2A All-Idaho softball team: The state’s best players from its smallest schools
Note: The All-Idaho teams are chosen by each classification’s coaches. The Idaho Statesman hosts the voting process and publishes the results.
2A SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Taylor Martinez
Glenns Ferry, sr., P/UTIL
The Columbia Basin CC cut an imposing figure, leading all classifications in wins (24), strikeouts (303) and strikeout rate (15.2 per seven innings) while ranking second in all divisions in ERA (1.15). She also hit .391 to lead the Pilots to a third-place finish at state.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Dean Butterfield
Potlatch
The Loggers (19-1) scored 15.3 runs per game to dethrone two-time defending champ Genesee for their second state title in four years.
ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
Hayley McNeal
Potlatch, sr., CF/C
The Illinois Wesleyan (NCAA Division III) commit led 2A in on-base percentage (.738) and stolen bases (54) while hitting .618 with 45 runs.
Kendra Meyer
Genesee, sr., P/2B
A four-time, first-team selection, she capped her decorated career by going 20-6 with a 3.07 ERA and 222 strikeouts for the state runner-up.
Hayden Kimberling
Kendrick, sr., P/1B
The big-swining senior finished as 2A’s leader in batting average (.650) and slugging percentage (1.167) while driving in 34 runs.
Brieanna Winther
Potlatch, sr., P
The lefty served as the state champs’ ace, finishing the season with a 19-1 record, a 3.49 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 86 ⅓ innings.
Gracie Schuster
Clearwater Valley, jr., 3B/P
A versatile weapon in the box and on the basepaths, she led the Rams to a fourth-place trophy by hitting .438 with 31 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.
Kaylie Lockett
Prairie, sr., SS/P
She served as the leader for a rebuilding program offensively and defensively, hitting .436 with a .769 slugging percentage and 24 RBIs.
Avery Simpson
Garden Valley, sr., SS/C
The slick-fielding shortstop also carried a big stick, hitting .467 and stealing 35 bases to lead the Wolverines to the state tournament.
Jaida Andres
Potlatch, fr., 1B
The freshman made quite a debut as a multi-tool threat, hitting .485 while driving in 30 runs and converting 31-of-32 stolen base attempts.
Sydney Banks
Genesee, jr., 3B/SS
The Bulldogs’ fastest weapon took the extra base with regularity, hitting .500 with 10 doubles, 29 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
Kylie Heitstuman
Potlatch, sr., SS
The steady hand at shortstop was also a terror on the basepaths, hitting .469 with 28 RBIs and 34 stolen bases in 35 attempts.
Erica Schlader
Prairie, so., 1B
She stretched seven of her 21 hits into triples to lead the classification. She hit .486, slugged .919 and drove in 20 runs.
