Second team all state softball player Averie Gilson

Averie Gilson
San Juan Junior ~ shortstop
2A second team
.447 Avg / .563 OBP / 28 SB 9 2B / 3 3B / 8 HR / 36 RBI / 45 RS

Head Coach Mike Bowers: “Averie is a three-year starter at shortstop and pitches for us too. Each year her game gets better because she works hard at it. Averie has a very high softball IQ. She is never satisfied with what she has accomplished. Her desire and dedication are tough to match.
“Legendary coach John Wooden said players should avoid peaks and valleys, meaning players should never get too excited or too sad. One can watch Averie play ball and not know whether she’s winning or losing. She can go 0-3 and have two errors on defense and one wouldn’t know it. She plays the game one pitch at a time, just how the game was designed to be played.
“Averie is the prototypical three-hole hitter. She has great bat speed, sees pitches well, and always puts a good swing on the ball. She can change a game anytime she’s at the plate. That being said, we use her as a leadoff hitter because she sees so many pitches. By the time she’s had an at-bat we have seen most of the pitcher’s pitches.
“Averie is a true student of softball. She loves to study and learn all aspects of the game and what she can do to improve.”

Additional comments from Coach Mike Bowers
“In addition to our All-State honorees, I believe all the San Juan High School softball players all have the opportunity to play ball at the next level if they choose to. They have learned and grown significantly since entering the program.
“Currently the girls are attending camps to improve their game and gain exposure. They are coming to the realization that they are just as good as any other softball players in the state. With more hard work and dedication they will create future opportunities for themselves.
“We are returning all but one player in 2026. We did lose Sadie Cosby who was a huge asset to our team, but we have many starters and key contributors returning next season: juniors Keegan Palmer, Lizzie Palmer, Miley Harrison, and Danika Meyers; sophomores Colee Crofts and Harmony Oshley; and freshmen Kheirra Keith, Ari Adams, Kynnedy Bingham, and Jayden Benally.
“Finally, San Juan will receive the first group of travel ball players who have many games of experience and success. We are truly excited for the future of San Juan softball.”

Stats Key: Avg = Batting Average OBP = On Base Percentage SB = Stolen Bases / 2B = Doubles 3B = Triples / HR = Home Runs
RBI = Runs Batted In / RS = Runs
Scored / FLD = Fielding Percentage
PO = Putouts / IP = Inn. Pitched
ERA = Earned Run Average
K = Strikeouts