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Homers, gems and steals: Vote for IHSAA softball players of the week (regionals)

IndyStar will be recognizing the top softball players in Indiana with our players of the week poll.

Scroll to the bottom of the article to vote (please do not email in your votes). Voting is open until 3 p.m. Friday.

Congratulations to Hamilton Heights' Kaylee Rhoton on being voted Player of the Week for sectionals! After logging one hit and four runs through the first two rounds of the 3A Sectional 27 tournament, the senior went off in the championship vs. Chatard, going 4-for-4 with two doubles, a homer (the first of her career), three RBIs and four runs scored. It was the Huskies' first sectional title since 2016.

More: Keagan Rothrock 'almost didn't have a senior season.' But nation's top pitcher is back.

Here are the top performers from regionals.

Brooklyn Barger, Lutheran

Barger shined in a 15-0 win over North Decatur. She clocked a pair of hits at the plate, including a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth (finished with four RBIs) and teamed up with Maddie Geminden in the circle on a one-hit shutout. Barger allowed just one hit and struck out eight over her four innings of work.

Semistate: Pairings, schedule

Isabella Brunner, Hauser

The sophomore played a critical role in Hauser's 3-1 win over Eastern, finishing 3-for-3 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. She also swiped two bases and was perfect on her six chances in the field. This is Hauser's third consecutive regional championship.

Gabi Comia, Hanover Central

The junior Florida commit singled, stole second and ultimately scored the decisive run in a dramatic 2-1 win over Western. Comia's game-winning score, which came in the top of the seventh, iced a 1-for-2 performance wherein she also executed a sacrifice bunt and was hit by a pitch. The regional title is Hanover Central's first since 2019 and seventh overall.

Hailey Harris, Triton Central

The junior came through in the clutch against No. 10 Union County, following a two-out triple by junior Jadyn Capps in the top of the eighth with an RBI double that gave Triton Central a 4-3 lead it would not relinquish. The regional championship is Triton Central's first in program history.

Erin Hoehn, North Posey

North Posey’s Erin Hoehn (11) catches the ball in the outfield as the Vikings play the Mater Dei Wildcats at North Posey High School in Poseyville, Ind., Thursday afternoon, April 27, 2023.
North Posey’s Erin Hoehn (11) catches the ball in the outfield as the Vikings play the Mater Dei Wildcats at North Posey High School in Poseyville, Ind., Thursday afternoon, April 27, 2023.

Erin Hoehn allowed a run in the first inning. Erin Hoehn also struck out 21 of the 33 Sullivan batters she faced in a 2-1 (9 inn.) win over Sullivan. The Michigan-bound senior allowed just three hits and walked only one batter, while reaching base three times herself (two walks and a hit by pitch).

Abbey Hofmann, Roncalli

Roncalli Royals Abbey Hofmann (9) hits the ball during the IHSAA class 4A regional championship on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis. The Roncalli Royals defeated the Avon Orioles, 9-1.
Roncalli Royals Abbey Hofmann (9) hits the ball during the IHSAA class 4A regional championship on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis. The Roncalli Royals defeated the Avon Orioles, 9-1.

The senior posted a pair of RBI base hits against Avon. The first scored Carley Keller to make it a 2-0 game in the first; the second came an inning later and scored Abby Willis and Lyla Blackwell to push the margin to five. Hofmann also scored a run herself.

Zoey Kugelman, Mooresville

Mooresville's Zoey Kugelman (21) gets a hit during a game between the Center Grove High School Trojans and the Mooresville High School Pioneers on Monday, May 23, 2022, at Mooresville Schools in Ind.
Mooresville's Zoey Kugelman (21) gets a hit during a game between the Center Grove High School Trojans and the Mooresville High School Pioneers on Monday, May 23, 2022, at Mooresville Schools in Ind.

Mooresville's magical run continued thanks in large part to the junior standout who went 3-for-3 at the plate with a homer, a double, an RBI and two runs scored in a 4-1 win over Shelbyville. She also pitched an inning, picking up the save with a scoreless seventh inning.

'This has been a battle.' Mooresville takes down Shelbyville to win 4A softball regional

Audrey Lowry, Tri-West

Tri-West Hendricks High School junior Audrey Lowry (1) delivers a pitch during an IHSAA softball game against Roncalli High School, Thursday, April 13, 2023, at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis.
Tri-West Hendricks High School junior Audrey Lowry (1) delivers a pitch during an IHSAA softball game against Roncalli High School, Thursday, April 13, 2023, at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis.

Lowry at the plate: 2-for-3 with an RBI. Lowry in the circle: 7 innings pitched with no runs on four hits, no walks and 14 strikeouts. The Oklahoma commit worked herself out of a few mid-game jams and her efforts culminated with a 4-0 victory over Edgewood for the Bruins.

Edgewood Softball: 'No reason to hang their heads' after regional loss to Tri-West

Malone Moore, Beech Grove

Beech Grove sophomore Malone Moore is a standout softball pitcher who also plays soccer and basketball for the Hornets. Pictured, Moore tosses a softball for a portrait in the dugout on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in Beech Grove, Ind.
Beech Grove sophomore Malone Moore is a standout softball pitcher who also plays soccer and basketball for the Hornets. Pictured, Moore tosses a softball for a portrait in the dugout on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in Beech Grove, Ind.

What a run it's been for Beech Grove. Its first sectional championship last week, then its first regional title this week. And Moore has been at the forefront. The Coastal Carolina commit was excellent Tuesday against Hamilton Heights, tossing a two-hit shutout with only two walks and 14 strikeouts. She also went 2-for-3 at the plate with a couple RBIs and a walk, and was flawless defensively.

Macey Pugh, Cascade

Pugh added another standout performance to an already strong freshman campaign, going 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored in an 8-0 win over North Putnam. She's batting .386 this season with seven homers, four triples and 27 RBIs. This is Cascade's first-ever regional championship.

Ellie Sauder, Leo

The senior pitched six shutout innings for the top-ranked team in Class 3A, allowing only three hits and striking out 15 of the 22 batters she faced. Sauder also logged a hit herself and registered an assist on her lone defensive opportunity.

Isabel Scales, Caston

A three-sport athlete, Scales played a starring role in Caston's 20-1 win over Fremont, homering twice as part of a 5-for-5 effort. She drove in six runs, scored four times herself and logged a pair of putouts and an assist in the field. This is Caston's first regional championship.

Bo Shelton, Pendleton Heights

Pendleton Heights High School senior Bo Shelton (9) reacts as she rounds the bases after hitting a home run during a IHSAA Class 4A Softball Sectional Championship game against New Palestine High School, Thursday, May 25, 2023, at New Palestine High School.
Pendleton Heights High School senior Bo Shelton (9) reacts as she rounds the bases after hitting a home run during a IHSAA Class 4A Softball Sectional Championship game against New Palestine High School, Thursday, May 25, 2023, at New Palestine High School.

The senior delivered a moment that most players dream of growing up, crushing a two-out grand slam in the bottom of the seventh to lift Pendleton Heights to an 8-6 victory over Lawrence North. "Bo does what Bo does," coach Rob Davis said afterwards. Shelton's heroics in the come-from-behind win capped off a 2-for-3 showing by the Earlham commit that also included an RBI double.

'Get Bo to the plate.' Down to its last out, Pendleton Heights gets walk-off grand slam.

Olivia Signorino, Penn

Penn's Olivia Signorino (3) pitches during the Penn vs. Saint Joseph regional championship softball game Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at the Northfield Athletic Complex in South Bend.
Penn's Olivia Signorino (3) pitches during the Penn vs. Saint Joseph regional championship softball game Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at the Northfield Athletic Complex in South Bend.

The sophomore was lights out in a 3-0 win over South Bend Saint Joseph, spinning a one-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts and only two walks. Signorino, who pitched just 27.1 innings this season due to a hip injury, fanned the final nine batters she faced. This is the Kingsmen's ninth consecutive regional title.

'We over me': Penn tops South Bend Saint Joseph in 4A regional softball clash of titans

Jenna Sylvester, Yorktown

Yorktown softball's Jenna Sylvester (right) hugs Caitlin LaFerney in the IHSAA Class 3A Delta sectional championship on Saturday, May 27, 2023.
Yorktown softball's Jenna Sylvester (right) hugs Caitlin LaFerney in the IHSAA Class 3A Delta sectional championship on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

The senior helped the Tigers advance to semistate with a 3-for-3 performance vs. Peru that included a double, three RBIs and a run scored. Sylvester, who is batting .321 on the season, initiated a five-run charge with a two-out, two-RBI single in the fifth, then extended Yorktown's lead to seven with an RBI base hit in the sixth.

MaKayla Van Vossen, Lake Central

After logging six hits and six RBIs during sectionals (three games), the freshman picked up right where she left off against Crown Point on Tuesday, going 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored to help the Indians to a 6-1 regional victory. She also stole a base.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school softball players of week (IHSAA regionals)