Treasure Valley high school softball preview: Who are teams to beat in 5A, 4A SIC?
Treasure Valley teams have dominated the 5A and 4A state softball tournaments for nearly a decade, with a 5A SIC team claiming the past nine championships and a 4A SIC squad having won eight years in a row.
With a bevy of talent returning for the 2024 season, District Three teams will no doubt be in the mix once again.
We surveyed all of the Southern Idaho Conference softball coaches in 5A and 4A, looking for the teams to beat and top players to watch.
See the full rankings and previews below.
5A SIC
1. Owyhee
Last season: 26-5, 9-3 5A SIC
Coach: Tess Martin, third season
Players to watch: Mantha Hatzenbeller, sr., OF/P; Rylie Haith, sr., CF; Grace Brooks, jr., P; Kina Watts, sr., SS/P
Outlook: The Storm have been a force since the school opened in the fall of 2021, finishing as the state runner-up in 2022 and winning it all last season. With seven returning starters, including reigning Gatorade Player of the Year Mantha Hatzenbeller, expectations remain sky-high.
All six of Owyhee’s seniors have signed to play at the next level. Leading the way is Hatzenbeller, a UNLV signee, who batted .510 last year with 16 home runs, 49 runs scored and 53 RBIs. She’s also a force in the circle, striking out 62 batters a year ago.
Pitching depth will be a strength for the Storm, but they’re no slouches at the plate, either. Rylie Haith set the state tournament batting average record last year (.833) and had a season batting average of .600 with 43 RBIs, five home runs and three triples. Grace Brooks (4.46 ERA, .429 BA) and Kina Watts (3.33 ERA, .413 BA) add to a loaded lineup.
2. Eagle
Last season: 22-7, 10-2 5A SIC
Coach: Nicole Rollins, ninth season
Players to watch: Hayleigh Oliver, sr., CF; Sydney Manzer, sr., 2B; Peyton Bargen, so., P/UTIL; Emry Woods, jr., C
Outlook: The Mustangs have been one of the most consistent teams in the 5A SIC, qualifying for the state tournament every year since 2013. And coaches predict that streak will continue, with Eagle finishing second in the Statesman’s preseason poll.
Six starters return from an Eagle team that won the 5A SIC regular-season title a year ago. Oliver, an Iowa State signee, was voted to the 2023 All-Idaho first team after batting .505 with 23 home runs, 56 RBIs and a 1.242 slugging percentage.
With All-Idaho pitcher Lizzy Tommasini now at Idaho State, the Mustangs will look for some fresh faces to step into the circle, including sophomore Peyton Bargen, who was a 5A SIC honorable mention pick last season. Bargen (.416 BA), Sydney Manzer (.300 BA) and Emry Woods (.300 BA) add depth to Eagle’s lineup.
3. Middleton
Last season: 21-6, 9-3 5A SIC
Coach: Kristen Karanzias, third season
Players to watch: Jorja Crider, sr., SS; Taylee Hunt, sr., C/UTIL; Laney Leavitt, sr., IF
Outlook: The Vikings held their own in their first season at the 5A level, and they return the most feared hitter in the state in reigning All-Idaho Player of the Year Jorja Crider.
Crider, a Utah Tech signee, led the 5A ranks in batting average (.620), on-base percentage (.664), slugging percentage (1.500), home runs (23), runs (56) and RBIs (58) — while striking out just four times. The versatile Taylee Hunt, who coach Karanzias says could play all nine positions this season, provides Middleton a 1-2 punch after batting .482 last season, with 15 home runs and 38 RBIs.
The Vikings return 85% of their offense, including six starters, but will look to a younger, inexperienced group to lead them in the circle.
4. Capital
Last season: 20-8, 9-3 5A SIC
Coach: Shane Alder, 18th season
Players to watch: McKenna Chavez, so., SS; Lizzy Turpen, jr., OF; Tyra Price, sr., INF; Lauren Davies, sr., OF
Outlook: The Eagles will contend for a third straight state tournament appearance with the aid of eight returning starters.
Leading that group is a pair of All-Idaho selections. McKenna Chavez made her varsity debut as a freshman last season, posting a .466 batting average with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs out of the leadoff spot for first-team honors. Lizzy Turpen joined Chavez on the second team, and Capital has seven players back who received all-conference recognition a year ago.
Alder cites team chemistry as an area of strength for the Eagles, as well as player versatility that will lead to a variety of lineups.
5. Borah
Last season: 16-10, 6-6 5A SIC
Coach: Steven Birkby, second season
Players to watch: Megan Meracle, sr., P; Kayla Campbell, jr., C/INF; Abigail Gardner, sr., SS/C/INF; Halle Fizer, sr., OF
Outlook: The Lions broke through last season for their first state tournament appearance since 2009, and eight starters are back to build on that success.
Megan Meracle will once again lead Borah in the circle. The two-time All-Idaho first-teamer and Idaho State commit finished 2023 with an 11-5 record, 2.16 ERA and 231 strikeouts. Meracle was joined on the first team by teammate Kayla Campbell, who posted a .547 batting average and a 1.140 slugging percentage. Abigail Gardner (.473 BA, 24 RBIs) earned second-team recognition.
Birkby says the Lions have also added new faces that will strengthen their lineup from top to bottom.
6. Kuna
Last season: 19-7, 8-4 5A SIC
Coach: Ali Fleenor, second season
Players to watch: Ashlyn Crone, sr., P; Gracie Nelson, sr., OF; Amber Harwood, jr., 3B/SS
Outlook: Kuna qualified for the state tournament last season but will need to rely on a somewhat inexperienced lineup this year with just four returning starters, the fewest among 5A SIC teams.
The Kavemen lost All-Idaho first-team picks Talia Jenkins and Brylin Field to graduation, and will be looking to Ashlyn Crone (7-4 2023 pitching record), Gracie Nelson (5 HRs, 29 RBIs) and Amber Harwood (.312 BA) to step into leadership roles.
“We have a lot to develop throughout the season but like last year, I’d suggest we could be a dark horse again,” Fleenor said.
7. Timberline
Last season: 16-10, 8-4 5A SIC
Coach: Dave Craig, second season
Players to watch: Ashlyn Graklanoff, jr., SS; Delaney Wright, jr., P/1B; Mallory Casch, jr., CF
Outlook: The Wolves return more starters than any other team in the 5A SIC with nine.
Leading the way is Delaney Wright, an All-Idaho first-team pick who hit .531 with 12 home runs, 46 RBIs and a 1.136 slugging percentage last season. Ashlyn Graklanoff joined Wright on the All-Idaho second team, and both received first-team honors in the 5A SIC.
Craig says his roster is filled with year-round club players, and he expects the Wolves’ offense will be strong this season.
8. Rocky Mountain
Last season: 15-11, 6-6 5A SIC
Coach: Casey Higginbotham, first season
Players to watch: Savannah Henzler, sr., 1B; Airah Whipkey, sr., C; Danica Quinn, jr., SS/P; Livia Hurst, sr., 2B
Outlook: The Grizzlies fell a game short of making the state tournament in 2023, losing to eventual third-place finisher Thunder Ridge in a play-in game.
Seven starters are back from that team, including four who received all-conference accolades. Savannah Henzler, a North Dakota State commit, was an All-Idaho first-team pick in 2022, and is looking to return to form her senior season.
Higginbotham anticipates the Grizzlies will lean on a talented batting lineup, but they’ll need to make strides in the circle to contend.
9. Mountain View
Last season: 11-10, 5-7 5A SIC
Coach: Kylie Orr, first season
Players to watch: Afton Janke, jr., SS; Liberty Shake, sr., DP; Tayelynn Puyleart, jr., C/OF; Morgan Pierce, sr., C/OF
Outlook: Orr begins her first season as head coach, but the cupboards aren’t bare. The Mavericks return six starters from last season on a team that batted .333.
Liberty Shake is a reigning first-team all-conference selection and led the Mavericks in batting average at .422. Afton Janke (.421 BA), Tayelynn Puyleart (.414 BA) and Morgan Pierce (.333 BA) add additional consistency to Mountain View’s lineup.
Orr cited defense as a team strength this season.
10. Boise
Last season: 5-17, 1-11 5A SIC
Coach: Roger Birt, fifth season
Players to watch: Lucy Elliott, sr., SS; Lily Binford, jr., CF; Lilly Hopstad, jr., 3B; Kya Hueth, so., P
Outlook: The Brave struggled in league play last season, but hope to make strides in 2024 with the return of six starters.
Lucy Elliott was a bright spot for Boise a year ago, earning All-Idaho second-team recognition after batting .464 with a .526 on-base percentage. Lily Binford ranked second on the team with a .451 batting average as the Brave’s leadoff hitter, and Lilly Hopstad finished with a .373 batting average.
Kya Hueth will lead Boise in the circle following a 2023 season in which she posted a 4.60 ERA with 78 strikeouts and 23 walks in 70 innings.
11. Meridian
Last season: 5-16, 3-9 5A SIC
Coach: Hailee Ackerman, second season
Players to watch: Penelope Klinger, jr., CF; Maddie Clark, fr., 3B; Athena Little, jr., P/1B/OF
Outlook: The Warriors allowed a league-high 13.0 runs per game last season, but Ackerman expects Meridian to make great strides in this area.
Penelope Klinger, one of five returning starters, is the only Meridian player back who earned all-conference recognition last season.
Similar to 2023, Ackerman says the Warriors will need to rely on underclassmen, with the majority of their roster being freshmen.
T-12. Centennial
Last season: 5-17, 3-9 5A SIC
Coach: Kirk Carpenter, second season
Players to watch: Carly Reyes Mims, sr., SS; Jazmine Rodrigues, sr., C/OF; Cali Moorhouse, so., 2B/Flex; Keelyn Mardis, so., P
Outlook: In his second season at the helm, Carpenter is already seeing increased participation, with the Patriots fielding a varsity and JV team for the “first time in many years.”
Eight starters are back, including Carly Reyes Mims (.448 BA), Jazmine Rodrigues (.340 BA) and Cali Moorhouse (.537 BA), who each landed on the 5A SIC all-conference honorable mention team a year ago.
Keelyn Mardis, a transfer from Greenleaf, will add depth to the Patriots’ pitching staff.
T-12. Nampa
Last season: 6-18, 1-11 5A SIC
Coach: Tim Mathson, second season
Players to watch: Haylee Holloway, jr., P; Angelina Yzquierdo, sr., SS; Maddie Case, jr., C; Kaylee Mathson, so., P/CF
Outlook: The Bulldogs took their lumps during their first season at the 5A level, but they’re eager to make strides with the return of eight starters.
After missing last season because of a knee injury, catcher Maddie Case is back to provide a solid backbone for Nampa’s defense. Haylee Holloway (108 Ks) and Kaylee Mathson (32 Ks) will split time in the circle.
But Mathson says the Bulldogs must learn to “prevent the big inning” in order to compete in the conference this season.
4A SIC
1. Bishop Kelly
Last season: 16-7, 12-0 4A SIC
Coach: Travis Ribordy, first season
Players to watch: Bella Rausch, sr., P/IF; Ava Armuth, sr., C/OF; Lauren Fettic, jr., P/1B; Aliva Vincelli, sr., OF
Outlook: The Knights have dominated the 4A classification since its inception in 2001, winning 10 state championships. But after winning three straight, BK failed to make the tournament last season.
Bishop Kelly will try to reclaim its position at the top with the return of four starters. Bella Rausch (.441 BA), Ava Armuth (.521 BA) and Lauren Fettic (.395 BA) each received all-conference recognition last season.
Ribordy expects to get a boost from newcomers who played on JV last season, leading the team to a 20-0 record.
2. Emmett
Last season: 16-12, 7-5 4A SIC
Coach: Shawn Marquez, 10th season
Players to watch: Katey Martinez, sr., 3B; Harper Goodwin, sr., SS; Kayla Vahlberg, sr., 2B; Raegyn Dupree, sr., C
Outlook: The Huskies made the state tournament last season for the first time since 2011 — finishing third — and they’re eager to make a repeat appearance with the help of seven returning starters.
Katey Martinez (.460 BA) will lead the way after earning second-team All-Idaho accolades last season. Harper Goodwin (first team), Kayla Vahlberg (second team) and Raegyn Dupree (honorable mention) each received all-conference recognition.
Marquez says the Huskies’ defense is the best it’s been in his tenure, which will help support a young pitching staff.
3. Skyview
Last season: 23-9, 10-2 4A SIC
Coach: Tim Souza, fifth season
Players to watch: Lily Bittinger, so., OF; Sophia Caringella, jr., IF; Adrianna Steele, sr., OF; Kenna Bettencourt, so., UTIL
Outlook: Between the 5A and 4A classifications, the Hawks have won three consecutive state championships. But a four-peat will be an uphill battle with just three returning starters.
Those four returners each batted .300 or better: Lily Bittinger (.330 BA, 26 RBIs), Sophia Caringella (.316 BA, 25 RBIs), Adrianna Steele (.342 BA, 16 SB) and Kenna Bettencourt (.323 BA, 17 SB).
With a young lineup that includes two freshmen pitchers and two freshmen catchers, the Hawks will grow as the season progresses.
4. Vallivue
Last season: 7-16, 4-8 4A SIC
Coach: Kevin Schimmelpfennig, 10th season
Players to watch: Bella Magallon, jr., OF; Ali Knowles, so., IF; Maris Farner, so., P; Bailee Hancock, sr., 1B/OF
Outlook: Defense was the Falcons’ Achilles’ heel last season, as they committed 69 errors, but Schimmelpfennig expects to see strong improvement in that area.
Bella Magallon (.470 BA, 8 HR, 30 RBIs, 19 SB) and Maris Farner (7 wins, 110 Ks) were each named to the all-conference first team and lead a group of seven returning starters.
Ali Knowles, a transfer from Sandpoint, will step into a starting role at shortstop after batting .385 with six home runs last season.
5. Ridgevue
Last season: 8-17, 5-7 4A SIC
Coach: Michael Samms, first season
Players to watch: Emily Steele, sr., P/IF; Kaysha Leighty, sr., CF; Addysen Britton, sr., 3B; Delaney Pena, sr., IF
Outlook: The Warhawks have missed state the past two seasons, but aim to get back on track in 2024.
Samms takes over a program that returns seven starters and a strong contingent of JV players moving up. Emily Steele (.458 BA), Kaysha Leighty (.370), Addysen Britton (.361) and Delaney Pena (.371) all received all-conference honors last season and give Ridgevue the offensive firepower to compete with anyone, Samms said.
“This roster is talented, knows the game and has the drive to really stand out this year,” Samms said.
6. Columbia
Last season: 9-14-1, 4-8 4A SIC
Coach: Jay McNeil, first season
Players to watch: Anna Coulombe, sr., SS; Kiley Jones, sr., 1B/P; Ariajna Martinez, sr., 3B; Samantha Ramirez, sr., C/2B
Outlook: The Wildcats last made it to state in 2012, and they’ll lean on four returning starters to try and end that drought.
Anna Coulombe is the only Wildcat back that earned an all-conference nod last season after finishing with 11 home runs.
McNeil says Columbia will have to rely on its defense to carry the load with an inexperienced pitching staff. “I believe this a great group of girls that have a lot of heart and drive to win,” McNeil said.
7. Caldwell
Last season: 2-20, 0-12 4A SIC
Coach: Melice Berber, first season
Did not respond to survey.
