Statewide stars: Coaches rank the Top 42 players in Delaware high school softball
brad myers, delaware news journal
·2 min read
When Delaware’s top high school softball coaches were asked to rank the state’s top players coming into the 2024 season, there was no consensus to be found.
Instead, there was a wide variety of differing opinions. Players from all over – upstate and downstate, public schools and private schools – were mentioned at the top.
That continues a trend in softball, one of Delaware’s most competitive high school sports.
Caravel's Kendall Browne (left) and Haley Grygo enjoy the Bucs' 7-0 victory against Indian River in the DIAA championship game at the University of Delaware on June 3, 2023. Both players are ranked among the top returnees in Delaware high school softball this spring.
Caravel has long been the constant, winning the last three DIAA championships and 12 overall since 1999.
But many others have tasted softball success, as Smyrna, Milford, Laurel, Sussex Tech, Sussex Central and Caesar Rodney have also won state titles in the last 20 years. And several others have come close.
Caravel, Sussex Central, Polytech, Laurel, Lake Forest, Appoquinimink, Delaware Military Academy, Charter of Wilmington and Saint Mark’s all have some highly regarded talent that should make an impact all spring.
That should make for an exciting season, filled with close games and capped off by an unpredictable state tournament. Before it all plays out, check out the coaches’ preseason picks for the Top 42 players in Delaware high school softball.
Caravel starting pitcher Kasey Xenidis throws in the third inning of the Bucs' 7-0 win in the DIAA state championship game at the University of Delaware, Saturday, June 3, 2023.
39. Hayden Hudson, jr., Cape Henlopen
38. Samantha Stokes, so., Odessa
37. Sophia Johnston, jr., Charter of Wilmington
36. Carah Sumpter, jr., Lake Forest
Lake Forest's Carah Sumpter.
35. Ellie Baldwin, sr., Conrad
Conrad's Sterling Baldwin takes second on a steal in the fourth inning of Appoquinimink's' 7-2 win in the DIAA state tournament opening round, Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at Appoquinimink.
34. Jay'Lyn Slater, sr., Cape Henlopen
33. Lillie Harrison, sr., Milford
32. Lauren Dickerson, sr., Milford
31. Ella Campbell, sr., DMA
30. Pia Perrone, sr., Saint Mark's
St. Mark's Pia Perrone pulls back from an inside pitch in the fourth inning of the Spartans' 8-0 win against Delaware Military at St. Mark's, Thursday, March 30, 2023.
29. Kaitlyn Pierce, so., Lake Forest
28. Natalie Nycz, sr., Charter of Wilmington
Charter of Wilmington's Natalie Nycz (21) fields the ball in the outfield against Caesar Rodney on Saturday.
27. Kendall Browne, sr., Caravel
Caravel's Kendall Browne fields an Indian River hit in the third inning of the Bucs' 7-0 win in the DIAA state championship game at the University of Delaware, Saturday, June 3, 2023.
26. Ashlyn Ullman, jr., Laurel
Delaware District 3's Ashlyn Ullman (top) puts a tag on Latin America's Loanis Casiano Saez as Latin America runs into base running issues in the fourth inning in Delaware District 3's (Lower Sussex) 6-5 loss to Latin America (Guanica, Puerto Rico) in pool play during the Senior Softball World Series in Roxana, Wednesday, August 2, 2023.
25. Kimorah Neal, so., Saint Mark's
24. Chloe Bedwell, jr., Saint Mark's
St. Mark's Chloe Bedwell looks to first from her position at third base in the fifth inning of the Spartans' 8-0 win against Delaware Military at St. Mark's, Thursday, March 30, 2023.
23. Alivia Heers, jr., Cape Henlopen
22. Bella McKee, sr., Conrad
Conrad's Bella McKee.
21. Abby Marsh, jr., Cape Henlopen
20. Bryn O'Connor, sr., Newark Charter
19. Ayla McCathern, jr., Appoquinimink
Appoquinimink's Ayla McCathern looks to her coach in a late-game at bat in the Jaguars' 7-2 win in the DIAA state tournament opening round, Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at Appoquinimink.
18. Lily Hutt, sr., Delmarva Christian
Caravel second baseman Morgan Moxley (left) flips the ball to second to get Delmarva Christian's Lily Hutt out on a force in the second inning of the Bucs' 5-4, eight-inning win at Caravel Academy, Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
17. Ava Calciano, jr., Cape Henlopen
16. Mia Boyd, jr., Appoquinimink
Appoquinimink's Mia Boyd gets a hit in the fifth inning of the Jaguars' 7-2 win in the DIAA state tournament opening round, Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at Appoquinimink.
15. Lauren Foltz, jr., Appoquinimink
Appoquinimink's Lauren Foltz slides safely into third base as Caravel's Haley Grygo awaits the throw on a sac fly in the third inning of the Bucs' 7-2 win Thursday, May 4, 2023 at Caravel.
14. Morgan Hall, sr., Saint Mark's
Saint Mark's Morgan Hall
13. Emily Trzonkowski, jr., DMA
Delaware Military's Marisa Edevane (left) and Emily Trzonkowski get set for the sixth inning in the Spartans' 8-0 win at St. Mark's, Thursday, March 30, 2023.
12. Briana Russo, sr., Appoquinimink
Appoquinimink's Briana Russo gets set for a sixth inning at-bat.
11. Ella Gandolfo, sr., Charter of Wilmington
Charter of Wilmington's Ella Gandolfo (12) fields the ball against Caesar Rodney.
10. Bayli Glanden, so., Lake Forest
9. Zayda Rocke, jr., Caravel
Caravel catcher Zayda Rocke grabs a foul pop for an Indian River out in the fifth inning of the Bucs' 7-0 win in the DIAA state championship game at the University of Delaware, Saturday, June 3, 2023.
8. Bailey Ullman, jr., Laurel
Delaware District 3's Bailey Ullman doubles to set up Delaware's opening score in the first inning of a 6-5 loss to Latin America (Guanica, Puerto Rico) in pool play during the Senior Softball World Series in Roxana, Wednesday, August 2, 2023.
7. Rachel Carey, sr., Polytech
6. Hailey McCutchan, sr., Smyrna
Smyrna's Hailey McCutchan (left)
5. Kylee Hill, sr., Laurel
Laurel pitcher Kylee Hill
4. Mara Everton, sr., Polytech
3. Takyla Davis, sr., Sussex Central
Sussex Central's Takyla Davis
2. Haley Grygo, sr., Caravel
Caravel's Haley Grygo reacts after scoring in the sixth inning of the Bucs' 7-0 win against Indian River in the DIAA state championship game at the University of Delaware, Saturday, June 3, 2023.
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