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CAST YOUR VOTE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE. YOU MUST RANK NO. 1 TO NO. 4 WITH NO. 1 BEING YOUR TOP PICK.
Hallie Henderson, Purdy
Henderson made the jump from a good to an elite pitcher this season, striking out 252 batters in 145.2 innings to just 12 walks while posting a 24-2 record as a starter and leading Purdy to the spring softball championship game. That power/control combo is why she finished with 0.96 ERA and 0.56 WHIP and why her opponents’ on-base percentage was just .164. At the plate, Henderson hit .470 with 16 extra-base hits, 43 runs and 22 RBIs.
Zoey Mullings, Strafford
One of the best big-game pitchers and athletes in the Ozarks, Mullings pitched back-to-back-to-back complete-game shutouts in the state quarterfinals against West County, semifinals against Kennett and state championship against Purdy to secure Strafford’s first softball title. She finished 2017 with a 1.55 ERA AND 0.90 WHIP, striking out 112 over 95.0 innings with a 16-1 record.
Bridget Rippe, Willard
One of the most dominant pitchers and hitters in the region over her career, Rippe tossed 29 complete games her senior season, striking out 224 in 182.2 innings while winning 18 games with a 1.78 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. Her .538 average, .903 slugging percentage, 1.468 OPS, 24 extra-base hits (17 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR) and 38 RBIs made her maybe the best dual threat in southwest Missouri. She’s signed on with Evangel next fall.
Rachel Rook, Republic
Rook, who’s bound for Div. 1 Southeast Missouri State, finished her decorated career with 1,021 strikeouts, putting her in the top-seven all-time in the state. The most feared pitcher in the Ozarks, she finished her senior season with 272 strikeouts in 154.1 innings and fell just short of a second district title. Rook put up a 1.27 ERA and 0.82 WHIP, struck out 10+ on 16 occasions, won 19 games, tossed two no-hitters, nine shutouts and 22 complete games.
