Sophia Schlader recorded her biggest strikeout to date recently when she sat Super Bowl champion and Iowa high school legend Cooper DeJean out.
DeJean was back home in his native state for a celebrity charity softball game in Des Moines, Iowa from Principal Park. As his team started piling up runs, Schlader was called into action.
A freshman at Waukee Northwest High School who starred for the Wolves last year as an eighth-grader, Schlader retired DeJean, a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, on three consecutive pitches.
Schlader is a stud in all the senses. She was selected to the U.S. U15 national team after winning 20 games with 238 strikeouts last year. According to Line Drive, she is the No. 1 player in the Class of 2028.
"It was an honor to be a part of this incredible charity event," Schlader posted on social media. "Thank you (DeJean) and Octane Sports One for having me. Maybe I can hit next year?"
It was an honor to be a part of this incredible charity event! It was so much fun!!! Thank you @cdejean23 and Octane Sports One for having me! Maybe I can hit next year?
— Sophia Schlader 2028 (@SophiaSchlader) June 2, 2025
@UIchildrens @LineDsoftball @ExtraInningSB @fastpitchwatch @waukeenwsb @14u_Bandits https://t.co/wRojpmJgtk
Schlader isn't just a one-way threat on the diamond, as she was one of the top hitters in the state last season and has started her freshman year much the same. Waukee Northwest is ranked No. 1 in Class 5A as she is hitting almost .400 with a 5-0 record and 54 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched through seven games.
DeJean hosted the game to raise money for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. He was joined by the likes of Riley Moss, AJ Brown, Bo Nix, Dallas Clark, Reed Blankenship, Isaiah Rogers, Wil Lutz, Alex Singleton and Mike McGlinchey at the game.
After a career that included back-to-back state football championships at OABCIG, DeJean excelled as a Hawkeye, becoming a unanimous All-American. He was selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft and returned an interception for a touchdown in a Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
MORE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS NEWS:
- Iowa State offers pair of top Iowa high school prospects
- Chloe Bolte makes history with four-peat at Iowa state golf
- Top national high school wrestling recruit headed to Iowa
- Logan Trenary signs with Northern Illinois
- Cedar Rapids Xavier standout wins second straight state tennis title