LAFAYETTE—Small school softball programs in the Lafayette area took their teams to new heights, from a first-time team state champion being crowned from North Newton to Rossville punching above its student population size and capturing its first IHSAA class 2A sectional and regional titles in 2025.
North Newton and Rossville’s success, along with Clinton Prairie’s capturing its first sectional title since 2010, was reflected in the 43 players who received votes for the 2025 Journal & Courier Small Schools All-Area softball team.
Coaches from across the Lafayette area voted on the Journal & Courier All-Area first team, second team, and honorable mention.
It’s time to unveil the 43 players voted to the 2025 Journal & Courier All-Area team:
Avery Layton, Rossville, pitcher, senior
The Virginia Tech-bound hard-throwing right-hander put together another complete campaign to conclude her storied career in Rossville. Layton finished with a 17-4 pitching record and 275 strikeouts in 2025. At the plate, Layton was potent and swatted seven home runs, carried a .438 batting average, .500 On base percentage, .802 Slugging percentage with 12 doubles, one triple, and seven home runs to help Rossville capture its first 2A regional and sectional titles. Layton pitched in the North vs. South Indiana All-Star game.
Bella Dominguez, Tri-County, catcher, senior
Dominguez proved herself to be a menace both as a leadoff hitter and catcher. Dominguez batted .560 BA with a .638 on-base percentage, eight doubles, five triples, and hit four home runs while striking out just three times all season. Dominguez on defense committed just two errors, stole 30 bases, was named first team All-State, and was an Indiana North All-Star. Under Dominguez’s leadership, Tri-County set a program record with 24 wins. Dominguez will play college softball at Danville Area Community College.
Sydney Rainford, North Newton, pitcher, senior
Rainford put herself in the same lane as 1995 IHSAA state 100 meters state champion Mike Hinch as the greatest athletes in North Newton’s history. Rainford, after four seasons of North Newton coming short of a state bid, delivered on her goal of bringing a state championship back to Morocco ― the first team title in the program’s history. The future East Carolina pitcher led the state with 373 strikeouts, 23 walks, 0.35 ERA and finished her career with her opponents hitting .109. And she could hit, too. Rainford batted .438 BA with four home runs, including two during her team’s IHSAA postseason state title run with three triples, 12 doubles and 20 RBI. North Newton outscored opponents 31-0 during the postseason.
Grace Luck, Tri-County, pitcher and shortstop, junior
Luck’s consistency from the plate and in the circle made her a matchup problem for teams. Luck batted .538, had a .581 on-base percentage, roped nine doubles with three triples, slugged four home runs, and drove in 43 runs. She had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, tossed 65 innings, 105 strikeouts with a 2.69 ERA while opponents hit .211 in 2025.
Ashlyn Minnear, Frontier, outfielder, senior
Minnear kept a hot bat as her program finished 1-18 in 2025. Minnear batted .612 with two home runs, eight doubles, and 19 RBI.
Brielle Layton, Rossville, utility, freshman
The younger sister of 2024 Journal & Courier Small Schools Player of the Year Avery Layton, the multi-faceted Brielle Layton proved she belongs on the short list of top underclassmen in Indiana. Layton batted .553 with an .628 on-base percentage, .862 slugging percentage, 14 doubles, three triples, three home runs, and 29 RBI.
Kailee Bishop, West Central, catcher and shortstop, senior
Bishop guided West Central to a 15-8 record in a highly competitive Midwest Conference. Bishop is set to play softball at Huntington University after she batted .597 with four home runs, three triples, five doubles, and 32 RBI.
Addi Gorbett, Rossville, shortstop, junior
Rossville loses just one senior in Avery Layton and taking the lead for the Hornets in 2025 is Gorbett. Gorbett batted .473 batting average carried a .512 On base percentage, .745 slugging percentage with 15 doubles, three triples, three home runs with 41 RBI and 47 runs scored. Her glove at shortstop and potency at the plate should allow for Rossville to make another deep run in 2A.
Sami Leopard, Delphi, shortstop, freshman
Leopard made a massive splash during her freshman year as Delphi finished 14-13. Leopard was voted her team’s MVP after she batted with 25 RBI, roped seven doubles, three triples, scored 29 runs with 20 stolen bases. Leopard was voted third team All-State and to the All-Hoosier Heartland Conference team.
Piper Ramey, North Montgomery, pitcher, senior
Ramey finished her stellar career at North Montgomery. Ramey was voted first team Sagamore All Conference after she batted .520 with six home runs and drew 13 walks. Ramey finished with a 3.74 ERA with 136 strikeouts and 40 walks.
Kaylyn Applegate, North White, pitcher, senior
Applegate finished her career batting .487, a .541 on base percentage, 37 hits, seven doubles, four triples, 17 RBI, 29 runs, and 12 stolen bases. In the circle, Applegate tossed 89.1 innings, threw 121 strikeouts, and posted a 2.19 ERA. Applegate holds the North White career record for strikeouts, triples, and is signed to play softball at Taylor University.
Brooke Koebcke, Rensselaer, catcher, senior
Koebcke concluded her softball career batting .458 with a .759 slugging percentage, 37 RBI, and two home runs in 2025. Koebcke set the tone for Rensselaer, finishing 15-9 including an undefeated 8-0 record in the Hoosier Conference.
Sadie Weliver, Clinton Prairie, shortstop and pitcher, junior
Weliver took a leap into becoming one of the recognized arms in the Lafayette area. Weliver posted a 3.88 ERA and threw 108 strikeouts in 108 innings. At the plate, Weliver was efficient as well and batted .400 with a .514 on-base percentage, .544 slugging with 28 RBIs, nine doubles, and two triples.
Ella Barry, Southmont, pitcher and shortstop, freshman
Barry finished a memorable freshman year where she excelled at three sports: softball, volleyball, and basketball. Barry slugged eight home runs with a .434 batting average and 26 RBI. In the circle, Barry struck out 152 in 109.2 innings, 2.74 ERA, and was Southmont’s leader in OPS, slugging, batting average, hits, runs, RBIs, and home runs.
Raelynn Anliker, North White, pitcher and third baseman, junior
Anliker paired with Applegate to produce a season of finely woven performances both at the plate and in the circle. Anliker slugged three home runs, including a grand slam, with an on-base percentage of .481, 29 hits, and eight doubles. Anliker commanded the strike zone as well when Applegate needed rest and held a 3.54 ERA, struck out 74 batters, and opponents hit .214 in 49.1 innings pitched. Anliker was named to the All-Midwest Conference and White County team.
Second team
Honorable mention: Nuriah Harvey, Clinton Central, pitcher and shortstop, freshman; Julia Glasford, West Central, pitcher and infielder, senior; Megan Suchazewski, Seeger, second baseman and outfielder, sophomore; Allie Elliott, Rossville, sophomore, first baseman; Lyla Badger, Seeger, pitcher and third baseman, freshman; Olivia Stankard, Carroll, outfielder, senior; Vivienne Middleton, Seeger, catcher and infielder, sophomore; Aubrey Spear, Seeger, outfielder, junior; Chloe Linder, Benton Central, infielder and pitcher, freshman; Julia Mazur, Central Catholic, outfielder, freshman; Rylynn Klemz, North Newton, catcher, freshman; Melanie Crawford, North White, catcher and infielder, junior; Cora Groover, South Newton, first baseman, sophomore; Kylie Spencer, Rensselaer, shortstop, senior.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Journal & Courier 2025 All-Area Small Schools Softball team: Who was voted in?
Reporting by Ethan Hanson, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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