In just one month, all eyes will be on Fort Dodge.
The Iowa high school state softball tournament, which takes place July 20-24, is fast approaching and hundreds of the best players will gather to compete for state titles. While everyone is already prepping for the excitement of those five wild days, there have already been some incredible performances that need recognition.
Here, we’ve highlighted 15 athletes who are deserving of Player of the Year consideration as the postseason approaches.
Stats from gobound.com as of June 26. Names are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Addie Abens, Jr., Dallas Center-Grimes
Abens has exploded in her junior season with the Mustangs. She had recorded 19 home runs, tied for the most in Iowa this season, to go along with a .594 batting average and 49 RBIs. That is already six home runs better than her total last season and a massive jump from her. 385 batting average in 2025.
Breeze Bentz, Soph., Ankeny Christian
There are not many batters slashing better than Bentz, who owns a .673 batting average, five home runs and 23 RBIs. Behind Bentz, the Eagles are out to a 18-3 start.
Bri Blush, Soph., Beckman Catholic
Blush’s 13 home runs and 43 RBIs are among the best in Iowa. She also carries a .571 batting average with 84 putouts and zero errors behind the dish.
Aubree Davis, Sr., Lewis Central
Davis is one of two batters in Iowa hitting over .700 (.710). Add in 15 home runs and 48 RBIs and she is one of the state’s most dangerous players at the plate.
Ellie Doster, Jr., Fort Dodge
The whole Iowa softball world will focus on Fort Dodge soon enough, with Doster having home field advantage if her squad can make the state tournament. If they do, Doster’s 10 home runs, 55 RBIs (second most in Iowa) and .577 batting average will make her a massive threat to the competition.
Hayden Gookin, Jr., Mount Vernon
Gookin is a quality batter with 12 home runs, 45 RBIs and a .425 batting average, but she thrives in the circle. She owns a 16-2 record, a 0.66 ERA and 167 strikeouts.
Lauren Hagedorn, Sr., ADM
Hagedorn is a two-way star for the Tigers. She has a .471 batting average, 12 home runs and 25 RBIs as a batter, but is one of two high-quality pitchers for ADM, holding an 12-4 record, 1.02 ERA and 108 strikeouts. Behind the senior leader, ADM is 24-4 and a true state title contender in Class 4A.
Jordyn Kennedy, Sr., Ankeny Centennial
Kennedy has been a home-run threat for several years now, and she’s continued that in a big way as a senior. The Minnesota commit has 16 home runs, 55 RBIs and a .494 batting average. Her home run and RBI tally are both in the top three statewide.
Lily Knutson, Sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy
Knutson’s pitching stats are enough to get her on the list with a 0.65 ERA and 168 strikeouts. However, her batting is elite as well with 13 home runs, 30 RBIs and a .431 batting average. Behind her, the Cougars are 27-7 in a tough Class 5A.
Mady Ott, Sr., Ankeny Centennial
While teammate Kennedy is a fearsome bat, Ott is just as powerful for the Jaguars. The Drake commit is batting .542 with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs. She also owns a .689 on-base percentage, the best in Class 5A. While Class 5A is loaded with star talent and elite teams like Waukee Northwest, Ankeny Centennial is right up there with them at 29-2.
Grace Pence, Sr., Albia
Pence is in the midst of an outstanding season in the circle. She owns a 0.17 ERA in 20 starts, along with an Iowa-best 256 strikeouts. That’s nearly 13 strikeouts per game to help Albia get off to an unbeaten 24-0 start.
Kari Rose, Sr., West Des Moines Valley
Another future Drake Bulldog, Rose has been tremendous at the plate. She owns a .639 batting average (best in Class 5A) and a .690 on-base percentage (second in Class 5A) to help Valley get out to a solid start on the season.
Sophia Schlader, Soph., Waukee Northwest
Schlader is one of Iowa’s top stars. A .492 batting average, 14 home runs and 20 RBIs are amazing in their own right, but her 0.62 ERA, 188 strikeouts and 19-0 record in the circle make her Iowa’s best two-way star.
Kyla Schulte, Sr., Clear Creek Amana
She’s got 19 home runs, 57 RBIs and a .568 batting average. Need we say more about the star Schulte has continued to become?
Paityn West, Fr., Missouri Valley
At 19-2, Missouri Valley is playing well in a competitive Class 2A. West is the catalyst, leading her team with eight home runs, 30 RBIs and a .40 batting average. She is also one of two dominant pitchers for the team, with a 11-2 record, 1.60 ERA and 97 strikeouts.
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 15 Iowa high school softball midseason Player of the Year candidates
Reporting by Eli McKown, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Eli McKown, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
