Advertisement

VOTE: Who will be the Gaylord Herald Times Softball Player of the Year?

dylan jespersen, the petoskey news-review
·4 min read

The high school softball season is just around the corner for Gaylord-area teams, meaning some of the most talented players in the state are getting ready to take field for the first time in 2024.

Gaylord, the reigning MHSAA Division 2 state champions, are set to face another gauntlet of good teams in the regular season before another potential state title run, while Johannesburg-Lewiston fans will finally have a chance to see their team, a group that made it to the D4 state semifinals, up close and personal after the Cardinals spent two straight seasons without a home field.

There is some ELITE talent set to hit area softball diamonds this spring, and now's your chance to decide who is the elite of the elite. Cast your vote to decide who is the Gaylord Herald Times Preseason Softball Player of the Year now:

Vote for the 2024 GHT Preseason Softball player of the year now.
Vote for the 2024 GHT Preseason Softball player of the year now.

Jayden Jones, Gaylord

Jayden Jones connects with a pitch during a high school softball matchup between Gaylord and Traverse City Central on Tuesday, May 16.
Jayden Jones connects with a pitch during a high school softball matchup between Gaylord and Traverse City Central on Tuesday, May 16.

A three-time all-state honoree, Jayden Jones enters her senior year with a chip on her shoulder after missing the team's state finals run with a broken hand. The Virginia Tech-commit finished the regular season with a .429 batting average, four triples, seven home runs and 34 runs batted in.

Aubrey Jones, Gaylord

Aubrey Jones connects with a pitch during an MHSAA Division 2 softball state quarterfinal matchup between Gaylord and Hudsonville Unity Christian on Tuesday, June 13 at Margo Jonker Stadium on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Aubrey Jones connects with a pitch during an MHSAA Division 2 softball state quarterfinal matchup between Gaylord and Hudsonville Unity Christian on Tuesday, June 13 at Margo Jonker Stadium on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Mich.

Jayden's younger sister, junior Aubrey Jones was one of the best players in the state as a sophomore last season, leading Gaylord, the team that broke the MHSAA record for single-season home runs, in home runs with 19 of her own. She also had a .480 BA, 62 RBI and 55 runs scored from the plate while finishing with an 11-1 record in the circle with a 1.15 earned-run average and 90 strikeouts.

Alexis Shepherd, Gaylord

Alexis Shepherd slides back into first base during an MHSAA district softball matchup between Gaylord and Petoskey on Tuesday, May 30 in Gaylord, Mich.
Alexis Shepherd slides back into first base during an MHSAA district softball matchup between Gaylord and Petoskey on Tuesday, May 30 in Gaylord, Mich.

Perhaps the most consistent player in one of the most consistent lineups in the state, Toledo-commit Alexis Shepherd had a .408 BA with four home runs, 20 doubles and 39 RBI as well as a .985 fielding percentage, committing just two errors in 41 games at second base.

Taylor Moeggenberg, Gaylord

Taylor Moeggenberg shakes hands with her teammates during pregame of an MHSAA Division 2 softball state quarterfinal matchup between Gaylord and Hudsonville Unity Christian on Tuesday, June 13 at Margo Jonker Stadium on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Taylor Moeggenberg shakes hands with her teammates during pregame of an MHSAA Division 2 softball state quarterfinal matchup between Gaylord and Hudsonville Unity Christian on Tuesday, June 13 at Margo Jonker Stadium on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Mich.

A two-time all-state catcher, senior Taylor Moeggenberg was as integral as any piece in Gaylord's state-title run in 2023, finishing with a .479 BA, .559 on-base percentage, 9 home runs and 44 runs batted in. She is committed to Cornerstone University, a private Christian university in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Braleigh Miller, Gaylord

Braleigh Miller slides into second after stealing during an MHSAA Division 2 district semifinal between Gaylord and Escanaba on Saturday, June 3 in Gaylord, Mich.
Braleigh Miller slides into second after stealing during an MHSAA Division 2 district semifinal between Gaylord and Escanaba on Saturday, June 3 in Gaylord, Mich.

Part of the growing Gaylord-to-Ferris State pipeline, senior Braleigh Miller provides a different element at the top of Gaylord's lineup, finishing her junior season with a .453 BA, 62 hits and a team-high four triples. She also led the team with 16 stolen bases.

Jayden Marlatt, Johannesburg-Lewiston

Jayden Marlatt pitches during the MHSAA Division 4 softball semifinal matchup between Johannesburg-Lewiston and Mendon on Friday, June 16 at Secchia Stadium on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich.
Jayden Marlatt pitches during the MHSAA Division 4 softball semifinal matchup between Johannesburg-Lewiston and Mendon on Friday, June 16 at Secchia Stadium on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich.

One of the top returning players in all of Division 4, senior Jayden Marlatt is looking to wrap her historic JoBurg career in style this spring as the Cardinals hope to outdo their state semifinal run from a season ago.

Marlatt put up some absurd numbers in 2023;  a .670 batting average, 63 hits,13 home runs, 61 runs batted in and 76 runs scored, all team-highs. She also racked up a 19-1 overall record in the circle with a 1.32 earned run average and 234 strikeouts in 117 innings pitched.

Cassie Tallman, Johannesburg-Lewiston

JoBurg's Cassie Tallman was a 2023 first-team All-GHT selection.
JoBurg's Cassie Tallman was a 2023 first-team All-GHT selection.

With the departures of Jocelyn Tobias and Gloria House, Marlatt will need the help of a few other top-level players, and she hopes to get that help from senior Cassie Tallman. Last year, Tallman had a .395 BA with four doubles, two triples, two home runs, 40 RBI and 36 runs scored

Reagan Sides, Johannesburg-Lewiston

Reagan Sides hit a big home run in last year's MHSAA Division 4 softball semifinal matchup between Johannesburg-Lewiston and Mendon on Friday, June 16 at Secchia Stadium on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich.
Reagan Sides hit a big home run in last year's MHSAA Division 4 softball semifinal matchup between Johannesburg-Lewiston and Mendon on Friday, June 16 at Secchia Stadium on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich.

A first-team All-Ski Valley catcher in 2023, senior Reagan Sides had a .525 BA with a team-leading 22 doubles along with 51 runs scored and 50 RBI. She also figures to be in the mix for a JoBurg hoping to reach East Lansing for the second-straight season.

Kaylee Jeffers, Gaylord St. Mary

Kaylee Jeffers pulls into third base during a high school softball matchup between Gaylord St. Mary and Pellston on Thursday, May 11.
Kaylee Jeffers pulls into third base during a high school softball matchup between Gaylord St. Mary and Pellston on Thursday, May 11.

GSM hopes to join the two other area teams in all their success this season. Maybe not as a team, but maybe for an individual. Sophomore Kaylee Jeffers has been a big part of the new-look basketball and volleyball teams for the Snowbirds this season, so as the lone returning all-SVC softball player to the Snowbirds roster, she figures to be a big part in whatever they accomplish this season.

Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Vote in the Gaylord Herald Times Preseason Softball Player of the Year Poll