IHSAA softball preview 2024: What to know about Central Indiana Class 3A teams

Here is a sectional-by-sectional look at the Central Indiana high school softball teams in Class 3A.

2023 state championship game: New Prairie 4, Tri-West 2

Teams are listed in alphabetical order. Asterisk denotes defending sectional champion.

More: What you need to know about Indiana high school softball 2024 season

Sectional 25

Crawfordsville (3-23)

Danville (12-7) — Coach Greg Glaser will have a very young team with seven newcomers joining the lineup, meaning it will likely take some time for this group to gel. They'll also be without centerfielder Addison Davis, who's out with injury. Sophomore Autumn Muncy and freshman Maddie Newman are Danville's projected pitchers; Molly Anderson and Ellen Tingle are among the team's notable newcomers.

Lebanon (24-7) — The Tigers will be young, but coach Robert Archambeau is high on their potential with junior Krryn Miller (3.50 ERA) and sophomore Miley Wilhoite (3.41 ERA) returning to the circle and MacKenzie Carey (.505, only one strikeout) and Avery Blount (.404) both ready to lead the lineup. Freshmen Morgan Stofer, Mayli Folden, Piper Sharkey and Ellie Cooper could all step in as immediate contributors, as well. Fun fact: Lebanon is debuting its brand new turf complex this season.

Monrovia (4-18) — The Bulldogs are projected to return two of their top hitters in senior Piper Carpenter (.404, nine RBIs) and junior Kaitlyn Mattocks (.333, 10 RBIs). They'll be supported by senior Grace Vaughn (10 steals) and sophomore Avery Wolfe (11 hits, five doubles).

Tri-West (27-6)* — The Bruins' lineup will have a different look this season after graduating five seniors, but it has a talented nucleus of experienced players to lead the way. That group is led, of course, by Oklahoma-bound senior Audrey Lowry, who went 20-5 with a 1.04 ERA and 252 strikeouts last season, while also batting .607 with 19 extra base hits. Natalie Tharp (3-0 in seven appearances, 1.72 ERA) will back her up in the circle, while Emma Frye (32 hits), Taylor Bennett (.352), Michelle Wildman (.364), Tharp (.417), Danica James and Ginna Shaver will surround Lowry in the lineup. There will be a number of freshmen competing for playing time with Tri-West, which plays one of the state's toughest schedules.

Western Boone (17-9) — Emma Shirley (.500, 47 hits, five triples, 34 of WeBo's 74 steals) and Gabby Lewis (.400, 38 hits, 26 RBIs, four triples; 11-6, 3.68 ERA, 129 Ks) should give the Stars a very good nucleus entering the season, and there's ample experience behind them. Morganne Grant, Mickaya Naanos and Kale Conner all batted over .320 and drove in at least 14 RBIs, with Naanos cranking four doubles and two homers.

Fab 15: Ranking Central Indiana's top teams entering 2024 season

Sectional 26

Edgewood (22-8)*

Indian Creek (9-15) — Senior IU commit Alli Gavin headlines a Braves squad that's looking to build upon last year's nine-win finish and returns all of its key pieces. The catcher batted a team-leading .429 with 24 hits, 17 RBIs and six homers. She'll be supported by sophomore Delaney Jones (.411, 22 RBIs, six homers) and junior Jasmine Day (.318). Jones (220 strikeouts, 2.25 ERA) will handle pitching duties with freshmen Kristen Soots and Lexi Smith.

Northview (18-9)

Owen Valley (12-13)

West Vigo (14-14)

Sectional 27

Brebeuf Jesuit (11-13) — The Braves bring back a strong nucleus to their lineup with Alyssa Donaldson (.321, eight doubles, 20 RBIs), Emma Hamblin (.373, 10 RBIs) and Kaylie Virkus (.338, three homers, 15 RBIs, 22 runs). They also have stronger pitching depth than in years past with Hamblin and fellow senior Ava Esteb joined by sophomore Georgie Kelich. Of note: Brebeuf will have a JV team for a third straight season as participation continues to increase.

Guerin Catholic (3-15) — The Golden Eagles weathered last season with a lineup consisting of mainly freshmen and sophomores. Those players are now a year older and with juniors Lucy Kemp (.417, 12 RBIs, three home runs), Natalie Eiler (.370) and Anna Mauch (.349, 13 RBIs, two homers) among the notable returners, this group is poised to improve upon last year's win total. The pitching staff will be young with freshman Rilee Kluesner taking reins as the team's starter.

Hamilton Heights (19-9)* — Lily Roush (9-3, 1.00 ERA, 182 Ks, 105.1 IP), Lily Cash (7-2, 3.70 ERA, 60 Ks, 47.1 IP) and Melanee Forrester (1-0, 2.38 ERA, 16 Ks, 17.2 IP) all return to a Huskies pitching staff that owned a combined 1.97 ERA with 258 strikeouts. The lineup will be equally potent. Heights returns all but one of its top bats, a group which includes Roush (.381, 26 RBIs), Cash (.305, 18 RBIs, six doubles), Hailey Hall (.321, 16 RBIs) and Kassidy Schakel (.333, 20 RBIs, four home runs), among many others.

Bishop Chatard (13-15) — Anna Caskey, whom you may remember from Chatard basketball's semistate run, returns after missing all of last season due to injury. That's a massive addition for the Trojans, who also return senior Syd Shaw (.405), junior Emma Swickheimer and sophomore Emily Wendt (.340, four homers). Freshman Avery Gries will bat second and start at shortstop for a very young infield (only one returning starter). Caskey will handle some pitching duties, as well, alongside senior Chloe Cyganowski (3.50 ERA) and junior Emma Swickheimer.

Shortridge (5-9-1) — Record-setting junior shortstop/pitcher Izzy Sellers is the Blue Devils' top returner after batting .333 with 16 RBIs, five doubles and nine steals in 2023. She'll step in as primary pitcher, replacing Tianna Jackson, with Rosa Ocasio providing backup. Their development as pitchers will largely determine Shortridge's success this season. Aries Smith (.362 OBP) swiped 15 bases; first baseman Hannah Obajolu recorded 59 putouts and four assists on 68 total chances.

Sectional 28

Beech Grove (21-7)* — The Hornets return everyone from last year's squad which one its first sectional en route to a state quarterfinals appearance. That groups headlined by senior Coastal Carolina commit Malone Moore, who went 18-5 with a 1.50 ERA and 184 strikeouts across 125.2 innings pitched last season, while also batting .575 with 50 hits, 46 RBIs and seven homers. She'll be aided in the circle by juniors Carmen Edmaiston (3.04 ERA, 54 strikeouts) and Alyssa Stone, who did not pitch last season. The lineup is littered with big bats, as well, notably catcher/third baseman Lilliana Jansen (.532, 50 hits, 33 RBIs; 13 caught stealing from behind the plate), outfielder Kylee Robinson (.470, 46 runs, 24 RBIs, 30 steals), shortstop Mylee Boling (.407, 33 runs, 27 RBIs, four homers, 23 steals), Edmaiston (.367, 30 RBIs), second baseman/outfielder Aubree Bailey (.372, 29 RBIs), third baseman Holly Garrett (.329) and incoming freshman Harper Moore, who'll play outfield and shortstop.

Herron (6-8-1) — Senior Sophie Herring batted .642 with 34 hits, 25 RBIs, nine doubles and three triples last season. She's the team's top-returning hitter; senior Lydia Lindvall batted above .500; and sophomore Jordyn Ault (.469, 18 RBIs), Bella Rollins (.458) and Taylor Bailey (.447) all hit around .450 or better. Hailey Norkus (24), Rollins (22), Herring (18), Bailey (17) and Lindvall (14) led the team in stolen bases.

Washington (1-5) — The Continentals out-lasted Purdue Poly for a 16-15 win in the second game of the 2023 regular season.

Purdue Polytechnic (0-10) — The Techies were only shutout once last season, scoring multiple runs against Irvington Prep, Brebeuf, Attucks, Washington, Tech, Riverside and Speedway.

Speedway (10-9) — Hayli Clampitt is looking to build upon a solid freshman campaign in the circle wherein she went 5-1 with 47 strikeouts. Junior Eternity Viera and freshmen Callie Pinkley and Taylor Fitch add depth. Junior Laney Jarrett (.354, 22 RBIs) anchors a senior-heavy lineup that includes catcher Rainee Gordon (.417, 13 RBIs), shortstop Ella Hedrick (.411, 16 RBIs) and utility Paige Powell (.362). The Sparkplugs, who finished runner-up to Beech Grove in sectional, will be under the direction of first-year coach Katie Paden.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school softball Class 3A season preview 2024