The Des Moines Register

Introducing the Des Moines Register's 2024 All-Iowa high school softball teams

By Dargan Southard, Des Moines Register,

3 hours ago

Another incredible Iowa high school softball season is in the books, and the ample talent this state has produced is undeniable once again.

With that, here are the Des Moines Register's All-Iowa softball teams for the 2024 season. Included is an elite team — made up of nine players regardless of class — first-team picks for each class, plus an honorable mention list. The breakdown for each team is one pitcher, one catcher, four infielders and three outfielders. Some players, primarily two-way ones, were slotted at their secondary position in order to construct the best team possible. Factored in are individual statistics, overall player versatility and team success.

Let's dive in.

Elite team

Erica Houge, pitcher, Collins-Maxwell: If you're looking for two-way domination, Houge is the name you need. At the plate, the Western Kentucky signee slashed .633/.719/1.139 with 18 doubles and 42 RBIs. In the circle, Houge finished a sparkling 28-4 with a 0.33 ERA and 379 strikeouts in 193 innings.

Kasey Kane, catcher, Pleasant Valley: A veteran stalwart behind the plate, Kane played a massive role in the Spartans' season-ending celebration. Over 43 games, Kane slashed .443/.510/.926 with 14 doubles, 13 homers and 62 RBIs.

Jessica Clemons, infield, Pleasant Valley: The Iowa State signee was a veteran cog on Pleasant Valley's championship team in her final high school season. Across 43 games, Clemons slashed .463/.524/.785 with 40 RBIs and 26 extra-base hits. She also finished 22-for-22 in stolen bases.

Carly Goodwin, infield, Sigourney: The Northern Iowa signee lit it all year for the eventual Class 1A champions. Across 33 games, Goodwin slashed .500/.528/.890 with 14 doubles, 30 runs scored and 40 RBIs. In the circle, Goodwin went 24-2 with a 0.37 ERA and 361 strikeouts across 169 1/3 innings.

Maddie Waldorf, infield, Van Meter: One of the main cogs in Van Meter's Class 2A title, Waldorf shined as a dominant two-way weapon. At the plate, the senior slashed .500/.538/.844 with 57 RBIs in 42 games. In the circle, Waldorf went 27-1 with a 0.79 ERA and 294 strikeouts over 158 2/3 innings.

Sophia Schlader, infield, Waukee Northwest: An incredible two-way season for this special eighth-grader. At the plate, Schlader slashed .421/.536/.967 with 18 homers and 43 RBIs over 40 games. In the circle, Schlader went 20-6 with a 0.80 ERA and 238 strikeouts over 166 2/3 innings.

Ella McGee, outfield, Waukee: In her final prep season, McGee slashed .448/.592/1.040 with 56 hits and 33 runs scored across 35 games. She also finished 12-for-12 in stolen bases while racking up seven outfield assists.

Mary Paige Withers, outfield, Pleasant Valley: A strong outfielder who made just two errors all season, Withers played a huge role in Pleasant Valley's march to the 5A title. In 42 games, she slashed .463/.513/.806 with 13 homers, 54 RBIs and 54 runs scored.

Ruth Tauber, outfield, Wahlert Catholic: A major weapon atop the Golden Eagles' lineup, Tauber caused havoc all season in guiding Wahlert Catholic to the Class 3A semifinals. Across 42 games and 145 at-bats, she slashed .469/.533/.683 with 68 hits, 54 runs scored and just eight strikeouts.

Class 5A first team

P: Sophia Schlader, 8th, Waukee Northwest
C: Kasey Kane, jr., Pleasant Valley
INF: Jessica Clemons, sr., Pleasant Valley
INF: Marin Heller, jr., West Des Moines Valley
INF: Ella Smithson, sr., Johnston
INF: Kari Rose, soph., West Des Moines Valley
OF: Ella McGee, sr., Waukee
OF: Mady Ott, soph., Ankeny Centennial
OF: Mary Paige Withers, sr., Pleasant Valley

Class 4A first team

P: Ava Husak, jr., North Polk
C: Lucy Lucas, jr., North Polk
INF: Kaliyah Freeman, sr., Carlisle
INF: Lauren Hagedorn, jr., ADM
INF: Cameran Smith, sr., ADM
INF: Hope Alstott, fresh., Fort Dodge
OF: Braylen Conlon, jr., Cedar Rapids Xavier
OF: Aubrey Johansen, sr., Dallas Center-Grimes
OF: Nyah Hulbert, jr., Norwalk

Class 3A first team

P: Jersey Metz, soph., Williamsburg
C: Ana Glawe, jr., Benton
INF: Hayden Gookin, fr., Mount Vernon
INF: Addie McGee, sr., Chariton
INF: Julia Roth, soph., Wahlert Catholic
INF: Rylee Yager, jr., Estherville-LC
OF: Isabel Bernard, jr., Sumner-Fredericksburg
OF: Shannon Finn, sr., Williamsburg
OF: Ruth Tauber, soph., Wahlert Catholic

Class 2A first team

P: Maddie Waldorf, sr., Van Meter
C: Sharli Fessler, jr., Central Springs
INF: Brandi Krager, sr., Sioux Central
INF: Kacy Miller, sr., West Monona
INF: Finley Netten, jr., Van Meter
INF: Savannah Caves, sr., Alburnett
OF: Ashlyn Kovarna, sr., Hinton
OF: Ella Trenkamp, sr., Northeast
OF: Catie Hook, sr., Wilton

Class 1A first team

P: Erica Houge, sr., Collins-Maxwell
C: Sydney Bears, jr., Martensdale-St. Mary's
INF: Carly Goodwin, sr., Sigourney
INF: Izzie Moore, jr., Wayne
INF: Skylar Benesh, sr., North Linn
INF: Mariah Myers, jr., St. Edmond
OF: Emmalee Manwarren, sr., Clarksville
OF: Katie Quick, jr., Ankeny Christian
OF: Haley Glade, jr., Earlham

Honorable mentions

Addysen Abel, sr., Carlisle
Ashley Hansen, soph., Pleasant Valley
Kierra Jungers, sr., Newell-Fonda
Jordyn Kennedy, soph., Ankeny Centennial
Riley Miller, fr., Audubon
Josephine Moore, sr., Sigourney
Lauren Wallace, sr., Van Meter

Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Introducing the Des Moines Register's 2024 All-Iowa high school softball teams