All-Metro softball team: Wichita Eagle honors the top players from the 2023 season
The Wichita Eagle announced its annual All-Metro softball team on Monday, recognizing some of the best high school softball players in the state of Kansas from the 2023 season.
The All-Metro first team features the top players and the top coach from Sedgwick, Butler and Harvey counties, based on statistics, team success, postseason recognition and area coaches’ feedback. Valley Center senior and Minnesota signee Lucy Hooper was named the Player of the Year after helping lead the Hornets to their second straight Class 5A championship.
2023 Wichita Eagle All-Metro softball team
Addy Canfield, Derby junior pitcher
Canfield blossomed in her first season as Derby’s go-to pitcher, not to mention swinging a timely bat in the lineup. She finished with a 19-2 record, 2.47 ERA and 136 strikeouts in the circle, while hitting .434 at the plate with four home runs and 31 RBIs. Canfield was named a first team all-league pitcher by AV-CTL Div. I coaches and also earned second team all-state in Class 6A.
“She was a total workhorse for us,” Derby coach Christy Weve said. “She threw all but maybe four games for us and then hit really well in the 3-hole for us as well. She does a great job of mixing up her pitches and she developed a nice change-up. She’s smart on the mound and does a good job of hitting her spots.”
Chloe Enslinger, Derby senior infielder
Another key contributor to the top Class 6A team in the area, Enslinger was part of the reason why the Panthers were a game away from playing for a state championship. The Barton County signee finished with a .422 batting average and 25 RBIs to go along with stellar defense at the hot corner. Enslinger earned first team all-league honors at third base in AV-CTL Div. I and was also voted first team all-state in 6A.
“Chloe was a great leader for us and she will do anything that you ask her to do,” Derby coach Christy Weve said. “She is another one who really studies the game and finds film to watch and break it down. I can’t say enough good things about what kind of a great kid she is and how hard she works at it.”
Karlee Ford, Eisenhower junior catcher
After playing around the diamond last season for Eisenhower, Ford moved to her natural position behind the plate and excelled as a junior. She was one of the top power hitters in the area and was instrumental in the Tigers’ run to the Class 5A state title game. Ford was voted first team all-league in AV-CTL Div. II and first team all-state in 5A at catcher.
“Karlee is such a go-getter and someone who is always working to improve her game,” Eisenhower coach Amber Brunswig said. “She’s a strong kid and she can hit with a lot of power. She’s just a beast. She played mostly in the outfield her first two years, so getting her behind the plate and having her hold runners accountable was crucial this year for us. She just plays with a lot of intensity and is very passionate about the game.”
Maci George, Valley Center senior infielder
The reigning All-Metro Player of the Year who could have easily repeated, George once again showed why she was recruited Division I by North Texas and was a 3-time All-Metro pick. The senior had another monster season, hitting .551 at the plate with a team-high 61 RBIs, 38 runs, four triples and three home runs. George helped the Hornets repeat as Class 5A state champions and earned first team all-league honors in AV-CTL Div. II and first team all-state honors in 5A at third base.
“Maci’s competitive nature is what stands out the most to me,” Valley Center coach Corey Jones said. “She wants to win every single at-bat. She wants to field every ground ball and man, she sure loves (state site) Wilkins Stadium. She’s had some big moments there for us the last two years.”
Lucy Hooper, Valley Center senior infielder
The slick-fielding shortstop had as good of claim as anyone for the best defensive player in the state. Who else could have turned a game-ending triple play to secure a second straight state championship? On top of her stellar glove work, Hooper hit a team-high .615 with a team-high 53 runs and 22 RBIs. The Minnesota signee earned Player of the Year honors, as she was voted first team all-league in AV-CTL Div. II and first team all-state in Class 5A at shortstop.
“Lucy took away so many base hits that are normally not even close at the high school level,” Valley Center coach Corey Jones said. “That helped our pitchers out so much and really provided some excitement for the other girls to watch her play defense. She made everyone better and everybody wanted to play defense like her. She pumped up our teams so many times.”
Trinity Kuntz, Derby senior utility
One of the top defensive catchers in the state of Kansas, Kuntz also delivered in key moments to help the Panthers reach the Class 6A semifinals. Kuntz led Derby in hitting with her .542 average and .867 slugging percentage with four home runs and a team-high 37 RBIs. The West Texas A&M signee earned first team all-league honors in AV-CTL Div. I and first team all-state honors in 6A.
“Not much gets by Trinity and she has an absolute cannon for an arm, so not many people tried stealing on her,” Derby coach Christy Weve said. “She’s so smart behind the plate. She studies the game and knows how to help pitchers out when they’re struggling. She was so valuable to us this year.”
Abreya Perry, Valley Center freshman outfielder
The large senior class at Valley Center rightfully received most of the attention during the team’s run to another Class 5A state championship, but Perry is the next great Hornet. The speedy center fielder was superb defensively in the outfield, then finished her debut season hitting .570 with 51 runs, 29 RBIs and two home runs. Perry, who was first team all-league in AV-CTL Div. II and first team all-state in 5A, is already being hailed as one of the top recruits in the country for the class of 2026.
“She makes absolutely unreal plays seem so routine,” Valley Center coach Corey Jones said. “She did it every game and she did it day in and day out in practice. She broke our school record for most hits in a season and she’s going to be one to watch for the next three years. She can do everything.”
Addie Ross, Andale-Garden Plain senior outfielder
The power-hitting outfielder helped Andale-Garden Plain rally when it mattered most to return to the Class 4A state tournament. Ross led the team in hitting with a .449 batting average, .987 slugging percentage, seven home runs, 44 RBIs and 29 runs. The Cowley County signee was voted first team all-league in AV-CTL Div. IV and first team all-state in 4A as an outfielder. Ross also finished her career as a two-time All-Metro selection after playing another year of standout defense in center field.
Audry Rumsey, Eisenhower senior pitcher
Few players meant more to their team’s success than Rumsey, a two-time All-Metro selection who once again was the go-to pitcher for Eisenhower and a big bat in the lineup. Rumsey helped lead the Tigers all the way to the Class 5A state championship game this year. The Delta State (Miss.) signee was voted a first team all-league pitcher in AV-CTL Div. II and first team all-state pitcher in 5A.
“Audrey was a tremendous leader on the field for us, both pitching and hitting,” Eisenhower coach Amber Brunswig said. “She was very patient at the plate and was always aware of the situation and just executed. She’s a great kid who spends a lot of time on the softball field trying to get better and working on her game.”
Kory Schoenfeld, Bishop Carroll senior infielder
Bishop Carroll had one of its youngest teams in years and Schoenfeld was there to help lead the way to ensure another berth to the Class 5A state tournament. The Butler County signee was a standout infielder for the Golden Eagles, earning first team all-league in the City League and first team all-state in 5A. Schoenfeld finished the season with a team-high .614 batting average to go along with 36 runs and 14 RBIs.
Sykora Smith, Valley Center senior designated hitter
The Northern Iowa signee was part of the decorated senior class at Valley Center that won its second straight Class 5A state championship this season. Smith suffered a hand injury during the season, but that didn’t prevent her from returning to the lineup in time for the state tournament and hitting a crucial home run during the state title game. Smith finished the season with a .390 batting average, 34 RBIs, 20 runs and a team-high seven home runs to earn first-team all-league in AV-CTL Div. II and first team all-state in 5A.
“Sykora is the ultimate competitor,” Valley Center coach Corey Jones said. “She wants to win and she’s willing to do whatever it takes. She hits, she pitches, she can play first base. What stands out the most to me is just her power at the plate. And her timely hitting was always amazing for us. She was cranking them at the state tournament and that was with a broken thumb.”
Gabrielle Stauffer, Campus junior outfielder
Campus didn’t reach the state tournament this season, which is usually a requirement to be voted first team all-state. The way Stauffer swings at the plate and her tenacity in the outfield for the Colts allowed her to bypass that, as coaches voted her among the best in 6A even without the typical team success. The Hutchinson Community College commit also received first team honors in AV-CTL Div. I as an outfielder.
Elizabeth Tjaden, Clearwater junior infielder
Tjaden has proven herself to be one of the top all-around athletes in the Wichita area, athleticism that made her a first-time All-Metro selection. The junior was superb at second base for a Clearwater team that once again reached the Class 4A state tournament, as she also finished with a .470 batting average, 44 RBIs, 30 runs, six home runs and seven triples. Tjaden earned first team all-league honors at second base in AV-CTL Div. IV and was also voted first team all-state in 4A.
“Elizabeth’s athleticism is what allows her to make so many incredible plays on defense,” Clearwater coach Tyler Hampton said. “She just has a knack for making some big-time plays that other players probably wouldn’t be able to make. As far as hitting is concerned, she is super consistent and was able to hit for both average and power this season for us.”
Tori Turner, Valley Center senior pitcher
With a late-season injury to a teammate, Turner was thrust into the lead role for Valley Center in the circle and was up for the challenge. She was a bulldog pitching for the Hornets during their run to back-to-back state titles, as the Harding (Ark.) signee finished with a 12-1 record and 3.32 ERA to go along with a .492 batting average, 20 runs and 22 RBIs at the plate. She earned first team all-league in AV-CTL Div. II and first team all-state in 5A as a pitcher.
“With Sykora getting hurt, we couldn’t have them in and out like we usually do,” Valley Center coach Corey Jones said. “Tori had to step up and get the win in all three of our games at state and man, there at the end, she was exhausted. She didn’t have much left in the tank and it was so cool to see her grit through that.”
Camrynn Yardley, Rose Hill senior outfielder
Yardley built a convincing case for most valuable player to a team with her senior season with the Rockets. At the plate, she hit .500 with a team-high seven home runs, 31 RBIs and 31 runs. In the circle, she finished with a 9-2 record, 2.30 ERA and 74 strikeouts. Yardley was voted the MVP of AV-CTL Div. IV, which included state teams in Andale-Garden Plain and Clearwater. She is signed to play for Allen Community College.
Amber Brunswig, Eisenhower coach
After leading Eisenhower to a third-place finish the last two seasons, Brunswig helped guide Eisenhower to the program’s first appearance in the Class 5A state championship game. Although the Tigers lost to AV-CTL Div. II rival Valley Center, they were one of the only teams to knock off Valley Center during its title runs the last two season. Eisenhower finished with a 19-6 record and was led by top players like Audry Rumsey, Lainie Burkhart, Lauren McNaught, Mallory Pabst, Karlee Ford and Karli George.
All-Metro second team
Elina Bartlett, Cheney senior outfielder
Lainie Burkhart, Eisenhower senior infielder
Carli Carlson, Clearwater senior outfielder
Brodie Christenson, Andover sophomore outfielder
Pilar Cox, Bluestem sophomore pitcher
Kyler Demel, Derby junior outfielder
Karli George, Eisenhower sophomore pitcher
Kennedy Johnson, Valley Center senior catcher
Maci Kratzer, Maize South senior outfielder
Ainslea Kraus, Valley Center senior outfielder
Lizzy Lassley, Maize South sophomore catcher
Jalin Lavers, Mulvane senior pitcher
Aly Lawrence, Northwest senior pitcher
Ava Lay, Trinity Academy sophomore
Lilly Martin, Bishop Carroll sophomore outfielder
Peyton McCormick, Cheney junior utility
Lauren McNaught, Eisenhower senior outfielder
Allyson Orth, Bishop Carroll freshman pitcher
Cambell Riordan, Bishop Carroll junior utility
Madelyn Rolfs, Andale senior outfielder
Dominique Schellenger, Trinity Academy freshman pitcher
Kennedy Topping, Maize senior infielder
Christy Weve, Derby coach
All-Metro third team
Brooklyn Benoit, Northwest freshman outfielder
Elena Bowling, Remington sophomore infielder
Kylie Cartwright, Kapaun Mt. Carmel sophomore infielder
Courtney Cross, Trinity Academy junior infielder
Madison Cross, Trinity Academy freshman catcher
Kaylee Davis, Andover Central sophomore pitcher
Maia Djourvic, Maize senior outfielder
India Downs, Mulvane junior outfielder
Harlee Fowler, Circle sophomore pitcher
Rylee Frager, Derby senior infielder
Reese Goetz, Rose Hill junior infielder
Paige Green, Rose Hill junior utility
Elyse Griffin, Hesston freshman pitcher
Karley Grinstead, Rose Hill senior outfielder
Kaylee Hampton, Clearwater sophomore infielder
Charlie Hoffman, Kapaun Mt. Carmel sophomore outfielder
Raegan Jackson, Derby sophomore infielder
Kiersten Jones, Bishop Carroll freshman catcher
Nevaeh Lopez, Northwest senior utility
Bridget Mohr, Bluestem freshman utility
Khloe Perkins, Goddard junior utility
Aspen Peterson, Augusta senior outfielder
Sophia Reyes, Bluestem junior catcher
Jenna Sokoll, Maize South junior utility
Brynley Smith, Maize junior infielder
Hayleigh Waggoner, Douglass junior outfielder
Maya Werner, Sedgwick senior pitcher
Megan White, Kapaun Mt. Carmel senior infielder
Brecken Whitney, Clearwater senior pitcher
Regan Witt, Mulvane sophomore infielder
Corey Jones, Valley Center coach
