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The three Union area big school softball teams were all in different areas of growth this summer.

Mt. Pleasant was one of the youngest teams in the state of Iowa, sporting a mostly underclassmen lineup. Fairfield was battling back after a rare down year in 2024, and Washington was looking to reach its full potential with a senior-led lineup.

It wasn’t much of a surprise that it was the Demons that put together the best year of the three squads. Washington not only won the Southeast Conference, but rolled on to the Class 3A state tournament.

After Washington’s big year, the Demons once again lead the way on the 2025 All-Union list, including a selection at coach and captain.

COACH: Ben Obermann, Washington

A former state-qualifying head baseball coach, Obermann had yet to get to Fort Dodge leading into perhaps his most anticipated season since becoming Washington’s softball coach.

Obermann’s older and more experienced Demons were able to run through the SEC, winning the conference outright for the first time since 2013, but the job wasn’t done, as Washington aimed to earn a state title bid for the first time since the very same summer.

With a 6-4 comeback win over top-seeded Assumption in the regional tournament final, the Demons did just that. Washington finished the season with a trip to Fort Dodge, and went 29-11 overall. Washington’s final conference mark was 14-1.

CAPTAIN: Leighton Salazar, junior, Washington

Washington’s junior shortstop has been one of the toughest outs at the plate since stepping into the high school lineup as an eighth-grader.

In her junior year with the Demons, Salazar hit .522 with 15 doubles, one triple and 34 RBIs.

She was also amazing on the basepaths, scoring 59 runs and stealing 54 bases, a couple of stats that helped Salazar land on the 2025 Class 3A All-State team.

PITCHER: Bella Salazar, senior, Washington

Washington’s senior ace ended her high school softball career with another memorable season, going 15-5 with a 2.93 ERA and 99 strikeouts this summer.

A perennial All-Union softball team member, Salazar had one of her best seasons ever at the plate, hitting .347 with three doubles and 28 RBIs.

2024 Washington County Fair Queen Contestant Halle Cuddeback, the daughter of Jeff and April Cuddeback. (Photo submitted) — HALLE CUDDEBACK

PITCHER: Halle Cuddeback, senior Washington

Cuddeback and teammate Bella Salazar have been quite the one-two punch in the pitcher’s circle for Washington ever since joining the team as eighth-graders.

Cuddeback had another stellar season pitching the ball, going 7-1 with a 2.69 ERA. She struck 47 batters out in 57 innings pitched.

Cuddeback also played a lot of outfield this season, staying in the lineup every game. She hit .271 with 10 doubles, one home run and 16 RBIs in her senior season at the plate.

Washington's Alyvia Anderson celebrates on first base after reaching first on a squeeze bunt, which scored a run in the regional final game on July 15, 2025. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

CATCHER: Alyvia Anderson, senior, Washington

Having a senior behind the plate can do a lot for a softball team, and Anderson had to come up big both offensively and defensively for the Demons all year long.

Anderson hit .341 this season, tallying 10 doubles on the year and two home runs. She knocked in 30 runs from the cleanup spot in the Demon order.

INFIELD: Colbie Greiner, sophomore, Washington

Not many players in Southeast Iowa have the type of power at the plate that belongs to Washington’s sophomore slugger.

Greiner hit .398 this season, and did a ton of damage with extra-base hits. She finished with 13 doubles, two triples and five home runs.

Greiner was second on the team in RBIs, knocking in 41 runs on the year, and she had seven wins and 92 strikeouts in the pitcher’s circle when she wasn’t playing first base.

INFIELD: Leah Helmick, sophomore, Fairfield

Fairfield’s sophomore pitcher and third baseman continued to absolutely crush the ball at the plate all summer long.

Helmick led the Trojans with a .467 batting average, while also pacing the team with 14 doubles, five home runs and 50 RBIs in just her sophomore season.

She also made her mark in the pitcher’s circle, going 12-5 with a 3.73 ERA and 72 strikeouts.

INFIELD: Lilly Bergren, senior, Fairfield

Fairfield’s senior leadoff hitter had another strong year at the plate in 2025.

Bergren hit .423 this season, collecting six doubles, two triples and four home runs. Despite hitting in the leadoff spot, Bergren finished tied for second on the team with 29 RBIs. She also scored a team-leading 50 runs.

INFIELD: Faith Jones, junior, Fairfield

Fairfield’s junior third-baseman did her best work when the Trojans needed her the most this summer.

Jones hit .310 this year, with all but one hit being a single. Despite just one extra-base hit, Jones found a way to knock in 29 runs on the year, tied for second-best on the team.

OUTFIELD: Ella Greiner, senior, Washington

Washington’s eldest Greiner was one of the most complete players in all of Iowa this season.

The Demons’ star center fielder hit .463 on the year, tallying 10 doubles, one triple and three home runs. She also led the team in RBIs, with 46.

Greiner’s play at the plate and the field not only earned her a spot-on the All-State team, but on the Class 3A All-Tournament team as well.

OUTFIELD: Olivia Hollander, senior, Fairfield

The Trojans’ senior center fielder was nearly impossible to get out in 2025.

Hollander hit .453 this year, and added 21 walks and seven hit-by-pitches to her total, helping her finish with a .567 on base percentage, the best mark on the team.

Hollander hit four doubles and three triples, while knocking in 20 runs. She scored 39 runs this year, second-best on the team.

OUTFIELD: Paityn Ensminger, sophomore, Mt. Pleasant

It was an important year for the young Panther offense, and the Mt. Pleasant sophomore provided a lot to the team’s power this summer.

Ensminger finished the year with a .355 ERA, seven doubles, one home run and 11 RBIs, all while drawing 14 walks, which coled the team.

UTILITY: Laney Norris, senior, Fairfield

Norris, one of three Fairfield seniors, was the definition of a utility player this summer.

Norris switched on and off between first base and pitcher this season, and was always a threat at the plate, hitting .318 with three doubles and 25 RBIs.

Norris went 5-8 in the circle this year and finished second on the team with 29 strikeouts.