Top 2029 Prospects To Watch In North Dakota

North Dakota may not have the population of its peer states and it typically features a much colder climate than said peer states as well. But it too is a state where premier softball talent can be found.    When looking at the teams that qualified for last season's Class A and Class B state tournaments, one will find plenty of eighth-grade talent on those rosters. The conclusion of last season saw Williston win its first-ever state crown, following a 3-2 victory over Minot, and Central Cass prevailed in a 4-1 decision over Des Lacs-Burlington.   Below, Prep Softball highlights the top prospects to watch from North Dakota in the high school graduating class of 2029.    The Hawks of Horace saw a noteworthy jump in victories from 2024 to 2025, and [player_tooltip player_id='145677' first='Josie' last='Carriere'] was a catalyst for that success. Following the end of that season, she began her travel ball campaign with Fargo-Moorhead Blaze Orange 14U. In her first game of the summer club slate, she fanned 12 batters in a 4-0 victory over Casselton. Not only is Carriere a force to be reckoned with in the circle, but she is also lethal at the plate. At the West Fargo Unified tournament, Carriere posted a robust .789 batting average with 15 RBIs, along with striking out 31 hitters in 14 innings. Carriere is just getting started.     Two years ago, Brynlee Rheault helped the Packers of West Fargo qualify for the Class A state tournament as a seventh grader, and she was one of only two 2029s on that 2024 West Fargo squad. Since then, Rheault has continued to establish herself as one of the brightest young stars in North Dakota. Rheault's work in the circle was instrumental in the Packers' 13-5 victory over Sheyenne in the first round of the Eastern Dakota Conference tournament. She was also the lone eighth-grader to be selected to the All-EDC team, and one of just two players from West Fargo who earned that recognition. In addition to her work as a pitcher, Rheault also plays infield with proficiency.     Tenley Dickhoff is a multi-sport athlete who also competes on the basketball court in addition to her softball pursuits. She was the lone eighth-grader who was a part of last year's Hillsboro/Central Valley team that qualified for the Class B state tournament. The Burros were one of two teams in the tournament from Region 1. Alongside what Dickhoff gets accomplished as a pitcher, she can also play third base. One of Dickhoff's signature games took place on May 19 in the Region 1 semifinals when she struck out 12 batters and tossed a two-hitter in an 8-5 victory over Kindred/Richland. Dickhoff helped the Burros to a third-place finish in last year's Class B tournament.     When Central Cass prevailed in the Class B state championship game last season against Des Lacs-Burlington, it was Keelyn Flanagan who caught the last out to seal the Squirrels' seventh state crown. Flanagan is also a multi-sport athlete who excels as a basketball player in addition to what she gets accomplished on the softball diamond. One of Flanagan's more memorable performances occurred in a 17-0 run-rule victory over Carrington in the Class B quarterfinals. Flanagan had two hits and drove in three runs for her team. She also delivered three hits in three at-bats in a Region 1 contest over Enderlin that saw Central Cass win in a 27-0 decision.

North Dakota may not have the population of its peer states and it typically features a much colder climate than said peer states as well. But it too is a state where premier softball talent can be found.