Liam KeatingTopeka Capital-Journal
TOPEKA — The softball season featured state tournament runs from multiple Topeka-area teams. While softball is a team sport, many individuals left their mark with big hits and key defensive plays all spring.
The season was highlighted by Silver Lake's run to the Class 3A state championship game while Washburn Rural and Seaman also reached the state tournament.
After a fantastic season, 10 players have been honored for their efforts, named in alphabetical order, for the Capital-Journal’s 2024 All-Area Softball Team.
Jo’Mhara Benning, Topeka High
The Trojan starred as one of the best first baseman and pitchers in the area. Benning finished the season with a .540 batting average and collected 45 RBIs in 100 at-bats. She also hammered 10 home runs. Benning also finished with an ERA of 5.42 while pitching a team-high 50 1/3 innings. She was named to the Class 6A All-State second team and the All-Centennial League first team.
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Taylor Brees, Shawnee Heights
The rising senior shined for the Thunderbirds at second base this season. Brees also hit a lead-off for the team. One of her best highlights this season was hitting a walk-off in early April. Brees was named to the Class 5A All-State second team and to the United Kansas Conference’s first team. Last month, she announced her commitment to play softball at Washburn.
Kendra Cook, Silver Lake
The starting pitcher for the Eagles was on a mission this year. She pitched 31 of Silver Lake’s 33 innings in the regional and state tournament leading into the championship game. Cook’s production all year long helped Silver Lake reach the state final and she was named to the Class 3A All-State first team and All-Mid-East League.Cook, a rising senior, has committed to playing softball at Washburn.
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Makayla Ekis, Washburn Rural
The recent graduate had to wait her turn for the first three years of her high school career. In her final season, she made it count. The starting pitcher for the Junior Blues was flawless as she helped them take third place in the Class 6A state tournament. Ekis was named the Centennial League’s Newcomer of the Year. She was also placed on the Class 6A All-State second team for her consistent play in the circle. Ekis will be playing college softball at Missouri Valley in the fall.
Hailey Horton, Rossville
The starting catcher for the Bulldawgs was their main offensive threat all year long as they tried to defend their 2023 Class 3A state championship. Horton hit .494 with six home runs and 44 RBIs in 77 at-bats. Horton was placed on the Class 3A All-State first team and the Mid-East League’s honor list. She will be playing softball at Highland Community College beginning this fall.
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Jersey Jellison, Seaman
The spring graduate was a mainstay on the infield for the Vikings. Jellison was one of the best defensive first basem*n while she hit the ball well from the clean-up position. In her final season, Jellison helped Seaman reach the Class 5A state tournament. She was named to the Class 5A All-State second team and first team for the United Kansas Conference’s honors list.
Kaibryn Kruger, Silver Lake
The 2024 graduate was a leading player for the Eagles this season. Kruger, who will play college softball at Hutchinson Community College, commanded the outfield with athletic plays all year long. Kruger finished with four hits and five runs in Silver Lake’s Class 5A state tournament run. She was placed on the Class 3A All-State first team and all-conference list for the Mid-East League.
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Kaelyn O’Rourke, Seaman
The rising senior was the starting pitcher for the Vikings this season. O’Rourke pitched all 8 2/3 innings in Seaman’s heartbreaking defeat to Maize South in the first round of the Class 5A state tournament. Her poise in the circle was needed throughout that game and the entirety of the season as she will be primed for a great senior year. O’Rourke earned Class 5A All-State second-team honors and was placed on the first team for the United Kansas Conference.
Avery Rupp, Washburn Rural
The first baseman for the Junior Blues just concluded her junior season. Rupp was outstanding as she was able to lead the Washburn Rural offense in the clean-up position. Her production helped them take third place in the Class 6A state tournament. Rupp’s solo home run in the first round of the state tournament was a big highlight. She was named to the Class 6A All-State first team and the first team for the Centennial League’s awards list.
Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake
The shortstop for the Eagles had a big season, too. Along with her defensive glove, Zordel’s batting was a key piece in Silver Lake’s run to the Class 3A state championship. She batted third in their loaded line-up. Zordel had 14 RBI in the postseason with a grand slam in the Class 5A State Quarterfinal as her big highlight. Zordel earned first-team honors in the Class 3A All-State list and from the Mid-East League.
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.
