The Palm Beach Post’s All-County teams are here!
The Post is proud to announce the Player of the Year nominees for large school softball.
Player of the Year winners will be announced at an in-person ceremony. The show is May 28 at the SoFi Center on the Palm Beach Gardens campus of Palm Beach State College. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with the awards program at 6:30 p.m.
Award winners have been contacted by staff with invitations to attend the show, which is produced with support from Baptist Health Orthopedic Care.
First Team All-County Large School Softball
P: Avalowe Fitzgerald, Fr., Jupiter
Wrapping up her first year on varsity at Jupiter, Fitzgerald impressed as one of the county’s leading two-way players. She combined with Sasha Seider for an effective one-two punch in the circle, pitching to a sparkling 1.63 ERA with 135 strikeouts in 66 innings. She helped her own cause with a .500 batting average, highlighted by 11 doubles and two home runs, one of which helped clinch the team’s district title victory en route to a state series appearance.
P: Abygail Gonzalez, Sr., Spanish River
Abygail Gonzalez was an impressive two-way player for Spanish River this year, helping the Sharks to a 14-7 record and a trip to regionals. The senior allowed just a .233 batting average against across 54 1/3 innings pitched, but it was at the plate where she really shined with a .458 average. She had 32 runs, 19 RBIs, and 27 hits including seven doubles and two home runs.
INF: Sierra Cook, Sr., Dwyer
Touted by coach Matt Bodenheimer as one of the state’s best athletes, Sierra Cook was a dominant all-around player for Dwyer in 2026. To pair with a 16-game hitting streak, Cook his .443 with sis doubles, four triples, and five home runs, adding 21 runs scored and 31 RBIs. She came through in the clutch again and again against one of the toughest schedules in the state.
INF: Angeline Mergen, Sr., Park Vista
Angeline Mergen was a lineup powerhouse for Park Vista, pacing her team in virtually every offensive category this season. The senior batted .522 with 31 runs and 23 RBIs, and among her 36 hits were five doubles, nine triples, and two home runs. Her impressive combination of power and speed was exemplified further by her 27 stolen bases, with the FIU commit showcasing her ability as an astute defender as well.
INF: Ainsley Graybeal, So., Jupiter
Ainsley Graybeal was a key player on a talented Jupiter roster this year, pacing the team with four home runs as part of her 25 hits on the year. She hit .439 on the year with 14 runs scored and 21 RBIs and was perfectly defensively in the field for 22-4 Jupiter. The sophomore was a big reason why Jupiter was able to reach the state series for the second time in three years.
INF: Adriana Boucher, Jr., Spanish River
Adriana Boucher was among the most dominant hitters in Palm Beach County this year, helping to lead Spanish River to a 14-7 record and a regional run. The senior hit .492 with 28 runs and 21 RBIs, and she paced the Sharks with 31 hits, including 13 doubles, three triples, and a home run.
OF: Madison Luft, Sr., West Boca Raton
Despite missing some playing time this year, Madison Luft is nearly impossible to leave of any all-star lineup for Palm Beach County. Apart from her perfect defense on the year, the senior hit .472 with 26 runs scored and 22 RBIs, tallying 25 hits, including six doubles and five home runs ― among the county leaders. She helped West Boca Raton to a 14-11 record amid a regional run.
OF: Jasmine Jones, Sr., Wellington
Jasmine Jones was one of the most complete outfielders in Palm Beach County this season, hitting .400 with 17 runs and 16 RBIs. Among her 18 hits were three triples and four home runs, showcasing an impressive display of speed and power for 15-7 Wellington. She helped the team defeated teams such as Jupiter, Dwyer, and Doral Academy.
OF: Kaiya Parker, So., Jupiter
Kaiya Parker batted .486 with a team-high 36 hits this year for states-bound Jupiter, production that included four doubles and four triples. The outfielder’s 24 runs and 23 RBIs further established the sophomore as a dangerous hitter in the top half of the order as she helped the Warriors to a 22-4 record against a brutal schedule.
C: Sam Basen, Sr., Jupiter
Touted as both a “quarterback” and leader for Jupiter softball this season, Sam Basen batted leadoff and acted as starting catcher for the Warriors this year. The senior hit .387 with 24 hits, including two doubles, three triples, and two home runs. The FAIU commit added 13 RBIs and a team-high 33 runs scored for the 22-4 Warriors.
DH/UTIL: Catalina Baronci, Sr., Wellington
Catalina Baronci was a beast at the plate this season, hitting .491 with 19 runs and 23 RBIs this year. She paced the team with 28 hits, among them six doubles and seven home runs for 15-7 Wellington. Baronci helped the Wolverines navigate a brutal schedule, including wins over Jupiter, Dwyer, and Doral Academy.
Second Team All-County
Honorable Mention
Coach of the Year
Steve Ahern, Jupiter
Steve Ahern led Jupiter to the state series for the second time in the last three years, ending 2026 with a 22-4 record and the deepest playoff run of any large school softball program in Palm Beach County. Ahern led the team to a district title victory over Wellington before his team cruised by all regional opponents. With a stellar crew of underclassmen, the future looks bright for the Warriors.
Alex Peterman is a high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at apeterman@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Spring All-County: Best of large school softball in Palm Beach
Reporting by Alexander Peterman, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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