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Pipestone Area Schools three-sport athlete Kaysa Douty capped her sophomore season with a heap of softball honors.
The Minnesota Fastpitch Coaches Association named Douty to Class AA’s second team, and she also was an all-Section 3AA player. Douty pitched and played shortstop for the Arrows.
(From left) Pipestone Area Schools’ softball players Kaysa Douty, Brilee Rieck and Mariah Moeller present the major awards they received during a program on Tuesday, June 10. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
What’s more, Douty was one of two Arrows chosen to be on the all-Big South Conference squad when honors were released on Friday, June 6 — by league secretary and Redwood Valley activities director Andy Ourada.
“She deserves it, and she worked really hard,” PAS head coach Robert Petersen. “She was one of our leaders on the field. … Dynamic ball player, a good pitcher and she would get the big hit at the right time.”
Even though her win-loss record doesn’t reflect it, Douty (5-5) showed more consistency and poise in 2025. Kaysa posted a 3.76 earned-run average in 65 innings, facing 296 batters and throwing 1,129 pitches. She allowed 42 runs (35 earned) on 65 hits with 31 walks and 94 strikeouts.
While in the field, Douty recorded 30 putouts, had eight assists and just five errors.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Kaysa Douty makes a play from shortstop during the first game of a Big South Conference doubleheader on Thursday, May 1, versus Jackson County Central. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Douty recorded staggering offensive numbers in 90 plate appearances — with a powerful 1.294 on base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS). Kaysa pounded 15 doubles as part of a .488 batting average. She homered twice, scored 26 runs, provided 19 RBI and stole 11 bases.
Mariah Moeller, also a starting pitcher for the Arrows, earned first-team, all-league accolades and played in the MFCA all-star games on June 8. Catcher/first baseman Brilee Rieck was an honorable mention.
“The all-star game was a culmination of her four years,” Petersen explained. “She played a lot of big games for us, and she will be missed.”
Moeller, who played in two state tournaments for the Arrows, worked on her change-up last off-season, Peterson noted. For Mariah, it turned into a polished pitch.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Mariah Moeller, shown here playing in a regular-season game, will represent the Arrows in the Class AA state all-star games this Sunday in North Mankato. (Star file photo by Eric Viccaro)
Overall, Moeller (7-6) recorded a 3.50 ERA with 104 strikeouts and only 22 walks. She faced 329 batters in 72 innings, and threw 1,240 pitches, allowing 55 runs on 82 pitches. Defensively, she registered 24 putouts in 40 total chances with 10 assists and only six errors.
While hitting, Moeller posted a .338 batting average with 14 RBI, nine runs (limited due to courtesy situations), five doubles and five steals in 78 plate appearances.
Rieck was tops on the Arrows in home runs with four to go with a .367 batting average and near 1.000 OPS. She sprayed 29 hits, had five doubles, produced 30 RBI, scored 20 runs and was a spotless 10-of-10 on steals, second on the team in most offensive categories.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Brilee Rieck swings away during the second game of a non-league doubleheader on Tuesday, April 8, at Paulsen Sports Complex. The Arrows dropped a pair of one-run games to Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“With her speed, she can run and steal bases,” Petersen said. “She’s got a lot of power, and a nice swing.”
While playing catcher and first base, Rieck was part of 134 total chances with 126 putouts and only four errors (a rock-solid .970 fielding percentage).
(From left) Pipestone Area Schools’ seniors Mylee Weber, Addison Draper and Mariah Moeller received gifts for their years of dedication to the Arrow softball program during an awards presentation at a local residence on Tuesday, June 10. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
A season in review
PAS went 12-11, falling in the Section 3AA Tournament after losses to Windom Area and Morris Area-Chokio-Alberta on Saturday, May 24, at the Marshall Softball Complex.
Jackson County Central represented Section 3AA at the Minnesota State High School League state tournament in North Mankato Wednesday-Thursday, June 4-5.
During the event, Hadley Wachal threw a no-hitter in a five-inning 10-0 victory over St. Agnes in the opening round. Hawley nipped JCC, 2-1, in a thrilling semifinal game lasting 11 innings. Randolph then topped the Huskies (23-6) in the third-place game, 3-1.
The Arrows also played section 2AA state tournament team Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, who lost to Spectrum in the consolation championship.
In a related note, large-school all-Big South player Hannah McNab of Worthington has committed to play in 2025-2026 for hometown Minnesota West Community & Technical College.
The Big South Conference. (Contributed graphic from the Big South Conference)
INFORMATION
SOFTBALL
Big South Conference
Standings
Big Schools
1, New Ulm; 2, St. Peter; 3, Tri-City United; 4, Belle Plaine; 5, Worthington; 6, Waseca; 7, Marshall
Small Schools
1, Jackson County Central; 2, Fairmont; 3, St. James Area; 4, Pipestone Area; 5, Luverne; 6, Windom; 7, Redwood Valley; 8, Blue Earth Area
Overall champion: New Ulm defeats Jackson County Central
Small School Honors
All-Conference First Team
Mariah Moeller, Pipestone Area; Kaysa Douty, PAS; Ava Grant, Blue Earth Area; Brylee Miller, Fairmont; Gwyn Schultz, Fairmont; Kinley VanDeVere, Jackson County Central; Lauren Johnson, JCC; Bailey Finck, JCC; Mady Wachal, JCC; Hadley Wachal, JCC; Ella Reisdorfer, Luverne; Payton Behr, Luverne; Jocelyn Altman, Luverne; Ava Meier, Redwood Valley; Laney Bowers, St. James Area; Emma Mohwinkel, SJA; Charlee Huska, Windom; Anja Nielsen, Windom
Honorable Mentions
Brilee Rieck, PAS; Brielle Tufvesson, JCC; Gabby Leiding, Fairmont; Kendall Swann, Redwood Valley; Elliot O’Donnell, Windom Area; Reagan Machachek, Blue Earth Area; Allie Kracht, Luverne; Journey Swanson, SJA; and Izzy Swanson, SJA
Large School Honors
All-Conference First Team
Rachel Johnson, Belle Plaine; Brooke Burgemeister, Belle Plaine; Kyla Skluzacek, Belle Plaine; Ramsey Hopp, New Ulm; Kenzie Enter, New Ulm; Lauren Schmiessing, New Ulm; Gracie Baker, New Ulm; Maddie Backer, New Ulm; Auden Anderson, St. Peter; Ashley Liebl, St. Peter; Nora Whipp, St. Peter; Avery Lerfald, Tri-City United; Cristina Cruz, Tri-City United; Audrey Vosejpka, Tri-City United, Laynee Blaschko, Tri-City United; Hannah Sommers, Waseca; Hannah McNab, Worthington; and Bailey Ponto, Worthington
Honorable Mentions
Sara Dallman, Marshall; Berkley Wilfahrt, New Ulm; Courtlynn Spressard, St. Peter; Devyn Welp, St. Peter; Caleigh Hoefs, Tri-City United; Avery Barto, Waseca; Siri Kuhns, Waseca; and Megan Graham, St. Peter