SOFTBALL: Take a look at SOSA’s All-Area Team

Derrick Webb, Managing Editor

Two state champions, a pair of regional titles and eight district crowns made this past softball season well worth covering.

But those were just the highlights. To really understand how special the season was, you’d have to look back on every career-defining moment, every big-moment pitch, and every at-bat that ended with jubilation.

Southern Ohio Sports Authority was right there every step of the way, covering individual milestones, improbable feats and wins that changed history.

After a fun-filled spring, take a look at our All-Area Team, which consists of 45 area players who were at their best throughout the spring season.

Ava Angel | Senior | Outfield | Gallia Academy

Power. Hitter. That’s exactly what Angel brought to the table for Gallia Academy — a team that became the surprise of the spring. While leading her Blue Angels to a district championship, their second-ever and first since 2010, the senior batted .618 alongside 16 home runs, 12 doubles and 46 RBIs. She’ll fit right in at the DI level, attending the University of Minnesota.

Elliana Applegate | Junior | Pitcher | Manchester

While setting career highs in almost every offensive category, Applegate aided the Greyhounds to 15 wins this spring. She hit .536 alongside seven home runs, four triples, 14 doubles and 46 RBIs. Her OPS was an impressive 1.642. In the circle, she struck out 95 hitters in just under 100 innings of work. She ended her season with all-SHAC and honorable mention All-Ohio nods.

Chloe Armstrong | Freshman | Catcher | North Adams

As soon as she stepped onto a varsity diamond, it was apparent that Armstrong was elite. The freshman played like a seasoned veteran all year, leading the Devils to their first-ever SHAC I championship. She hit a team-high .560 alongside 13 home runs, 46 RBIs, 29 runs scored and 47 base hits. She was an all-SHAC and second-team all-district honoree. Her future is bright.

Aedre Ault | Sophomore | Outfield | Eastern Meigs

If you don’t know Ault’s name just yet, get prepared to read about her throughout the next two seasons. She put together a special season while the Eagles battled to reach a district semifinal. The left-handed outfielder hit .551 with four home runs, nine doubles, 13 triples — an OHSAA record — 28 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. She was an honorable mention All-Ohioan.

Noel Barnhill | Senior | Pitcher | Lynchburg-Clay

After passing the 500-career strikeout mark early in the season, Barnhill continued to throw flames. The senior led the Mustangs to a 14-11 mark while going 10-7 in the circle alongside a 2.23 ERA and a season total of 167 punchouts. She also hit .550 with five homers, 16 doubles, 29 RBIs and 18 runs scored. She was a first-team all-district and first-team all-state selection.

Ellie Beck-Aden | Senior | Outfield | Athens

While Athens tried its best to stay in the TVC title race, Beck-Aden sometimes single-handily kept the Bulldogs in ballgames. The senior hit .489, a team-high, while adding 20 runs scored, 19 RBIs, five doubles, a .526 on-base percentage and an OPS of 1.094. Her .931 fielding percentage ranked third on the team, proving her versatility. Athens will undoubtedly miss her.

Sadie Binkley | Senior | Pitcher | Logan Elm

En route to yet another All-Ohio nod, Binkley was as effective as ever this past spring. The senior led the Braves to 18 wins while hitting a team-high .567 alongside three homers, 21 doubles and 36 RBIs. In the circle, she was 16-9 with 118 strikeouts — pushing her career total to 610. She ends a legendary career at LE that includes two district crowns and a regional title.

Maci Bland | Sophomore | Shortstop | Symmes Valley

Symmes Valley didn’t need an extra power bat in its lineup, but Bland was happy to oblige. The standout sophomore batted .552 and led the team with 53 base hits. She also added five homers, 13 doubles, 44 runs scored and 49 RBIs to the mix for a team that won 25 games. Going forward, she’ll be a cornerstone of a program that expects to stay in the elite ranks.

Addy Blakeman | Junior | First Base | Piketon

Tucked in the middle of Piketon’s lineup was Blakeman, who consistently produced when asked to do so. The junior led the team in home runs at 13, and RBIs with 55, while hitting .471. Those numbers helped Piketon win a Gold Ball and a second consecutive district championship. Blakeman ended the season as a first-team all-SVC and first-team all-district selection.

Ally Buckner | Junior | Shortstop | West

Buckner enjoyed the definition of a breakout season while helping the Senators reach a district title game. Her .480 batting average was by far a career-high and she added three homers, two triples, 19 doubles, 16 RBIs, and 48 base hits to her resume. Her .523 on-base percentage and OPS of 1.323 were also career-highs. She’s back in the fold in 2027, looking up those numbers.

Maddie Childers | Senior | Catcher | Wellston

As if Childers’ reputation couldn’t be better, she added yet another banner year under her belt this spring. The veteran catcher proved her worth time and time again, leading the Rockets to 21 wins with a .576 batting average, three home runs, 20 doubles, 35 RBIs and 33 runs. She was a first-team all-district and second-team All-Ohio honoree. She leaves huge shoes to fill.

Lainey Cook | Sophomore | Catcher | West

Year after year, West makes a lengthy tournament run. This spring was no different as the Senators reached a district title game. Cook helped that happen with a .488 batting average alongside five home runs, 10 doubles, 28 RBIs and 42 base hits. She was a first-team all-SOC, first-team all-district and honorable mention All-Ohio honoree. Expect more of the same in 2027.

Kota Copley | Sophomore | Pitcher | South Point

Just a sophomore, Copley was far and away one of the most impressive players in the area all year long. That’s evidenced by her Division IV District Player of the Year honor and a first-team All-Ohio nod. What led to those accolades was a .632 batting average, 13 doubles and 26 RBIs, as well as 175 ⅔ innings in the circle, where she went 19-9 with a 3.47 ERA and 243 strikeouts.

Lillie Eberts | Junior | Outfield | Jackson

While Jackson fought to win a share of the FAC title, Eberts was phenomenal every step of the way. The junior led the Ironladies in batting average (.485), runs scored (34), base hits (47), doubles (12), triples (3) and home runs (8). She had a .524 on-base percentage en route to first-team all-FAC and first-team all-district accolades. She’ll be the Ironladies’ glue in 2027.

Kate Entler | Senior | Catcher | Notre Dame

The SOC I Player of the Year was as advertised all season. Her discipline at both the plate and behind the dish separated her from the rest of her peers, as she led the Titans to a second consecutive state championship. During Notre Dame’s tournament run, Entler was 9-for-16. But that wasn’t just a streak. She was that hot all year long. The Titans will certainly miss her.

Ava Estep | Senior | Outfield | Wheelersburg

If there was a word that describes Estep perfectly, it’s electric. The Pirates’ leader set the tone at the top of the lineup, as she’s done throughout her entire career, and helped pave the way to the program’s third state championship in the past four seasons. After a truly legendary career, she now starts another as a Maryland Terrapin. She’ll fit in just fine at the Division I NCAA level.

Marley Ferguson | Junior | Third Base | Symmes Valley

In a critical situation, late in the game, just don’t pitch to Ferguson. We all know how it’s going to end. The Vikings’ senior was absolutely dominant at the dish, piecing together a season where she hit .560 alongside 14 home runs, 50 RBIs and 41 runs scored. Her game-winning home run in the team’s district title game was just a flash of the brilliance she played with all spring long.

Jaylin Forbes | Junior | Shortstop | Piketon

Before the season started, Forbes had already solidified herself as one of the area’s best all-around shortstops. She did nothing to nix that reputation, either, as she led her Redstreaks to a Gold Ball and a second straight district championship. The junior batted .523 alongside nine homers, 41 RBIs and 56 runs scored. She’s lightning in a bottle — no Redstreak pun intended.

Maycee Ford | Senior | Outfield | Notre Dame

When you look back on Ford’s career, really in any sport, you get a glimpse of just how much success she’s helped the Titans have. The veteran outfielder was a staple in a state championship lineup for the second straight year and patrolled her centerfield post like none other. She was a first-team all-district and second-team All-Ohio honoree, and rightfully so.

Caitlyn Galloway | Sophomore | Catcher | Portsmouth

Just when you thought Galloway couldn’t get any better, she upped the ante tenfold as a sophomore. Her .550 batting average set a new career high, as did her five triples, 19 doubles, 44 base hits and 21 RBIs. She also stole 20 bases, providing her versatility. As she enters her junior season, she should be considered, far and away, as one of the state’s best backstops.

Mylee Gleim | Senior | Shortstop | Wheelersburg

Ol’ reliable. If that wasn’t Gleim’s nickname, it should’ve been. When the waters got choppy, Wheelersburg looked to Gleim to steer the ship. She obliged each time. As one of three senior starters for the state-champion Pirates, she was a dangerous bat in the lineup and a sure hand at her shortstop post. She was as steady as they come, and her teammates followed her lead.

Natalie Goode | Senior | Pitcher | Meigs

Goode’s resume speaks for itself, and that’s been true for quite some time. She enjoyed a banner year in the circle, posting a 0.97 ERA in 123 innings, striking out an even 200 hitters in the process. She allowed just 73 hits in that time and walked just 17 batters. And, for good measure, she hit .437 with 12 doubles and 24 RBIs, earning honorable mention All-Ohio honors.

Marly Halcomb | Junior | Shortstop | Adena

If you thought the Warriors were set to endure a season where they struggled, you couldn’t have been more wrong. That had a lot to do with Halcomb’s play. The sure-handed shortstop hit .553 with four homers, 18 doubles, 38 RBIs, 19 stolen bases and 53 runs scored. But her most impressive stat? She had a perfect fielding percentage. In 153 chances, zero errors. Incredible.

Ella Harmon | Junior | Catcher | Fairfield Union

There’s a ton of talent on this list. But Harmon may be the most revered hitter named. The junior belted 19 home runs this spring, knocking in 55 runs and collecting 44 runs scored, while hitting a white-hot .608. Those numbers helped her earn first-team all-MSL, first-team all-district and second-team All-Ohio honors. Oh, and she also broke five program records in the process. 

Aubrey Heath | Junior | Third Base | Piketon

Heath enjoyed another banner year for the two-time defending district champion Redstreaks. The junior was once again the SVC Player of the Year, a first-team all-district honoree and a first-team All-Ohioan after leading her team in almost every offensive category. Her 60 runs scored, 59 base hits, 110 at-bats and .536 average were all-team highs. She’s simply incredible.

Haylee Hull | Junior | Second Base | Unioto

Every single night, Hull showed her ability to lead an offense. She was as consistent as she’s ever been, hitting a team-leading .488 while collecting four home runs, nine doubles and 30 RBIs en route to a second-team all-district honor — a first-team snub in every sense of the word. With next spring being her last go-around, expect big things from the Shermans’ leader.

Jo Jett | Sophomore | First Base | Adena

Bomb after bomb after bomb. That’s the punch that Jett provided to the Warriors’ offense. Her 17 home runs set a new single-season program record and she led Adena in both RBIs and runs scored with 53 and 55, respectively. Her batting average jumped from .224 during her freshman year to .490 as a sophomore. Needless to say, the future is ultraviolet bright for Jett.

Khamil Martin | Senior | Shortstop | Ironton

When Martin stepped up to the plate, good things happened for the Fighting Tigers. That’s been the truth throughout her career and nothing changed during her senior campaign. The Duke University commit hit .492 alongside 13 home runs, 32 RBIs and 36 runs scored. She ends a decorated career that includes 37 bombs, 103 RBIs, 139 base hits and 145 runs scored.

Vivian Morgan | Senior | Shortstop | Chillicothe

Morgan’s career resume speaks for itself. She’s been a steady leader for the Cavaliers and, by all accounts, has helped turn the program into a bonafide contender. Her .386 batting average, 34 hits, seven doubles, 15 RBIs and 23 runs scored helped her teammates claim a share of the FAC title and finish 20-7 overall. Morgan was a first-team all-league and all-district honoree.

Mackenzie Mullens | Junior | Third Base | Wheelersburg

Some players live for the clutch moments. Mullens is one of them. ‘Burg had to fight, scratch and claw its way to the program’s fourth state title in the past five years. It wouldn’t have happened without Mullens. Her game-winning single gave the Pirates a win in their regional final — a win that will forever live on in history. She’s got a year left to continue terrorizing pitchers.

Kaelyn Musser | Senior | Pitcher | Peebles

Put simply, Musser was a menace in the circle. All game, every game. The senior worked 137 innings this spring with a 1.53 ERA, striking out 190 hitters, collecting seven shutouts and earning 18 wins in the process. She hit .338, adding 26 runs scored and 13 RBIs to the team’s offensive efforts. Those numbers led to first-team all-SHAC and second-team All-Ohio nods.

Rilee Quickle | Senior | Pitcher | Fairfield

Apparently, if your last name is Quickle, you’re elite on a softball diamond. Fairfield’s senior hurler threw 143 ⅓ innings, striking out 152 hitters and picking up 15 victories. At the dish, she hit .500 in 28 games and 98 at-bats, tallying 48 runs, two homers, six triples, 11 doubles and 20 RBIs. She was a first-team all-SHAC honoree, the DVI District POY and a first-team All-Ohioan.

Leah Rader | Junior | Pitcher | Eastern Pike

Eastern enjoyed one of the program’s best-ever seasons, and Rader led the charge. It’s really as simple as that. She was 11-4 in the circle through 103 ⅓ innings of work, and struck out 164 hitters. And, at the plate, she was also efficient, batting .472 with eight doubles, 27 RBIs and 42 base hits. Those numbers helped the Eagles win the program’s first-ever district championship. 

CJ Rittinger | Junior | Pitcher | Chillicothe

There’s a reason why the University of Akron has been all-in on Rittinger, and that reason was on full display during the spring. The junior mowed down opponents with relative ease, tossing 159 ⅔ innings while striking out 274 hitters and sporting a 1.93 ERA. She was also effective at the dish, batting .511 with two homers and 19 RBIs. She’s got one season left to be a terror.

Bella Roush | Senior | Outfield | Meigs

While Meigs enjoyed, arguably, the most successful year in program history, Roush was magnificent at the dish. The senior batted .558 with a team-high 58 hits, four triples, 19 doubles and 32 RBIs. Those numbers helped her collect a first-team All-Ohio honor. They also helped the Marauders win the TVC-Ohio title as well as the program’s first district crown since 1980.

Ava Rush | Junior | Pitcher | Notre Dame

If you’re looking for a bonafide ace, and quite possibly the most reliable pitcher on this list, Rush is where your search ends. The junior was the SOC Pitcher of the Year, the DVII District POY, a first-team All-Ohioan and, oh yeah, led her Titans to a second consecutive state title. During the tournament alone, she was 6-0 in 38 innings, allowing just 22 hits and striking out 58 hitters.

Elin Shaw | Sophomore | Pitcher | Clay

After splashing into the area’s softball scene as a freshman, Shaw continued to blossom into an elite player this spring. She batted .446 while tallying five homers, 10 doubles, 30 RBIs and 48 runs scored, and worked through 76 ⅓ innings in the circle, where she struck out 108. That helped Clay reach a district final and helped Shaw earn honorable mention All-Ohio status.

Lexi Smith | Senior | Pitcher | Waverly

When the dust had settled, Smith ended her career as one of the best to ever suit up for Waverly — evidenced by her 150-plus career base hits and 500-plus career strikeouts. In her senior season, she led the Tigers on an improbable tournament run that ended in a hard-fought district championship loss. The heartbeat of the Tigers was a first-team all-district selection.

Alayla Soard | Senior | Shortstop | Notre Dame

Soard seems to have the ability to shine the brightest in the most important moments — evidenced by her first inning home run in the Titans’ state semifinal to set the tone in Akron. During the postseason, Soard was sizzling hot, going 7-for-17 with two doubles, two home runs, 11 runs and eight RBIs. She was a first-team all-district and second-team All-Ohio honoree.

Brenna Tibbs | Senior | Pitcher | Symmes Valley

Next stop: Ohio University. But before she got to that point, Tibbs was once again a nightmare for opponents to face. In 115 ⅔ innings of work, the senior allowed just 17 earned runs, sporting a 1.03 ERA, while striking out 187 hitters. And, she was dangerous at the plate, hitting .451 to go along with four homers, 15 doubles, 45 runs and 24 RBIs. The Vikings will certainly miss her.

Jade Turner | Junior | Third Base | Southeastern

Slowly but surely, Turner has turned into one of the best hitters in Southern Ohio throughout the last three seasons. The Panthers’ third baseman hit .480 this spring alongside two triples, five doubles, 28 RBIs and 36 runs scored. Her 48 base hits ranked second-most on the team and helped Southeastern reach a district final. She’ll be the unquestioned offensive leader in 2027.

Ryleigh Weeks | Senior | Outfield | Valley

There’s no question that Valley had a winning recipe all year long. The Indians won 18 games and eventually claimed a second straight district title. There’s also no question that, without Weeks, that may not have happened. Her bat was as hot as they come as she consistently paced the team’s offense. She was a first-team all-district and second-team All-Ohio selection.

Mackenzie Welch | Sophomore | Catcher | Unioto

Welch solidified herself as the future of Unioto’s softball program this spring with a white-hot bat and a tough-as-nails approach behind the dish. The sophomore hit .455 with a team-high 20 doubles, seven home runs, 43 RBIs and 36 runs scored. Those efforts were rewarded with first-team all-SVC and all-district honors. You can only expect those numbers to rise in 2027.

Kylie Williams | Sophomore | Pitcher | Southeastern

Going into next spring, there will be a ton of hype surrounding Southeastern’s softball program. Williams is at the center of that excitement, and for good reason. The sophomore tossed 173 innings for the Panthers, allowing just 70 earned runs, an ERA of 2.83, while striking out 218. She was the driving force behind a district title appearance and will be asked to better it in 2027.

Maddie Wright | Senior | Catcher | Jackson

Dangerous. That’s what Wright was with the bat in her hands. That was apparent throughout the entire season. The veteran backstop hit .420 in her last go-around alongside eight home runs, 34 base hits, 12 doubles, 31 runs scored and 25 RBIs. She was the leader of a team that won 20 games and a share of the FAC championship. Wright was an honorable mention All-Ohioan.

Honorable Mention Selections

Jalynn Drake, Wheelersburg; Kendyl Christman, Valley; Kenleigh Bapst, Eastern; Alayna Shepherd, Clay; Annika Carpenter, Northwest; Lyndsey Schaefer, Notre Dame; Taylor Tisdale, Huntington; Haylynn Boggess-Pierce, Zane Trace; Kelsie Crowder, Fairfield; Kendall Myers, Peebles; Carlee Garrison, North Adams; Addison Arey, Eastern Brown; Cadie Boltenhouse, Chillicothe; Serenity Taylor, Jackson; Peyton Richendollar, Logan Elm; Claire Davis, Circleville; Jaylynn Hupp, Southern; Ava Horn, Meigs; Adyson Williams, Athens; Chloe Bennett, Gallia Academy; Kaylee Stidham, South Point; Adyson Copley, South Point; Izzy Kitts, Coal Grove; Layla Townsend, Ironton; Evanie Wampler-McKinley, Portsmouth

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