Here are the top Iowa high school softball recruits at the 2022 state tournament

Alyssa Hertel, Des Moines Register

The 2022 Iowa high school softball state tournament kicks off on Monday, and some of the state’s most talented players will compete for the championship trophy in five different classes.

Among those talented players are top softball recruits, from Fort Dodge’s star pitcher Jalen Adams to Winterset’s Jena Young. While their focus is on winning a state title, several players will continue their softball careers in college, from Iowa to Miami (Ohio).

Here are 12 of the top softball recruits competing at the 2022 Iowa state softball tournament. Players are listed in alphabetical order.

Jalen Adams, one of the best pitchers in Iowa, led Fort Dodge to the state championship in 2021 and the state tournament again in 2022. She is committed to play softball at Iowa.
Jalen Adams, one of the best pitchers in Iowa, led Fort Dodge to the state championship in 2021 and the state tournament again in 2022. She is committed to play softball at Iowa.

Jalen Adams

Pitcher | Senior | Fort Dodge

Posted a 25-1 record as Fort Dodge’s pitcher and led the Dodgers to their first Class 5A state title in program history last season. Followed that junior performance by helping Fort Dodge to a 35-6 record in 2022 and another trip to the state tournament. Holds a 21-3 record this season while recording a 0.65 ERA and 206 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a .117 batting average. Iowa softball commit.

Grace Bailey

Pitcher | Senior | Twin Cedars

Recorded a .573 batting average, 44 RBI and seven home runs at the plate this year. Holds an 18-3 record as Twin Cedars’ starting pitcher and has held opponents to a .216 batting average. DMACC softball commit.

Reagan Bartholomew

Infield | Senior | Waukee Northwest

Reagan Bartholomew, who played for Waukee last season, is committed to Miami (Ohio) for softball, and has helped Waukee Northwest to the state tournament in its inaugural season.
Reagan Bartholomew, who played for Waukee last season, is committed to Miami (Ohio) for softball, and has helped Waukee Northwest to the state tournament in its inaugural season.

Recorded 57 RBI and nine home runs while batting .449. Helped send the Wolves to the state tournament in their inaugural season. Has 47 putouts in the field and a .915 fielding percentage. Miami (Ohio) softball commit.

Tory Bennett

Infield | Senior | Fort Dodge

Another top recruit on Fort Dodge's loaded roster is Tory Bennett, who will join Dodgers teammate Jalen Adams at Iowa.
Another top recruit on Fort Dodge's loaded roster is Tory Bennett, who will join Dodgers teammate Jalen Adams at Iowa.

Part of last season’s state title winning team and a large contributor for Fort Dodge this season. Recorded 50 putouts and a .971 fielding percentage in 2022. Will join teammate Jalen Adams at Iowa softball next season.

Payton Ganzer

Outfield | Senior | Wilton

Helped Wilton to a 26-6 record and a spot in the Class 2A state tournament quarterfinals this season. Recorded 20 putouts and a .889 fielding percentage, in addition to 15 RBI off 25 hits at the plate. Upper Iowa softball commit.

Bella Nigey

Pitcher | Senior | Assumption

Sent Davenport Assumption to the Class 3A championship last season and has the Knights in the state tournament again this year. Recorded a 0.75 ERA and 163 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .148 batting average. Holds a 22-3 record in 2022. University of Toledo softball commit.

Sydney Potter

Infield | Junior | Southeast Polk

Last season, Sydney Potter recorded 19 home runs. This season, she already has 16 and has helped Southeast Polk to the state tournament.
Last season, Sydney Potter recorded 19 home runs. This season, she already has 16 and has helped Southeast Polk to the state tournament.

As a sophomore last season, tied for third among all batters with 19 home runs. Helped Southeast Polk to a 25-12 record and a spot in the Class 5A quarterfinals this season. Currently third among all Iowa batters with 16 home runs. Creighton softball commit.

Addy Reynolds

Infield | Senior | Mount Ayr

Has 26 RBI and 10 home runs off just 33 hits, as well as 29 stolen bases. Recorded 17 putouts and a .951 fielding percentage in the infield. Northern Iowa softball commit.

Sydney Roe

Outfield | Senior | Assumption

Helped Davenport Assumption back to the Class 3A state tournament after winning the state title last season. Has 224 putouts and a .991 fielding percentage, while also recording 50 RBI and eight home runs at bat. Kirkwood softball commit.

Jill Smith

Infield | Senior | North Linn

Recorded 45 RBI and eight home runs in 40 starts for the Lynx. In the field, has 26 putouts and a .917 fielding percentage. Helped North Linn to its fourth-straight state tournament. Reached 200 career RBI in mid-July. Indian Hills softball commit.

Jenna Sprague

Pitcher | Senior | Mount Vernon

Holds a 24-2 record as Mount Vernon’s pitcher, recording a 0.85 ERA, 193 strikeouts and holding opponents to a. 152 batting average. Has 36 putouts and a .929 fielding percentage. Kirkwood softball commit.

Jena Young

Infield | Junior | Winterset

Oskaloosa's Olivia Gordon tags Winterset's Jena Young out at home plate during the Class 4A state softball quarterfinal between Winterset and Oskaloosa in 2021.
Oskaloosa's Olivia Gordon tags Winterset's Jena Young out at home plate during the Class 4A state softball quarterfinal between Winterset and Oskaloosa in 2021.

Was struck out only once in her sophomore softball season. Followed that performance with another phenomenal season this year. Helped Winterset to a 34-4 record and the No. 1 seed in this year’s state tournament. First among all in-state players with 20 home runs, and fourth with a .631 batting average. Iowa softball commit.

Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Top Iowa high school softball recruits at the 2022 state tournament

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