First Team

Lacey Mathiowetz, Sr., St. Mary’s, P/CF

With a 16-2 record, Mathiowetz helped the Knights to an undefeated regular season and the Section 2A softball championship game, finishing as runner-ups in the section. Mathiowetz had a 1.19 ERA and struck out 160 batters in the circle in 111 1/3 innings while posting a team-leading .468 batting average with 29 hits and 14 RBIs, helping her win the Tomahawk Conference Player of the Year and an All-State First Team nod.

Megan Haala, Sr.,

Cathedral, P/1B

The lead pitcher for the Section 2A softball champion Greyhounds, Haala struck out 98 batters and posted a 2.12 ERA in 125 1/3 innings pitched, going 15-6 in the circle. At the plate, Haala had a .321 average with 26 hits, seven doubles and a team-leading 24 RBI. Cathedral head coach Jamie Kuehn said that as a hitter, Haala was always a threat to get a hit and was a quick and smart baserunner. She also struck out just three times all season. Kuehn said Haala was tasked with improving her leadership skills this year as a senior and exceeded expectations in that area. Haala was named to the All-Conference, All-Section, Senior All-Star teams and All-State Second Team this season.

Ramsey Hopp, So.,

New Ulm, P

As New Ulm’s lead pitcher, Hopp was 13-8 in the circle with five shutouts, three one-hitters, .875 strikeouts per inning and a 2.23 ERA. Hopp recorded three wins against teams that made the state tournament in AAA or AAAA — Delano, Chisago Lakes and Farmington. At the plate, Hopp had a .350 batting average with an OBP of .400, proving to be an effective two-way player. New Ulm head coach Kristi Andersen Loose said that Hopp was calm and mentally focused on the mound and is exactly what a coach wants from a girl in the circle. Hopp was named to the Big South All-Conference and All-Section teams.

Sam Kettner, Sr.,

Nicollet, OF/1B

Kettner’s batting stats jump off the page for Nicollet with a batting average of .530 and 35 hits. In addition to her being a consistent hitter for average, Kettner also had seven home runs and 33 RBIs this season. Nicollet head coach Marc Bode said that Kettner was a power hitter that was also difficult to strike out, putting the ball in play often.

Kiah Helget, Jr.,

Cathedral, SS

Helget led the Greyhounds in batting average (.379), OBP (.455), OPS (1.052), hits (33), walks (12), runs scored (28) and home runs (4), presenting a dynamic threat in every at-bat. Helget also had a .935 fielding percentage in the middle infield, as well as stealing a team-leading 12 bases, proving to be a valuable player in every stage of the game. Cathedral head coach Jamie Kuehn said Helget is motivated to be the best player and wants to be on the best team possible. Helget was selected as an All-Conference and All-Section player as well as an All-State Honorable Mention.

Avery Carlson, Jr.,

Wabasso, P

The Rabbits’ Team MVP this season, Carlson was 17-6 in the circle with a 2.37 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 139 innings pitched. Carlson was also a Tomahawk All-Conference and All-Section player and was also effective on offense with a batting average of .286, 24 hits, nine doubles and 16 RBIs.

Jaeli Richert, Sr.,

Springfield, P/2B

A four-year starter for the Tigers, Richert was 7-4 in the circle with a 3.06 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 73 innings pitched. At the plate, Richert had a .365 average with 31 hits, eight doubles, two home runs and 27 RBIs, tied for the team lead. Richert’s play earned her Team Defensive MVP and an All-Conference selection. Springfield head coach Katie Wilhelmi said Richert was a force both on the mound and in the middle infield.

Kelsey Frank, Sr.,

Wabasso, C

Frank led the Rabbits in batting average (.364) hits (32) and RBI (24) while scoring 26 runs of her own, along with a home run. Frank was awarded with All-Conference, All-Section, Senior All-Star and Second-Team All-State selections.

Jalivia Richert, Jr., Springfield, P/OF

A three-year starter at pitcher for Springfield, Richert threw 68 strikeouts, five shutouts and one no-hitter this season while splitting time in the circle. Richert had a 8-6 record while pitching and posted a 2.40 ERA in 81 innings. At the plate, Richert had a .294 average with 12 RBIs. Richert earned an All-Section selection and an All-Conference honorable mention for her play this season, as well as being named the team’s pitching MVP. Richert pitched four of the Tigers’ five Section 2A tournament games, helping them earn a third-place finish in the section.

Second Team

Kallie Zarn, Sr.,

St. Mary’s, 2B

An All-Conference and All-Section selection, Zarn was on fire during the Section 2A tournament, turning in a .588 batting average during the postseason. Finally healthy after two wrist surgeries, Zarn had a .403 batting average overall this season, with 27 hits, eight doubles and 22 RBIs. St. Mary’s head coach Kayla Mathiowetz said anyone that watches Zarn play knows that she loves the sport just by the effort she puts on the field when playing.

Isabella Hoffmann, Sr., St. Mary’s, CF/P

Always willing to make sacrifices for the good of the team, Hoffmann was 3-0 in the circle with a 1.70 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings pitched while also playing a clean game in center field, recording no errors on the season. At the plate, Hoffmann had a .357 average with 25 hits and a team-leading 20 RBIs. St. Mary’s head coach Kayla Mathiowetz said Hoffmann improved greatly in the box this season.

Maddie Backer, So.,

New Ulm, CF

Covering a wide range in center field, Backer’s speed allowed the other New Ulm outfielders to hug the foul lines this season. Backer added to her defensive game with a strong throwing arm, gunning down three of four baserunners tagging up on her, including a game-saving throw to home during the Section 2AA tournament.

Backer was also impressive at the plate, hitting .388 with 18 RBIs. She used her speed to steal 18 bases, including against elite catchers from Delano and Belle Plaine who had only given up one steal prior to Backer. Backer’s season earned her Big South All-Conference and All-Section honors.

Leah Bode, Jr.,

Nicollet, P/OF

A three-time Valley All-Conference player, Leah Bode was a strong all-around hitter, averaging .593 at the plate on 35 hits with a .729 OBP. She also added 22 RBIs and a home run, hitting behind fellow RBI threat Sam Kettner as the cleanup hitter.

Taylor Berkner, Fr., Sleepy Eye, 1B/P

Hitting the three spot for the Indians, Berkner excelled at moving batters around the bases. Berkner averaged .405 at the plate, with a .620 slugging percentage, 32 hits, six doubles, three home runs and 29 RBIs. Those stats earned Berkner an All-Conference selection for the 2023 season.

Maddy Digmann, Sr., Springfield, 3B

Digmann manned the corner for Springfield, posting a .883 fielding percentage. Offensively, Digmann was one of the Tigers’ most consistent hitters, averaging .374 at the plate with 34 hits, five doubles and 19 RBIs while stealing 10 bases, tied for the team lead. Digmann earned All-Conference, Senior All-Star and Second Team All-State nods this season.

Brooke Arneson, Sr., Sleepy Eye, LF

A Tomahawk All-Conference Honorable Mention, Arneson was the leadoff hitter for Sleepy Eye, averaging .432 with 32 hits, four doubles, two triples and a home run. She also had 14 RBIs and 28 runs scored. Arneson used her speed and plate vision to find success, only striking out three times during the season. On defense, she switched from shortstop to left field, once again using her speed to chase down fly balls.

Kenzie Enter, So.,

New Ulm, 2B

New Ulm head coach Kristi Andersen Loose called Enter one of the most impressive second basemen she has ever seen. With range and strong fundamentals, opposing coaches directed their players to hit the ball away from her. With 17 consecutive games without an error, Enter was the definition of consistency in the middle infield. Enter was productive at the plate as well, posting a .266 batting average with a team-high 19 RBIs. Enter also stole 17 bases on the season and snagged two triples, showing off her speed. Enter was selected to the Big South All-Conference and All-Section teams.

Sophia Hanna, Sr.,

Wabasso, 3B

A Tomahawk All-Conference, All-Section, Senior All-Star and Second-Team All-State selection, Hanna earned a bevy of awards this season recognizing her play. She had a .269 average at the plate with 25 hits, five doubles and three home runs while batting in 20 runners and scoring a team-leading 30 runs.

Honorable Mention

Jenna Hotovec, Jr., Cathedral, CF (.261 BA, three HRs; .979 fielding percentage)

Allie Labat, Sr., St. Mary’s, 3B (.296 BA, 13 RBIs; .932 fielding percentage)

Katelyn Tauer, Jr., Sleepy Eye, 1B/P (.306 BA, 18 RBIs, three HRs; 3.00 ERA, 89 strikeouts)

Brenna Pabst, Sr., Springfield, CF (.417 BA)

Becca Kuck, Sr., MVL, P (97 strikeouts in 79 2/3 innings; .359 BA)

Alexa Hornick, Jr., Cathedral, 2B (.295 BA, 18 RBIs, six doubles)