19 softball players to watch in the Blue Water Area this season

Spring is in the air, along with a fly ball or two.

The 2024 MHSAA softball season is underway. Here are some players to watch for in the Blue Water Area, listed alphabetically.

Kalli Bender, Sandusky, senior

Not everyone is cut out to be a catcher, which is the most physically-demanding position in softball. Fortunately for the Wolves, Kalli Bender fits the mold just fine.

"Bender is one of our captains this season and our starting catcher every game, every inning," Sandusky coach Danny Franzel said in email. "She is a great defensive catcher, blocks the ball well, very quick pop time to throw out runners and she calls all the pitches for our pitching staff. Bender is a hard worker and makes my job a lot easier and runs our defense very well."

Sydney Betts, Port Huron Northern, senior

Sydney Betts faced her fair share of obstacles in 2023. Yet she overcame each one.

"She was put in some tough situations last year by pretty much being our only pitcher," Port Huron Northern coach Randy Shagena said. "There were times where she was on the mound and I'd go out there and say, 'Sydney, you're what we have right now. You've got to fight your way out of it.' And I think she learned how to overcome some adversity.

"The hope this year is that she takes that mentality, turns it up a notch and really shows that she can dominate on the mound."

Kenna Bommarito, Algonac, senior

It's not even May, but Kenna Bommarito is already in midseason form. Which, in her case, means throwing a no-hitter while totaling 15 strikeouts on a Tuesday afternoon. That happened last week in an 8-0 win over Armada on Jan. 16.

"Kenna is just such a dominant pitcher," Algonac coach Natalie Heim said. "I really think that anytime she's on the mound for us, we're in any game. If we're playing the No. 1 team in Division 1, or whoever we're playing, I know we always have a chance. Because she's going to keep us in the game with her pitching. She's got so many tools and is a really hard worker."

Bommarito was named to Division 3 All-State First Team last season by the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association (MHSSCA).

One of the highlights of her junior campaign came on April 11, 2023, when she tied an MHSAA record with 18 strikeouts in a six-inning game. That, too, was against Armada (sorry Tigers fans) in a 10-0 triumph.

"I want to see more of her leadership skills," Heim said. "She is a captain. We didn't have captains last year, but I decided to have them this year. The girls on the team actually vote for captains. They picked her. So I'm excited to see her come out of her shell a little bit. She's not your typical, vocal leader … but no one is going to outwork her.

"It'll be good to see those qualities come out. I think she's having more fun and I'm excited to see her have fun, but also to continue to dominate on the mound. And even in those games where she's not pitching, she's still going to have a vital role on our team. Whether it's with her bat or it's in another position too."

Brooklyn Bunch, Almont, junior

Think of Brooklyn Bunch as the Raiders' Swiss Army knife.

"I can put Brook in pretty much any position and Brook is going come out shining like a star," Almont coach Paul LaCavera said. "I can put her anywhere in the lineup … Brook is just an all-around good player. She's been that way for the last three years. She just knows what to do with the ball when it comes to her."

This season, she'll be asked to send the ball airborne.

"Brook has a lot of power," LaCavera said. "I would like to see more power hits out of her. I know she has it and I think you're going to see a lot more of that this year."

Taylor Capozzo, Armada, sophomore

It's rare to see a freshman garner first team all-conference and all-district honors. But that's just what Taylor Capozzo did in 2023.

Armada's No. 1 pitcher is 2-2 on the hill this season with 30 strikeouts and only two walks. Capozzo is equally impressive at the plate, sporting a .619 batting average with 13 hits.

Madison Cole, St. Clair, senior

What seems rigorous to most is just a routine play to Madison Cole.

"She is very athletic and can make phenomenal plays," St. Clair coach Libby Cody said. "(The kind) that you think maybe she can't get to or doesn't have time to throw. She can throw on the run and cover a lot of ground in the infield."

Though known for her defense, Cole has also become a reliable force in the lineup.

"I'm just looking for her to continue to really make an impact on our offense," Cody said. "She has a great bat and I would love to see her continue that consistency."

Arianna Hagen, Port Huron Northern, junior

There are softball players and then there are softball junkies. Arianna Hagen is the latter.

"She absolutely loves the game," Port Huron Northern coach Randy Shagena said. "She's someone that puts in so much time by herself to get better and always wants to know what she can do to get better. She's a student of the game and has a real passion for it. This is her third year on varsity, so she's been there, done that and is ready to go."

After batting .483 as the leadoff hitter in 2023, the junior has moved into the No. 3 spot.

"When you're in the middle of the lineup, you're going to see a few more different pitches," Shagena said. "At the plate, I just want her to be able to make adjustments and recognize what the pitcher is trying to do to her."

Defensively, expect to see Hagen just about everywhere.

"She's our all everything," Shagena said. "She's played third and first (base) already. She's one of my top three catchers and will probably play every spot in the outfield. She can do them all really well. Her enthusiasm for the game, I'm hoping, will just keep rubbing off on her teammates and have a very positive experience all the way around."

Marissa Hoenicke, Yale, senior

Leading the Bulldogs this year is senior slugger Marissa Hoenicke.

"She's a very strong, physical senior that can absolutely smash the ball," Yale coach Mike McMcormick said. "Right now, she's leading our team in doubles and triples. She's one of those kids that, when they walk on the field, you know she can take care of business."

Adalee Kaufman, Sandusky, senior

As the Wolves' No. 2 hitter, Adalee Kaufman already has two home runs and five doubles through the first five games of the season.

"Kaufman is one of our captains," Sandusky coach Danny Franzel said in an email. "She's our ace pitcher and when she's not pitching she plays first base ... Adalee is a leader on and off the field, a very hard worker and a great student athlete."

Lydia LaCavera, Almont, senior

It turns out Brooklyn Bunch isn't the only Swiss-Army knife at Almont. Because the Raiders also have Lydia LaCavera.

"Lydia can play any position," said Almont coach Paul LaCavera, who is also Lydia's dad. "I can have her pitching, I can have her catching ... she's good under pressure, she can hit off the hard pitchers, she's just a very, very good player."

Isabella Lutzky, Cardinal Mooney, senior

As the Cardinals continue to build, Isabella Lutzky has solidified herself as the club's cornerstone.

"She's a leader on the field," Cardinal Mooney coach Annette Lauria said. "We have kids who have never played softball on our team and she's extremely patient and helpful with all levels of players."

Whenever the Cardinals need a spark, it's usually Lutzky who lights the match.

"She's an amazing player," Lauria said. "She's able to play a very solid shortstop and also catches. Her hitting is phenomenal, she steals bases — she's amazing ... I just want her to continue playing solid. We have her bat first in the lineup, so she sets the tone when she goes up. So far, her hitting has been great. She really gets us a started as a team."

Macie McCormick, Yale, freshman

Freshmen are often seen as part of a program's future, as opposed to its present. Macie McCormick is an exception.

"She's a workhorse on and off the field," said Yale coach Mike McCormick, who is also Macie's dad. "She studies the game more than anybody I've ever met, including myself. That's pretty wild to see."

A look at her current stats yields the same response. In 35 at-bats, Macie is hitting over .600 with just a single strikeout.

"She can find a way on base no matter what," Mike McCormick said. "This season, I want to see her learn how to be a vocal leader. I want to see her learn how to help those around her. Not just by people watching and trying to learn. I want her to learn how to be that teacher and that leader."

Leah Noch, Armada, senior

Like her teammate, Taylor Capozzo, Leah Noch was also an all-conference and all-district recipient in 2023. Along with being a captain, she does the dirty work as the Tigers' catcher.

"(Noch) is a rock behind the plate for us," Armada coach Rob Girvin said in an email. "(She) has already thrown out two base runners this season."

Noch also had an 18-game hitting streak that stretched from the end of last season into the current one.

Jaycee Reams, Algonac, junior

It's hard to believe Jaycee Reams is only a junior, because she's been a key fixture for a team that's 72-10 since 2022.

"Jaycee is the ultimate utility player," Algonac coach Natalie Heim said. "She's primarily our third baseman — and a pretty dang good one — but is also a really good pitcher ... so I'm excited to give her more time on the mound and have her develop those skills.

Added Heim: "You put her anywhere on the field and she's going to make those amazing, ESPN Top 10 plays. She's just a pure athlete. Also, now that she's been on the team for awhile, she's more vocal and is definietely one of our more vocal leaders on the field."

Still, with a player like Reams, actions have always spoken louder than words.

"I just want her to continue to make those big plays," Heim said. "She adds so much to our team with speed and all her athleticism. I look forward to her just continuing to improve as a softball player."

Neeli Reed, Port Huron, senior

On April 15, Neelie Reed sign her letter of intent to play softball at Delaware State University next year.

"It's her hard work and dedication to the sport that has led her to get a scholarship," Port Huron coach Chris Kozlowski said in an email. "I would like to see continued growth in supporting the teammates and passing on her knowledge of the game to the younger athletes."

Audrey Schindler, St. Clair, senior

To survive in the MAC White, every staff needs an ace that can pitch under pressure. Enter Audrey Schindler.

"She pretty level-headed and keeps her composure well," St. Clair coach Libby Cody said. "She is just a really positive kid and a hard worker ... I'm looking forward to seeing her grow into the role as a senior pitcher — and to dominate in that regard. She's got a lot of great potential that she probably hasn't even tapped yet."

Isabelle Trombly, Port Huron, senior

As one of the Red Hawks' longest-tenured players, Isabelle Trombly is entering the final chapter of an exceptional career.

"Her drive and competitive spirit are qualities that stand out on the field," Port Huron coach Chris Kozlowski said in an email. "I would like to see her continued growth as a leader for the team both in the classroom and on the field motivating and encouraging her teammates to be the best they can be."

Avery Wolters, Marysville, senior

No matter what happens this spring, Avery Wolters will go down as one of the best three-sport athletes Marysville has ever seen. Having already cemented her legacy in girls basketball and volleyball, it's time to do the same in softball.

"Avery is fearless at the hot corner and she is always thinking one play ahead," Marysville coach Ryan Rathje said in an email. "She makes diving catches look easy, fields bunts incredibly well, knocks down everything that comes her way and then throws a missile to the base.

"Avery can hit for power and for average and is always calm and poised. Avery can rise to any challenge and has an amazing ability to be at her best whenever her best is needed and she brings our team a ton of confidence. "

Avery Woodard, Marysville, senior

From one Avery to the next, as the Vikings have two stars that share the same first name.

"Avery Woodard is a phenomenal outfielder and she makes plays most players can hardly imagine," Rathje said. "She reads the ball off the bat like no other ... at the plate Avery is highly creative and she has a seemingly endless variety of ways to get on base. She always takes strong at bats and once on base she is an absolute game changer."

"I would like to see Avery continue to be a strong leader for us as her attention to detail and encouragement to help us improve have been vital to our young team."

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: 19 softball players to watch in the Blue Water Area this season