Oklahoma pledge Berkley Zache of South Bend St. Joseph (Ind.) leads a talented junior class that has already made a big impact on the high school scene. The returning All-American was an impressive 16-1 for her team and also blasted nine home runs.
Throughout the season we will be tracking player accomplishments and contenders for the overall National Player of the Year.
Take a look below at 20 that have our attention as we head into the 2024 high school softball season.
Top 20 Class
1. Berkley Zache, South Bend St. Joseph (Ind.)
Pitcher | Oklahoma
The returning MaxPreps All-American is dominant on both on offense and in the circle. She hit .531 with nine home runs and also went 16-1 with a 0.13 ERA as a sophomore.
2. Anna Hinde, Charlotte Christian (N.C.)
Infield | Florida State
She’s already won two state titles, hit 33 home runs and holds close to a .600 career batting average. Hinde is entering her fourth varsity season, playing since her eighth-grade year.
3. Kai Minor, Orange Lutheran (Calif.)
Outfield | Oklahoma
A major threat at the plate with her speed, power and ability to hit for average. She has swiped 46 bases in two season.
4. Sophia Bordi, Haddon Heights (N.J.)
Pitcher | Oklahoma
The 2023 MaxPreps New Jersey State Player of the Year has already surpassed over 500 strikeouts in her prep career.
5. Ansley Bennett, Summerville (S.C.)
Utility | South Carolina
A do-it-all player for the Green Wave as she pitched and came up clutch at the plate in the biggest moments for the Class 5A state champions.
6. Elsa Morrison, Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Catcher | Tennessee
Batted .617 with 23 home runs last season. She also walked 51 times giving her a .757 on base percentage.
7. Karly Meredith, Kaukauna (Wis.)
Pitcher | Virginia
The ace for a team which has won 81-straight games. She mowed down over 200 batters as a sophomore.
8. Ana Roman, Hagerty (Oviedo, Fla.)
Outfielder | Alabama
The slugger hit 16 home runs as a sophomore and batted over .400. She was also walked 18 times.
9. Kaitlyn Pallozzi, Mercy (Farmington Hills, Mich.)
Pitcher | Alabama
The Marlins’ ace was phenomenal in the circle last spring, striking out 281 batters without allowing an earned run. She also hit .491.
10. Mataia Lawson, Andrew (Tinley Park, Ill.)
Infield | Texas
Hit 14 bombs as a sophomore and batted .578 overall. Lawson has at least two hits in 19 games in 2023.
11. Jolyna Lamar, Panther Creek (Cary, N.C.)
Infield | UCLA
Has already hit a career 20 home runs. Last season, the middle infielder batted .591 with 12 jacks.
12. Sydnie Watts, Austintown-Fitch (Youngstown, Ohio)
Pitcher | Georgia Tech
The 2023 MaxPreps All-American finished 21-0 with a 0.38 ERA. She struck out 281 with seven no-hitters.
13. Brinli Bain, Eagleville (Tenn.)
Infield | Arkansas
A playmaker on the basketball court as well. Last spring, she finished with 10 home runs and 46 RBI.
14. Melody Acevedo, Hillcrest (Riverside, Calif.)
Shortstop | Washington
A career .500 hitter with 23 home runs. She’s only struck out nine times in 224 plate appearances.
15. Ada Little, Scott County (Georgetown, Ky.)
Pitcher | Georgia
The lefty ace has struck out over 400 hitters in two seasons. She can also hit, finishing with a .473 average and five home runs.
16. Rylie Johnson, Fredericksburg Christian (Va.)
Outfield | LSU
On the varsity team since her eighth-grade season, she finished her sophomore year batting over .700 with 19 home runs.
17. Anne Wallace, Ridgeline (Millville, Utah)
Utility | University of Texas at Austin
Smashed a state record 27 home runs, and also walked 19 times with 65 RBI.
18. Ava Ratliff, Bedford North Lawrence (Ind.)
Catcher | South Carolina
The captain went yard 22 times in 2023. She finished her sophomore campaign batting .538.
19. Lisabella Dimitrijevic, Lincoln-Way Central (New Lenox, Ill.)
Pitcher | Florida State
T Knights’ ace struck out 293 batters in 136 innings in 2023.
20. Taelyn Holley, Murrieta Mesa (Calif.)
Outfield | Tennessee
The centerfielder has racked up 78 hits over the past two seasons and has a career .464 average.
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