5A All-Idaho softball team: The cream of the crop from the state’s toughest division
Note: The All-Idaho teams are chosen by a vote of the state’s coaches. The Idaho Statesman publishes the results.
5A ALL-IDAHO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sydney Groves
Eagle, sr., INF
The Boise State signee made knees shake every time she stepped up to the plate. Despite 12 intentional walks, she hit .667 and led all classifications with 20 home runs and a 1.666 slugging percentage. And she did it all while learning a new position at shortstop.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Tim Souza
Skyview
He built an offensive juggernaut and led the Hawks (30-2) to back-to-back state championships.
FIRST TEAM
Penny Lew Barnett
Capital, jr., P
She led Capital to its first state tournament since 2017 by going 9-7 with a 2.94 ERA. She struck out 145 in 100 innings.
Megan Meracle
Borah, so., P
She led the 5A ranks in strikeouts (226) and went 10-9 with a 2.76 ERA to lead Borah.
Lizzy Tommasini
Eagle, jr., P
She went 13-8 with a 4.41 ERA for the entire season. Then she stepped it up in the postseason, posting a 2.10 ERA.
Talia Jenkins
Kuna, jr., C
A human backstop on a team full of new pitchers, she hit .321 with eight home runs and 27 RBIs.
Delaney Keith
Skyview, sr., INF
The Coastal Carolina signee and two-time Gatorade player of the year hit .596 with 13 home runs and 51 RBIs en route to another title.
Savannah Henzler
Rocky Mountain, so., INF
A clutch hitter with runners in scoring position, the first baseman finished the year hitting .538 with 15 home runs and 56 RBIs.
Kaylee Vieira
Eagle, jr., INF
The third baseman moved into Eagle days before their first game and proceeded to hit .469 with seven home runs and 41 RBIs.
Allie Laufenburger
Capital, sr., INF
The four-year starter capped her high school career with a trip to state, a .524 batting average, 13 home runs and 41 RBIs.
Hayleigh Oliver
Eagle, so., OF
The rangy center fielder served as protection for Groves, and she made opponents pay by hitting .476 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs.
Rylie Haith
Owyhee, so., OF
The center fielder could punish opponents with her powerful swing or her short game, hitting .533 with eight home runs and 55 RBIs.
Lily Justesen
Skyview, sr., OF
A versatile fielder, she led the Hawks to back-to-back state titles and hit .463 this spring with 10 home runs and 62 RBIs.
Michael Lycklama: 208-377-6424, @michaellycklama
This story was originally published June 21, 2022 at 12:00 PM.
