East Central Indiana softball preview: 23 players to watch in 2023

MUNCIE, Ind. — The 2023 IHSAA softball season has begun, and while the weather hasn't exactly cooperated because of the abundance of rain, players are eager to showcase their improved skills.

Several terrific local athletes graduated in 2022, but many East Central Indiana stars and up-and-comers are back for another campaign. Here are 23 area players to keep an eye on this year:

More: East Central Indiana high school softball 2023 season preview capsules

Alyssa Allen (Shenandoah, senior catcher)

Allen is Shenandoah's steady presence both offensively and defensively. She's hit over .400 and notched a 0.983 average fielding percentage as a catcher over her three-year varsity career, and will again be key to the team's success in 2023.

Kenzie Anderson (Wes-Del, sophomore SS)

Anderson added an immediate boost to Wes-Del's lineup in her freshman season, slashing .419/.537/.770 for a 1.307 OPS with four home runs and 28 RBI. With Alleigh Swift now gone, Anderson's production will be even more important for the Warriors.

More: Ball State softball atop MAC behind its star sophomore pitcher and deep, elite lineup

Aryonna Bynum (Cowan, senior catcher/2B)

Coming off a strong sophomore season, in which Bynum notched a 0.980 OPS, she took her offense to the next level in 2022 with eight doubles, 33 RBI and a 1.159 OPS.

The Div. III Anderson University commit is a two-time All-Mid-Eastern Conference, All-Delaware County and All-State Honorable mention, and should again compete for such accolades this year.

Tessa Chesher (Monroe Central, senior pitcher/infield)

Chesher was heavily relied on for her two-way skills last year. She is most productive at the plate, where she slashed .439/.487/.742 for a 1.229 OPS with eight doubles and 28 RBI. She'll look to lower her 8.40 ERA from last year and got off to a good start by allowing just one earned run in seven innings in her fist pitching appearance of 2023.

From head coach Katelind Phillips: "Tessa is back for her senior year and comes with a ‘do what it takes’ attitude. She will be integral to our offense and defense, as well as a team leader. She always gives 100% while encouraging her teammates and keeping the team accountable."

Abi Cross (Wapahani, junior SS)

Cross was extremely consistent in her first two varsity seasons and notched a batting average above .350 and OPS above 1.000. She's also a speed threat and had 29 stolen bases.

Her biggest challenge this year will be transitioning from playing centerfield to shortstop. Her bat, however, should continue to be solid.

From head coach Jeff Masters: "Abi will be a big asset to this team, and if she plays up to her potential, she will be one of the best players in the area."

Caitlyn LaFerney (Yorktown, junior pitcher)

While capable with a bat, LaFerney's true value comes in the circle, where she's been one of ECI's top pitchers during her two seasons. The Yale softball commit tallied a 5-1 record last year with a 1.69 ERA and a crucial save in the regional championship, but she moves into Yorktown's ace spot in 2023 with Alanah Jones now gone.

Jaelynn Lykins (Jay County, sophomore utility)

Lykins dominated as a freshman last year, slashing .592/.656/1.171 for a staggering 1.827 OPS, 19 doubles, seven home runs and 35 RBI. She should continue developing into one of the area's best players.

Kattie Mathews (New Castle, sophomore SS)

Mathews looked like a veteran in her debut season with the Trojans, batting .459 with team highs in hits (45), triples (six) and stolen bases (14). With top hitter Hannah Essert gone, though, Mathews' production will be all the more important in 2023.

Ava McNally (Yorktown, junior 2B)

McNally is on pace to be a four-year starter and brings significant power to Yorktown's lineup. She had a 1.062 OPS last season with six home runs and 23 RBI, and she'll be relied on for similar production as the Tigers graduated their No. 3 and 4 hitters.

She hit two home runs in the first game of this season, so she appears ready for the role.

McKenna Minton (Cowan, senior SS)

Minton has been lethal atop Cowan lineup in her career, tallying a near 1.300 OPS in her sophomore and junior seasons combined. The Purdue Fort Wayne commit will be just the second Div. I softball player in Blackhawks history, and she has been recognized both nationally (Select 30 All-American twice and Extra Inning Softball ranked recruit) and statewide (2021 The Star Press Small School softball Player of the Year, two-time All-MEC, two-time All-County and 2021 1A/2A Second Team All-State and 2022 All-State Honorable Mention).

In addition to her skills with a bat and glove, her 44 stolen bases last season made her a threat to score at all times.

Madi Moffitt (New Castle, senior pitcher/OF)

Moffitt has been an integral two-way force for New Castle during her two varsity seasons, yet she took a step forward in the circle in 2022. The Div. III Denison University commit lowered her ERA 6.36 in 2021 to 4.34 last year while maintaining a strong presence in the box, where she hit .430/.455/.827 with 29 RBI, 11 doubles and eight home runs.

Lexy Morris (Yorktown, senior SS)

Morris has started at shortstop for Yorktown for the last two seasons and been extremely consistent with her bat and defense. She's hit over .300 in both years and greatly increased her power as a junior, ranking second in extra-base hits (12) for the Tigers, so she's a reliable leadoff hitter.

Kayla Muterspaugh (Shenandoah, senior SS)

Muterspaugh took her game to the next level last year, leading the Raiders in RBI (23) and home runs (three) while slashing .390/.484/.584, up from her 0.802 OPS as a sophomore.

Head coach Christina Myers called her a "natural leader on the field."

Cali Pattengale (Daleville, junior 1B)

Cali helped lead the Broncos in 2022 in her debut season, slashing .472/.508/.641 with 14 RBI in just 18 games. She earned All-MEC honors for her production and will again be a main contributor for a Daleville squad now with higher expectations.

Valyn Pattengale (Daleville, sophomore catcher/SS)

Valyn entered her freshman season already a highly-touted prospect, and she didn't disappoint. She led the Broncos both behind the plate and in the box, where she slashed .654/.684/.1.403 for an absurd 2.088 OPS with 19 extra-base hits and 36 RBI in 18 games.

She was an All-Conference, All-County and All-State selection as a result, and hopes to build upon that strong debut for an even more impressive sophomore campaign.

Mia Ramsey (Delta, senior 1B)

Ramsey has been one of the area's most consistent hitters during her two previous varsity seasons. She hit .349 as a sophomore in 2021 and .397 with 17 RBI last year, and will again be a key piece of Delta's lineup.

The senior is off to a hot start in her final campaign, slashing .625/.667/.875 with two doubles through the Eagles' first three games.

Matylin Rhoades (Wapahani, junior 2B)

Although Rhoades' batting average fell from .418 as a freshman to .348 as a sophomore, she increased her power to notch 15 extra-base hits. She will again be a key cog in Wapahani's lineup with a career OPS above 1.000.

From head coach Jeff Masters: "She is a tough kid and will be one of our leaders this year. Mati is one of the hardest-working players I've been around. She had been working on some things and we expect some great things from her this year."

Tatum Rickert (Cowan, senior pitcher/3B)

Rickert was truly one of the area's most impactful players in 2022. She helped the Blackhawks to regional and sectional championships, earned 1A/2A First Team All-State, All-MEC, All-County and The Star Press small school softball Athlete of the Year selections, broke her own school record for strikeouts thrown in one season (191), led her team in batting average (0.562), OPS (1.484), hits (45), RBIs (45), doubles (12), ERA (2.25), wins (14), innings pitched (118.1) and tied for first in triples (two).

The Div. III Earlham College commit again headlines a stellar Cowan squad with state-title aspirations.

Emily Simmons (Daleville, sophomore pitcher/utility)

Simmons has the potential to be one of the area's top two-way players. As a freshman, she hit .549/.623/.803 for a 1.427 OPS with 15 RBI in 17 games, and in the circle tallied a 4.83 ERA with 72 strikeouts in 53.2 innings pitched.

Expect Simmons to take her game to the next level, especially as a pitcher.

Kenzie Stark (Wes-Del, senior pitcher, 1B)

Stark has been the heart of Wes-Del's squad during her two varsity seasons. After a productive sophomore season (1.105 OPS, 5.55 ERA), she increased those numbers to 1.341 and 5.46 in 2022.

She's off to a hot start to her senior campaign, having thrown a complete-game shutout and hit four doubles through three contests.

Sydney Stroble (Delta, senior catcher)

Stroble last season couldn't repeat her top-tier performance as a sophomore, in which she slashed .568/.588/.959, but she was still elite in 2022 with a batting average of .474 and career highs in home runs (seven) and RBI (34).

She should again be one of ECI's top hitters while also being solid behind the plate.

Shelby White (Delta, senior SS/OF/pitcher)

White made major improvements from her sophomore to junior season, increasing her OPS from 0.646 to 1.025 while adding six doubles and 18 RBI.

The NAIA Bethel College commit has also been relied on as a pitcher and notched a 6.12 ERA with two wins last season.

Lizzy Willis (Yorktown, senior CF/pitcher)

Willis is Yorktown's captain in the outfield and enters her second season as a starter. She was an immediate impact addition in 2022, slashing .384/.458/.684 with 20 RBI and tying the team lead in triples (five), as well as providing several successful relief innings in the circle (3.18 ERA).

She will again be a key part of the Tigers' lineup while also likely proving more innings as a pitcher.

Gus Martin is a sports reporter at The Star Press. Follow him on Twitter @GusMartin_SP, and contact him at gmartin@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: IHSAA softball: 23 East Central Indiana ECI players to watch in 2023