First Team
Marah Hulke, Jr.,
Nicollet, P/SS
In 15 games in the circle this season, Hulke had a 1.15 ERA and 124 strikeouts. The All-Conference, All-Section and All-State junior also was key for the Raiders as a leadoff hitter with 39 hits and a .534 batting average. She also had eight doubles, seven home runs, three triples and 33 RBIs with an OBP of .622. For her career, Hulke has a .473 batting average and a 1.70 ERA.
Brooklyn Sturm, Fr., Springfield, SS
Sturm was a key reason for the Tigers’ run to state with a standout freshman season that saw her named an All-State, All-Conference and All-Section player. The shortstop hit .529 for Springfield with a .956 slugging percentage. She also had 36 hits, nine doubles, six homers, a triple and 40 RBIs. Defensively, Sturm had a .900 fielding percentage and turned three double plays and had 51 putouts.
Sarah Mohr, Sr.,
Cathedral, SS
Mohr was named the Tomahawk Conference Co-Player of the Year this season and hit .441 at the plate. A three-time All-Conference player (2018, 2019, 2021), three-time All-Section player (2018, 2019, 2021) and two-time All-State Player (2019, 2021), Mohr was also named a 2021 MFCA All-Star this season. She also drew 20 walks, scored 34 runs, had 30 hits and added 14 RBIs. In 92 plate appearances, Mohr struck out just eight times and had an OBP of .571.
Kiah Helget, Fr.,
Cathedral, P
Helget wrapped up her freshman year of softball as an All-Conference player and an All-State honorable mention. In 96 1/3 innings of work, Helget went 13-3 with a 3.05 ERA and 82 strikeouts. She allowed 53 walks and 98 hits for a WHIP of 1.57. At the plate, Helget led the team in batting average with a .513 average. She scored 28 runs, had five homers and drove in a team-leading 35 runs in 76 at-bats. She also had 10 stolen bases and led the team in hits with 39.
Jaeli Richert, So.,
Springfield, P/OF
Richert’s All-Conference, All-Section sophomore season helped carry the Tigers to the state tournament. She hit .350 with a .470 OBP and had 28 hits, five doubles, two homers and a triple. In the circle, Richert had a 7-1 record, a 2.50 ERA, 43 strikeouts and 24 walks allowed in 56 innings of work.
Haley Ditch, Sr.,
MVL, SS
Ditch was a standout player for Minnesota Valley Lutheran during her senior year of softball, leading the team with a .463 batting average. She also had 25 hits, six doubles, 13 runs scored, a homer and 10 RBIs to go with a .630 slugging percentage. The three-year varsity player was a unanimous selection to the Tomahawk All-Conference team this year.
Sarah Franta, Sr.,
Wabasso, P
Franta led the Rabbits at the plate this season with a .470 batting average and 39 hits. She also scored 28 runs and had seven doubles, two triples, two home runs, 24 RBIs and stole 19 bases. In the circle, she went 11-12 in 143 1/3 innings with a 3.04 ERA. She also had 107 strikeouts and allowed 40 walks. She was also named to the Tomahawk All-Conference Team this season.
Hayley Selby, Jr.,
Nicollet, P/SS
Selby was one of Nicollet’s top all-around players this season as an All-Conference and All-Section player, hitting .346 at the plate and holding a 1.86 ERA in the circle in 13 games pitched. She also had 115 strikeouts this season in the circle and had 27 hits, seven doubles, two homers, 25 RBIs and a triple at the plate. For her career, Selby has a 2.84 ERA and a .411 batting average.
Emily Schommer, Jr.
Cathedral, C
Schommer wrapped up her junior year as an All-Conference player, the second time in her career. She was also named an All-Section and All-State player this year and hit .308 while driving in 22 runs and walking 20 times. She scored 18 runs also this year in 52 at-bats and had 16 hits, six of them being home runs.
Second Team
Jalivia Richert, Fr.,
Springfield, P/OF
Joining her sister Jaeli in the circle this year, Jalivia Richert pitched 89 innings for the state-appearing Tigers this season and had a 10-2 record to show for it. She also had 83 strikeouts and 29 walks allowed with a 2.83 ERA. The All-Conference, All-Section player also hit .302 at the plate.
McKenna Strong, Sr., Sleepy Eye, CF
Strong ended her senior year with the Indians as an All-Conference, All-Section and All-State player. She led Sleepy Eye on offense and defense this year, hitting .400 with 22 hits, 22 RBIs and 15 runs scored. The No. 4-hitter also had a slugging percentage of .691, drew nine walks and stole five bases. Head coach Sydney Geiger said that Strong’s passion, grit, power and knowledge would be tough to replace in years to come.
Miranda Suess, Jr.,
NUHS, P
Suess was a veteran pitcher this season for the Eagles but it was her first varsity season. The Big South All-Conference player also was utilized at third base when not pitching and hit .283 with an OBP of .411. In the circle, Suess pitched 89 2/3 innings with 64 strikeouts, 40 walks allowed and a 3.59 ERA.
Kelsey Frank, So.,
Wabasso, C
Frank was one of the top hitters for Rabbits this season with a .411 batting average. She had 30 hits, 22 RBIs, five doubles, scored 27 runs and was a threat on the basepaths with 27 stolen bases. The sophomore catcher also drew 18 walks and had a .560 on-base percentage. Frank was an honorable mention in the Tomahawk Conference this season.
Megan Haala, So.,
Cathedral, CF/P
Haala was an All-Conference player this season with a .400 batting average in 65 at-bats. She had a team-leading eight doubles and also had 16 RBIs and 26 hits. In 37 2/3 innings in the circle, Haala had a 5-1 record and a 1.86 ERA, striking out 35 and allowing 12 walks and 29 hits.
Allie Labat, So.,
St. Mary’s, 3B
Labat’s first year of varsity softball was a successful one as she hit .406 with 28 hits. Labat also drove in 18 RBIs, scored 21 runs, had nine doubles and added a home run. Labat was an All-Section player this year also and hit .500 in a strong postseason run for the Knights.
Julia Helget, Jr.,
St. Mary’s, CF/P
Helget was an All-Conference selection her junior year, hitting .372 with 32 hits and 31 runs scored. She also had 19 RBIs, a homer, a triple and eight doubles while striking out just nine times. In 24 1/3 innings in the circle, Helget had a 3.16 ERA and 24 strikeouts while allowing 25 hits and 16 walks.
Lily Brennan, So.,
Cathedral, 3B
Brennan used her speed to log 25 singles, hit .413 and steal 14 bases this season for the Greyhounds during her sophomore year. Brennan also had four doubles and hit two homers with 19 RBIs while scoring 29 runs. She was an honorable mention in the Tomahawk Conference this season.
Megan Ploeger, Jr.,
Springfield, C/SS/DP
Ploeger was an offensive leader for the Tigers this season in multiple positions, hitting .372 with a .577 slugging percentage. She had 29 hits, four doubles, four homers, 24 RBIs and 27 runs scored. Defensively, Ploeger had a .976 fielding percentage. The Tomahawk All-Conference player also caught five players stealing and picked off two runners as a catcher.
Honorable Mentions
Lacey Mathiowetz, So., St. Mary’s, P
Gracie Linbo, Fr., NUHS, RF
Maddie O’Connor, Jr., NUHS, SS
Brooklyn Bode, So., Nicollet, CF
Corban Tatro, Fr., Madelia, P