The 5-foot-6 senior right-handed pitcher led the Spartans (28-1) to the Class 1A state championship this past season, posting a 27-1 record with a 0.40 ERA. Houge walked just 26 batters while striking out 302 in 158 innings pitched. A First Team All-State selection and the Ames Tribune Player of the Year, she also batted .522 with five home runs and 44 RBI. Houge was named a First Team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
Houge has maintained a 3.96 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball on scholarship at the University of Virginia. Iowa–distinct from the other 48 states sanctioning softball–begins its high school season in conjunction with Memorial Day, which results in the annual Gatorade honor being based upon candidates’ previous scholastic season and offseason club/showcase performance, if applicable.
A devoted member of her church youth group and a talented musician, Houge has volunteered locally on behalf of Meals from the Heartland, Ronald McDonald House Charities, a Vacation Bible School and youth sports programs.
