Matt Levins - The Hawk Eye / Photo Credit- Matt Levins and Dan Hockett
The 2026 high school girls softball season turned out to be a banner one, if not short.
Burlington surprised many, winning the Southeast Conference and advancing to state for the first time since 2022 despite a roster with just one senior.
Mediapolis was another pleasant surprise. Under the guidance of coach Jeff Martin and the continued improvement of a young squad, the Bullettes tied Holy Trinity for the SEI Super Conference South Division title.
All of that talent and youth is displayed on the All-Hawk Eye team, with nine different schools represented on this year’s team.
PITCHERS
KALLEY ANDERSON, 8TH, BURLINGTON
Anderson was one of three eighth graders in the lineup for the Grayhounds. Under the tutelage of assistant coach Saydee Plummer, Anderson fashioned an 11-1 record with a 2.22 ERA. In 72 2/3 innings, she allowed 68 hits and 23 earned runs, walked just 11 and struck out 33. Opposing teams hit .227 against her.
SYDNEY JARVIS, JR., HOLY TRINITY
Jarvis continues to improve and has become a dominant, overpowering pitcher. She helped the Crusaders to a regional semifinal for the second straight year. Jarvis finished with a 19-5 record and a 0.72 ERA. At the plate, Jarvis hit .573 with a .663 on-base percentage and a .417 slugging percentage. She had 17 doubles and three home runs, scored eight runs and drove in 37 runs.
QUINN ZWEIBOHMER, FR,, WAPELLO
Zweibohmer brought the heat when she stepped in the circle. She had a 7-5 record with a 1.74 ERA. In 75 1/3 innings, she allowed 48 hits and 19 earned runs, walked 42 and struck out 158. Opposing teams hit .148 against her. At the plate she hit .538 with a .583 on-base percentage and a .940 slugging percentage. She had two doubles, two triples and five home runs, scored 19 runs and drove in 20 runs. She was 11-for-12 on the base baths.
CATCHER
KYLIE LUMINO, JR., FORT MADISON
Lumino has turned into a sensational catcher, committing just four errors in 221 chances with 24 assists. She threw out 10 would-be base stealers this season. She hit .333 with a .402 on-base percentage and a .427 slugging percentage. She had nine doubles, scored 17 runs and drove in 27 runs, tops on the team. She struck out just five times in 96 at bats.
INFIELDERS
AVA BRANDENBURG, SO., BURLINGTON
Brandenburg has become a fixture at shortstop for the Grayhounds and at the top of the batting order. She hit .442 with a .515 on-base percentage with 11 doubles and one triple. She scored 40 runs and drove in 17 runs, drew 15 walks, was hit by pitches twice and struck out just five times. She was 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts and committed just nine errors in 100 total chances.
ALIVIA HOLMES, JR., HOLY TRINITY
Holmes, who also can play second base and outfield, has become a solid shortstop for the Crusaders. She hit .440 with a .505 on-base percentage and a .595 slugging percentage. She had eight doubles, one triple and one home run, scored 39 runs and drove in 20 runs. She drew 14 walks and struck out just six times. She was 19-for-19 in stolen-base attempts and made just six errors in 98 attempts.
KENNA SANDOVAL, SR., CENTRAL LEE
Sandoval, who will play for Iowa Western Comunity College in the fall, went out with a bang. She hit .510 with a .603 on-base percentage and a .960 slugging percentage. She had 12 doubles, three triples and nine home runs, scored 45 runs and drove in 38 runs. She walked 22 times and struck out just five times. She was 26-for-27 in stolen base attempts and had 14 errors in 155 chances between third base and shortstop.
BRYNLEY WENIG, FR., DANVILLE
Wenig had a sensational season, both in the circle and at the plate. She hit .391 with a .475 on-base percentage and a .652 slugging percentage. She had six doubles and four home runs, scored 20 runs and drove in 15 runs. In the circle she was 7-4 with a 1.84 ERA, striking out 91 and walking just 16 in 76 innings.
OUTFIELDERS
AVA FAWCETT, JR., BURLINGTON
Fawcett had her best season yet, both in the field and at the plate. She hit .409 with a .495 on-base percentage and a .570 slugging percentage. She had nine doubles and two home runs, scored 26 runs and drove in 21 runs. She drew 10 walks, was hit by pitch seven times and struck out eight times. She was 8-for-8 in stolen base attempts and committed just one error in 55 chances.
KENNA GITTINGS, JR., HOLY TRINITY
Gittings played a key role in the Crusaders’ successful season as an outfielder. She hit .427 with a .469 on-base percentage and a .506 slugging percentage. She had one double and three triples, scored 30 runs and drove in 11 runs. She struck out just four times in 89 at bats. She was 14-for-15 in stolen base attempts and committed just two errors in 50 chances wit five assists.
GRACE KISSELL, SO., LOUISA-MUSCATINE
Kissell was one of the top all-around center fielders in the state, helping the Falcons reach a regional final. She hit .430 with a .527 on-base percentage and a .523 slugging percentage. She had six doubles and two triples, scored 45 runs and drove in 14 runs. She struck out just four times in 105 at bats and stole 28 bases. She made just two errors in 40 chances with 32 putouts and six assists.
UTILITY
LUCIA DARNELL, FR., FORT MADISON
Darnell made huge strides this season, putting together a 9-8 record with a 1.67 ERA. In 113 1/3 innings, she allowed 117 hits and just 27 earned runs, walked 32 and struck out 135. Opposing teams hit .246 against her. The bigger the game, the better Darnell pitched. She also hit .314 with a .416 on-base percentage. She scored 12 runs and drove in 10 runs.
ORAYANA GONZALEZ, SO., WEST-BURLINGTON-NOTRE DAME
Gonzalez was consistent all season, both at the plate and in the circle. She teamed with Madelyn Thomas to form a solid pitching staff for the Lady Falcons. She posted a 4-7 record with a 4.37 ERA in the circle. At the plate she hit .371 with a .465 on-base percentage and a .526 slugging percentage.. She had 10 doubles, one triple and one home run, scored 25 runs and drove in 21 runs.
PAYTON HARRIS, SO., MEDIAPOLIS
Harris had a sensational season for one of the Bullettes’ top teams in program history. In the circle she was 11-4 with a 1.68 ERA. In 104 innings, she allowed 76 hits and 25 earned runs, struck out 78 and walked 29. Opposing teams hit just .190 against her. At the plate she had a .494 average with a .548 on-base percentage and a whopping 1.149 slugging percentage. She had nine doubles and 16 home runs, scored 29 runs and drove in 33 runs. She struck out just four times in 87 at bats.
KYLEE HILL, JR., BURLINGTON
Hill returned to the lineup full-time and became the Grayhounds’ top pitcher. She had a 15-5 record with a 1.54 ERA. In 124 innings, she allowed 75 hits and 29 earned runs, walked 52 and struck out 159. Opposing teams his .146 against her. At the plate, Hill hit .404 with a .477 on-base percentage and a .723 slugging percentage. She had 10 doubles, one triple and six home runs, scored 21 runs and drove in 34 runs. She was 12-for-12 in stolen base attempts.
GRACE HOOPES, FR., LOUISA-MUSCATINE
Hoopes stepped into the No. 1 pitching spot and never missed a beat. She had a 28-5 record with a 1.88 ERA. In 190 innings, she allowed 183 hits and 51 earned runs, walked just 17 and struck out 145. Opposing teams hit .237 against her. At the plate she hit .383 with a .434 on-base percentage and a .607 slugging percentage. She had 13 doubles, one triple and three home runs and drove in 44 runs.
MADELYN THOMAS, SR., WEST BURLINGTON-NOTRE DAME
Thomas had a banner senior season. She was 10-11 with a 4.71 ERA in the circle, striking out 115 batters in 120 1/3 innings. At the plate she hit .422 with a .532 on-base percentage and a .767 slugging percentage. She had 10 doubles and seven home runs, scored 14 runs and drove in 31 runs.
COACH OF THE YEAR
LARRY HEATH, BURLINGTON
Heath, a Hall of Fame member, did one of the best coaching jobs in his 41 years. He took a team with three eighth graders, four freshmen, two sophomores, three juniors and just one senior and guided them to a Southeast Conference championship and a berth in the state tournament. He now has a 1,218-504 career record, including 1,143-479 with BHS. His assistant coaches were Betsy Debower, Mike Koelker and Saydee Plummer.