East Central Indiana Softball: 16 breakout players from the 2023 season

MUNCIE, Ind. — East Central Indiana softball programs achieved immense success in 2023 as six squads posted winning records and two schools advanced to semistate.

Behind the area’s accomplished season on the diamond was a talented group of student-athletes. Some of these impactful players enjoyed the best campaigns of their careers after making improvements in their crafts from previous years.

Here are some of ECI’s breakout performers from this spring:

More: East Central Indiana baseball: 16 breakout players from the 2023 season

Alyssa Allen (Shenandoah, senior catcher / outfielder)

Shenandoah’s second-place finish in the Mid-Eastern Conference was its highest placement since 2019, and Allen’s production was at the center of the squad’s success.

The Raiders’ backstop has been an offensive force throughout her whole career, a dominance which she took to new heights in 2023. This season, Allen smacked a career-best batting average (.434), set a career-high RBI total (29) and sent over four home runs — more than her long ball totals from the last two years combined. The future Huntington Forester also provided strong leadership from behind the plate, leading her team’s defense.

The All-MEC standout’s three hits, four RBI and home run against Winchester on April 25 made up her most dominant stat line of the season.

From head coach Christian Myers: “Alyssa is the heart of our team — not only taking control behind the plate by calling pitches, but keeping the defense in every play. She is a natural-born leader. She is one of the hardest-working players at every practice, and it showed on the field and at the plate during games. But beyond the stats that she led in most columns, her infectious attitude made her teammates and coaches continue to love this game.”

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Aryonna Bynum (Cowan, senior catcher)

Cowan’s class of 2023 captured three regional crowns and a county title over their three seasons, making this senior core one of the best to ever wear the black and gold.

Though Bynum has been a key piece of her star-studded class since the crew entered high school, her finest season came this spring. The Anderson University commit surpassed all of her previous career-highs at the plate in 2023, setting career-best marks in batting average (.529), RBI (42), hits (55) and home runs (three). Bynum’s offensive efforts this season also earned her a spot in the record books as she now holds the program record for career RBI (105).

The Third Team All-State honoree’s biggest triumph this year came in the regional championship against Tri as she smacked a walk-off single to secure the title.

From head coach Curtis Bynum: “In the last year, Aryonna became a silent leader on the Cowan team. She found confidence in her abilities and strengths. Aryonna led by her actions, and it was contagious. She didn't have to say a whole lot — she practiced hard and played even harder … She commanded the field without knowing it, and that is the gift of a silent leader.”

Riah Champ (Jay County, junior third baseman)

The Patriots posted their first 20-win season since 2014, a winning surge that Champ was the leader of.

The Jay County star saw upticks in her usage and production from her freshman to sophomore seasons, and she continued that growth as a junior in 2023. Champ improved upon her 2022 batting average by over 180 points (.403 to .589), and she notched sizable increases in the RBI and home run columns. Her 49 RBI and 12 home runs each ranked among the top-25 marks in Indiana.

Champ’s remarkable campaign was headlined by a pair of two-home run games: against Eastbrook on April 11 and against Greenfield-Central on May 6.

From head coach Doug Arbuckle: “(Champ) was one of our leaders on the team — (she had) great enthusiasm. Looking forward to her senior year.”

Alyssa Cole (Winchester, sophomore pitcher)

Local softball squads featured a number of talented two-way stars this season. Seeing a rise in her pitching and offensive production in 2023, Cole made herself known as one of ECI’s formidable two-way threats.

The Winchester standout saw limited action as a freshman in 2022. But this spring, Cole emerged as the Golden Falcons’ top pitcher and most consistent offensive force. Across a team-high 80.2 innings in the circle, the sophomore posted considerable improvements in strikeouts (52) and ERA (4.69). At the plate, Cole also notched career-bests in batting average (.328), RBI (13) and runs (12).

The Golden Falcons star saved her strongest outing for sectional play as she recorded two hits and three RBI against Wapahani on May 23.

Zoey Koger (Wapahani, freshman pitcher / third baseman)

Wapahani was one of the youngest squads in the area this season, and its youthful group was led by Koger’s impressive freshman campaign.

The All-MEC freshman pitched the vast majority of innings for the Raiders, logging 115.2 frames in the circle. Over that span, Koger recorded a team-best 60 K’s and a team-low ERA (5.45). The Raiders phenom also enjoyed a breakthrough in the batter’s box, posting an admirable .441 batting average, 20 RBI and nine extra-base hits.

Koger’s first season for the red and black was highlighted by her strong outing against Randolph Southern on April 25. In the 18-0 win, she tossed five scoreless frames, and added three hits and three RBI at the plate.

From head coach Jeff Masters: “Zoey came in this year knowing she would have to throw a majority of the innings from the rubber. She had some highs and lows through the season but became much more confident as the season moved along … Zoey started working over the summer with us to improve her hitting, (and) she just seemed to get better and better … I look forward to seeing her grow as a player and a leader over the next 3 years.”

Caitlin LaFerney (Yorktown, junior pitcher)

Yorktown softball continued its recent success, winning its sixth regional title in the last 11 years. The Tigers’ run was built around a number of players who were in new roles this season, with LaFerney being one of them.

Although the Yale commit enjoyed pitching success over the past two years, she served as the backup to Alanah Jones. With Jones’ graduation last year, LaFerney shined in her first stint as the Tigers ace, tossing career highs in innings pitched (90.2), strikeouts (156) and wins (11). LaFerney’s resilience was equally as impressive as she battled through a knee injury for most of the campaign.

The Tigers star posted the most dominant outing of her career against Peru in the regional championship, throwing a two-hit, 15-strikeout shutout.

Lauren Luce (Wapahani, senior infielder)

After deciding to play high school softball for the first time in 2022, Luce enjoyed one of the most substantial rises in ECI softball over the past two seasons.

The Raiders infielder earned considerable playing time in her first year of action, posting a .288 batting average and 10 RBI in 80 at-bats last season. This season — just her second campaign of high school softball — the Wapahani slugger greatly exceeded her modest 2022 production. Luce led her team in batting average (.457), hits (32) and RBI (26) despite seeing fewer at-bats than many of her teammates.

The All-MEC honoree’s breakout senior season featured nine multi-hit games, the most impressive of which came against Delta on May 15 when she picked up three doubles and five RBI in the decisive 16-4 win.

From head coach Jeff Masters: “Her junior year was the first year she played for the high school team. If you would have told me the impact that she was going to have on the team this season I would have never believed it … This season would not have been anything close to a success without having her on the field.”

Whitley Martin (Monroe Central, sophomore shortstop / utility)

Although the Golden Bears struggled to add to their win total this season, Martin’s rise provides hope for her team’s upcoming seasons.

The sophomore shortstop was the face of Monroe Central’s offense in 2023 after being a quiet contributor as a freshman. While leading her squad at the plate, Martin posted career highs in batting average (.483), RBI (20) and hits (28). The Golden Bears star had a knack for roping balls into the gaps this season as she smacked five triples — a team high.

Martin put in the most dominant effort of her young career in a 22-3 victory over Muncie Central on May 11, recording five hits, seven RBI and four runs scored.

From head coach Katelind Phillips: “Whitley was noticeably more comfortable in her role and it showed offensively and defensively. Her confidence showed especially offensively, where she led the team in virtually all offensive categories. She also improved significantly from a defensive standpoint while stepping up as a leader on the field.”

Ava McNally (Yorktown, junior infielder)

Yorktown’s hitters kept the scoreboard operators alert this season, scoring eight or more runs in nearly half of the Tigers’ games. McNally’s breakout season was a major factor in her team’s offensive prowess.

The Yorktown slugger enjoyed a notable sophomore season in 2022, hitting over .300 and smacking six home runs. McNally built upon her success from last season as she posted an improved batting average (.432), a team-high RBI mark (26) and a team-leading on-base percentage (.511).

McNally’s finest effort came in the Tigers’ opening game as she blasted a pair of home runs and three total hits against Lapel on March 29.

From head coach Jeremy Penrod: “Ava McNally was a huge part of our offensive production. She led the team with 26 RBI’s. She had 35 hits, including 15 extra-base hits, and ended the season with a batting average of .432.”

McKenna Minton (Cowan, senior shortstop)

As an aggressive leadoff hitter, skilled fielder and speed threat on the bases, Minton’s multifaceted skillset was the backbone of Cowan’s historic heights in recent seasons.

The Blackhawks captain’s senior year was by far the most productive campaign of her career as she led the state in stolen bases (70), finished third in batting average (.691) and was eighth in runs scored (57). Minton, a Purdue Fort Wayne signee, is now the program’s leader in stolen bases (134) and runs (140), and is tied for the all-time hits mark (159).

Minton earned Second Team All-State honors for her storied season, a year which saw her reach base every game and record 22 multi-hit performances.

From head coach Curtis Bynum: “McKenna Minton is the complete package and a coach’s ideal player. McKenna is a student of the game and she embraces the grind. McKenna’s strength is she sees the field differently than most players, which gives her an advantage … Lastly, McKenna’s communication and leadership is why she was chosen to be our team captain.”

Madi Moffitt (New Castle, senior pitcher / utility)

Underclassmen occupied nine of New Castle’s 15 varsity roster spots. Moffitt, a three-year varsity contributor, provided a veteran presence and outstanding production for her inexperienced team.

The Trojans star improved upon her already impressive marks from the past two years, making her senior season one to remember. Moffitt saw improvements as New Castle’s top pitcher this spring, earning career bests in ERA (3.11) and opponent batting average (.226). Also thriving at the plate, Moffitt posted a career-high batting average (.471), and team-leading marks in home runs (eight) and RBI (30).

A pair of three-hit, two-home run performances — against Union County on March 22 and against Knightstown on May 19 — headlined Moffitt’s final season for the green and white.

Cali Pattengale (Daleville, junior first baseman)

Daleville’s eight wins were the program’s most since 2019. Pattengale, one of only three upperclassmen on the Broncos’ roster, was pivotal in her team’s turnaround.

Improving upon her already impressive .472 batting average and 14 RBI last season, Pattengale enjoyed one of the biggest statistical jumps of any local player. During her junior campaign, the Broncos slugger earned a .639 batting average (10th highest in Indiana), drove in 25 runs and belted 11 extra-base hits.

Pattengale never failed to reach base in her 18 games this season. In a win over Anderson on May 9, the All-MEC first baseman saw the base paths a whopping five times and notched seven RBI.

Valyn Pattengale (Daleville, sophomore catcher / shortstop)

As one of just four local softball players to earn All-State honors this season, Pattengale enjoyed a remarkable sophomore campaign.

The Daleville standout was already on the radar of opposing teams prior to opening day as she batted .654 as a freshman in 2022. Impressively, Pattengale outperformed her stat lines from last season, producing a .678 batting average, 34 RBI and a .708 on-base percentage. The All-MEC honoree’s numbers rivaled those of the state’s top players as her batting average and on-base percentage ranked among the top-10 in Indiana.

Pattengale recorded 40 hits in 18 games this season, with her five-knock surge against Indianapolis Shortridge on May 15 yielding the most.

Emma Reynolds (Yorktown, freshman outfielder)

Yorktown had four freshmen see varsity action this season, a talented crew which was led by Reynolds’ breakout season.

Despite earning half as many at-bats as some of the Tigers’ top offensive performers, Reynolds manufactured one of the best stat lines on the team. She hit a team-high batting average (.439), drove in 19 runs (the second-most for the Tigers) and launched a home run. As a result of her scorching batting numbers, Reynolds progressively earned more playing time throughout the spring.

The freshman standout dominated Northeastern’s pitching on May 15 as she recorded the best line of her young career: three hits and four RBI.

From head coach Jeremy Penrod: “Emma Reynolds was a bright spot in the middle of the order. She tied for second in RBIs despite only having half the at-bats of most of the other players.”

Tatum Rickert (Cowan, senior pitcher)

In addition to the contributions from her fellow Blackhawks seniors, Rickert’s emergence was a crucial piece of Cowan’s 23-win outburst this season.

The Earlham College signee picked up where she left off in 2022, dominating in the circle and at the plate. Across 146.1 innings of work, Rickert tossed a career-high 200 K’s — the highest mark in ECI — and logged a career-low ERA (1.82). The Second Team All-State honoree also launched 10 home runs (a career-best) and drove in 42 runs this spring.

Rickert, now Cowan’s all-time strikeout leader with 569 K’s, led her squad to its third-straight regional championship, pitching a one-run, complete-game masterpiece against Tri in the title clash.

From head coach Curtis Bynum: With Tatum Rickert, no game was ever too big. Throughout her whole career at Cowan, Tatum’s expectation of herself was to win every game. Tatum set herself personal goals and she would not give up until she reached or surpassed the goal she set … Tatum’s grit, determination and dedication to becoming dominant in the circle helped her overall 44-17 record.”

Bailee West (Wes-Del, sophomore pitcher / infielder)

Wes-Del was one of the hottest area teams early in the spring and it went on to log its second-consecutive winning season. West was a key to the Warriors’ 16 wins and she will be a player to watch over the next two years.

In her first season at the varsity level for Wes-Del, West was the maroon and white’s ace and most dependable bat. Across her team-high 83.2 innings in the circle, the sophomore threw 94 K’s, seven complete games and notched nine wins. In the batter’s box, West recorded team-best marks in batting average (.532), RBI (38), hits (50) and on-base percentage (.545).

Atop the list of outstanding performances from the All-MEC star was her three-hit, five-RBI outing against Daleville on April 18.

Follow Adam Altobella on Twitter @AltobellaAdam.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: ECI IHSAA Softball: 16 breakout players from the 2023 season