Michigan’s top high school softball players: Meet the state’s pitchers

Who are the top pitchers across the Michigan high school softball scene?

Vote now: Who is the top infielder in Michigan high school softball?

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Over the next week, we’ll be taking a look at some of the top players across the Michigan softball scene this season. This list will cover the state’s premiere pitchers.

There are hundreds of standout softball players in Michigan and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive.

The following athletes will be included in our "Who is the top pitcher in Michigan high school softball" poll to be posted Friday.

Note: Some statistics have been updated more recently than others by nature of variance in games played.

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Alli Wright, sophomore, Jenison

As a freshman, Wright broke Jenison’s single season strikeout record with 227. Now, the sophomore is one of the brightest young stars on the Michigan pitching scene.

Last season she pitched in 129 innings and was a perfect 20-0 with an elite ERA of .649.

“Alli has great drive and work ethic, and is a fierce competitor on the mound,” coach Michelle Brander Metiva said.

Rylee Limberger, sophomore, Lake Orion

Another standout sophomore, Limberger is a second year starter who earned all-league, district and regional honors as a pitcher last season. This year she’s 7-0 with a .995 ERA through 10 games.

“Rylee is a very hard worker,” coach Joe Woityra said. “Nothing seems to phase her on the mound.” She’s also a threat at the plate, batting .375 with a .875 SLG.

Delaney Gillett, senior, Howell

Gillett is a four-year varsity starter for Scott Pasini’s Howell squad. She’s a starting pitcher who also operates at first base and bats cleanup. This season she’s hitting .480 with eight doubles and a pair of home runs. She’s 5-3 as a pitcher with 68 strikeouts in 53 innings. 

“She is a role model for our players and a natural born leader,” Pasini said.

Addison Lehmann, sophomore, Kalamazoo Central

Lehmann has pitched 12 games this season and has 82 strikeouts with an ERA of 1.41. Her marquee performance game against No. 1 Lakeshore when she tossed for eight innings with zero earned runs.

Last season she had 132 strikeouts in 24 games. At the plate, she’s knocked in a team-leading four home runs, her latest coming off of a Michigan State commit.

Mattie Midkiff, senior, Bullock Creek

Midkiff, a starting pitcher and first baseman, has led a young squad this year in most offensive statistics. She bats .560 to go with a 1.573 OPS, .980 SLG, nine doubles, four home runs, and 28 RBIs. In the pitcher’s circle, Midkiff is 5-2 with a 2.13 ERA.

She also boasts a .933 fielding percentage, which “does not illustrate the many out-saving — and sometimes, game-saving — defensive plays she regularly makes,” coach Dave O’Keefe said.

A three-sport athlete, she is also her class’ Valedictorian.

Montgomery Pepin, junior, Gladstone

Pepin boasted a 14-6 record as a pitcher last season, surrendering a .222 opponent batting average with a 2.9 ERA and 134 strikeouts. At the plate she turned in 29 hits, including two home runs and 30 RBIs with a .363 BA.

This season in the circle she’s 3-0 with a .824 ERA and is batting .500 with a .600 OBP. Pepin has been an all-regional pitcher each of the last two seasons.

“Montgomery has been our starting pitcher since her freshman year, bringing stability and dependability to the position the last three years,” coach Rick Pepin said. “One thing that makes her special is her demeanor in the circle. She is very stoic and always appears to be in control of her emotions regardless of the situation.

"She is also very strong at covering the bunt and has developed the arm slot to be quicker in those situations.”

Emma Gillard, senior, Ravenna

Gillard has been a two-way threat for Ravenna this season. The senior pitcher/shortstop is batting .733 with a 1.32 ERA. Last year she batted .429 with a .929 fielding percentage as she earned the nod as a first team all-conference, district and region pitcher.

“She is a great pitcher with an amazing strike to ball ratio and is a great shortstop,” coach Dave Sherman said. “She has an amazing work ethic and is a leader both on and off the field.”

Gillard will be playing for Ferris State University next season.

Megan Nuechterlein, senior, Dakota

Nuechterlein was a significant factor in Dakota’s run to the state title game last season. She also earned Division 1 First Team All-State honors.

Morgan Sizemore, senior, Allen Park

Sizemore pitched seven innings and didn’t allow a run in the Division 1 state title win over Dakota last season. She earned Division 1 First Team All-State honors, and she is committed to the University of Akron.

Milagro Perez, junior, Swan Valley

Perez has had an excellent two-year run on the plate through two seasons on varsity. This season, she’s 8-3 with 94 strikeouts and a 2.75 ERA. At the plate, she’s batting .390 with 16 hits, a home run and 19 RBIs.

“She has really worked hard this off season to improve her pitches,” coach Tara DeLine said. “Not only does she help us on the mound, she is another key offensive player for us.”

Sydney Long, senior, Grand Blanc

Long is another talented arm on the Division 1 First Team All-State list last season. Volpe will play softball at Wayne State University next season.

Maddy Vrba, senior, Mattawan

Vrba was one of the top pitchers in Michigan last season, and she remains one this season. She was a member of the Division 1 First Team All-State last season.

Dalaney Gage, junior, Marlette

This season Gage has registered 49 innings in the circle and has turned in 97 strikeouts and an opponents batting average of .211. She’s a force at the plate, too, where this season in 36 at bats she’s batting .639.

“She has a mamba mentality and pushes her teammates to be their best, but never demeans, never points fingers, and doesn’t make excuses,” coach Zachary Kady said. “She locates the ball extremely well and blows the ball by hitters.”

Nicole Barbeau, junior, Hillman

Barbeau recently threw a no-hitter in five innings against Whittemore-Prescott, and she was named to the Division 4 First Team All-State.

Ivy Davenport, sophomore, Ithaca

After earning second team all-league, all-district pitcher and all-region pitching honors as a freshman, Davenport has continued the momentum.

This year, she’s batting .400 with 17 singles, two doubles and a home run. She’s pitched 46 innings with 53 strikeouts.

“Ivy is a dream player for any coach,” coach Shelby Shankel said. “Whatever Ivy does, she goes all in all the time. She has an incredible head on her shoulders and knows

every game she plays inside and out.”

Ava Mullen, junior, Lakeshore

Mullen is committed to Michigan State University. Mullen struck out 15 batters in a recent win over Niles. She was named to the Division 2 First Team All-State last season.

Unity Nelson, junior, Whiteford

Nelson was named to the Division 4 First Team All-State last season, and she is committed to the University of North Dakota.

Jessica Nelson, sophomore, Divine Child

Nelson, while a dominant pitcher, also plays both first and third base. She was both all-league and district last season. On the mound, through 14 games this year, she’s already tallied 147 strikeouts with a 1.06 ERA.

She has been consistently clocked around 63 miles per hour and, offensively, is a power hitter with a 75 mile per hour bat exit speed, according to coach Regina Dunn.

“I am confident that she will be one of the best pitchers in Michigan,” Dunn said.

Hailee Kara, junior, Buchanan

Kara doubles as a first baseman, but she is one of the best pitchers in Division 3. She has led Buchanan to an 18-1 start.

Addison Neelis, sophomore, Vestaburg

As just a sophomore, Neelis is coach Matt Koutz’s leadoff hitter and ace in the circle. She even catches and plays third base and shortstop, here and there. This season she’s batting .386 with a .471 OBP and a team-high two runs with 17 stolen bases.

As a pitcher she’s struck out 86 while starting nine of 14 games with an ERA of 3.00. “Addison is our leader on and off the field,” Koutz said.

“She is a captain and is our workhorse in the circle… Her speed and instincts make her dangerous on the base paths.”

Sophie Paryaski, sophomore, Southfield Christian

A first team all-conference, all-region and all-district player a year ago, Paryaski has become one of the “best leaders on our team,” according to coach Christina Peters.

This year, she’s batting .571 with 17 RBIs, five doubles, a triple and four home runs with a 1.730 OPS and 1.114 SLG as well as eight stolen bases. As a pitcher, she’s struck out 90 with a 3.625 ERA and 1.250 WHIP.

“Her control and location are amazing for a player her age, and with an ever-increasing repertoire of pitches, many teams struggle to hit against her,” Peters said.

Sarah Basket, senior, Essexville Garber

Basket is a powerful pitcher for Garber, and she is committed to Lawrence Tech University. She was on the First Team All-State last season in Division 2.

Ada Bradford, junior, Leslie

Bradford was named to the Division 3 First Team All-State last year.

Reganne Bennett, senior, Novi

A South Carolina University commit, Bennett is “one of the most talented players I've worked with in my five years of coaching,” coach Catherine Marion said.

This season she’s batting .649, with six home runs and 24 RBIs. As a pitcher, she’s already 6-0, having struck out 83 in 43 innings. She is a former all-conference, district and region player and was honorable mention all-state, too.

Last season an injury left her unable to pitch until the end of the season, but she ended the season with a near-.700 average at the plate and led Novi to a district championship.

“Despite her high skill level, she committed herself to improve by being receptive to feedback and spending many hours training outside of practice,” Marion said.

“Reganne is also a great leader. She lifts her teammates up and pushes them to be better.”

Addysen Gray, senior, Evart

Gray is talented on the basketball court and on the mound. She is signed to play both at Mid-Michigan College. She is hoping to lead Evart back to the state title game this season.

Katie Shuboy, sophomore, Richmond

Shuboy was named to the Division 3 All-State First Team as a freshman last season, and she leads a team trying to return to the state title game after winning it in 2021.

Emilee Underwood, senior, Chelsea

Underwood is one of the top pitchers in the state, and she recently led the Bulldogs to their sixth straight SEC White Title. She was a Division 2 First Team All-State member last year.

Faith Edwards, senior, Centreville

Edwards is a true do-it-all player, operating not only as a pitcher, but also roaming both the in- and out-field.

This season through six games she’s batting .824 with two home runs, 14 RBI and 10 stolen bases. As a pitcher, she’s 5-0 with 44 strikeouts and a 1.615 ERA.

“Faith is a special player that doesn't come around too often,” athletic director Jill Peterson said. “She works hard, leads well, and makes her teammates better. She is a standout in every facet of the game.”

Edwards will continue her career at Grand Valley State University next season.

Kenna Bommarito, junior, Algonac

Bommarito will be attending Oakland University next season. She possesses a strong fastball, and she was on the Division 3 All-State First Team last season.

Emily Mandziuk, senior, Bishop Foley

A pitcher and center fielder for Bishop Foley, Mandziuk already has 11 singles, three doubles, a homer and nine RBIs this season. She’s also struck out 20 batters. Coach Katie Braschayko lauded her for her excellent athleticism.

“She is a fantastic runner, a beast of a hockey player, and has a whip of an arm and one of the best bats on the softball team,” Braschayko said. “Her go-get-’em attitude is what makes her really special to have and is someone the underclassmen can look up to when it comes to sportsmanship.”

Elly Koopman, junior, Hudsonville

Thus far in 2023, Koopman is 8-1 as a starter in the circle with 57 strikeouts and five earned runs. She’s got 25 RBIs as a batter, six doubles, and nine home runs.

“Elly has been a rock for us in the circle and in the batting line up,” coach Tom Vruggink said. “She is a strong hitter and is ready to take the ball in the circle whenever needed.”