in the area. Behlke is signed to play collegiate softball at Youngstown State. Brings power inside the circle and at the plate. She batted .463 with five home runs and 32 runs batted in. Even after she spent the beginning of the season recovering from a foot injury, she struck out over 100 batters.

Jayln Owca, Jr., Keystone: A first team LC8 and all-county selection for the Wildcats. She hit .433 with 31 runs batted in. Expected to make great contributions on a deep hitting lineup.

Lindsay Nader, Sr., Brookside: Nader transitions to pitcher to replace Leah Musall. As Brookside’s power hitter, she batted .523. She was a first-team all-county and LC8 selection.

Lexi Bartlome, Sr., Brookside: Bartlome will play a big role in how Nader performs inside the circle from behind the plate. She’s been the Cardinals’ starting catcher since she was a sophomore and played a pivotal role in Brookside’s back-to-back district finals appearances.

Lily Tomasheski, Jr., Midview: A star Middie on the volleyball court and on the diamond. She batted in over 20 runs. She was named first-team all-SWC and all-county.

Hannah Brooks, So., Elyria Catholic: Brooks is a first-team GLC selection who batted .525 and drove in 30 runs with four home runs. Provides a solid future for the Panthers in Terrel Dixon’s first year as coach.

Harper Morgan, So., Elyria Catholic: Another young and upcoming Panther. Morgan pitched nearly every game with a 13-4 record. She struck out 148 batters, with an earned runs average of 3.14. Behind the plate, she batted .400 with six home runs.

Sarah Gilley, Jr., North Olmsted: She led the Eagles with a .486 batting average, with 35 runs batted in and 18 doubles. Was a first-team selection in the GLC West. Should be a solid building piece for last year’s district semifinalist.

Bella Minisall, Sr., Keystone: Batted .447 in 2022, with 22 runs batted in. Hit the walk-off game-winner against Brookside in a vital LC8 game en route to the conference championship. She was named first-team all-conference and all-county.

Mandy DeWitt, Sr., Firelands: DeWitt batted .392 with 21 RBI. Was a second-team all-conference and county selection.

Kloie Troutman, Jr., Elyria: A powerful hitter in Elyria’s lineup. Pitchers should be extra cautious with her if runners are on base. She was named first-team all-SWC in 2022.

Allie Chinchar, Sr., North Ridgeville: Is one of two returning senior starters from the 2022 district championship season. She batted .381 with 24 runs batted in. As an outfielder, she was selected first-team all-SWC and second-team all-Lorain County.

Lilly Arnold, Sr., Midview: Arnold batted in over 20 runs as a junior. She was selected second team all-SWC.

Kristen Kelley, Jr., Amherst: A basketball player who uses her athleticism on the diamond on the left field. She is a powerful hitter who batted .371. This year, Kelley makes the move to center field. She was selected as second-team all-SWC.