Kynzee Anderson Earns Gatorade Player of the Year Honors for Second Year Running

For the second year in a row, Kynzee Anderson, a standout pitcher from Calvary, has been named the Gatorade Louisiana Softball Player of the Year for 2026. The Georgia softball signee recently received the accolade after leading her team to a remarkable sixth consecutive championship in May.

Anderson's impressive season boasted a record of 30 wins and just one loss, complemented by a remarkable 0.61 ERA and 318 strikeouts across 171 innings. Her talent was further recognized when she was named the Outstanding Player on the LSWA Class 2A All-State team. "A well-deserved award," said Calvary coach Tiffany Wood. "Being able to get one of the highest high school awards two years in a row is just a testament to what kind of player and person Kynzee is."

The Gatorade Player of the Year award is given to one athlete in each state and Washington D.C. across 12 sports. Anderson, who is also ranked as the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2026 by MaxPreps, posted a batting average of .290 with three home runs and 25 RBIs in her final season. Throughout her high school career, she accumulated 129 wins and 1,398 strikeouts while also engaging in community service activities, such as crafting and playing games at a local nursing home and coaching youth softball.

In addition to her athletic achievements, Anderson is the valedictorian of her class and has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA. "Kynzee’s presence on the mound was effortless and commanding at the same time," remarked Ashley Hoyle, the softball coach at West Ouachita High School. "She carries herself with a quiet humble confidence. Kynzee is a class act as a person and as a student-athlete."