Brooke Boetjer named 2012 Miss Softball

Monday, June 25, 2012
Brooke Boetjer was honored at the 2012 Miss Softball during Saturday's North/South All-Star game.

CARMEL -- After helping South Putnam win its second consecutive IHSAA Class 2A state title earlier this month, Brooke Boetjer earned the most coveted individual honor in high school softball during Saturday's North/South All-Star game in Carmel.

The Indiana University-bound pitcher was named 2012 Miss Softball between games Saturday to thunderous applause. She was nominated along with Nicole Steinbach of Andrean, Kelsey Dotson of Warsaw, Natalie Lalich of Center Grove and Alex Kotter of Vincennes Lincoln.

Boetjer was all smiles after receiving her award and was thankful to be recognized among all the talent present at Saturday's game.

"It feels amazing especially just coming out here and being named one of the best ones, even though ever single girl here could deserve Miss Softball," Boetjer said.

Boetjer was a big force behind South Putnam's undefeated (31-0) successful run at its second straight championship. This season alone, Boetjer was 22-0 with a staggering ERA of just .15. She also batted .547 with five home runs and 41 RBIs.

In her final contests at the high school level, Boetjer was fortunate to share the field with teammate Emily Dabkowski and have her head coach Chris Jones lead her team in the All-Star game.

Before Boetjer received her award, Jones was honored as the top coach in the state, winning the 2012 Coach of the Year award. It's the first time since 2004 that the top player and top coach came from the same team. That year Darcy Wood was named Miss Softball and coach Russ Milligan was named Coach of the Year.

Boetjer gave credit to her coach and noted that together, they're one dynamic duo.

"I definitely couldn't have done it without my coach. We're both just dominating forces and we get along and he knows exactly what to do," Boetjer said.

Boetjer comes from a small school and she's proud to say so. To put things in perspective, last year's Miss Indiana, Katie Harrison, was from Noblesville, a school with an enrollment of 2,654. South Putnam's enrollment was 605 according to the IHSAA school directory this year.

The hurler talked about how much it means to show young athletes that you can succeed no matter what size your school is.

"It means a lot. Ever since I was little I would look up to my sister and be like 'I want to be like my sister'. It shows all little girls no matter what size school you go to, you can still achieve big things," Boetjer said.

After pitching three innings in the first game, Boetjer donned the white Miss Softball jersey and pitched the opening inning of game two. Fittingly her final pitch as a high school athlete resulted in a strikeout to close the inning.

In her career at South Putnam, Boetjer notched a record of 72-4 with two saves and an ERA of .39.