IOWA CITY, Iowa – A pair of incoming freshmen were selected as the Gatorade Softball Player of the Year for their respective states, it was announced Monday. Phoenyx Silva earned her second straight honor for the state of Rhode Island and Mariah Myers brought home the honor in her home state of Iowa.

Myers, a Fort Dodge, Iowa, native led St. Edmond Catholic to a 26-7 record and the third-place game in the Class 1A state tournament in 2024. Myers hit .600 with 36 RBI and scored 45 runs, stole 23 bases, posting a 1.360 slugging percentage and an OPS of 2.074. She was named Class 1A First Team All-State and is ranked as the nation’s No. 31 prospect in the Class of 2025 by Perfect Game.

Silva, a Providence, Rhode Island, native led La Salle Academy to a 24-1 record, the No. 1 seed in the Division I state tournament and a berth in the state championship game. Silva entered the state final batting .571 with 39 RBI, 21 home runs and an OPS of 2.208. The state’s returning Gatorade Softball Player of the Year, she also drew 18 walks and struck out just twice in 96 plate appearances posting a slugging percentage of 1.455 through 25 games.