5 Softball Players to Watch

Morgan Greenlee Catcher | Snohomish

The senior, who has accepted a scholarship from Missouri State University, hit .492 with a .559 on-base percentage and .635 slugging percentage last season. She also drove in 15 runs. Defensively, she threw out 11 of 14 would-be base stealers. She has called her own games from behind the plate since her sophomore season.

“Morgan is the best athlete I’ve ever had play catcher,” Snohomish head coach Lou Kennedy said. “Morgan walks the walk and talks the talk. She’s a wonderful young lady, but when she steps on a field, she’s all business.”

Cassidy FifieldShortstop | Lake Stevens

The senior, who will play at Northwest Nazarene University next year, batted .450, had a .920 fielding percentage and stole 20 bases last year. An injury ended her season early, but she is healthy now and head coach Sarah Hirsch expects big things.

“Cassidy Fifield is the all-around player,” Hirsch said. “She is extremely athletic and coachable. She is the kid who asks for extra ground balls after practice. She takes direction well and thrives on getting better. She does everything you want and then some. She leads by example. I truly believe she will be an All-American next year at Northwest Nazarene.”

Abi OttoThird Base | M. Pilchuck

Otto, who will join Fifield at Northwest Nazarene next year, batted .398 with one home run, four triples, six doubles and 17 RBI last season. She has been an All-Wesco first-team third baseman each of the past two seasons.

“She has been at this game for a long time,” Marysville Pilchuck head coach Aaron Zachry said. “She has no pressure. She’s out here for the right reasons — to have some fun and school pride. She should be a real impact player for her club this season.”

Maddie MorganInfielder | Lynnwood

The sophomore, who has verbally committed to play softball at the University of Alabama, hit .575 with a .625 on-base percentage and an .841 slugging percentage last season. She had three home runs, two triples, 15 doubles and 35 RBI.

“Maddie is the complete package,” first-year Lynnwood head coach Sara Hall said. “I’m fortunate to have Maddie in class this year and her character is impeccable — on and off the field. Sometimes it’s hard to believe she’s just a sophomore. She is respected by her peers, teammates and the staff at LHS because of her work ethic, focus and humble attitude. Maddie is a phenomenal athlete and an all-around good person.”

Shelby JeffriesPitcher | Sultan

The junior, who has verbally committed to play in college at Cal Poly, can get it done from the pitcher’s circle and at the plate. As a sophomore she batted .370 with six home runs, three triples and six doubles. She also finished with an 11-7 pitching record, throwing 12 complete games, including four shutouts, and striking out 226 batters in 124 innings.

“I coach three sports and Shelby is the only athlete I have that puts herself through another workout as soon as practice ends,” Sultan head coach Garth MacDicken said. “She shows great leadership on the team and is very willing to help the new girls out. She is a great example of what you can get out of a sport if you’re willing to put the work into it.”

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