Star power won’t be hard to find across the High Desert softball landscape this season.
From dominant pitchers to middle-of-the-order sluggers, several of the area’s top players return after standout campaigns.
But while talent is spread throughout the region, the spotlight in the Mojave River League may shine brightest on two teams with returning depth and firepower.
With two-time defending champion Sultana hit hard by graduation losses, Oak Hills and Apple Valley emerge as the teams to beat early in the season.
Oak Hills is led by a pair of returning All-MRL selections in Kayla Cazarez and Amaya Sigala. Cazarez made an immediate impact as a freshman, hitting for a .521 average with six home runs, 32 RBIs and 20 runs, while Sigala followed up with a .426 average, one home run, 18 RBIs and 16 runs as a sophomore.
Together, the duo gives the Bulldogs a proven middle-of-the-order presence heading into league play, which begins April 1.
Apple Valley counters with a pair of top sophomores in Makaylee Cerf and Brynne Johnson, both returning All-MRL selections. Cerf hit .440 with two home runs, 24 RBIs and 28 runs and Johnson provided power with nine home runs to go along with a .397 average, 24 RBIs and 29 runs.
While the MRL features its share of contenders, the Desert Sky League may once again be defined by its star power with Granite Hills appearing to be the favorite after winning two straight league titles.
The Cougars bring back four All-DSL players, including Kathryn McCartney and MacKinzie Gomez. McCartney delivered a dominant junior campaign, batting .520 with eight home runs, 34 RBIs and 28 runs while also going 10-2 in the circle with 60 strikeouts.
Gomez burst onto the scene as a freshman, hitting .549 with 27 RBIs, 34 runs and 12 stolen bases.
Granite Hills is on the road Thursday to begin DSL play against Adelanto, which last year made a run to the CIF-Southern Section Division 6 semifinals.
Adelanto also returns significant talent, including three returning all-league players, led by Ce’onie Turner.
As a sophomore, Turner hit .612 with 12 home runs, 62 RBIs, 47 runs and 19 stolen bases while also contributing in the circle with 86 strikeouts over 87 ⅔ innings.
Silverado returns three all-league players, including Alexis Rodriguez, last season’s DSL Player of the Year. As a junior, Rodriguez struck out 107 batters over 130 innings in the circle while also hitting .507 with four home runs, 40 RBIs and 22 runs.
In the Cross Valley League, several programs bring back impact players capable of shaping the title race.
Riverside Prep’s Breeanna Garcia emerged as one of the league’s top all-around players as a freshman in helping lead the team to the league title. Garcia hit .482 with seven home runs, 52 RBIs and 30 runs while also going 6-3 in the circle with 39 strikeouts over 72 innings.
University Prep returns senior Paityn Zimmerman, who hit .569 with 10 home runs, 49 RBIs and 33 runs as a junior. Zimmerman recently helped guide the Jaguars to the program’s 300th career victory and remains one of the area’s most reliable hitters.
Academy for Academic Excellence failed to make the playoffs last season but features a strong core in sisters Haylee and Kayla Berg. Haylee, as a junior last year, hit .540 with 27 RBIs and 21 runs while also recording 59 strikeouts in the circle. Kayla, as a sophomore last year batted .544 with 23 RBIs and 27 runs, giving the Knights a consistent offensive tandem.
Hesperia Christian adds intrigue in its first season in the Cross Valley League after previously winning back-to-back Agape League titles. The Patriots are led by Eden Skinner, who put together a dominant junior season, batting .593 with 11 home runs, 45 RBIs, 46 runs and 17 stolen bases.
Those players represent just a portion of the talent playing on the diamonds across the High Desert this spring.
Here’s a full list of top players from each team in the High Desert to keep an eye on this year.
Agape League
Cross Valley League
Desert Sky League
Mojave River League
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: The High Desert’s top 118 high school softball players to watch in 2026
Reporting by Jose Quintero, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
