HANNAH HEACOX, Stillwater, sr., pitcher

Without Heacox, Stillwater would be an average team, coach Bob Beedle said. She led the Ponies to two consecutive state tournament berths and has the experience to repeat as champions this week in Mankato. Her regular season consisted of a 12-2 record, 0.56 ERA and 171 strikeouts, followed by an unbeaten run in the section playoffs. She is approaching 500 career strikeouts. She hit .364 in a tough conference.

SYDNEY SMITH, Maple Grove, soph., pitcher

Smith was 17-0 with a 0.49 ERA and 166 strikeouts. Enough for an all-metro nod, but she is also one of the state’s best hitters. She hit .537 with a .569 on-base percentage, 24 RBI, 11 doubles and one home run. Smith already has committed to play for perennial power Louisiana State.

ASHLEY BETZOLD, Farmington, sr., pitcher

Betzold’s presence in the circle helped Farmington secure a second consecutive trip to the state tournament. She compiled a 14-4 record, 0.91 ERA and struck out 113 batters. The five-year letter winner also impressed at the plate, hitting .422 with 14 RBI.

KYLIE STOBER, Lakeville South, jr., pitcher

Stober steadily improved this season, finishing with a 1.27 ERA and 114 strikeouts. She held Lakeville North, one of the state’s top teams, scoreless through 10 innings and hit a game-winning home run to hand the Panthers their only conference loss. The Gophers recruit hit .410 with a slugging percentage of .600.

ERIKA ROZELL, Lakeville North, jr., catcher

Rozell, with one of the strongest arms in the state, makes any pitcher’s job easier. Coach Sean Hall called her “the ultimate offensive threat.” She hits for power, average and steals bases. Rozell hit .506 with a slugging percentage of .848. She had nine doubles, six home runs, 40 RBI, and scored 24 runs. She will play for the Gophers.

ANNE DEBERLIN, Visitation, sr., catcher

Coach Dan Jameson calls Debertin the best among many all-metro caliber players he’s coached. For the past four years she’s been named all-conference, all-section, and team MVP each year. Debertin’s final season consisted of a .541 batting average, five home runs, 28 RBI and no strikeouts in 80 plate appearances.

JUSTUS PERRY, Prior Lake, fr., first baseman

Though only a freshman, she led her team in most offensive categories and already has committed to play at perennial power Arizona State. She hit .533, with eight doubles, two home runs, two triples, 33 RBI and an on-base percentage of .625.

MARY TURITTO, Park of Cottage Grove, sr., shortstop

Arguably the best leadoff hitter in the state. In the challenging Suburban East Conference, she hit .405 with six doubles, three home runs, 15 runs scored, 18 RBI, and drew 18 walks and stole three bases. The three-time all-conference shortstop has anchored the Wolfpack’s middle infield since she was in eighth grade.

MADDIE HOULIHAN, Benilde-St. Margaret’s, soph., first baseman

Houlihan had 42 hits in 64 at-bats for a .656 average, 11 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 24 RBI, 27 runs scored, 25 stolen bases and a massive 1.078 slugging percentage. In the field, the fourth-year starter is the best first baseman that her coach, Adrian Wagner, said he’s seen.

REBEKAH SMITH, Orono, jr., shortstop

Among the state leaders in several offensive categories, including her .603 batting average. She recorded 47 hits, 40 runs scored, 13 doubles, three triples, seven home runs, 54 RBI, 14 walks, and only one strikeout. Smith’s defense was just as good with a .967 fielding percentage.

Note: Statistics were provided by coaches and might be incomplete for those whose seasons are still underway.