Cecil JoyceMurfreesboro Daily News Journal
With her Tennessee high school softball sophom*ore season behind her, Siegel pitcher Mackenzie Ventura's summer will be filled with the usual travel ball in preparation for the 2025 season.
But her world should get much busier come September. That's when college coaches will be able to reach out to her and begin offering scholarships.
"It's really exciting," Ventura said. "I worked all my life to get here. But it's nerve-wracking too. Waiting on that call. There's lot of pressure too. But overall I'm excited."
There should be plenty of calls. Ventura followed up a breakout freshman season with an even stronger sophom*ore campaign for the Lady Stars, one that has earned her the nod as player of the year on The Daily News Journal's 2024 all-area softball team.
Ventura went 10-2 with an 0.76 ERA and 251 strikeouts in 176 innings.
But her success didn't end in the pitcher's circle. She also batted .400 with 10 extra-base hits and 19 RBIs in the middle of the Siegel lineup, helping the Lady Stars win the District 8-4A regular season and tournament titles.
"I think I did," said Ventura, when asked if she performed up to her expectations. "I was more conditioned this year. I faced batters that I'm more used to."
Ventura and the Lady Stars were ousted in region tournament play for the second straight season, but Ventura tossed a complete-game four-hitter, walking none and striking out five in a 1-0 loss to Stewarts Creek. She also went 1-for-3 with a double.
Ventura worked on her mental approach during the season, something she expects to carry into 2025. Between now and then she'll stay plenty busy on the softball field and with future recruitment.
The 2024 DNJ all-area softball team includes:
FIRST TEAM
Auburn Karls
Siegel, Jr.
Position: Catcher
Why chosen: Karls hit .305, belting eight doubles, seven homers and 20 RBIs to help the Lady Stars win the District 7-4A regular season and tournament titles.
Brinli Bain
Eagleville, Jr.
Position: Infielder
Why chosen: The Arkansas commitment hit .459 with five homers and 28 RBIs while scoring 33 runs and stealing seven bases.
Kloe Quigle
Stewarts Creek, Fr.
Position: Infielder
Why chosen: Quigle batted a team-leading .466 with 16 doubles, three triples, six homers, 37 RBIs, 52 runs and 22 stolen bases.
Samya Sandifer
Stewarts Creek, So.
Position: Infielder
Why chosen: Sandifer batted .393 with 14 doubles, two triples, three homers, 36 RBIs and 35 runs.
Jasmine Sneed
Siegel, Sr.
Position: Infielder
Why chosen: The Auburn University-Montgomery signee hit .451 with 14 doubles, seven triples, two homers, 26 RBIs, 26 runs and 20 stolen bases.
Jada Ellison
Oakland, Jr.
Position: Outfielder
Why chosen: Ellison hit a team-leading .442 with a 1.065 OPS, 42 runs scored and 40 stolen bases.
Jada Moore
Riverdale, Sr.
Position: Outfielder
Why chosen: The Dyersburg State signee was named District 8-4A's best defensive player, Moore also got it done at the plate, hitting over. 400 with an OPS of over 1.100.
Tenayja Thomas
Stewarts Creek, Sr.
Position: Outfielder
Why chosen: Thomas batted .406 with six doubles, four triples, a homer, 26 RBIs, 46 runs and 18 stolen bases to help lead the Lady Red Hawks to the Class 4A state title game.
Emma McDonald
Smyrna, Jr.
Position: Designated hitter
Why chosen: McDonald hit a team-leading .535 with 15 doubles, nine triples, 39 RBIs, 45 runs and 29 stolen bases to lead the Lady Bulldogs to the 4A sectional.
Jadyn Brawley
Stewarts Creek, So.
Position: Utility
Why chosen: Brawley batted .453 with 22 doubles, five homers, 46 runs and 35 RBIs. She was 10-5 with a 2.78 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 108.1 innings pitched to lead the Lady Red Hawks to the Class 4A state title game.
Adaeze Nwogbo
Smyrna, Jr.
Position: Pitcher
Why chosen: The MTSU commitment went 13-4 with a 1.53 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 105.1 innings pitched. She also hit .449 with 16 extra base hits, 22 RBIs, 50 runs and 37 stolen bases.
Mackenzie Ventura
Siegel, So.
Position: Pitcher
Why chosen: The all-area player of the year went 10-2 with an 0.76 ERA, 0.63 WHIP (walks/hits per innings pitched) and 251 strikeouts in 176 innings. She also batted .400 with 10 extra-base hits and 19 RBIs.
SECOND TEAM
Catcher: Rylee Warbritton, Eagleville, So.
Infielder: Madison Arel, Riverdale, Sr.
Infielder: Lillian Pendergrast, Rockvale, Sr.
Infielder: Sophia Sullivan, Blackman, So.
Outfielder: Jacey Goetzinger, Central Magnet, Sr.
Outfielder: Jaelyn Stembridge, Stewarts Creek, So.
Outfielder: Emmaline Whitt, Eagleville, Sr.
Designated hitter: Blakely Warnick, Smyrna, Sr.
Utility: Sophie Clayton, Smyrna, Sr.
Pitcher: Chloe Aaron, Oakland, So.
Pitcher: Taylor Minnick, Oakland, Jr.
Coach of the Year
Jennifer Fernandez, Stewarts Creek
Why chosen: Fernandez had her squad playing its best during the postseason. After finishing second in the District 7-4A regular season and tournament, the Lady Red Hawks swept through region and sectional play to reach the Class 4A state championship game.
