State champions and superstars headline All-Area Softball Team

FIRST TEAM

2021 ALL-AREA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

AVERY STEFFEN • ZUMBROTA-MAZEPPA

Senior • Pitcher

Stats ‘n notes: Class AA First Team All-State, one of seven finalists for Ms. Minnesota Player of the Year, All-HVL, All-Section 1AA. .540 batting average with 47 hits, 10 doubles, 1 triple and a Zumbrota-Mazeppa school record 11 home runs. 24 RBIs, 45 runs scored. 15-3 record in the circle with a 1.03 ERA. 185 Ks in 109 innings pitched. Carried Zumbrota-Mazeppa to the Section 1AA title game. Will play softball at North Dakota State next season.

RELATED: The ultimate competitor: Zumbrota-Mazeppa's Avery Steffen is the Player of the Year

MORGYN OTTE • RANDOLPH

Senior • Pitcher

Stats ‘n notes: Class A First Team All-State, Finalist for Ms. Softball, Third Team All-Metro, All-Southeast Conference, Academic All-State, All-Section 4A, Team MVP. 26-0 record on the mound. 141 IPs with 294 Ks and a 0.55 ERA and led Randolph to a Class A state title for the first time in Randolph's 104-year history. 10 no-hitters, 3 perfect games, 15 shutouts and only one unearned run allowed at the Class A state tournament. .425 batting avg., .474 on-base percentage, team-high 17 doubles. The Southwest Minnesota State commit finished with an 80-9 career record with 727 total strikeouts. "She has set almost every Randolph record and came close to setting the state tournament record of strikeouts in a game with 18 (the record is 20) against Edgerton Southwest MN Christian," Randolph coach Dennis Trom said. "Morgyn is a team leader both on and off the field and has been a starting varsity pitcher since the eighth grade."

MEGAN ERICKSON • RANDOLPH

Senior • Catcher

Stats ‘n notes: Class A First Team All-State, Finalist for Ms. Softball, Second Team All-Metro, All-Southeast Conference, Academic All-State, All-Section 4A, .549 avg., .596 OBP, 1.198 SLG, 13 doubles, 2 triples, 14 home runs, 64 RBIs, 51 runs scored, 0 strikeouts. Helped Randolph win the Class A state title. Will go down as one of the best players in Randolph's history and graduates with multiple school records.

CAITLYN HENDRICKSON • HAYFIELD

Senior • Pitcher

Stats ‘n notes: Class A First Team All-State, All-Section 1A, All-Gopher Conference and played in the Minnesota Softball Coaches Association All-Star Series. .368 batting average with a .422 OBP and .447 SLG. 28 hits, 3 doubles, 1 homer, seven RBIs, 26 runs scored. 123 2/3 innings pitched. 11 wins. 1.92 ERA with 193 Ks to lead Hayfield to the Section 1A Final Four.

MADDIE COCKER • BYRON

Junior • Pitcher

Stats ‘n notes: Class AAA Second Team All-State, All-Section 1AAA, All-Hiawatha Valley League, All-State Team Academic Gold. 98 1/3 innings pitched with a 0.78 ERA and 189 strikeouts. Allowed just 11 earned runs all season. .367 batting average with 7 doubles, 1 home run and 18 hits. .500 on-base percentage.

GRACE FRICKE • WINONA

Junior • Utility

Stats ‘n notes: Class AAA First Team All-State, All-Section 1AAA, All-Big 9. Played four different positions for Winona and led the Winhawks to a Section 1AAA title and a Class AAA Second Place finish. .523 avg., 14 doubles, 6 home runs, 35 RBIs, 37 runs scored, 46 hits.

PAIGE GRAFTON • WINONA

Senior • Third Base

Stats ‘n notes: Class AAA Second Team All-State, All-Section 1AAA, All-Big 9. .476 avg., 8 doubles, 7 home runs, 45 RBIs, 25 runs scored, 40 hits. Led Winona to a runner-up finish in Class AAA.

MAKADYN GUST • ST. CHARLES

Freshman • Center Field

Stats ‘n notes: .459 avg., 12 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs, 24 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, .523 OBP, 1.308 OPS, 40 runs scored. Helped St. Charles win the Section 1AA title and place second in Class AA.

ABBY MILES • ROCHESTER JOHN MARSHALL

Senior • Pitcher

Stats ‘n notes: All-Big 9, Academic All-State selection. Broke John Marshall's career records for home runs and wins despite missing her entire junior season due to COVID. Set the single-season record for home runs. .406 avg., .525 OBP, 1.353 OPS, 7 home runs and 27 RBIs. Pitched all but 21 innings for John Marshall this season with 13 wins, 145 Ks and just 20 walks.

SYDNEY HIGLEY • ZUMBROTA-MAZEPPA

Junior • Catcher

Stats ‘n notes: All-HVL, All-Section 1AA, Class AA Second Team All-State. .422 avg., 35 hits, 8 doubles, 10 home runs, 41 RBIs, 27 runs scored.

JULIA SCHMOKER • WABASHA-KELLOGG

Senior • Pitcher

Stats ‘n notes: Class A Second Team All-State, All-Section 1A, All-Southeast Conference. .415 avg., 10 doubles, 7 home runs, 25 RBIs. 162 IPs, 213 Ks, 2.98 ERA. Led Wabasha-Kellogg to the Section 1A title.

BRENNA KOEPPEL • ST. CHARLES

Sophomore • Pitcher

Stats ‘n notes: 19-3, 18 complete games, 18 quality starts, four shutouts, 141 1/3 IPs, 1.93 ERA, 186 Ks, 34 walks. Led St. Charles to the Class AA state title game. Was absolutely terrific in the Section 1AA tournament navigating the Saints all the way to the Section 1AA title.

SECOND TEAM

ABBY BREUER • CANNON FALLS

Junior • Pitcher

Stats ‘n notes: All-HVL, All-Section 2AA. Pitched 93 2/3 innings and racked up 167 strikeouts. Finished with two no-hitters and two one-hitters. 1.93 ERA. Hit .356 with 14 RBIs in 60 plate appearances.

ALI FRENCH • COTTER

Junior • Third Base

Stats ‘n notes: Class AA Second Team All-State, All-Three Rivers. .468 avg., 14 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 32 RBIs, .500 OBP, 1.223 OPS. Helped Winona Cotter advance to the Section 1AA Final Four.

PAYTON BERG • CHATFIELD

Junior • Catcher

Stats ‘n notes: All-Three Rivers, .410 avg., 5 doubles, 1 triple, 7 home runs, 31 RBIs, 1.241 OPS, 6 intentional walks. "I would rank Payton as the top catcher in the area," Chatfield coach Jerry Chase said.

MAKAYLA STEFFES • WINONA

Sophomore • Pitcher

Stats ‘n notes: Class AAA Second Team All-State, All-Section 1AAA, All-Big 9. .521 avg., 10 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run, 24 RBIs, 13 SBs, 41 runs scored, 49 hits. 16-4 record. 130 2/3 IP, 1.61 ERA with 162 strikeouts. Committed zero errors in 59 chances at shortstop when she wasn't pitching and was a major reason why Winona placed second in Class AAA.

BOBBIE BRUNS • BLOOMING PRAIRIE

Junior • Center Field

Stats ‘n notes: Class A First Team All-State, All-Gopher Conference, .538 avg., .579 OPS, .923 SLG, 1.502 OPS, 4 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs, 20 RBIs, 18 runs scored. "Bobbie was our leadoff hitter this season and brought power and confidence to the plate," Blooming Prairie coach Jenna Volgarino said. "On defense her speed and quickness allowed her to cover ground in the outfield."

DANIELLE FODE • BYRON

Senior • Catcher

Stats ‘n notes: Team Captain, All-HVL, All-Section 1AAA, All-State Team Academic Gold, .461 avg., 28 runs scored, 22 SBs, 11 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs, 33 RBIs.

AVERY IRISH • KASSON-MANTORVILLE

Senior • Shortstop

Stats ‘n notes: All-HVL, All-Section 1AAA, All-State Team Academic Gold, .425 avg., 3 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 14 RBIs, 16 runs scored.

TORRIE REHDER • GOODHUE

Senior • Shortstop/Pitcher

Stats ‘n notes: All-HVL, team MVP, .371 avg., 10 doubles, 9 home runs, 16 SBs, 28 RBIs, 2.90 ERA, 8 wins.

KENIDI MCCABE • MABEL-CANTON

Senior • Shortstop

Stats ‘n notes: Class A First Team All-State, All-SEC, All-Section 1A, Team MVP. .465 avg., 40 hits, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 7 home runs, 37 RBIs, .540 OBP. "Great all-around athlete, strong defender at shortstop who makes great plays look routine," Mabel-Canton coach Kati Bergey said. "Strong hitter both for average and power. Runs the bases well which doesn't always show up in the stat line but takes any extra-base she can."

MACY BOROWSKI • BYRON

Sophomore • Second Base

Stats ‘n notes: All-HVL, All-Section 1AAA honorable mention, All-State Team Academic Gold, .468 avg., 7 doubles, 8 home runs, 32 RBIs, 23 runs scored.

MIKAYLA GEE • ROCHESTER JOHN MARSHALL

Senior • Shortstop

Stats ‘n notes: All-Big 9, All-Section 1AAAA, .480 avg., .541 OBP, 27 runs scored, 21 stolen bases, 36 hits, set the John Marshall record for most stolen bases in a career and in a single season.

KAYLEE PETER • PLAINVIEW-ELGIN-MILLVILLE

Junior • Pitcher/Outfield

Stats ‘n notes: All-Three Rivers, All-Section 1AA, Academic All-Conference, Class AA All-State Honorable Mention, P-E-M Offensive MVP. .494 avg., .523 OBP, 6 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 36 RBIs, 22 runs scored, 7 stolen bases. 5-1 record with a 1.44 ERA.

HONORABLE MENTION

Blooming Prairie: Allison Krohnberg, Sr., P (8-11, 94 Ks, 3.55 ERA, 2.59 avg., 3 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 11 RBIs, 12 runs scored); Macy Lembke, Fr., SS/P (.328 avg., 19 hits, 2 doubles, 22 runs scored); Maren Forystek, Sr., C (.269 avg., 2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 15 RBIs)

Cannon Falls: Kayley Frenette, Jr., CF (All-HVL, .426 avg., 3 triples, 17 RBIs, 14 SBs)

Caledonia/Spring Grove: Dana Augedahl, Sr., C (All-Three Rivers, All-Section 1AA, .463 avg., 5 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 13 RBIs, 22 runs, 1.231 OPS); Paige Klug, So., SS (All-Three Rivers honorable mention, .382 avg., 6 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 16 runs, 1.074 OPS)

Chatfield: Kara Goetzinger, So. P/OF (.444 avg., 32 hits, 7 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run, 12 RBIs, 6 SBs); Fr., 1B Alexis Hinckley (.384 avg., 28 hits, 5 doubles, 13 RBIs); Jaiden Zimmerman, Jr., P/SS (.346 avg., 7 doubles, 1 home run, 15 RBIs, 77 1/3 IPs, 3.17 ERA 9-1 record, 99 Ks)

Cotter: Lexi Hadaway, Sr., 1B (All-Three Rivers, .429 avg., 8 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 41 RBIs); Hailey Biesanz, Jr., CF (All-Three Rivers, .427 avg., 37 runs, 12 doubles, 2 triples, .514 OBP); Maddy Hazelton, Fr., P (20-3 record, 2.11 ERA, 160 Ks, .198 opponents avg.)

Goodhue: Anika Schafer, Jr., 3B (Team Most Improved Player, .385 avg., 9 doubles, 4 home runs, 25 RBIs).

Kasson-Mantorville: Emma Simons, Sr., 1B/P (All-HVL, All-Section 1AAA, .356 avg., 5 doubles, 1 triple, 6 home runs, 24 RBIs); Hayley Murphy, Sr., C (All-HVL, .309 avg., 4 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 24 RBIs); Hailey Rismeyer, Sr., RF (All-HVL, .289 avg., 5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 14 RBIs)

Lewiston-Altura: Olivia Funk, Sr., P (.382 avg., 7 doubles, 2 home runs, 13 RBIs, .507 OBP, 110 IPs, 3.69 ERA, 154 Ks)

Lourdes: Lizzy Pike, Jr., SS (All-Section 1AA, Team MVP, 4 home runs, 15 RBIs, 21 runs scored, .466 avg., .516 OBP); Ali Ritter, So., 3B/2B (All-HVL, .511 avg., 2 home runs, 12 RBIs, 16 runs scored, .596 OBP).

Mabel-Canton: Emily Carolan, Jr., P (All-Southeast Conference Honorable Mention, .377 avg., 26 hits, 18 RBIs, 14-9 record, 133 1/3 innings, 3.52 ERA, 77 Ks); Jordyn Newgard, Sr., CF (All-SEC, All-Section 1A, .450 avg., 28 runs, 36 hits, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 39 RBIs)

Pine Island: Lauren Pokrandt, Sr., OF (All-HVL, .333 avg., .500 OBP, .900 OPS, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 10 RBIs, 25 runs, 16 SBs); McKenna Mathison, Sr., SS (All-HVL honorable mention, Pine Island's Most Dedicated Player award winner, .357 avg., four doubles, 1 home run, 19 RBIs, 19 runs); Noelle Douglas, Jr., 3B (All-HVL honorable mention, .313 avg., .843 OPS, 4 doubles, 1 home run, 14 RBIs, 19 runs). Bella Mehrkens, Sr., P (All-HVL, All-Section 1AA, .390 avg., 7 doubles, 2 home runs, 31 RBIs, 128 IPs, 2.84 ERA, 182 Ks, 10-11 record).

Plainview-Elgin-Millville: Teagan Hansen, Jr., SS (All-Three Rivers, Academic All-Three Rivers, Team MVP, .365 avg., .473 OBP, 27 hits, 7 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 15 RBIs, 33 runs, 8 SBs); Mariah Henry, Sr., 2B (All-Three Rivers, Academic All-Three Rivers, Academic All-State, Team Most Improved Award, .467 avg., 35 hits, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run, 23 RBIs, 20 SBs); Ellie Eidenschink, Sr., P (All-Three RIvers, Academic All-Three Rivers, Academic All-State, Team MVP, 12-5 record, 1 save, 127 strikeouts, 45 walks, 2.70 ERA)

Randolph: Meredith Taylor, Sr., CF (Class A First Team All-State); Carly Kimmes, Fr., SS (Class A Second Team All-State).

Red Wing: Abby Boxrud, Sr., C/OF (.408 avg., 32 runs scored, 13 RBIs, All-Big 9, honorable mention All-State, played in the Minnesota Softball Coaches Association All-Star Series, signed with Division I St. Thomas); Bri Tix, Fr., P/IF (.427 avg, 24 runs scored, 18 RBIs, All-Big 9 honorable mention, All-Section 1AAAA); Amira Ramstad Jr., IF/P (.370 avg, 2 home runs, 32 RBIs)

Rochester Century: Morgan Erickson, Fr., P/INF (.483 avg., .583 OBP, 102 2/3 IPs with 127 Ks.)

Rochester Mayo: Tiegan Mancuso, So. INF.

St. Charles: Lauryn Delger, So., 3B (.384 avg., 9 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 33 RBIs, 11 SBs, .422 OBP, 1.028 OPS); Jade Krenik, Sr., RF (.374 avg., 9 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run, 23 RBIs, 9 SBs, .443 OBP, 1.015 OPS); Mya Omdahl, Fr., SS (.361 avg., 8 doubles, 21 RBIs, .427 OBP); Grace Buringa, So., C (.343 avg., 5 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 17 RBIs, 8 SBs, .412 OBP)

Winona: Macy McNally, So., C (All-Big 9, All Section 1AAA, .429 avg., 33 runs, 39 hits, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homer, 21 RBIs, 12 SBs)