The 2025 high school softball season is on the horizon in many states.
As we gear up for the opening pitch, we are highlighting the top player expected to shine this spring from each state, as well as those who showcased their skills in the fall.
Our preseason analysis continues on January 30, when we will feature the best team from each state.
2025 High School Softball Top Players to Watch By State
Alabama
Ava Hodo, Orange Beach
Catcher | Class of 2025
Hodo played a significant role in the Makos’ achievement as the top-ranked team in the nation in 2024, boasting a remarkable batting average of .486 along with 12 home runs.
Alaska
Sela Rodriguez, Bettye Davis East Anchorage (Anchorage)
Pitcher | Class of 2026
The reigning Alaska Player of the Year had an impressive season, striking out 123 batters and limiting opponents to a mere .123 batting average, leading the Thunderbirds to the Division 1 state title in 2024.
Arizona
Lilly Goodwin, Desert Mountain (Scottsdale)
Pitcher | Class of 2026
The left-handed pitcher recorded 201 strikeouts, finished with a 16-1 record, and held an impressive 0.54 ERA. Additionally, she showcased her batting skills with a .554 average during her sophomore season.
Arkansas
Kaylee McDonald, Des Arc
Pitcher | Class of 2026
The Southern Mississippi commit dominated with 346 strikeouts in 150 innings, leading all sophomores. She continued her impressive performance by striking out 10 or more batters in 21 games throughout 2024.
California
Kai Minor, Orange Lutheran (Orange)
Outfield | Class of 2025
Fans of Coach Patty Gasso and the Oklahoma Sooners will appreciate Minor’s versatility. She excels not just at the plate but also with her defensive capabilities and base-running skills.
Colorado
Meredith Barnhart, Lutheran (Parker)
Infielder | Class of 2025
The Tennessee signee concluded her high school career with her fourth consecutive state title, hitting .536, smashing 33 home runs, and accumulating 188 RBI.
Connecticut
Julia Bacoulis, Masuk (Monroe)
Utility | Class of 2025
The Florida Gulf Coast commit was instrumental in securing the Panthers’ sixth consecutive Class L state championship. She batted .450 with 10 home runs and also posted a perfect 19-0 record in the circle with a 0.80 ERA.
Delaware
Zayda Rocke, Caravel (Bear)
Catcher | Class of 2025
Rocke played a vital role in the Buccaneers’ four consecutive state championship runs. The Maryland commit stands out as one of the premier catchers in the Class of 2025.
Florida
Natalie Cable, Bloomingdale (Valrico)
Pitcher | Class of 2025
The UCLA commit has nearly amassed 950 career strikeouts and hit 12 home runs during her remarkable 2024 season.
Georgia
Caroline Stanton, Buford
Pitcher | Class of 2026
The junior has been nothing short of spectacular throughout her prep career. The Florida commit wrapped up 2024 with a 0.62 ERA and recorded 11 shutouts. Offensively, she batted .409 and launched 13 home runs.
Hawaii
Jerrell Mailo, Mililani
Utility | Class of 2026
This Oklahoma commit showcases her talent by playing both first and third base, along with valuable contributions in the pitching rotation.
Idaho
Delaney Wright, Timberline (Boise)
Pitcher | Class of 2025
The Utah Tech commit excelled in the circle with 263 strikeouts over 139 innings and maintained a .432 batting average with a .577 on-base percentage.
Illinois
Ava Lorenzatti, Beecher
Pitcher | Class of 2026
Set to join Florida State, Lorenzatti proved her mettle in the circle by striking out 10 or more batters in 19 games and ending the season with a remarkable 271 total strikeouts while also batting .532 last spring.
Indiana
Berkley Zache, South Bend St. Joseph (South Bend)
Pitcher | Class of 2025
The powerful right-handed pitcher holds a career record of 44-4 and boasts over 700 strikeouts, with opponents batting just .076 against this Oklahoma signee.
Iowa
Mariah Myers, St. Edmond (Fort Dodge)
Infielder | Class of 2025
The Iowa commit had an outstanding season, batting .600 with 14 home runs, 36 RBI, and drawing 29 walks as a junior.
Kansas
Peyton Hardenberger, Wamego
Pitcher | Class of 2025
In 2024, Hardenberger earned the Kansas Player of the Year title, including a remarkable back-to-back no-hitter performance during the semifinals and finals that secured her team a state championship. As a Tennessee commit, she struck out an astounding 30 batters in a nearly four-hour-long, 17-inning quarterfinal battle.
Kentucky
Anna Kemp, Henderson County
Pitcher | Class of 2025
Kemp demonstrated her prowess at bat in 2024 with 10 home runs and a .409 batting average. Meanwhile, her contributions on the mound as a Southern Indiana commit led to a 25-1 record and 195 strikeouts, propelling the Colonels to their first-ever state championship.
Louisiana
Kynzee Anderson, Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport)
Pitcher | Class of 2026
The Georgia commit is nearing the milestone of 800 career strikeouts. Last season, she maintained a 25-2 record with 274 strikeouts.
Maine
Addison DeRoche, Cheverus (Portland)
Pitcher | Class of 2027
In her freshman season, DeRoche was pivotal in leading Cheverus to its first state title, striking out 21 batters in the state championship game. She was honored as the 2024 Maine Player of the Year.
Maryland
Mackenzie Knight, Patterson Mill (Bel Air)
Outfielder | Class of 2025
The Syracuse commit has accumulated over 100 hits during her high school experience and is a force on the base paths with 68 career stolen bases.
Massachusetts
Ali Gill, King Philip Regional (Wrentham)
Utility | Class of 2026
A Colgate commit, Gill is a well-rounded athlete who can hit for power, possesses impressive speed, and showcases her defensive skills in center field.
Michigan
Aubrey Jones, Gaylord
Utility | Class of 2025
The Oklahoma State commit had a season that many would envy in 2024, hitting .444 with an astounding 26 home runs and 84 RBI. In the pitching circle, she was equally dominant, finishing 15-0 with 122 strikeouts in just 81 innings.
Minnesota
Carter Raymond, Randolph
Pitcher | Class of 2025
The Minnesota commit wrapped up the 2024 season with a stellar 27-1 record and 310 strikeouts, guiding the Rockets to a Class 2A state championship.
Mississippi
Kinley Pittman, Corinth
Utility | Class of 2026
Pittman was key to the Warriors securing their first-ever state championship in 2024. While spending most of her time at first base, the Ole Miss commit is also expected to make an impact in the circle this season.
Missouri
Olivia Hemme, Concordia
Pitcher | Class of 2025
The team’s standout player excelled both at the plate and as a pitcher, demonstrating her skills in the Class 1A state championship with a complete game, allowing just two hits, striking out 12, and leading her team to a 1-0 victory.
Montana
Olivia Mills, Belgrade
Pitcher | Class of 2025
The right-handed pitcher showed considerable improvement year after year, striking out 96 more batters as a junior, ending 2024 with a total of 189 strikeouts.
Nebraska
Alexis Jensen, Gretna
Pitcher | Class of 2025
The Nebraska signee played a crucial role in the Dragons’ perfect 38-0 season in the fall, hitting a walk-off home run to clinch the Class A state championship.
Nevada
Bailey Goldberg, Coronado (Henderson)
Infielder | Class of 2026
The Oregon commit had an outstanding hitting performance, striking out only twice in over 100 plate appearances and finishing the season with a .533 batting average, leading her team to a 5A state title.
New Hampshire
Zoey Lord, Newport
Pitcher | Class of 2026
The UCF commit is a strong right-handed player who boasts impressive pitching skills, ready to make an impact this upcoming season. A talented pitcher who also excels as a playmaker on the basketball court, this junior can consistently hit the upper 60s in the circle.
New Jersey
Madison McDougall, St. John-Vianney (Holmdel)
Pitcher | Class of 2026
This right-handed pitcher struck out an impressive 300 hitters while concluding her season with a 0.85 ERA over 164 innings pitched. A committed player to Monmouth University, she aims to secure her third consecutive title in 2025.
New Mexico
Malie Satete, West Las Vegas (Las Vegas)
Utility | Class of 2028
An eighth-grader, Satete hit a stunning 25 home runs, achieved a remarkable .773 batting average, and drove in 76 RBIs. She played a crucial role in helping the Dons capture their inaugural state championship in the circle, finishing 14-1 with 143 strikeouts.
New York
Ava Papaleo, Ursuline (New Rochelle)
Utility | Class of 2026
The Virginia commit had an outstanding sophomore year, batting over .600 with 56 RBIs and 10 home runs.
North Carolina
Kina Davis, South Brunswick (Southport)
Pitcher | Class of 2025
Davis, committed to North Carolina, put on a stellar performance leading her team to a Class 3A state championship in 2024. She topped the state with 328 strikeouts and batted .416, including 10 home runs.
North Dakota
Jocelyn Berg, Red River (Grand Forks)
Pitcher | Class of 2027
A first team all-state player for the second consecutive year as a freshman, Berg posted a record of 13-1 and a 1.41 ERA, while also hitting an impressive .493.
Ohio
Sydnie Watts, Austintown-Fitch (Youngstown)
Pitcher | Class of 2025
This Georgia Tech commit was pivotal for the Falcons, leading them to a second straight Division 1 title last spring. She finished with a record of 22-1, a minuscule .044 ERA, and 273 strikeouts while batting .500 with 11 home runs.
Oklahoma
Allyssa Parker, Pocola
Pitcher | Class of 2025
Signing with Oklahoma, Parker has established herself as one of the top athletes in the state. Her senior year statistics were astonishing, concluding at 28-1 with a 0.10 ERA and 224 strikeouts. She also hit 15 home runs and maintained a batting average of .667.
Oregon
Ellie Joseph, Oregon City
Pitcher | Class of 2025
The left-handed ace recorded a 0.85 ERA during her junior year. A commit to Yale, she also demonstrated her hitting prowess with a .477 batting average.
Pennsylvania
Addy Frye, Neshannock (New Castle)
Pitcher | Class of 2025
This Providence commit was instrumental in securing a flawless 26-0 record for the Lancers, culminating in a Class 2A state title. Frye claimed 212 strikeouts and posted a 0.59 ERA, restricting opponents to a .136 batting average.
Rhode Island
Phoenyx Silva, La Salle Academy (Providence)
Infielder | Class of 2025
Silva has propelled the Rams to consecutive state championships, including a perfect 25-0 record in 2024. The Iowa commit batted .493 with 24 extra-base hits, 10 of which were home runs, and boasted a .579 on-base percentage.
South Carolina
Ansley Bennett, Summerville
Pitcher | Class of 2025
This South Carolina commit exhibited extraordinary dominance, guiding her team to a 30-0 season en route to back-to-back state titles. She finished with a mere 0.16 ERA, while opponents managed to bat just .079 against her across 89 innings.
South Dakota
Madelyn Ducheneaux, Harrisburg
Utility | Class of 2025
A University of Central Missouri commit, Ducheneaux concluded her junior year with a staggering .659 on-base percentage. She recorded 38 hits, received 17 walks, and accomplished 17 extra-base hits.
Tennessee
Kailey Plumlee, Gordonsville
Pitcher | Class of 2025
This Tennessee signee played a vital role in her team’s championship repeat in 2024, racking up 359 strikeouts. She also showcased her power at the plate, smashing 22 home runs and maintaining a batting average of .551.
Texas
Hannah Wells, Coahoma
Pitcher | Class of 2025
The Texas commit was key in her team achieving a perfect 32-0 season in 2024. She shone both as a batter with a .685 average and 15 home runs, while going 20-0 in the circle and surpassing 600 strikeouts in just one season.
Utah
Anne Wallace, Ridgeline (Millville)
Catcher | Class of 2025
After hitting 27 home runs in her sophomore season, Wallace found herself walked 37 times in 2024. With 45 career home runs under her belt, she is poised for a remarkable senior season as a Texas commit.
Vermont
Anastase Bourgeois, Oxbow (Bradford)
Pitcher | Class of 2025
As both an ace and power hitter, Bourgeois has contributed to her team’s impressive run of 48 consecutive wins and four straight state championships. She shone brightly in the 2024 state championship, both with bat and ball.
Virginia
Rylie Johnson, Fredericksburg Christian (Fredericksburg)
Outfielder | Class of 2025
Rylie Johnson, a commitment to LSU, posted an astonishing batting average of .818 last spring and boasts a career average of .708 along with 30 home runs.
Washington
Maddie Milhorn, Skyview (Vancouver)
Pitcher | Class of 2025
The Oregon signee achieved a 21-1 record in the circle during her junior year, compiling 270 strikeouts along with hitting eight home runs.
West Virginia
Madeline Carroll, Winfield
Pitcher | Class of 2026
Carroll was integral in leading the Generals to victory in 24 of their last 26 games, resulting in their second successive state championship. She concluded her sophomore campaign by striking out 28 batters in the final three games of the season.
Wisconsin
Karly Meredith, Kaukauna
Pitcher | Class of 2025
This Virginia commit exceeded 300 strikeouts, recorded 20 shutouts, and was also a major offensive threat. She helped her team achieve an incredible 108-game winning streak before the team’s first loss in the state semifinals.
Wyoming
Aleah Brooks, East (Cheyenne)
Infielder | Class of 2025
The Louisiana Tech commit delivered an exceptional junior season, hitting .570, smashing 16 home runs, walking 37 times, and driving in 52 runs.
