BATTLE CREEK ― The B.O.B. is ready for spring sports.
The Best Of Battle Creek series in the Enquirer is being expanded this year to include the top players on baseball and softball fields throughout the area.
Each week, throughout the spring, we are going to ask, “Who is the Best Of Battle Creek?” as we look at each position in baseball and softball among the city/area high school teams.
Nominations for each position have come from the city/area coaches with a little information on each player. It will be a tougher list to make this year as we expand the field to city and area teams, but once we do, then it will be up to the Enquirer readers to decide who is the B.O.B.
MORE: Top Corner Infielder in High School Softball
Each week we will give readers choices and open our online poll for voting, with a winner decided by the following Tuesday with polls closing at noon.
Next up are the middle infielders for the city/area softball teams:
Everley Adams
School: Gull Lake
Class: Junior
Why she is the best middle infielder in the city/area: Providing good defense and leadership on the infield, Everley Adams also hits in the middle of the Gull Lake lineup as a shortstop. Hitting for average at .453 with 22 runs scored and has a .921 fielding percentage.
Olivia Branham
School: Pennfield
Class: Sophomore
Why she is the best middle infielder in the city/area: As a shortstop, Olivia Branham has become a leader on a very young Pennfield team. Her strong defensive skills has anchored the infield for the Panthers.
Addyson Bucklin
School: Coldwater
Class: Freshman
Why she is the best middle infielder in the city/area: A rising prospect as a freshman, Addyson Bucklin has been a key part of a state-ranked Coldwater team. A versatile high IQ defender at second base, she is hitting .462 with 26 RBIs.
Addison Carden
School: Marshall
Class: Sophomore
Why she is the best middle infielder in the city/area: In a growing role as a sophomore, Addison Carden has made an impact at second base. She is hitting .446 with 46 hits on the season and a .508 on-base percentage, batting in the No. 2 hole.
Addi Dzwik
School: St. Philip/Climax-Scotts
Class: Junior
Why she is the best middle infielder in the city/area: A consistent force at shortstop and hitting in the No. 3 spot in the lineup, Addi Dzwik continues to be the leading hitter on the St. Philip/Climax-Scotts co-op team. She is hitting .527 with a .938 fielding percentage after being an all-city and all-region selection a year ago.
Kennedy Halverson
School: Harper Creek
Class: Senior
Why she is the best middle infielder in the city/area: Kennedy Halverson is the anchor of the Harper Creek defense with an impressive .964 fielding percentage from her shortstop spot. The school’s career home run leader, she is hitting . 530 this season with 43 RBIs. An an all-league and all-city pick last year, she has signed to play Division I softball at Western Michigan University.
Brielle Kelly
School: Marshall
Class: Senior
Why she is the best middle infielder in the city/area: A four-year starter and putting up big numbers as a senior with a .431 batting average with 50 hits and 47 runs scored, she has nearly 200 hits on her career as the leadoff hitter for Marshall. An all-conference and all-area pick, she has signed to play at Ohio Dominican University.
Mallory Kincaid
School: Athens
Class: Senior
Why she is the best middle infielder in the city/area: A four-year starter and team captain, Mallory Kincaid is the leadoff hitter and shortstop for Athens. The senior is hitting .429 and has committed to play at Spring Arbor University.
Brooklen Minix
School: Homer
Class: Sophomore
Why she is the best middle infielder in the city/area: As a sophomore, Brooklen Minix plays beyond her years with a whopping .656 batting average with 32 runs scored and 16 RBIs on the season. In her two-year career, she has 95 runs and 65 stolen bases.
Gracie Phelps
School: Union City
Class: Senior
Why she is the best middle infielder in the city/area: A four-year starter on varsity, Gracie Phelps is an offensive force at shortstop for Union City. Crushing the ball with a .489 batting average, she hits in the No. 4 spot for the Chargers.
Rylie VanAken
School: Coldwater
Class: Senior
Why she is the best middle infielder in the city/area: An honorable mention all-state selection at shortstop last year, Rylie VanAken is a leader on a state-ranked Coldwater team. Hitting .545 with 42 runs scored, she has signed to play Division I softball at Akron University.
Selah Wolever
School: Harper Creek
Class: Junior
Why she is the best middle infielder in the city/area: A rising prospect as a junior, Selah Wolever has had a breakout season at second base for Harper Creek. With a .922 fielding percentage, she also adds good offense with a .353 batting average and a . 393 on-base percentage.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Best of Battle Creek at middle infielder in high school softball? Vote here
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
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