Arkansas' best high school softball players: Meet the state's top outfielders
By Kyle Sutherland | Photo by Jimmy Jones
With the high school softball season wrapped up, SBLive is capping off its list of top players. Today, we feature the best outfielders across all classifications in Arkansas.
There are many standout softball outfielders in Arkansas, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. You can discuss the other outfielders worthy of fans’ attention in 2023 by connecting with us on Twitter at @SBLiveARK or by emailing nate@scorebooklive.com.
Chloe Ashmead | Sheridan | JR
Ashmead’s stock really began to soar last season and she has continued to produce in a season when her team really needed it finishing with a .505/.526/.602 slash line as well as seven doubles, two triples, 32 RBIs, along with a solid .964 fielding percentage defensively .
Audrey Bishop | Maumelle Charter | FR
One of the underclassmen to keep an eye on, Bishop batted .528 from the leadoff spot and finished with a .614 on-base percentage with nine extra-base hits, one home run, 11 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases playing in the rugged 3A-5. Bishop led the Lady Falcons in all offensive categories, excluding RBIs in which she was second.
Kylee Branscum | Mayflower | SO
Mayflower head coach Jeff Hill has raved about Branscum’s abilities dating back to last season and she brings even more to the table. At the plate, Branscum batted .485 and had a .547 on-base percentage with four doubles, a home run, 24 RBIs, and 46 runs scored while striking out just three times. She also pitched some, going 4-0 with 21 strikeouts and compiled a 2.45 ERA.
Trinity Burnett | Gravette | SR
Burnett finished her prep career in the best way possible, helping Gravette win its first state title in school history and was one of the top performers in the finals going 2-for-3 with two RBI. On the season, Burnett slashed .400/.438/.467 with four doubles, 13 runs batted in and 18 runs scored.
Weslyn Burnside | Greene County Tech | SO
Burnside, sister of former Razorback All-American, Braxton Burnside, took a bigger role for the Lady Eagles after playing mostly defense as a freshman. At the plate, Burnside slashed .375/.526/.597 with 10 doubles, two home runs, 34 RBI, and 24 runs scored. Burnside also pitched 42 innings and struck out 20 batters.
Frankie Caldwell | Beebe | FR
Caldwell proved her toughness playing through a broken nose for the final two weeks of the season and finished her freshman season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. At the plate, Caldwell hit .419 with a .479 on-base percentage as well as eight doubles, and 24 runs batted in while only striking out twice in 92 plate appearances.
Katie Camp | Mountain Home | SR
Camp was part of a seasoned Lady Bombers outfield that departs leaving big holes to fill going into next season. She slashed .391/.541/ .448 with six doubles, 15 RBIs, 24 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases.
Sara Camplain | Cabot | JR
Batting leadoff for the Lady Panthers, Camplain helped them back to the 6A state finals for the second consecutive season. She slashed .364/.437/.455 with five doubles, a triple, eight runs batted in, and scored 36 runs.
Ava Carter | Greene County Tech | JR
The Arkansas commit was the most effective batter in the Lady Eagles' lineup finishing with a .562/.638/1.010 slash line as well as nine doubles, ten triples, six home runs, and 33 runs batted in while helping GCT to its second straight 5A state finals appearance.
Chesnee Chandler | Rivercrest | JR
Chandler enjoyed an all-state junior campaign for the Lady Colts compiling a solid .949 FPCT with one turned double play. She slashed .424/.480/.606 with 10 doubles, one triple, 20 RBIs, and scored 31 runs.
Abi Chavers | Scranton | SR
Chavers was the unquestioned leader of a Scranton squad that came out and made it to the 1A quarterfinals after not fielding a team last season. She batted .373 and had a .477 on-base percentage with 15 runs batted in for the Lady Rockets.
Jaela Coleman | Ashdown | SO
Ashdown hardly skipped a beat after moving up to Class 4A after winning the 3A state title in 2022. Coleman was one of the Lady Panthers’ top batters finishing with a .455/.532/.591 slash line as well as seven doubles, a triple, one home run, and 20 runs batted in.
Chasney “Chaz” Cooper | Malvern | JR
Cooper had a stellar junior season helping the Lady Leopards to the 4A quarterfinals while also thriving individually finishing with a perfect 1.000 FPCT in the outfield. At the plate, Cooper slashed .422/.489/.542 with six doubles, two triples, and 16 RBIs.
Olivia Crabb | Mountain Home | SR
With her successful tenure for the Lady Bombers completed, Crabb will continue her playing career alongside her twin sister, Emma, at Three Rivers College (Mo.). On the season, Crabb slashed .362/ .465/ .416 with five doubles, 20 RBIs, and scored 22 runs.
Cam Culclager | Benton | FR
One of the next big players for the Lady Panthers, Culclager played a utility role in her first varsity season, but may have found a home in center field from now on. She was the only player in all of the state finals games to have a flawless day at the plate, finishing 4-for-4 with two RBI. For the season, Culclager slashed .602/.653/.639 with 16 RBI and 17 stolen bases.
Payeton Dilday | Bentonville West | JR
Dilday battled injuries, but when healthy was one of the top players for a young Wolverines squad that finished in the 6A quarterfinals. In 15 games, Dilday slashed .408/.473/.714 with eight doubles, two home runs, and 13 runs batted in.
Natalie Dunman | East Poinsett County | SR
Dunman was one of the constants in the Lady Warriors outfield within recent memory and had an effective senior campaign while helping them go on another deep state tournament run. She slashed .384/.496/.545 with 14 doubles, a triple, 29 runs batted in, and 31 runs scored.
Camry Eller | Nemo Vista | SR
Eller was not only the Lady Red Hawks’ most effective batter, but one of the best in all of Class 1A for 2023. She helped Nemo Vista to a berth in the state tournament and finished the year with an outstanding .684/.714/.985 slash line.
Keeley Elsea | Gravette | JR
The multi-time all-state performer was one of the top batters on a Lady Lions state championship squad that finished the season batting over .400 as a team. Elsea slashed .433/.573/.761 with eight doubles, a triple, four home runs, 24 RBI, and 27 runs scored.
Kelsey Eppes | Marion | JR
Eppes controlled the deep part of the field alongside senior McKenzie Shinabery for the Lady Pats in 2023 and slashed .390/.445/.612 with 17 doubles, three triples, and 17 stolen bases.
Anna Ford | Wonderview | JR
A key part of the Lady Daredevils’ back-to-back 1A state semifinalist squads, Ford batted .347 as a junior with a .647 on-base percentage on 20 hits. She batted eight runs in, scored 17, and compiled a .920 fielding percentage defensively.
Kyndal Fox | Cutter Morning Star | JR
Fox controlled center field for the Lady Eagles where she finished with a solid .983 fielding percentage. At the plate, Fox stole 13 bases while batting .383 and also completed the year with a .489 on-base percentage.
Lexi Gangluff | Wonderview | JR
Gangluff was a hit waiting to happen for the Lady Daredevils all season finishing with a .562/.650/.828 slash line on 36 hits. She knocked five triples, batted in 27 runs while scoring 34, and had a .950 fielding percentage defensively.
Alexa Gangoso | Magnet Cove | JR
Gangoso finished her junior season as one of the top performers at the plate for Magnet Cove with a .354/.407/.494 slash line to go with seven doubles, three triples, 19 runs batted in, and 23 runs scored.
Laken Golden | Carlisle | JR
The Ouachita Baptist commit bats leadoff for the Lady Bison and finished third on the team with a .450/.515/.533 slash line along with a double, two triples, 26 runs scored, and 30 stolen bases.
Paige Greer | Gravette | SR
Greer finished in the Top 3 of essentially every category for the Lady Lions at the plate capping the year with a .458/.556/.593 slash line with four doubles, two triples, nine runs batted in and 18 runs scored while helping Gravette to its first state title in school history.
Megan Hedger | Jonesboro Westside | SR
Despite coming up short, the Lady Warriors’ contest against Malvern in the first round of the state tournament showed their firepower at the plate. Hedger was one of the top performers on the squad with a .408/.505/.645 slash line to go with seven doubles, a triple, three home runs, and 21 RBI’s. Hedger also compiled a perfect 1.000 FPCT.
Peyton Hester | Maumelle | JR
It may have been rather quietly, but Hester really came on the scene for the Lady Hornets, as well as all of Class 5A. She batted .616 with a .679 on-base percentage, as well as nine doubles and three triples.
Leah Hicks | Bryant | JR
The Arkansas Tech commit was one of four Lady Hornets who recorded multiple hits in the 6A state finals (2-for-4 with two runs scored and a RBI). On the season, Hicks slashed .413/.448/.730 with three doubles, a triple, five home runs, 26 RBIs, and 23 runs scored.
Macy Hoskins | Bryant | SR
The Henderson State signee was already known, but became a hero when she smashed a go-ahead, three-run dinger in the state championship that led to Bryant’s first state title since 2012. On the season, Hoskins slashed .416/.451/.818 with six doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 31 RBIs, and 24 runs scored.
Audrey Howard | Monticello | JR
Howard experienced some success in the field, highlighted by one turned double play, but really showed out at the plate finishing the year with a slash line of .367/.380/.589 as well as eight doubles, four home runs, 31 runs batted in, and 15 runs scored.
Tatym Howell | Beebe | SO
Howell possesses the speed to cover both gaps of the outfield and also utilized that speed to steal 15 bases on the season, which tied the team record. The slapper batted .329 with 13 runs batted in and scored 30 runs.
Jaci Hoyt | Woodlawn | FR
Woodlawn will be in good shape in the near future as the majority of their contributors are underclassmen, including this year with Hoyt. She slashed .364/.394/.525 with 10 doubles, three triples, 18 runs batted in, and 33 runs scored.
Bella Hulsey | Farmington | JR
Hulsey and the Lady Cardinals proved to be on a mission this year with losses only to 4A state finalists Gravette (twice) and Pea Ridge before falling by a run to Bauxite in the quarterfinals. Hulsey performed well both defensively and at the plate finishing with a .329/.378/.632 slash line as well as seven doubles, four home runs, and 29 RBIs.
Maddy Jefford | Midland | SO
Jefford helped Midland to the state semifinals in the Lady Mustangs’ first season competing in Class 1A. Batting in the 2-hole, Jefford slashed .368/.461/.592 with 12 doubles, a triple, one home run, 22 runs batted in, and scored 28 runs.
Sofia King | Conway | SR
The Missouri State commit capped a successful career with the Lady Wampus Cats with a flawless 1.00 fielding percentage defensively. At the plate, King slashed .425/.471/.725 with 15 doubles, three triples, a home run, 17 runs batted in, and 33 runs scored.
Ava Johnson | Rogers | JR
Johnson earned a lot of innings in the circle this season striking out 146 batters in 74 innings, while compiling a 1.23 ERA, but has also proven to be effective in the outfield when not in the circle. She finished with a perfect 1.000 FPCT and while batting .389 at the plate with a home run.
Audrey Lacina | Bentonville | SR
The Abilene Christian signee finished the season with a .947 FPCT with only one error defensively. At the plate, Lacina slashed .316/.393/.474 with seven doubles, a triple, two home runs, 26 RBI’s, and 29 runs scored.
Delaney Loyd | El Dorado | JR
The National Park College commit was sharp in the outfield compiling a 1.000 FPCT with 29 putouts and two assisted double plays. At the plate, Loyd slashed .381/.422/.595 with two doubles, two triples, a home run, 10 runs batted in, and 11 runs scored.
Abbie Mayden | North Little Rock | FR
Mayden’s youth was not evident as she shined in the state’s highest classification playing both outfield as well as in the middle infield when needed. Along with having a perfect 1.000 FPCT, she slashed .424/.525/.515 with three doubles, six RBIs, and scored 14 runs.
Ashlyn McNeese | Brooland | JR
McNeese helped the Lady Bearcats improve drastically from a season ago in getting back to the 4A state tournament. She slashed .318/.408/.560 with six doubles, two triples, two home runs, 15 runs batted in, and scored 19 runs.
McKenzie Miller | McCrory | SR
A four-year starter for the Lady Jags, Miller possessed “one of the strongest arms” for a high school outfielder per head coach Ronnie Massanelli. She finished her career strong as a senior, batting .387 with a .510 on-base percentage as the leadoff hitter while scoring 30 runs and batting 11 in.
Kayla Myers | CAC | FR
Myers showed her outstanding ability in the field and has become known for making highlight reel plays. Batting leadoff for the Lady Mustangs, Myers slashed .554/.597/.643 while striking out only twice, scoring 27 runs and stole 16 bases.
Natalie Nolte | Nashville | SO
Nolte was one of many underclassmen asked to step up for the young and inexperienced Scrapperettes this year and she came through. Nolte batted .357 with a .466 on-base percentage as well as three doubles, 14 RBIs, and 34 runs scored.
Brylee Overman | Sylvan Hills | SO
Overman helped the Lady Bears reach the 5A state tournament as one of their top performers at the plate. She finished second with a .400/.532/.500 slash line as well as two doubles, two triples, 14 RBIs, 27 runs scored, and eight stolen bases.
Jeana Paredes | Ashdown | SR
Parades helped the Lady Panthers claim the 3A state title as a junior and followed up with a successful senior campaign batting .357 with a .405 on-base percentage as well as four doubles, a triple, 12 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases.
Jocelyn Parga | Van Buren | SO
The Lady Pointers have established themselves as one of the top programs in Class 5A over the past two seasons and Parga is an underclassman who continues to rise. She slashed .366/.458/.521 with three doubles, a triple, two home runs, 12 RBIs, and scored 23 runs while committing just one error defensively.
Taylor Parker | Heber Springs | SO
Parker pitched for the Lady Panthers this year, but is a natural outfielder with impressive abilities in center field. In the circle, she struck out 120 batters and compiled a 2.34 ERA. At the plate, Parker slashed .578/.640/1.000 with nine doubles, six triples, two home runs, 20 RBIs, and scored 21 runs.
Layla Pasley | Clarksville | JR
Clarksville finished second in the 4A-4 regular season standings with Pasley as one of the team's top hitters. She slashed .443/.506/.857 with seven doubles, two triples, six home runs, 31 RBIs, and scored 28 runs.
Addie Pershall | Lincoln | SO
Playing center field, Pershall compiled 20 putouts on the year while helping the Lady Wolves to their second consecutive 3A-1 championship. At the plate, Pershall slashed .333/.431/.937 with five doubles, a triple, three home runs, 30 RBIs and scored 32 runs.
Dita Porterfield | Vilonia | SO
Porterfield has been heralded since she began her varsity career last season and took an even bigger role this year for a Vilonia squad that got hit hard with the injury bug. She batted .359 in the leadoff spot with nine doubles, two triples, 25 RBIs, and scored 31 runs.
Jarah Potter | Cabot | SR
One of the Lady Panthers' senior leaders who helped them back to the state finals, Potter slashed .377/.400/.566 with five doubles, a triple, a home run, 20 RBIs, and scored 11 runs.
Carmen Puckett | Mena | SR
Mena was one of Class 4A's hottest teams during the back half of the regular season and Puckett's production as a senior played a big role. She slashed .324/.405/.426 with three doubles, two triples, 20 RBIs, and scored 15 runs.
Emily Reed | Benton | SR
The Ouachita Baptist signee also contributes in the infield, but has also made a name for herself in the outfield, as well as at the plate. Defensively, Reed compiled a 1.000 FPCT with one turned double play, while slashing .317/.437/.549 to go with nine doubles, two triples, two home runs, 26 RBIs, and 27 runs scored.
Annalee Qualls | Riverside | SO
Qualls scored the lone run in the 2A state title game from third base that won the first ever championship for Riverside over Mansfield. On the year, Qualls slashed .412/.490/.718 with 11 doubles, three triples, three home runs, 26 RBIs, and scored 40 runs while also compiling a perfect 1.000 FPCT defensively.
McKenzie Shinabery | Marion | SR
Shinaberry will be missed in the Lady Patriots' outfield as one of the mainstays over the past few seasons. She completed the 2023 season with a .330/.399/.642 slash line to go with 10 doubles, eight home runs, and 17 stolen bases.
Reese Shirey | Farmington | JR
Few prep athletes have enjoyed the junior season Shirey has, first helping the Lady Cardinals when a state title in basketball as the starting point guard, then enjoyed a stellar year in the outfield. Shirey slashed .489/.511/.716 with six doubles, seven triples, 23 RBIs, and 34 runs scored.
Ryleigh Simmons | Dierks | FR
Dierks was not only young, they were short-handed as Simmons was one of the underclassmen who stepped into her role in the outfield and compiled a .926 fielding percentage. At the plate, Simmons batted .486 with nine doubles, 32 stolen bases, 17 RBIs, and 38 runs.
Ashleigh Sprague | Mount Vernon-Enola | JR
Sprague was one of the three huge bats in the Lady Warhawks’ lineup that helped them to the state quarterfinals in the program’s first season competing in Class 2A. She batted .451 with a 1.084 on-base plus slugging percentage as well as 15 runs batted in, 39 runs scored, and 24 stolen bases. Sprague was also very effective in the field, compiling a .969 FPCT.
Amber Turner | Bentonville | JR
The Tulsa commit is a prime candidate to take over at catcher for Bentonville next season, but Turner succeeded in the outfield (.957 FPCT, one error), as well as at the plate for the Lady Tigers finishing with a .418/.450/.745 slash line along with 14 doubles, three triples, four home runs, 33 runs batted in, and scored 28 runs.
Addy Ward | Bentonville | SR
The Arkansas Tech signee is one of three college commits/signees in the Lady Tigers’ outfield on an overall team that is full of future players at the next level. Ward slashed .360/.420/.507 with six doubles, a triple, one home run, 17 RBIs, and scored 20 runs. She also compiled a .971 FPCT which ranked third on the team.
