Rising Sun Softball, Batesville Baseball Ranked to Start 2024 Season

Connersville Softball also made the Preseason Rankings.

Photo by Rising Sun Athletics.

INDIANAPOLIS – Two area high school softball teams and one baseball team are ranked to start the 2024 season.

The Softball Coaches Association of Indiana this week released their Preseason Polls for each of the four classifications.

In Class 1A, Rising Sun ranks #12. The Lady Shiners are coming off a season where they went 19-6 and captured the ORVC championship and a sectional title.

Rising Sun is loaded with talent after graduating one senior, Sydney Halloran, last spring. Halloran played a key role in the team’s success, hitting .328 with eight doubles, 17 RBI and 21 runs scored.

With a majority of the team returning this spring, Rising Sun looks to build off their impressive 2023 campaign. They are led by seniors Alyssa Simpson and Nora Powell, junior Tamryn Miller, and a dynamic sophomore class of Ryan Works, Elaina Titkemeyer, Lily Courtney, and Lexi Morris, among others.

Rising Sun will host Hauser in their season opener on Monday, April 1.

Connersville ranks #9 in Class 3A. The Lady Spartans went 27-5 (14-0 in EIAC) last season. They graduated conference MVP Sara Ruble (.585 AVG, 11 HR, 42 RBI, 62 runs), and four other key seniors.

Back for Connersville is Ryleigh Bresher and McKenna Lucas. The duo combined for 24 home runs and 69 RBI in 2023.

On the baseball diamond, Batesville is ranked #9 in Class 3A by the Indiana Baseball Coaches Association. The Bulldogs went 18-8 and finished second in the EIAC a year ago.

Charlie Schebler and Max Baumer are among the losses to graduation, but D-I talent is back to lead the way in Jack Grunkemeyer (Northwestern) and Will Jaisle (Notre Dame). Add in talented players like Carter Bohman and Cade Kaiser and the Bulldogs have a chance to challenge for 20 wins in 2024.

Batesville will begin their season on Friday, March 29 when they host Rising Sun.