High school softball preview - 5 players to watch

HOLLAND — A season ago several local high school softball teams returned after a year away because of the COVID pandemic and many young players made a big name for themselves.

Every school in the area that fields a softball team has several talented players on its roster, each of them looking to make the next step in their careers as the 2022 season kicks off.

Here are five local players to keep an eye on this season who are slated to make a big impact for their teams.

Riley Gruppen

SCHOOL: Zeeland East

GRADE: Senior

POSITION: Utility

SCOUTING REPORT: The word utility is fitting for a player like Gruppen. The senior is capable of playing eight of the nine spots on the field, all at an extremely high level. She's the returning team MVP for the Chix and hit a stellar .523 last season with three home runs and 29 RBIs. She also tied a school record for hits in a season with 57 and set a new school record for runs scored with 53.

The team captain also earned all-conference honors as an outfielder as well as all-district accolades as a utility player.

"Riley is one of those players whose level of play is matched by her energy level on the field. She provides the spark to get the team energized. Riley has a high softball IQ and the athletic ability to play eight of the nine positions on the field and can do them all equally well, hence her award as all-district utility player last season," said Chix coach Ken Jipping. "She is an invaluable asset to the team and can be counted on to perform under pressure and is a true team player. "

Madie Jamrog

SCHOOL: Hamilton

GRADE: Junior

POSITION: Pitcher/infielder

SCOUTING REPORT: In her first high school softball season, Jamrog took the local scene by storm as a well-rounded player in the circle and at the plate. She was extremely productive, hitting .423 on the season, adding three home runs, 28 RBI and 20 stolen bases. Those numbers alone would be good enough to rank her high among the best softball players in the area, but where she really thrives with the ball in her hand.

Jamrog threw a no-hitter in her first high school pitching appearance and there wasn't much of a let up from there. She was the primary pitcher for the Hawkeyes, tossing 134 innings. Over that span, she boasted an ERA of 1.93 and hung 209 strikeouts in the process of accumulating a 16-1 record. Those numbers, along with her hitting, helped her earn all-region honors, first-team all-conference honors as well as being named the Sentinel's softball player of the year.

More: Hamilton's Madie Jamrog is Holland Sentinel Softball Player of the Year

"Madie had a strong sophomore season and only continued to get better as the season went on," said Hamilton coach Mark Behnke. "She is a five-tool player who has worked tirelessly in the offseason. Her attitude is infectious and is a true student of the game."

Kyra Kleinheksel

SCHOOL: Hamilton

GRADE: Junior

POSITION: Infielder/Outfielder

SCOUTING REPORT: Kleinheksel is a true utility player, just like Gruppen. She can play pretty much anywhere Behnke asks her, which makes setting lineups a breeze and helps put the rest of the Hamilton lineup in the best position possible for them to succeed.

As a sophomore, she was fantastic at the plate, hitting .516 and notching two home runs and 30 RBI. Those numbers helped her earn several accolades including being named an all-region outfielder as well as being named all-conference first team as a utility player. She also starred for the Hawkeyes on the basketball court this past winter.

"Kyra was phenomenal last season while developing into a quality outfielder. She has great hand-eye coordination, which you can also see on the basketball court," Behnke said. "She has a relentless work ethic and was key to the middle of our lineup last season. Her attitude is the stuff that high school sports are all about."

Zeeland West

GRADE: Junior

POSITION: Infielder/Catcher

SCOUTING REPORT: Just like the duo from Hamilton, 2021 was also Sleeman's first season of high school softball, but it sure didn't look like it. She slid over to second base instead of her normal shortstop and catcher positions because of outgoing seniors taking those spots. It worked out well for her, though. But she'll likely move to either short or catcher for the majority of her junior campaign.

She was great in the field, but her ability at the plate was hands down the best of anybody in the area last season. She hit an absurd .605, slamming 12 home runs and racking up a colossal 73 RBI for the Dux. Those numbers helped her earn all-state, all-region and all-conference honors. She has also already committed to play Division I softball at Central Michigan University.

More: Zeeland West's Carly Sleeman commits to Central Michigan for softball

"She was willing to move to second as she was playing behind two senior captains at shortstop and catcher," said coach Scott Silva. "She was a very strong presence on the field, in the batter's box, and on the base paths."

Taylor Zwagerman

SCHOOL: Zeeland West

GRADE: Senior

POSITION: Third base

SCOUTING REPORT: Zwagerman made a strong push during her junior season, becoming a team captain for the Dux. She struggled a bit to begin the season, but finished the year on a strong note to wrap up the campaign with a .339 batting average with three home runs and 35 RBI.

She had a knack for getting on base too, even when she didn't get a hit. Her OBP was just under .500 and she turned that stellar number into a ton of runs, crossing the plate 48 times for the Dux a season ago. That talent didn't go unnoticed, either as she earned all-conference honors in the OK Green. She's committed to play softball at Cornerstone University next season.

More: Zeeland West's Taylor Zwagerman signs with Cornerstone for softball

"She always helped keep the team organized, informed and connected all season [in 2021]," Silva said. "She continued to play strong on the corner for us and her bat really came alive the second half the season [last year]."

—Contact Assistant Sports Editor Will Kennedy at Will.Kennedy@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByWillKennedy and Facebook @Holland Sentinel Sports.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: High school softball preview - 5 Holland area players to watch