Brock Netter

Brock is SOSA's primary writer and has worked for the Coshocton Tribune, the Kankakee Daily Journal (Ill.), the Vinton-Jackson Courier and the Jackson Telegram. He's a six-time award-winning journalist, a lifelong WWE fan, a suffering Bengals fan and calls the sidelines his home.

SOFTBALL: 15 players to watch for this spring

March 25, 2026
, 6:52 pm
, Features

These 15 players are poised for big years on the diamond.

Brock Netter, Staff Writer

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

Believe it or not, the end of another school year is near, and that means softball season is back in full swing — pun intended.

After a long winter, the girls of spring are ready to take the field once again and we expect big things from an array of clubs in Southern Ohio.

As we get reacquainted with the softball diamond, here’s a list of 15 players in our coverage area, and in no particular order, to keep an eye on this spring if they get the chance to compete.

NOTE: This certainly does not mean there aren’t other players who will have great seasons and it is NOT a Top 15 list. This is simply a list of 15 players we’ve randomly compiled.

Ady Williams, Athens

Superstar in the making. Williams owns one of the most fear-striking bats in the district, and it’s only going to get better, which is a scary thought in itself. Returning to the middle of the Bulldogs’ lineup, she hit .547 last season alongside five long balls and 40 RBIs. Her sophomore year is bound to be special.

Aedre Ault, Eastern Meigs

Ault was second-team All-Ohioan last season … as a freshman. She’s got that type of game. She led the Eagles in three categories last season: batting average (.648), runs scored (60) and triples (7). If Eastern, who is loaded this spring, make a deep tournament run, Ault will surely be at the center of the storm.

Claire Davis, Circleville

Davis has been a staple in the Tigers’ lineup since she put on a uniform. She’s a defensive wizard, a contact hitter and a threat to score every time she’s on the base paths. Given the type of year Circleville has had, especially on the girls side, don’t be shocked if the Tigers hoist some hardware with Davis leading the way.

Chloe Roberts, Hillsboro

Fresh off a run to the state championship game, Roberts has gone from supporting cast member to one of two featured returners for the Indians. She led the team in batting average last season at .473, including six bombs and 33 RBIs. While getting back to Akron is a tall ask, having Roberts back in the fold makes that easier to do.

Alyssa Bales, Fairfield

Statistically speaking, Fairfield lost two of its top three hitters from last season’s district runner-up team. Bales, however, possesses the talent and the bat to be the next top dawg for the Lions. She hit .288 last year with a pair of home runs, alongside 19 hits and 14 RBIs. Expect those numbers to see an uptick this spring.

Maddie Wright, Jackson

When it comes to the area’s catchers, Wright is as solid as it gets. Leading Jackson to a district final appearance, she dazzled by hitting .365 with a team-high 10 doubles, 26 RBIs and 28 runs. She’s gotten better every single year and, now entering her senior year, the Youngstown State commit is ready to put on a show.

Kennedy Lyon, Notre Dame

Protecting the hot corner was Lyon’s job, and few did it as well as she did. Now she enters her sophomore year with a state championship on her resume. The bigger the stage, the better she played, evidenced by going 7-for-14 with three doubles and five RBIs during the tournament run. Her future is very bright.

Ryleigh Wolfe, Logan Elm

Wolfe was on a tear before an injury ended her season early last spring. But in just five games, she was 7-for-13 with three long balls and nine RBIs. Now she’s back, swinging a powerful bat — which something that the Braves’ lineup is glad to have in preparation for what could be a historic tournament run.

Symmes Valley’s Marley Ferguson hit .593 with 54 RBIs last season.
CREDIT: *Raymond Gleadle/SOSA*

Jolyn Jett, Adena

Jett was part of last season’s youth movement in Frankfort, one that ended with 17 wins. But more importantly, the Warriors put a year of experience under their belts. Jett flashed some power with a pair of home runs, alongside 12 RBIs and 20 runs scored. She’s already off to a sizzling start this spring with three home runs, and there’s certainly more to come.

Haylynn Boggess-Pierce, Zane Trace

The unquestioned heart and soul of the Pioneers. The junior catcher led Zane Trace to a district final appearance last spring with team-highs in batting average (.411), hits (39), runs (28), doubles (12) and home runs (3). She’s more than worth the price of admission. Grab your popcorn and watch her go to work.

Elin Shaw, Clay

Clay had nine freshmen last season. Nine. And won 20 games. This group, with Shaw being one of the standouts, is bound to bring the Panthers back to state-level relevancy. Last season, Shaw slugged .449 with four deep shots, 11 doubles, 27 RBIs and 36 runs scored. Remember her name. You’ll be seeing it a lot.

Marley Ferguson, Symmes Valley

Cleanup, aisle four. All Ferguson does is drive in runs. Well, there’s a lot more to her game, but you get the idea. With one of the most lethal bats in the state, she showed off what she’s capable of during the Vikings’ run to the regional final with 54 RBIs, alongside an insane .593 batting average. Unreal.

Ava Estep, Wheelersburg

The best leadoff batter in the state — bar none — is back for one more season atop the Pirates’ batting order. Yes, opposing pitchers, you have to deal with Estep again. The University of Maryland commit is one of the top players in Ohio, and quite possibly the most disciplined hitter in the state. Already with two state titles, she aims to lead the Pirates to a third in June.

Addy Blakeman, Piketon

Last year was the resurgence of Redstreak softball, and Blakeman more than did her share of heavy lifting. Helping her team to 23 wins and a district title, she was masterful at the dish with a .446 average alongside seven moonshots, 37 runs, 37 hits and 28 RBIs. More hardware could be coming to Piketon because of Blakeman and company.

Cadie Boltenhouse, Chillicothe

Quite possibly one of the most underrated players in Southeast Ohio, Boltenhouse can be the difference-maker between a possible conference title and district crown for the Cavaliers. She finished last year’s 17-win season leading her team in every single offensive category. And she’s only going to get better.