Meet the 2024 Journal & Courier All-Area Big Schools Softball Team (2024)

LAFAYETTE — The high school softball season has officially ended and it's now time to announce the 16 players who made the Journal & Courier All-Area Big Schools team.

Some of the players on this list will hold scholarships at various NCAA Division I, D-II, D-III and NAIA programs across the country. They were selected by coaches who voted for the J&C All-Area teams, and the Journal & Courier Player of the Year will be announced next week.

Here are the 16 outfielders, infielders, catchers and pitchers that made the Journal & Courier Big Schools All-Area softball teams along with six honorable mentions.

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Adrianne Tolen, West Lafayette, shortstop

The reigning Journal & Courier Softball Player of the Year in softball and senior three-sport athlete proved once again how effective she could be as a power hitter and defensive wizard. Tolen batted .560 with 15 doubles, one triple, one home run, 29 RBIs and scored 38 runs. Tolen carried a 1.000 fielding percentage with 61 total chances, caught 30 pop-ups, registered 31 assists and turned three double plays, all without committing an error. Tolen, who is the all-time leading basketball scorer for the Red Devils, signed a scholarship to play college basketball at Missouri S&T this past November. Tolen was named to the SCAI third team.

Rilee Clifton, Lafayette Jeff, catcher

The future is surely bright for the Bronchos after being led by Clifton, a breakout star from 2024. Clifton displayed an impressive display of contact and power by batting .441 with six home runs, one triple, six doubles and 26 RBIs.

Chelsea Parker, Harrison, outfielder

Parker was voted to the North vs. South All-Star Game after she batted .592 with two home runs, two triples, eight doubles and 22 RBIs with a .635 on-base percentage and .829 slugging percentage. Parker is on a softball scholarship to DePaul University in November. Parker was named to the SCAI All-State second team.

Mallorie Beutel, McCutcheon, shortstop

Beutel is the quiet force behind a strong group of underclassmen who challenged Harrison over softball dominance in the Lafayette area this season. Beutel batted .416 with four home runs, 23 RBIs, 10 doubles, 26 runs scored and a .714 slugging percentage.Beutel has committed to playing softball at Marian University.

Ava Mobley, Harrison, catcher

Mobley powered the Raiders with her bat and displayed elite defensive skills during her four years. Mobley, who is signed to Bradley University, slugged seven home runs, batted .371 while posting a .471 on-base percentage, .857 slugging percentage, 35 RBIs with one one triple and 11 doubles. Mobley made just one error in 205 total chances as a senior and finished with a .995 fielding percentage.

Kali Northcutt, Rensselaer Central, pitcher

Northcutt put together a strong season in her junior year for Rensselaer Central, which finished 12-10. Northcutt batted .392 with 29 hits and 20 RBIs. Struck out 66 strikeouts and recorded a 1.89 ERA.

Rylan Gick, Harrison, pitcher

Balance defined the career of Gick, who is signed to pitch at Purdue Northwest. She tossed in 109 games in 21 games with 174 strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA. As a hitter, Gick batted .300, with four RBIs and a .382 on-base percentage.

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Christina Susdorf, Crawfordsville, catcher and first baseman

In a transitional year for a Crawfordsville team that finished 4-20, it was Susdorf who was the offensive tone-setter for the Athenians. Susdorf batted 460 with 21 RBIs, 19 runs scored, seven walks and nine stolen bases as a sophom*ore.

Jadyn Ramer, Harrison, third baseman

Ramer was steady in the hot corner for Harrison. Ramer batted .368 with a .419 on-base percentage, .434 slugging percentage, 17 RBIs and 15 runs scored. Ramer is signed to Purdue Northwest.

Dani Rawles, West Lafayette, infielder and pitcher

Rawles found herself playing a multitude of roles by contributing as a second baseman and pitcher. Rawles was effective in both, too. She batted .329 with six doubles, two triples and 39 runs scored. Rawles as a pitcher tossed 49innings with 37 strikeouts, a 2.96 ERA and a 5-1 record.

Kaidynn Peckinpaugh, McCutcheon, pitcher

Peckinpaugh pitched with command and hit with power throughout the spring season for McCutcheon, which finished 14-11. Peckinpaugh batted .440 with four home runs, 24 RBIs, 11 doubles and a .702 slugging percentage. The sophom*ore tossed 79 2/3 innings and 144 strikeouts with a 2.57 ERA.

Brooke Koebcke, Rensselaer Central, catcher

Koebcke batted .412 with a .706 slugging percentage, two home runs and 21 RBIs. Koebcke was a constant asset as a junior in the lineup and behind home plate.

Whitney Duell, Harrison, second baseman

Duell's infield play was key in Harrison's campaign. She batted .410 and had a .483 on-base percentage and .487 slugging percentage while hitting one home run, one triple and one double. She had 13 RBIs and 24 runs scored.

Izzy Ascarelli, West Lafayette, pitcher and outfielder

The sophom*ore left-handed pitcher came on strong for the Red Devils and fought through injuries towards the end of the season. Ascarelli tossed 81 innings with a 2.77 ERA, 102 strikeouts and a 9-7 record.She was an effective hitter whether at the top of the lineup or bottom with a .468 average, five doubles, three triples, 16 RBIs, 28 runs scored and two steals.

Kylie Spencer, Rensselaer Central, shortstop

Spencer returns to the Bombers after a strong junior year commanding the defense and providing pop in the middle of her team's order. Spencer batted .381 with 25 hits, two home runs, 20 RBIs, 24 runs scored and 13 stolen bases.

Emma Orr, West Lafayette, third baseman and catcher

Orr kept West Lafayette's dugout upbeat as the program finished as Class 3A sectional runners-up this spring. She batted .338 with four doubles, 24 RBIs, 26 runs scored and four stolen bases

Honorable mention

Molly Davis, utility, junior (McCutcheon); Kami Davis, pitcher and utility, sophom*ore (Rensselaer Central); Jacquelin All, catcher, senior (McCutcheon); Bree Johnson, first baseman, junior (West Lafayette); Emma Wykoff, shortstop, sophom*ore (McCutcheon); Stacia Crabtree, pitcher and utility, freshman (Rensselaer Central).

Quick hits

• Peckinpaugh feasted repeatedly against Benton Central and hit two home runs, both on first pitches during the 17-6 win on April 16.
• Tolen is distinguished for reaching the All-Area softball team four times and has made 10 all-area teams combined in softball, basketball and soccer.
• Harrison had five players voted to the All-Area team with four playing softball in college. Chelsea Parker (DePaul), Ava Mobley (Bradley) and Jadyn Ramer and Rylan Gick (Purdue Northwest).
• Half of the 16 players named to the All-Area players were underclassmen.

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@gannett.com, on Twitter atEthanAHansonand Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.