2025 All-News-Herald Softball First Team – The News Herald

Introducing the 2024 All-News-Herald Softball First Team

KILEY CARR | Allen Park: One of the Downriver area’s top players in recent memory, Kiley Carr finished her career at Allen Park as one of the program’s more decorated players. Recently named Michigan Miss Softball for the 2025 season, the University of Michigan-bound Carr posted a .583 batting average and an OPS approaching 1.600, smacking 32 extra-base hits while also driving in over 50 runs. The senior was one of four Jags to receive all-state recognition.

MIA TAYLOR | Brownstown Woodhaven: Another local and statewide power, the team at Brownstown Woodhaven hoisted their second Division 1 regional title in three years thanks in large part to Mia Taylor. A Boston College commit, Taylor set the tone atop the Warriors’ lineup with a .544 batting average. Half of her 62 hits went for extra bases including 16 triples. The junior all-stater also drove in over 30 runs and swiped nearly 20 bases.

ELLA VINCO | Riverview: Arguably the best slugger in the local area, Ella Vinco had a brilliant final season for the Riverview program. An all-state honoree for the second consecutive season, no local player drove in more runs for her team than Vinco and her 75. A lot of those came courtesy of 36 extra-base knocks including 15 home runs. The Wayne State University signee was described as a “powerful offensive force” by Pirates head coach Brett Logan.

SARAH GIROUX | Flat Rock: It’s rare to find a student-athlete earn all-state honors in multiple sports in the same season, much less as a sophomore, but Sarah Giroux has now accomplished such. Headlining what was a strong Flat Rock offense, Giroux consistently delivered for the Rams during the season. An all-state volleyball standout in the fall, she posted an OPS just shy of the 1.600 mark this past spring, clubbing a dozen doubles and 18 home runs to help drive in over 50 runs.

MAKAYLA SITARSKI | Allen Park: One would be hard-pressed to find a better 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup than what Allen Park had with Makayla Sitarski hitting behind the aforementioned Carr. Albeit a different hitting profile than her Miss Softball teammate, Sitarski was equally effective. The senior and University of Toledo signee earned all-state honors for a third straight season after hitting just north of .600, logging as many RBIs as she did stolen bases (25).

ARIEL KRUEGER | Brownstown Woodhaven: Similar to Allen Park, the team at Woodhaven had a dominant top of the batting lineup and perhaps the best middle infield in the state with shortstop and Duke University signee Ariel Krueger opposite of the second baseman Taylor. Now a four-time all-News-Herald recipient and a two-time all-state honoree, Krueger in her final season for the Warriors turning in an OPS just over 1.400, smacking more than two dozen extra-base hits and driving in over 40 runs.

KEIRA LOGAN | Riverview: Though they see Vinco graduate and move on, Riverview has another all-state honoree in Keira Logan returning for one more season. Currently committed to the University of Detroit-Mercy, Logan “sets the tone at the top of the lineup” for the Bucs, according to Coach Logan. The junior infielder collected over 50 hits and stole nearly two dozen bases as the team’s table-setter during the season.

MALLORY HOOL | Allen Park: The Hool namesake has been a strong one at Allen Park in recent years with Mallory Hool earning all-state honors like older sisters Madison, Mia, and Molly did before her. A catcher by trade, Hool turned into something of a utility plaer for the Jags this past spring, playing multiple positions before finding a home at second base. The junior and Oakland University commit figures to be the team’s resident power source next season after hitting over .600 with 30 XBHs and over 50 RBIs.

ADDISON KOPP | Flat Rock: Another future Oakland University player, Flat Rock’s Addison Kopp finishes her time at Flat Rock having earned all-area honors three times. An all-state honorable mention in 2022 as a freshman, Kopp earned such recognition this past season in her senior year for the Rams. The shortstop matched her middle infield teammate Giroux with a .504 batting average while racking up 66 hits — 20 of which were doubles — and swiping nearly 20 bags.

NATILEE PRIDEMORE | Brownstown Woodhaven: In addition to being the team’s and area’s best pitcher in the circle, Natilee Pridemore was also Woodhaven’s primary cleanup and power hitter in the middle of the lineup. A first-team all-area honoree a season ago, Pridemore compiled a 1.54 ERA and 158 strikeouts in just under 170 innings of work. The Lawrence Tech University commit also smacked 12 doubles and 10 homers while driving in 50 runs.

MYA BRANDENBURG | Allen Park: The best middle-of-the-order pairing could very well be housed at Allen Park next season with Mya Brandenburg taking another big step forward offensively. Another all-state recipient for the Jags, Brandenburg saw roughly of her 8 hits go for extra bases including eight doubles and seven home runs. An all-state wrestler back in the winter season as well, the junior finished with a .409 batting average and just under 30 RBIs.

PAIGE KRUZAK | Southgate Anderson: One of the local region’s most consistent performers throughout her time at Anderson, Paige Kruzak finished her high school playing career on a high note. A second-team all-area honoree each of the previous three year. Kruzak was one of the just three Downriver players to hit north of .600 this past spring. The senior posted a gaudy 1.846 OPS with 10 homers and 41 RBIs, while also turning in a 3.72 ERA and almost 160 Ks in 107 innings of work.

GRACE PAPLER | Wyandotte Roosevelt: After bursting onto the local scene as a freshman in 2024, Roosevelt’s Grace Papler continues to emerge as one of the region’s best up-and-coming hitters. One of three all-Downriver League honorees for the Bears, Papler finished her sophomore campaign posted team-high marks in multiple offensive categories including batting average (.500), OPS (1.322), and hits (46), while also driving in close to 30 runs.

ANALY GUTH | Trenton: The program at Trenton had big shoes to fill after seeing several college-bound players graduate from the 2024 team. Helping fill those voids was Analy Guth, who was the key bat of what was another powerful hitting Trojans club. An all-DRL and all-region performer, Guth hit .500 while posting an OPS just shy of 1.500 and driving in 27 runs. The senior also saw time at both catcher and third base defensively.

ADDISON SKINNER | Gibraltar Carlson: Good things could be on the horizon next season for Carlson, who will see Addison Skinner return to the fold for one more year. A two-time all-News-Herald recipient in volleyball as well, Skinner makes the jump to first team in softball after being named honrable mention in 2024. The junior all-DRL and all-region honoree led the Marauders in most offensive categories including a .430 batting average. She also racked up 71 strikeouts in 45 innings pitched.