It’s almost time for the final state tournament of the 2025-26 school year.
The Iowa high school softball state tournament runs from July 20-24 at the Harlan Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge. In total, 40 teams from across the state will compete for a shot at a state championship in one of the state’s five classes.
And on the rosters of several of those teams are some of the top players from across Iowa, from Ankeny Centennial’s Jordyn Kennedy to Waukee Northwest’s Sophia Schlader.
Here are 15 players to watch at the Iowa high school softball state tournament.
Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Addie Abens, Jr., Dallas Center-Grimes
The junior outfielder is the leading lady for the No. 4-seed Mustangs (29-6), both at the plate and in the outfield. She has 21 home runs and 59 RBIs on 55 hits – with a .567 batting average. From the outfield, she has 24 put-outs with zero errors.
Ellie Doster, Jr., Fort Dodge
The hometown team is back after missing the state tournament last season, and Doster helped the Dodgers (38-4) to the No. 3 seed in the Class 4A bracket. She leads her team with 71 RBIs and a dozen home runs, and the catcher has 143 put-outs with just two errors.
Lauren Hagedorn, Sr., ADM
The top-seeded Tigers (33-4) boast two impressive pitchers – in Hagedorn and Makenna Pitlick – but the senior stands out because of her success at the plate, as well. She holds a 16-4 record in the circle, with 137 strikeouts and a 0.95 ERA. Offensively, she’s also Hagedorn recorded 31 RBI, 13 home runs and a .463 batting average.
Jordyn Kennedy, Sr., Ankeny Centennial
A force to be reckoned with since she started playing high school softball, Kennedy remains at the top of her game in her final season. In 108 at-bats, she’s been struck out just five times, and she’s totaled 63 RBIs and 18 home runs, with a .472 batting average.
Lily Knutson, Sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy
The Cougars (33-8) are back in the state tournament for the first time in five years, and Knutson played a major role in Kennedy’s success. She is tied for the sixth-most home runs in the state this season with 17, in addition to her 38 RBIs and .444 batting average.
Jersey Metz, Sr., Williamsburg
The Raiders (37-5) are a tough team to beat when Metz is in the circle. She helped her team to the No. 1 seed in Class 3A with a 22-3 overall record, with 106 strikeouts, 1.57 ERA and 91 hits allowed in 142.2 innings pitched.
Mady Ott, Sr., Ankeny Centennial
There is a ton of talent on this Centennial (38-3) squad, and Ott is among the best-of-the-best. She recorded 55 RBIs and 14 home runs – with a .554 batting average. She also has 35 put-outs from the outfield.
Grace Pence, Sr., Albia
The Lady Dees (32-1) are a tough team to beat when Pence is in the circle. The senior star started 27 games this season, posting a 26-1 record with 345 strikeouts and an absurd 0.17 ERA in 166 innings pitched.
Chloe Roling, So., Carlisle
What makes this sophomore standout over some of her teammates, who have more RBIs or better averages? Well, Roling is a difference maker in one key category: stolen bases. She picked up 59 stolen bases on 61 total attempts. In a state tournament environment, her ability to steal bags could be the difference between winning and losing.
Kari Rose, Sr., Valley
While Rose might not have the top statistics on this Tigers (33-8) team, she is a veteran among Valley’s small senior core. The second baseman totaled 24 RBIs and a .535 batting average on offense – plus 17 stolen bases on 17 attempts. On defense, she had 86 put-outs and 25 assists, with five errors.
Julia Roth, Sr., Wahlert Catholic
Roth is one of the state’s top sluggers this season, with 18 home runs – in addition to 59 RBIs and a .479 batting average in 121 at-bats. She’s also one of the go-to relief pitchers for Wahlert (35-6), with an 11-2 record and 100 strikeouts.
Sophia Schlader, So., Waukee Northwest
There are plenty of talented players who helped the Wolves (36-4) to the top seed in the Class 5A bracket, but Schlader continues to impress with her skills in the circle. The sophomore pitcher holds a 25-0 record, with 265 strikeouts, 52 hits allowed and a 0.69 ERA in just over 152 innings pitched.
Alayna Schulte, Sr., Waukee Northwest
It isn’t easy to pick just one other player from the Wolves’ roster, but Schulte’s statistics help her stand out. She recorded 17 RBIs and one home run, but it’s her 29 stolen bases on 29 attempts that really separate her. On defense, she has 48 put-outs with just one error in the infield.
Kyla Schulte, Sr., Clear Creek Amana
Two players lead the state with 23 home runs, but only one propelled her team into the state tournament. Behind nearly two dozen homers from Schulte – plus 74 RBIs and a .509 batting average – the Clippers (30-11) enter the tournament as the No. 6 seed in the 4A bracket.
Faith Shirbroun, Sr., St. Edmond
The St. Edmond (25-9) star boasts one of the best batting averages in the state, with a .685 average on 97 at-bats. She recorded 49 RBIs and 11 home runs, as well, helping the Gaels to the No. 3 seed in the Class 1A bracket.
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 15 Players to watch at Iowa high school softball state tournament
Reporting by Alyssa Hertel, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Alyssa Hertel, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
