Softball: Reporter names all-county teams

HSE’s Grace Swedarsky named Hamilton County Player of the Year

The REPORTER

The Reporter is announcing its All-County softball team, and there was no shortage of talent from which to choose.

It was a memorable season in the county, with Hamilton Southeastern winning the Class 4A state championship for the third time in school history. The Royals finished with a 25-4 record, culminating in a walk off win over New Palestine for the 4A trophy.

Hamilton Heights defended its sectional title from last season, and added a regional title as well, the Huskies’ first since 2016. An experienced pitcher teamed up with some young players, and they worked together to help Heights compile a 22-8 record.

Here’s a list of this year’s First Team honorees.

Grace Swedarsky, Hamilton Southeastern. Swedarsky is the Reporter’s Player of the Year. Swedarsky was unstoppable in the circle, tossing 270 strikeouts and putting together a 1.05 earned run average while finishing the season 18-2. Swedarsky was also named the MaxPreps Indiana softball player of the year.

Gabby Fowler, Noblesville. The big-hitting Miller senior led the county in the batting average statistic with a .506 and was named as an Indiana All-Star. Fowler also was on top of the county list with 37 runs batted in and 11 home runs.

Lily Roush, Hamilton Heights. The IU Indianapolis commit was a leader whether pitching the ball or facing the ball. Roush tossed 160 strikeouts and compiled a 2.24 ERA. At the same time, she batted .360 and drove in 19 runs.

Addy Justice, Hamilton Southeastern. The Royals senior who scored the winning run in the state championship game, Justice hit .480 for the season and was a perfect 3-for-3 at state. She led the county in total hits with 48.

Ava Kainrath, Westfield. A Shamrocks junior that can always be counted on for a hit, Kainrath was .462 at the plate, driving in 22 runs. She also hit four homers.

Jayden Kleiner, Carmel. Kleiner was another powerful hitter in the county, blasting six home runs as part of a 36-RBI season. She could also score, with 35 runs to her credit, and batted .438.

Hannah Dent, Hamilton Heights. One of many talented freshmen that played for the Huskies, Dent smacked 41 hits and finished with a .414 average. She drove in 23 runs for the season.

Delaney Rundle, Noblesville. Rundle knew how to run: she led the county in runs scored this season with 38. She was good at the plate with a .400 average, batting in 15 runs.

Brooke Johnson, Fishers. The Tigers senior put together a .400 average, driving in 15 runs and scoring 23 more.