The bar is set high for Toledo-area high school softball talent in 2024.
Anthony Wayne and Springfield both appeared in USA Today’s national rankings throughout last season, creating three must-see clashes. Anthony Wanye ultimately finished as Division I state runner-up.
This spring, teams in The Blade’s coverage area return plenty of Division I college recruits, nationally-ranked standouts, and a pair of 20-home-run sluggers.
The first day for games is Saturday. Sectional play begins May 4, with the state tournament set for May 30 to June 1 in Akron.
Here is a list of some of the Toledo area’s top returning softball players.
CLASS OF 2024
? Macy Chamberlin, EvergreenPosition: Catcher.Last season: NWOAL player of the year and first team All-Ohio. Hit .731 with 21 homers, 44 RBIs, seven doubles, and 31 runs scored. Her 42 career home runs is tied for sixth in OHSAA history, and she is 18 away from the state record of 60. Ranked the No. 37 recruit nationally in class of 2024 by Extra Innings Softball.College plans: Penn State.
? Kat Meyers, Anthony WaynePosition: Pitcher.Last season: Named first team All-Ohio after posting a 1.20 earned-run average with 113 strikeouts over 56 innings. Ranked the 51st best player in the Midwest for the class of 2024 by Extra Innings.College plans: Michigan.
? Lily Escobedo, EastwoodPosition: Outfielder.Last season: Received All-Ohio honorable mention after hitting .474 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBIs.
? Ally Meyers, Anthony WaynePosition: Designated player.Last season: Named All-Northern Lakes League first team while hitting .351 with 32 RBIs.College plans: Ohio University.
? Abby Kennelly, Anthony WaynePosition: Infielder.Last season: Named second team all-district after hitting .449 with 41 runs, 14 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases.College plans: Ohio University.
? Unity Nelson, WhitefordPosition: Pitcher.Last season: Went 23-1 with a 0.51 ERA and 317 strikeouts in 152? innings on her way to first-team all-state honor. Ranked the No. 90 player in the Midwest for her class by Extra Innings.College plans: North Dakota.
? Payton Pudlowski, BedfordPosition: Shortstop.Last season: Received all-state honorable mention after batting .519 with 70 hits, 15 doubles, five triples, 12 home runs, 50 RBIs, 61 runs, and 22 stolen bases.College plans: University of Toledo.
? Trinity Nowicki, Anthony WaynePosition: Catcher.Last season: As a junior was selected first team all-district for hitting .466 with 20 runs, 11 homers, and 41 RBIs. Picked the No. 94 player in the Midwest by Extra Innings.College plans: Kennesaw State.
? Kaylin Shields, GenoaPosition: Pitcher.Last season: Northern Buckeye Conference pitcher of the year, compiling a 1.42 ERA, .165 opponents batting average, 297 strikeouts and 37 walks over 153 innings pitched. Also batted .473.College plans: Wheeling.
? Kaydence Sheldon, WhitefordPosition: Catcher.Last season: Named first-team all state, hitting .396 with nine doubles, three home runs, and 43 RBIs.
? Ava Littin, SpringfieldPosition: Infielder.Last season: All-district first team and NLL first team selection. Batted .417 with 30 runs, eight home runs, and 39 RBIs.College plans: Walsh.
? Brynn Anteau, St. UrsulaPosition: InfieldLast season: Batted .556 with 40 runs, 15 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. Named to All-TRAC first team and all-district first team.College plans: Madonna University.
CLASS OF 2025
? Hayley Griggs, PerrysburgPosition: Infielder.Last season: Posted a school-record .546 batting average with 48 runs, 10 homers, 12 stolen bases, and 40 RBIs in 28 games. Received All-Ohio honorable mention. Ranked the No. 5 player in the Midwest and No. 10 overall nationally in class of 2025 by Extra Innings.College plans: Committed to Florida State.
? Molly Conner, Anthony WaynePosition: Pitcher/Outfielder.Last season: Batted .414 with 18 runs batted in, six stolen bases, and 25 runs scored, while recording a 2-0 record with 70 strikeouts in 37 innings in the circle. Ranked No. 13 in the Midwest and No. 25 overall nationally in class of 2025 by Extra Innings.College plans: Committed to Notre Dame.
? Aubrey Hensley, BedfordPosition: Catcher.Last season: Selected first team all-state after batting .496 with 23 home runs, seven doubles, five triples, 60 RBIs, and 28 stolen bases. The 23 homers were the most ever in the Blade’s coverage area for a season and fifth most in Michigan High School Athletic Association historyCollege plans: Committed to University of Toledo.
Toledo-area softball players to watch in 2024 ????https://t.co/vsI9Lhxe8vWhich softball player will hit the most home runs this season? ????
— Blade Sports (@toledosports) March 22, 2024
? Hannah Schlacter, SpringfieldPosition: Outfielder.Last season: Batted .344 with 25 runs, four homers, and 34 RBIs and was named second team all-district.College plans: Committed to Detroit Mercy.
? Diem Isbell, LakePosition: Infielder/Outfielder.Last season: Batted .372 with 33 runs, 18 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases.College plans: Committed to Detroit Mercy.
? Cam Eckhart, SpringfieldPosition: Catcher.Last season: Named first team all-district and first team All-NLL, batting .351 with 30 runs, six homers, and 29 RBIs.
? Addison Brinkman, Central CatholicPosition: InfieldLast season: Batted .430 with 26 runs, nine doubles, 11 home runs, and 48 RBIs. She was named to the All-TRAC first team and all-district second team.
? Ella Schuberg, Central CatholicPosition: PitcherLast season: Batted .485 with 33 runs scored, 13 stolen bases, and 19 RBIs, while going 10-6 in the circle with a 3.15 ERA and 155 strikeouts in 113 1/3 innings. She made the All-TRAC first team and all-district second team.
CLASS OF 2026
? Thea Staten, BryanPosition: Pitcher.Last season: Named first team All-Ohio as a freshman after compiling a 23-2 record with a 0.68 ERA and 295 strikeouts. Batted .437 with four home runs and 33 RBIs.
? Megan Sumner, Anthony WaynePosition: Infielder.Last season: Picked to the all-district first team and all-NLL first team. Batted .466 with 33 runs scored, two home runs, and 39 RBIs.
? Taylor Smith, MaumeePosition: Catcher.Last season: Selected to all-district first team. Hit .456 with 36 runs scored, 28 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases.
First Published March 22, 2024, 7:08am