The high school softball season is upon us.
Here’s a look at the top returning players in the Lubbock area entering the 2026 campaign. Stats and honors are from last season, unless noted.
STARTING LINEUP
Sydnee Gomez, Jr., P, Snyder
Gomez, the District 5-4A pitcher of the year, was 13-5 with 171 strikeouts and a 1.95 ERA over 136⅔ innings in leading the Tigers to the Class 4A Division II state semifinals. She hit .494 with a .526 OBP, 14 doubles, two triples, one home run and 25 RBIs.
Brynly Gregory, Sr., C, Sundown
Gregory earned District 4-2A offensive MVP after batting .533 with a .583 OBP, 71 RBIs and 66 runs for the 2A D-II state champions.
Kenzie Gutierrez, Jr., 1B, Brownfield
Gutierrez, an all-District 3-3A first-team selection, batted .619 with 19 RBIs. She sported a .964 fielding percentage.
Destiny Garza, Jr., 2B/P, Sundown
Garza was District 4-2A MVP and an all-state tournament selection, earning the state-title win in the circle. She was 19-3 overall and also hit .554 with a .597 OBP, 83 RBIs and 60 runs.
Kolbi McCord, Sr., 3B, Slaton
McCord, a first-team all-District 2-3A selection, hit .593 with a .609 OBP, 13 doubles, five triples, three home runs and 33 RBIs. She also recorded a .962 fielding percentage.
Alyssa Borunda, Jr., SS, Hale Center
Borunda, the District 3-2A MVP, batted .729 with 21 doubles, 12 triples and 54 RBIs. She also had a .964 fielding percentage.
Lea Aviles, Jr., OF, Snyder
Aviles earned District 5-4A offensive MVP after batting .407 with a .486 OBP, 14 doubles, five triples, four home runs, 28 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.
Ashley Martinez, Jr., OF/2B, Denver City
Martinez, the District 3-3A utility player of the year, hit .573 with five home runs, 38 RBIs and 42 runs.
Makayla Perez, Sr., OF, Monterey
Perez was a first-team all-District 3-5A selection after batting .490 with nine doubles, two triples, six home runs, 50 runs and 20 RBIs.
Adalie Agundis, Sr., utility, Muleshoe
Agundis hit .614 with a .667 OBP, six home runs and 58 RBIs while notching 108 strikeouts and a 2.10 ERA over 110 innings.
LUBBOCK-AREA SOFTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2026
Bayleigh Alderete, So., C, Snyder
Brianna Aleman, Jr., 3B, Littlfield
Miella Anguiano, Sr., P, Hale Center
Ella Aviles, So., utility, Snyder
Gracie Banks, So., P, Shallowater
Madilyn Barrientes, So., SS, Levelland
Payzlea Baumann, Jr., SS/C, Brownfield
Scotlann Bickel, So., DP, Abernathy
Mylee Blacklock, Jr., P/SS, Lubbock Christian
Whitlee Blacklock, Sr., 1B, Lubbock Christian
Addilene Blanco, Sr., 2B, Muleshoe
Zoe Bustillos, So., P, Muleshoe
Sunni Casarez, Jr., SS, Seminole
Adrianna Castellano, Jr., 1B, Levelland
Bryer Cook, So., C, Abernathy
Maddison Dahl, Jr., OF, Hale Center
Delaney Delgado, Sr., 2B, Levelland
Azanea Dominguez, Sr., P, Brownfield
Brooklyn Esqueda, Sr., C, Frenship
Selena Fernandez, Jr., P/C, Monterey
Tiffany File, Sr., OF, Levelland
Brailee Franco, Sr., 2B, Brownfield
McKanna Garcia, Sr., OF, Lubbock-Cooper
Lainey Gibson, Jr., SS, Lubbock-Cooper
Breigh Gregory, Sr., P/OF, Sundown
Addison Gunset, Sr., 1B, Lubbock-Cooper
Isabella Guzman, Jr., P, Slaton
Araceli Ibarra, Sr., 1B, Sundown
Camry Jourden, Sr., OF, Sundown
Emry Jourden, Sr., SS, Sundown
Analee Larrea, Sr., OF, Denver City
Melanie Martens, So., C, Muleshoe
Jocylin Marquez, So., C, Hale Center
Kendal Miller, Jr., SS, Abernathy
Lynda Montoya, So., 3B, Lubbock High
Nayleen Morin, Sr., utility, Sundown
Bella Perez, So., SS, Floydada
Madison Pyle, Jr., P, Floydada
Alexandria Rangel, Sr., SS, Frenship
Leigha Reyna, Jr., OF, Lubbock High
Mari Reyna, Jr., 3B, Levelland
Bella Ruiz, Sr., 3B, Hale Center
Madi Seat, Jr., C, Levelland
Nola Seay, Sr., 3B, Seminole
Jaden Smith, Sr., SS/C, Monterey
Haley Sotelo, Sr., P, Lubbock High
Kaelyn Trevino, Jr., C, Lubbock High
Alina Vaquera, Sr., utility, Monterey
Hagen Walker, Sr., C, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty
Andi Wood, Sr., SS/P, Lubbock Christian
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: 60 Lubbock-area high school softball players to watch in 2026 season
Reporting by Stephen Garcia, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
