Softball players to watch in the Blue Water Area this season

Port Huron Times Herald

Algonac's Ella Stephenson (right) celebrates after scoring a run during a game last season. She finished with 17 home runs and 38 RBI in 2022.

Don't be fooled by all this inclement weather. High school softball is back in the Blue Water Area.

The 2023 MHSAA season began March 22. Here are some local players to watch for this year, listed alphabetically.

Kenna Bommarito, Algonac, junior

As a sophomore last season, Bommarito was one of the main reasons why the Muskrats advanced to their first-ever state semifinal. She went 18-3 on the mound with a 1.63 ERA in 129 innings of work. And those are just her defensive statistics.

Bommarito hit .508 at the plate with 38 RBI and seven home runs. She also had 15 doubles and a 1.431 on-base plus slugging percentage.

The pitcher was selected to the MHSSCA All-State First Team for Division 3 in 2022.

Claire Borg, St. Clair, senior

St. Clair's Claire Borg hits a high fly ball during a game last season. She batted .464 as a junior in 2022.

The Saints are looking to build off a successful 2022 season that included a 20-10 record, MAC White championship and district title.

Borg will once again be a key part of St. Clair's offense. She batted .464 with 32 RBI and nine home runs last year. The pitcher and first baseman received an honorable mention for the MHSSCA All-State First Team in Division 2.

After her senior season, Borg will continue her career at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Piper Clark, Richmond, senior

Clark hit .512 at the plate with 45 RBI and six home runs as a junior last year. She also saw some action on the mound and posted a 5-2 record.

For her combined efforts, Clark was named to the 2022 MHSSCA All-State First Team for Division 3. She was one of four Richmond players to receive that honor.

Devin Johnston, Almont, senior

Almont's Devin Johnston hits the ball during a game last season. She led the Raiders in batting average, hits, RBI, triples and home runs in 2022.

Last year, Johnston led Almont in batting average (.522), hits (59), RBI (43), triples (eight) and home runs (four). She was a perfect 43-of-43 on stolen-base attempts, which also ranked first on the team.

With those numbers, it's no surprise that the catcher earned a spot on the MHSSCA All-State First Team for Division 3.

Myah McLean, Almont, senior

The Raiders only used two pitchers last year, one of which was McLean. She had an exceptional junior season with a 22-5 record and 1.45 ERA in 154.1 innings of work. Twelve of her wins were shutouts.

McLean also threw 141 strikeouts and allowed just 25 walks. She received an honorable mention for the Division 3 All-State First Team.

Katie Shuboy, Richmond, sophomore

Richmond's Katie Shuboy throws a strike during a game last season. She went 21-6 on the mound as a freshman in 2022.

How dominant was Shuboy as a freshman last year? She was selected to MHSSCA All-State First Team for Division 3. And it's not hard to see why.

The pitcher finished with a 21-6 record and 0.93 ERA in 166 innings of work. Shuboy also recorded 312 strikeouts and was the ace of a team that went 27-9.

Ella Stephenson, Algonac, senior

Arguably the top player in the area, Stephenson was nothing short of brilliant in 2022. She batted .632 with 17 home runs and 38 RBI as a junior.

In addition to 21 extra-base hits, Stephenson had 29 stolen bases. The outfielder totaled an on-base percentage of .684 and a slugging percentage of 1.289.

She was named to the 2022 MHSSCA All-State First Team for Division 3. Stephenson will play for the University of Michigan next year.

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.