Matt Levins / The Hawk Eye - Jon Gaines Photography
The 2025 high school softball season was chock full of interesting story lines from start to finish, culminating in Louisa-Muscatine’s third-place finish in Class 2A at the state tournament last month.
Fort Madison, under first-year coach Kyle Doherty, put together a solid season, led by senior Brylie Lorence, The Hawk Eye’s Player of the Year.
Holy Trinity reached 20 wins for the first time in program history, earning Loren Menke Coach of the Year honors.
Mediapolis put together its best season in 10 years, finishing second in the SEI Super Conference South Division.
Central Lee won the South Division for the third straight season, while Louisa-Muscatine and Highland battled it out for supremacy in the North Division.
All of that balance and talent is on full display on the 2025 All-Hawk Eye Softball team.
PITCHERS
SYDNEY JARVIS, SO., HOLY TRINITY
Jarvis was one of the top all-around players in the state. She hit .573 with a .620 on-base percentage and a .899 slugging percentage. She had 15 doubles, one triple and four home runs, scored 16 runs and drove in 49 runs, tied for sixth in Class 1A. In the circle Jarvis was 16-6 with a 2.30 ERA. In 131 innings, she allowed 108 hits and 43 earned runs, walked 57 and struck out 159. Opposing teams hit .177 against her.
KAMRYN TAYLOR, SR., LOUISA-MUSCATINE
Taylor had a sensational senior season, going 22-4 with a 2.22 ERA. In 151 2/3 innings, she allowed 120 hits and 48 earned runs, walked 60 and struck out 173. Opposing teams hit .183 against her. She hit .364 with seven doubles and drove in 34 runs. Her lone home run was a three-run blast in the regional final which propelled the Falcons to the state tournament for the first time since 2022.
QUINN ZWEIBOHMER, 8TH, WAPELLO
Zweibohmer made quite a splash onto the varsity scene, putting together a 9-9 season with a 2.12 ERA. In 125 1/3 innings, she allowed 113 hits and 38 earned runs, walked 51 and struck out 187. Opposing teams hit just .208 against her. Her 187 strikeouts was 10th-most in Class 1A.
CATCHER
LYNDSEY KELLEY, SR., WEST BURLINGT0N-NOTRE DAME
Kelley is the latest in a long line of great catchers to come through the Falcons’ program. Kelley hit .369 with a .414 on-base percentage and a .670 slugging percentage. She had 11 doubles, one triple and six home runs. She scored 24 runs, drove in 35 runs and stole six bases. She also threw out seven would-be base stealers.
FIRST BASEMAN
ASHYNN HUFF, JR., VAN BUREN COUNTY
The Warriors were competitive in most games this season, including a 10-6 loss to eventual Class 2A third-place Louisa-Muscatine in regionals. Huff earned all-state accolades after hitting .449 with a .468 on-base percentage and a .551 slugging percentage. She had seven doubles, scored 14 runs and drove in 22 runs.
SECOND BASEMAN
ALIVIA HOLMES, SO., HOLY TRINITY
Holmes helped the Crusaders have the best season in program history. The speedy, slick-fielding Holmes hit .524 with a .582 on-base percentage and a .631 slugging percentage. She had seven doubles and one triple, scored 31 runs, drove in 19 runs and stole 24 bases.
SHORTSTOP
KEIRAH WISEMAN, SR., BURLINGTON
Wiseman had a big season as the Grayhounds’ lead-off hitter. She hit .430 and had a .521 on-base percentage. She had seven doubles and two triples, scored 33 runs, knocked in 11 runs and stole 13 bases.
THIRD BASEMAN
KENNA SANDOVAL, JR., CENTRAL LEE
Sandoval provided the pop in the Hawks’ potent offense. She hit .472 with a .544 on-base percentage and a .865 slugging percentage. She had 11 doubles and eight home runs, scored 39 runs, drove in 28 runs and stole 19 bases.
OUTFIELDERS
AVA BRANDENBURG, FR., BURLINGTON
Brandenburg found a home in left field for the Grayhounds when she wasn’t pitching. She hit .415 with a .500 on-base percentage. She had five doubles and one triple, scored 24 runs and drove in 24 runs. She had 27 putouts and 15 assists.
GRACE KISSELL, FR., LOUISA-MUSCATINE
Kissell is one of the top all-around center fielders in the state. She hit .496 with a .549 on-base percentage and a .651 slugging percentage. She had 12 doubles and four triples, scored 58 runs and drove in 28 runs. She also stole 45 bases. She made just four errors, had four assists and 54 putouts.
MADALYNN KNAPP, SR., WEST BURLINGTON-NOTRE DAME
Knapp excelled as both a center fielder and a shortstop, switching between positions. Knapp, who will play softball and volleyball at Carl Sandburg College, earned all-conference honors after hitting .398 with a .440 on-base percentage and a .583 slugging percentage. She had eight doubles and four home runs, scored 30 runs and drove in 36 runs. She also stole nine bases.
DESIGNATED PLAYER
BRYLIE LORENCE, SR., FORT MADISON
Lorence earned Class 4A third team all-state accolades after hitting .477 with a .540 on-base percentage and a whopping 1.076 slugging percentage. She belted nine doubles and 14 home runs, scored 28 runs and knocked in 49 runs. She split time between catcher and third base and played several games at shortstop.
UTILITIES
PAYTON HARRIS, FR., MEDIAPOLIS
Harris helped the Bullettes have one of the best seasons in program history. Mediapolis went 15-9 overall and 9-3 in the SEI Super Conference South Division and played fourth-ranked Davenport Assumption to a one-run game into the sixth inning in a Class 3A regional semifinal game. Harris hit .386 with a .443 on-base percentage and a .814 slugging percentage. She had eight doubles, two triples and six home runs, scored eight runs and drove in 22. In the circle she was 11-6 with a 3.47 ERA. In 107 innings, Harris allowed 108 hits and 53 earned runs, walked 37 and struck out 63. Opposing teams hit just .242 against her.
HANNAH KISSELL, JR., LOUISA-MUSCATINE
Kissell played mostly third base and some shortstop for the Falcons, excelling in the field and at the plate. She hit .389 with a .428 on-base percentage and a .706 slugging percentage. She had 15 doubles, eight triples and three home runs, scored 44 runs and drove in 37 runs. She slugged a home run in the state semifinals.
CARLEE PEZLEY, SR., CENTRAL LEE
Pezley was as good as they come in center field for the Hawks, where she was perfect in 32 total chances with one assist and 31 putouts. She made numerous sensational catches to rob batters of potential extra-base hits. She hit .342 with a .385 on-base percentage and a .493 slugging percentage. She had eight doubles and one home run, scored 25 runs, drove in nine runs and stole six bases.
COACH OF THE YEAR
LOREN MENKE, HOLY TRINITY
The Crusaders have steadily improved since bringing the program out of moth balls in 2020. Over the last six seasons, Menke has compiled a 56-69 record, culminating in a 20-8 season this year. He helped the Crusaders reach a Class 1A regional semifinal before falling to No. 14 Seymour, 2-1.