Storm Lake’s DeHaan named Times Pilot Softball Player of the Year
Avery DeHaan won the 2026 Times Pilot Softball Player of the Year honor by leading the area in batting average, triples, pitching wins and strikeouts.
Avery DeHaan was named the 2026 Times Pilot Softball Player of the Year after a season that put Storm Lake at the center of the local softball conversation in Buena Vista County. The numbers were hard to separate: DeHaan finished first in the area in batting average, triples, pitching wins and strikeouts, while also ranking second in ERA and tying for third in RBI.
That kind of production is what made DeHaan stand out from other top local players. The profile was not built on one skill or one stretch of hot hitting. DeHaan affected games in the batter’s box and in the pitching circle, a combination that gave Storm Lake a player who could create runs, prevent them and shift the pace of a game on both ends.
The local coverage around DeHaan pointed to the same thing. A related story described Avery DeHaan as a “two-way star” for the Storm Lake softball team, and that label fit the season reflected in the award. Leading the area in batting average and triples showed consistent contact and extra-base power. Topping the area in pitching wins and strikeouts, with a second-place ERA, showed that opposing lineups had a hard time solving DeHaan when the ball was in hand.
The honor also landed in a season when area softball drew wider recognition. The Iowa Girls Coaches Association released its all-state teams and seven area players were recognized, giving Storm Lake and surrounding programs a broader postseason presence beyond one individual award. In that context, DeHaan’s selection marked the clearest all-around case for the top local honor.
For Storm Lake, the award underscored a season that will be remembered for versatility as much as results. DeHaan’s numbers showed the rare kind of player who could lead a team in the circle and still be one of its best offensive threats, a combination that made this year feel different from a standard standout campaign and gave the Tornadoes a defining individual performance to put alongside the team’s broader success.
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