From many, there will be one. And while there’s still no guarantee contending athletes will win their own state at this point in the season, a number of elite performers are making a case for Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year consideration. Here’s the scoop on the latest top candidate.

Johanna Grauer
Senior pitcher, Amador Valley (Pleasanton, Calif.)

Greatness Present: It’s hard to imagine Grauer submitting a more dominant season than she did as a junior, when she recorded a 0.08 ERA, but the right-hander appears to be making a run of it as a senior.

The 5-foot-6, hard-throwing Grauer has not allowed an earned run in her first five starts, recording a 0.00 ERA and 59 strikeouts against 10 walks in 35.1 innings pitched. She has given up just nine hits, leading the Dons to a perfect 5-0 start to the season.

At the plate, she’s had a bit more productive than her opponents, batting .438 with a triple and five RBI in her first 16 at-bats.

Greatness Past: Grauer was 22-2 with that 0.08 ERA in 2013, striking out 274 batters in 152 innings pitched. As a sophomore in 2012, she finished 25-1 with a 0.33 ERA and 328 K’s.

Greatness Future: Grauer has signed with UCLA.

Make no mistake: The Gatorade State Softball Player of the Year races aren’t over, and the National POY race is now heating up. Time remains for one standout student-athlete among thousands to rise to the top of our list.Check back for daily updates on the top contenders making their case.