Michigan’s top high school softball players: Meet the state’s best infielders (Pt. 2)

Who are the top infielders across the Michigan high school softball scene?

Over the next week, we’ll be taking a look at some of the top players across the Michigan softball scene this season. This list will continue to cover the state’s premiere infielders.

Michigan’s top high school softball players: Meet the state’s best infielders (Pt. 1)

The following athletes will be included in our "Who is the top infielder in Michigan?" poll to be posted on Thursday.

There are hundreds of standout softball players in Michigan and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive.

Note: Some statistics have been updated more recently than others by nature of variance in games played. 

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Maddison Diekman, junior, Vicksburg

Diekman is another piece of an uber-talented junior class for Vicksburg. A shortstop, she is batting .510 with 50 hits, 15 singles, six doubles, three triples, a home run, 20 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. She bats lead off and has started at shortstop since her freshman season. 

“She makes so many things happen and puts so much pressure on the opposition once she’s on base…,” coach Paul Gephart said. “She’s very sound at slapping, hitting, or bunting and possesses exceptional speed which makes her difficult to defend. 

“Defensively, she makes some amazing plays and when fielding the ball deep in the hole between short and third has such a quick release that she often gets batters out that would normally be hits.”

Emmalee Shankel, sophomore, Ithaca

This season, Shankel, both a catcher and outfielder, is batting .373 with 13 singles, six doubles and has caught 82 innings so far. 

“Emmalee is a coach’s dream athlete,” coach Shelby Shankel said. “Last season she was coming back from a torn patellar

tendon, but that did not slow her down. She worked incredibly hard all winter with physical therapy and was able to bounce back.” 

She was lauded for her leadership and “ability to control the game” at a young age in addition to excellent base running skills.

Kaya Canfield, sophomore, Fulton

Canfield, a catcher and third baseman, is batting .396 with a .508 OBP, three doubles, a triple, six home runs, 23 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. She has been the starting catcher since entering the program ahead of last season. This season, her hitting has vastly improved. 

“She is one of our captains this year and a leader on and off the field,” assistant coach Sara Canfield said. “Kaya is an all around great player who can play anywhere.”

Jaci Canfield, sophomore, Fulton

Canfield, a shortstop and pitcher, is batting .457 with a .519 OBP, three doubles, three triples, 15 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. She’s also thrown 27 strikeouts in 38 innings. 

“She can be counted on to get base hits and she is quick on the bases,” Canfield said. “Jaci is mainly a shortstop, but she pitches for us because she is needed. She is another player who can play anywhere you need her.”

Emma Myers, freshman, Vestaburg

Just a freshman, Myers has already played shortstop, second and third base for Vestaburg. She is even the team’s No. 3 pitcher and has seen stints as a center fielder. Despite all the movement, she is leading the team offensively, hitting .486 with four doubles and nine RBIs, out of the No. 2 spot. 

“She is the consummate teammate doing whatever is needed to help the team win,” coach Matt Koutz said. “For a freshman, coming in and being asked to do so many different things at the varsity level is a lot of pressure. Emma has met each and every challenge. Even when things don't go right, she is able to put it behind her and keeps moving forward, again, without complaining.”

Mya Purdy, senior, Chelsea

Purdy is committed to Saginaw Valley State University, and she was one of the top Division 2 shortstops last year, earning First Team All-State honors.

Rachel Cairo, senior, Southfield Christian

Cairo is a shortstop, yet a player coach Christina Peters feels she can truly put anywhere. She’s even caught and pitched throughout her career. 

Last season she earned all-conference, district, region and state honors and was the conference's MVP. She boasted the third best batting average (.737) in the history of the state last season to go along with 10 homeruns. This year, she’s batting .567 with 12 RBIs, six doubles, five triples and four homeruns. 

“Rachel is one of the most talented players I have ever known,” Peters said. “I truly believe she is the best softball player (and possibly best female athlete) to have come out of Southfield Christian. … Outfielders consistently play at the fence when Rachel is up to bat…

Rachel covers so much ground at shortstop that she often makes plays in left field, center field, second base, and third base territory. 

She has made so many “ESPN” worthy diving catches, stops, and double plays, I can barely keep track of them.” 

She will continue her career at Central Michigan next fall.

Chloe Paryaski, sophomore, Southfield Christian

Paryaski is a sound catcher who lets “hardly anything” by her in the words of coach Peters. “She is able to stop many wild pitches and pitches in the dirt.” She’s batting .424 with a 1.018 OPS, 11 RBIs, four doubles and nine stolen bases. 

“She does her job behind the plate so well,” Peters said. “Runners hardly steal on her because she is not scared to pick them off at first and is capable of throwing them out at second. … Chloe is also a threat at the plate. She is a reliable hitter in our number 4 slot. Several times over the last two seasons, other teams have intentionally walked the batters in front of Chloe.”

Keira Tolmie, senior, Clarkston

Tolmie is committed to Central Michigan University, and the third baseman was one of the best in the state last season.

Taylor Behrendt, senior, Walled Lake Northern

The shortstop was named to the Division 1 First Team All-State last season, and she is committed to Bowling Green University.

Brooklyn Graham, junior, Mona Shores

A junior third baseman, Graham is batting .418 as the leadoff hitter. She’s got 15 RBIs, seven stolen bases, seven doubles, three triples and two home runs. 

“Brooklyn is the ultimate team player willing to do anything the team needs,” coach Brian Glover said. “Always puts the team first, having never asked about her own stats. Always a positive voice in the dugout, at practice, and takes control of the infield during games.” 

She is on pace to break into the school’s all time records for doubles and triples hit. 

“She is everything a softball program should be built around,” Glover said. “A combination of speed, power, and positive attitude all in one player.”

Eliana Ruhrup, senior, Mattawan

The third baseman can also double as a catcher, and she earned a place on the Division 1 First Team All-State team. She is committed to Hope College.

Anna Crosby, senior, Bishop Foley

Crosby, a shortstop who occasionally mans the outfield, has hit eight singles, 10 doubles, two triples and two home runs to go along with nine RBIs on the year. She’s been a starter at shortstop for the past three seasons. 

“(She) is someone that you don't want to hit the ball to because you know she will get you out,” coach Katie Braschayko said. “She knows almost every player and their stats on the opposing teams. Anna is an extremely hard worker.”

Ayla Barnes, Bishop Foley

Barnes is Bishop Foley’s catcher, but like Crosby, has also played at times in the outfield. She’s up to ten singles, two doubles, a triple and six RBIs this season. She has caught in nine of 10 games and “stepped up big,” as the team’s other catcher battles injuries. 

“Ayla is the most spirited person I have ever met,” coach Braschayko said. “She is constantly talking to her teammates, encouraging them, and giving them tips. Ayla is a ball of energy that will forever stay energized.”

Megan Claerhout, senior, Salem

Claerhout is committed to Kent State and is one of the best third baseman in the state.

Reganne Bennett, senior, Novi

Bennett was named to the First Team All-State last season as a first baseman. She is committed to the University of South Carolina.

Natalie Stone, senior, Imlay City

Stone operates at third as well as in the circle. Through her team’s first 11 games, she is batting .426 with a .830 SLG, five doubles, a triple and four home runs. The team’s leadoff batter, she has also compiled 12 RBIs. 

“Her softball IQ is high and she is ultra competitive,” coach Jean Bannister said. “She is a three-sport athlete who has been a key member that has contributed to her school's success in volleyball, basketball as well as our team.”

Chloe Bruman, sophomore, Imlay City

Bruman is Imlay City’s shortstop and is currently batting .432 with 10 stolen bases. 

“She is a lefty slapper who bats second in our lineup and can be counted on to put the ball in play,” Bannister said. “At shortstop she covers a lot of ground and has 22 putouts and 19 assists thus far… She has tremendous athletic ability.”

Molly Hool, senior, Allen Park

One of the best catchers in the league, she is committed to Wayne State University.

Grace Blanchard, junior, Otsego

A team captain, Blanchard is hitting .490 with 11 extra base hits and 18 RBIs. She’s both a shortstop and catcher while serving as a cleanup hitter. She also boasts a .957 fielding percentage. 

“Grace is an all around great softball player and leader,” coach Jake Knash said. “Her teammates look to her to set the tone each day. She is a vocal leader and always leads by example.”

Hailey Pueblo, junior, Otsego

Pueblo camps out at third base for Otsego and coach Knash. She is currently batting .396 with four home runs and 21 RBIs. Her fielding percentage is sharp, too, at .963. 

“Hailey is a very hard worker and is always giving her best to the game,” Knash said. “She is the type of player who will sell out on every play.”

Avery Garden, junior, Allen Park

Garden is one of the top players in the class of 2024, and she is committed to the University of Central Michigan. She was on the Division 1 First Team All-State last season.

Brooklyn Plitz, senior, Dakota

Plitz was a member of the Division 1 First Team All-State last season as a second baseman. Plitz will stay in Michigan next season to play college softball. She is committed to Oakland University.

Lauren Fox, junior, Walled Lake Northern

Fox was one of the best second baseman in the state last season. She was on the First Team All-State last season.

Ella Reifschneider, senior, Hudsonville

A shortstop and the No. 2 hitter in Hudsonville’s lineup, Reifschneider is batting .561 and has 25 RBIs, eight doubles and 11 stolen bases with just a single strikeout. 

“Ella is a great number two hitter… She also has very good speed and is a great hitter and bunter,” coach Tom Vruggink said. “She plays shortstop for us and is excellent at that position. She is a gifted player and can play any position on the field.” 

Next season she will be playing at Saginaw Valley.

Katie Modrzejewski, sophomore, Divine Child

Modrzjewski is a do-it-all player who not only pitches, but operates at first, second, shortstop and in the outfield, on occasion. Her speed makes her a constant threat offensively, according to coach Regina Dunn. 

Modrzejewski is batting .529 with a .593 OBP and 1.279 OPS. She’s also turned in 21 RBIs. 

“Her speed and jumps make her so much fun to watch,” Dunn said, adding that she can run from home to first in 2.7 seconds.

Avery Schellenberger, senior, Divine Child

Schellenberger is in her fourth year on varsity and is described by Dunn as, “a remarkable overall player.” 

A shortstop, and captain going on two years, she is hitting .407 with a .446 OBP and .887 OPS with 19 runs scored and 14 stolen bases. 

“She identifies what she needs to do and executes offensively,” Dunn said of the Sienta Heights commit. In the field, Schellenberger boasts a .986 fielding percentage.