With the 2024 prep softball season wrapped up, Natural State Sports compiled some of the top performers in Arkansas for two All-Star Teams.
Bentonville’s Ryann Sanders closed out a heralded prep career with a bang and is the Natural State Sports Player of the Year for her efforts. Leading a squad that mostly fielded freshmen and sophomores, Sanders struck out 201 batters and compiled a 0.81 ERA while walking only 19 and held opponents to a .173 batting average. Sanders is headed to play at the University of Louisville (Ky.).
Multiple teams did better than expected behind great leadership, but none quite like what Shawn Teters did with the 2024 Gentry Lady Pioneers after winning just seven games the season prior. Teters, who gives a lot of credit to his assistant coach, Lance Nations, led Gentry to a school record 19 victories, a regional championship for the first time in two decades, plus a berth in the 4A semifinals where they fell to eventual state champion Farmington. A 12-game win streak was also another notable school record set by the Lady Pioneers this spring.
In his first season at Springdale Har-Ber, legendary Coach Randy Osnes entrusted young freshman Cyarah Dotts to get the job done in the state’s highest classification and she answered the call. While helping the Lady Wildcats reach a state championship for the first time in school history, Dotts struck out 194 batters in 147.1 innings while compiling a 1.93 ERA and held batters to a .210 average.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ryann Sanders, Bentonville
COACH OF THE YEAR
Shawn Teters, Gentry
UNDERCLASSMAN OF THE YEAR
Cyarah Dotts, Springdale Har-Ber
FIRST TEAM
Pitchers
Emory Bowlin | Pea Ridge | JR
Alyson Edwards | Mansfield | SR
Kenzie Freeman | Hackett | JR
Brinkley Moreton | Lincoln | JR
Ryann Sanders | Bentonville | SR
Infielders
Aniya Arnold | Arkansas High | SO
Mary Lem | Sheridan | JR
Payton Nicolson | Cabot | JR
Anniston Reith | Springdale Har-Ber | JR
Skylar Sterritt | Sheridan | SO
Outfielders
Keeley Elsea | Gravette | SR
Michaelyn ‘Mikey’ Freeman | Hackett | SO
Reese Shirey | Farmington | SR
Amber Turner | Bentonville | SR
Catcher
Steph Crittenden | Bentonville West | JR
Utility
Gwinn Hall | Little Rock Christian | SR
SECOND TEAM
Pitchers
Ayla Buford | Taylor | JR
Lexi Franklin | Booneville | SR
Alaina Lyle | Monticello | JR
Layla Ward | Maumelle | SO
Klaire Womack | Riverside | JR
Infielders
Lydia Bethards | Benton | JR
A.C. Cox | DeWitt | JR
Marley Speer | Greene County Tech | JR
Presley Ward | Gentry | JR
Aly White | Bryant | SR
Outfielders
Olivia Cates | Vilonia | SO
Kayla Myers | Central Arkansas Christian | SO
Kensey Rosson | Mena | JR
Morgan Uher | Farmington | JR
Catcher
Jenna Jobe | Mount Vernon-Enola | SR
Utility
Kendall ‘Noodle’ Watson | Malvern | SO
Kyle Sutherland is a journalist and podcast host (Arkansas Preps Weekly) for The Natural State Sports Network. His written work has been featured in outlets including the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Best of Arkansas Sports and Hooten’s Arkansas Football. He is also the color commentator for 103.7 The Buzz’s high school football Game of the Week. Email Kyle at kyle@naturalstatesports.com.