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.

Tamara Statman
Junior pitcher, Horizon (Scottsdale, Ariz.)

Greatness Present: Statman is certainly living up to her moniker. The Horizon star submitted one of her most dominant performances of her junior season this past weekend, collecting 15 strikeouts in the circle and a home run at the plate in a 4-0 win over Desert Mountain.

The 5-foot-5 right-hander has started 13-7 with a 1.10 ERA and 205 strikeouts in 140 innings this spring, leading the Huskies to a 16-7 start. She has also batted .535 with three home runs, 14 doubles, 17 RBI and 26 runs scored. She owns a .915 slugging percentage.

Greatness Past: As a junior, Statman struck out 286 batters in 187.2 innings, leading Horizon to a 2013 Division I state tournament appearance. She batted .481 and slugged .634 last season.

Greatness Future: Statman has verbally committed to Arizona.

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.