The 2026 high school softball season in Greater Cincinnati was full of excitement as premier teams in the city went head-to-head every week.
Appropriately, the season ended with Kings winning its first-ever state title and Highlands advancing to its first state semifinal.
To put a final cap on the season, here are The Enquirer’s all-city teams for each division in Ohio, plus Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana.
Division I
Player of the year
Emili Schappacher, Hamilton: She was named the Greater Miami Conference Athlete of the Year and a first-team All-Ohioan after hitting for a .518 average with 15 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 38 runs batted in and 41 runs scored. She also pitched to a 14-6 record with a 2.38 earned run average and 155 strikeouts.
Coach of the year
Steve Crawford, Lakota East: In his first full season at the helm with the Thunderhawks, he led them to a 25-6 record, a regional final appearance and their first Greater Miami Conference title since 2019.
First team
Sophie Abrams, Lebanon; Kaleigh Crawford, Lakota East; Sasha Emmrich, Oak Hills; Peyton Eversole, Hamilton; Kaitlyn Gambaccini, Sycamore; Meghan McClellan, Milford; Bella Miller, Springboro; Emili Schappacher, Hamilton; Sophia Sheidler, Lebanon; Annaliese Szabo, Oak Hills; Haley Thompson, Lakota East; Maddie Varner, Milford; Becca Zellner, Mason
Second team
Bella Breen, Springboro; Avery Clayton, Mason; Kylie Curlis, Seton; Brooke Hoffmeier, Oak Hills; Emily Lacock, Oak Hills; Kennedi Legree, Princeton; Bella Lucas, Lakota West; Morgan McBrayer, Mason; Lanie McCoy, Milford; Maddie Offner, Lakota East; Nakyhia Rettinger, West Clermont; Jesslyn Roberts, Milford; Skylar Rudd, West Clermont; Kelsie Schuehler, Oak Hills; Kylene Seibel, Springboro; Juliette Sudnik, Lakota East; Aurora Wallace, Fairfield
Honorable mention
Colerain: Dia Logan, Molly McKee, Keera Schulze, Rylee Selmeyer; Fairfield: Korah Hill, Adelyn Huey; Hamilton: Alexis Dillard, Sierra Hoyte; Lakota East: Addison Morath, Yorie Schulte; Lakota West: Jordan Beimesche, Ava Gilnert, Paige Kopp; Lebanon: Jenna Callahan, Brianna Carter, Emma Sheidler, Georgia Underwood; Mason: Leah Hugenberg, Anna Polca, Audrey Renners; Middletown: Alexyss Richardson, Iasis Wilcher; Milford: Paige Kincaid, Ella Stein; Oak Hills: Brenna Hackworth, Payton Veneman; Princeton: Myonna Burke, Paris Davis, Alissa Pates, Alaya White; Seton: Avery Allen, Charli McGuire, Maggie Nie; Springboro: Riley Lucas, Claire Slate; Sycamore: Alex Davis, Avery Hartig, Adeline Murphy; Walnut Hills: Evie Denen, Selina Rios, Claudia Zillox; West Clermont: Braylin Cornell, Maddie Dalton, October Von Bargen
Division II
Player of the year
Neely McElhaney, Kings: The senior was one of the best pitchers in Cincinnati, earning a 20-1 record to go with a 0.66 ERA and 204 strikeouts. She did not allow an earned run in her final eight appearances, which included five postseason starts. McElhaney was named to the Eastern Cincinnati Conference, all-district and all-state first teams.
Coach of the year
John Schablein, Kings: In his final season of coaching, he led the Knights to a 30-1 record, their second straight district title and first regional and state titles. This season, Kings scored 10.6 runs per game while allowing just 1.7 runs, including posting nine shutouts.
First team
Alexis Fera, Kings; Savanna Gault, Mount Notre Dame; Khloe Legner, Harrison; Julia Lowry, Kings; Neely McElhaney, Kings; Leah Mitchener, Kings; Aubrey Murphy, Harrison; Venice Oberkorn, St. Ursula; Abigail Osborne, Little Miami; Grace Parkhurst, Kings; Ella Prichard, Ursuline; Summer Rohlfs, Loveland; Faith Thompson, Little Miami
Second team
Caiden Baird, Harrison; Chloe Bischoff, Harrison; Payton Brown, Loveland; Addi Bunner, St. Ursula; Ava Cosgray, St. Ursula; Madison Ferrell, Edgewood; Lyla Hatfield, Little Miami; Madi Jackson, Mount Notre Dame; Helena Keeton, Loveland; Makena Keys, Anderson; Blythe Partin, Ursuline; Olivia Smith, Kings; Bailey Thieme, Little Miami; Madi Titler, Kings; Olivia Williams, Loveland; Kat Zielinski, Mount Notre Dame
Honorable mention
Anderson: Ana Luthy, Cam Neises, Rylie Ritter; Edgewood: Jaycie Broshear, Evie Short, Kendall Wingert; Harrison: Maddie Miller, Raygen Nowlin, Payton Tye, Montana Younker; Kings: Emma Myles; Little Miami: Ella Cook, Juliette Wilkerson; Loveland: Rylee Ripperger; Mount Notre Dame: Maddi Robinson, Olivia Strunk; St. Ursula: Ellie Schauer; Ursuline: Paige Beerman, Lily Holmes, Cat Johnston, Whitney Schulhoff; Withrow: Nuriah Davis, Kezia Sanders, Ke’Asa Spencer; Winton Woods: Nathalie Duena-Lopez, Selena Stevison
Division III
Player of the year
Jayci Barnes, Western Brown: Named the Southern Buckeye Conference-American Division Player of the Year, she had a .505 average with 12 doubles, 12 home runs, 56 RBIs and 48 runs scored. She also pitched 58 innings, building an 8-1 record with a 1.57 ERA and 74 strikeouts. Barnes was named to the All-Ohio first team after helping the Broncos win a second straight district title and appearing in a second straight regional final.
Coach of the year
Christi Luckett, Ross: After a 6-6 start to the season, Luckett guided the Rams to a final record of 18-8 and a third straight Southwestern Buckeye League title, continuing their reign since they joined the conference. Ross took down Badin in a highly-anticipated postseason game before falling to Western Brown in a district semifinal.
First team
Paige Baker, Ross; Jayci Barnes, Western Brown; Mattilyn Canupp, Badin; Kam Commins, Ross; Maddy Cox, Talawanda; Jessie Giuliano, Badin; Charlee Helton, Western Brown; Audrey Hilbert, Talawanda; Kendall Ponatoski, Badin; Sky Shaw, Goshen; Macee Steele, Goshen; Aubree Taylor, Western Brown
Second team
Emily Albrinck, Badin; Josi Alvis, Ross; Makayla Campbell, Goshen; Bella Cobb, Talawanda; Lauren Diels, Wilmington; Makenna Dorsch, Wilmington; Kaylee Griffin, Talawanda; Sophie Herrmann, Western Brown; Sophie Jamison, Western Brown; Ella Kent, Badin; Phebe Kiefer, Badin; Allie Martin, Wilmington; Kailyn May, Ross; Emily O’Brien, Badin; Khloe Ogden, Western Brown; Madison Steelman, New Richmond; Hannah Witte, Monroe
Honorable mention
Badin: Judy Harris; Goshen: Josie Purdy, Charlize Schulz; Monroe: Rose Hensley, Chloe Holmes; New Richmond: Molly Greeson, Addi Jackson, Olivia Miller, Gracie Seibert; Northwest: Kindal Ellison; Ross: Kenley Bulach, Meadow Webb; Talawanda: Quinn Frieden, Allie McMickle, Bea Yerigan; Turpin: Emily Cope, Caitlyn Dehan, Ella Fireovid; Western Brown: Kaylee Harmon, Rilynn Roush, Josie Sissel; Wilmington: Mckynlei Cramton, Peyton Groves
Division IV
Player of the year
Ellie Stafford, Taylor: She was named the Cincinnati Hills League player of the year for the second straight season and was also named to the all-district and all-state first teams. Stafford compiled a 16-4 record with a 1.26 ERA and 227 strikeouts while hitting for a .606 average with 17 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 45 RBIs and 10 runs.
Coach of the year
Jonathan Cole, Roger Bacon: While the Spartans entered the postseason with a 7-12 record, Cole inspired his group to wins over Indian Hill and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, advancing to their first district final since 2016.
First team
Ava Crombie, Clinton-Massie; Callie Elmer, Mercy McAuley; Anna Gallinger, Wyoming; Landry Glenn, Indian Hill; Zoey Glenn, Indian Hill; Kaylee Hartmann, Mercy McAuley; Emma King, Taylor; Gabi Koehler, CHCA; Morgan Raugh, Taylor; Addi Schwartz, Roger Bacon; Ellie Stafford, Taylor; Ginny Theobald, Wyoming
Second team
Breya Becraft, Middletown Madison; Kendra Gee, Roger Bacon; Raven Horton, CHCA; Kalli Jodrey, Clinton-Massie; Marin Messerschmidt, Indian Hill; Rita Mucha, Wyoming; Grace Newsome, Batavia; Olivia Olding, Mercy McAuley; Alexis Roehm, Batavia; Kendall Saunders, Middletown Madison; Riley Sharp, McNicholas; Abby Weigand, Roger Bacon; Riley Woods, Fenwick
Honorable mention
Batavia: Sophia Jimenez, Riley Jones, Delilah Whitescarver; CHCA: Ella Helms, Georgia Meyers, Kylene Werner; Clinton-Massie: Izzy Penewit, Alyssa Sandlin; Fenwick: Allie Long, Carolyn Myles, ; Indian Hill: Rebekah Burroughs, Devyn Cowherd, Veronica Miller; McNicholas: Leah Hafertepen, Alli White; Mercy McAuley: Kara Doenges, Ana Maschinot, Molly Millner, Rylan Prather; Middletown Madison: Abigail Phelps, Autumn Singleton; Roger Bacon: Erin Pare, Ella Schlegel; Taylor: Bailey Back, Ady Frankie; Waynesville: Cailyn Crouse, Lakynn Graham; Wyoming: Lexie Evans, Libby Williams
Division V
Player of the year
Kaitlyn Pollitt, Williamsburg: She was named to the Southern Buckeye Conference, all-district and All-Ohio first team after putting together a season with a .587 average, 10 double, three triples, nine home runs, 49 RBIs and 40 runs scored. She also had a .964 fielding percentage.
Coach of the year
Shawna Slack, Georgetown: She was named the SBC-National Division coach of the year after leading the Lady G-Men to a 20-5 record, their first conference title and an appearance in a district championship game where they nearly upset eventual regional champion Miami East.
First team
Brooke Androne, Reading; Aubrey Armacost, Bethel-Tate; Bailie Bare, Blanchester; Jenna Brown, Clermont Northeastern; Jalyn Cole, Cincinnati Christian; Zoey Kelch, Georgetown; Jocelyn Lansing, Blanchester; Grace Louden, Deer Park; Kinley Messer, Norwood; Kaitlyn Pollitt, Williamsburg; Morgan Preston, Georgetown; Makenzie Shoemake, Williamsburg; Ally Thompson, Bethel-Tate
Second team
Addisyn Baker, Clermont Northeastern; Anna Bowling, Cincinnati Christian; Bella Cuellar-Wilson, Clermont Northeastern; Carolyn Edmisten, Georgetown; Kasey Hendrickson, Norwood; Meredith Hess, Reading; Chloe Inlow, Georgetown; Mackenzie Kruse, Deer Park; Ashley Mullins, Georgetown; Addi Redmond, Bethel-Tate; Lillie Riedmiller, Reading; Shelby Short, Mariemont; Bella Stacy, Norwood; Ava Starks, Cincinnati Christian; Tatum Strange, Blanchester; Alyssa Vearil, Williamsburg; Rachel Walker, Deer Park
Honorable mention
Bethel-Tate: Anna Dabbs, Kyleigh Seibert; Blanchester: Gracie Rose, Tobi Tedrick; Cincinnati Christian: Maya Miller, Kelsey Stacey; Clermont Northeastern: Anabelle King; Deer Park: Jaelynn Richmond, Greer Sibilia; Finneytown: J-auna Steele; Georgetown: Layla Beath, Brooklyn Brownlee, Brylee Faul, Brenalyn Hudson; Madeira: Aliyah Martin, Peyton Mercer; Mariemont: Abby Conners, Peyton Quiambao, Chloe Seymour; Norwood: Kaydence Ayers, Rily Jo Hanauer, Macey Lomboy; Reading: Maddie Berry, M.J. Graham, Eliza Schierloh; St. Bernard-Elmwood Place: Nylah Hassan, Kaylynn Rose Schnatz; Williamsburg: Lyla Hensley, Julia Johnson, Madi Moore, Rylinn Tyminski
Division VI and VII
Player of the year
Mikaela Lema, New Miami: She was named the Miami Valley Conference-Gray co-Player of the Year after leading the Vikings to a DVII district championship appearance. She finished the year with a 18-4 record, a 1.18 ERA and 184 strikeouts to go with a .569 average, six doubles, five triples, four home runs, 64 RBIs and 41 runs scored.
Coach of the year
Wayne Cox, Fayetteville-Perry: Despite an 8-9 record entering the postseason, Cox led the Rockets to their second DVI district title in the last three seasons.
First team
Liselle Bradford, Lockland; Jhurne Clark, Lockland; Choe Cox, Fayetteville-Perry; Kadie Davidson, New Miami; Olivia Knue, Oyler; Mikaela Lema, New Miami; Addie Rugenstein, Fayetteville-Perry; Sahara Tate, East Clinton; Jalin Williams, New Miami
Second team
Lilli Allender, Fayetteville-Perry; Lilly Carlier, Fayetteville-Perry; Novalee Dotson, East Clinton; Trinity Hicks, Lockland; Lilly Ivy, New Miami; Reina Martinez, Oyler; Mariah Powell, New Miami; Esther Quatkemeyer, Felicity-Franklin; Makenna Vinup, East Clinton
Honorable mention
East Clinton: Jayla Barnett, Maggie Huff, Riley Kempton, Myia Spurlock; Fayetteville-Perry: Kylee Burchett, Lydia Jordan; Felicity-Franklin: Olivia Scarlatella; Lockland: Tianna Allen, Breonna Farley-Dawson, Alayah Jefferson; New Miami: Ryligh Fox, Kylee Roberts; Oyler: Alexis Byndon, Tanisha Fields, Naudia Fox
Northern Kentucky/ Indiana
Player of the year
Kaitlyn Dixon, Highlands: She had a 30-4 record in the circle with a 0.94 ERA and 352 strikeouts as the Bluebirds made their first-ever state semifinal. She also had a .373 batting average with seven doubles, three triples, 27 RBIs and eight runs. She was named the Ninth Region Player of the Year and an all-state first-team member.
Coach of the year
David Meier, Ryle: He coached the Raiders to a 22-12 record, the 33rd District tournament title and Ryle’s first Ninth Region championship game appearance since 2018.
First team
Payton Brown, Highlands; Lucy Dillon, Notre Dame; Kaitlyn Dixon, Highlands; Josie Feebeck, Campbell County; Emily Gehring, Ryle; Hope Hamilton, Campbell County; Paige Hotze, East Central; Averie Lightner, Conner; Kayla Ortiz, Conner; Kiley Patterson, Ryle; Rachel Shewmaker, Bishop Brossart; Addi Zinser, Notre Dame
Second team
Bayli Bell, Conner; Jillian Cavanaugh, Lawrenceburg; Kate Class, Highlands; Taylor Dawalt, Dixie Heights; Taryn Frazier, Beechwood; Kaitlyn Furnish, Cooper; Kinley Johnson, Cooper; Taylor Jones, Simon Kenton; Kasey Knapp, East Central; Broegan Kunz, East Central; Cam Markus, Highlands; Breanna Meredith, Conner; Rayne Patsel, Ryle; Lilly Phirman, Campbell County; Korlin Rechtin, Ryle; Leah Robinson, Bishop Brossart; Sydney Schumacher, Dixie Heights; Haley Waters, Dixie Heights; Payton Wright, St. Henry; Layla Zepf, Highlands
Honorable mention
Beechwood: Annette Cento, Claire Gigliotti, Brooke Moore, Sophia Preston; Bellevue: Kinley Hawkins, Madalyn Kincaid, Gyanna Noe, Chloe Reed; Bishop Brossart: Anna Bezold, Sophie Schultz, Kayleigh Stadelmann, Avery Weitholter, Tessa Wells; Boone County: Alivia Miller, Parker Newton, Brooke Parrish, Charlotte Urbon; Campbell County: Samantha Perry, Faith Whitford; Conner: Ryanne Carter, Alexa Hamilton, Jocelyn Ortiz, Addison Santiago; Cooper: Kayla Dalcour, Sadie James, Alivia Scott, Ainsley Scroggie, Lily Spraker; Dayton: Ella Boyers, Maddie Combs, Emily Hall, Zoe Hedger; Dixie Heights: Emma Buford, Ava Niemer, Sullee Sheehan, Madison Skees; East Central: Chloe Feldmann, Kelsey Koth, Taylor Sommer, Rose Yunger; Highlands: Bailee Class, Allie Meyers, Morgan Pompilio; Holmes: Gia Richardson, Carlie Riley, Julia Starr; Holy Cross: Zoey Baker, Kayla Fledderman, Paige Lachmann, Madison Urlage; Lawrenceburg: Ella Lynam, Izabella Miller, Aubree White; Lloyd Memorial: Tiffany Holt, Eastyn Kuhn-Calez, Cecilia Kuhn-Stevenson, Destinee Sebastian; Ludlow: Charlotte Burke, Evie Orsua, Shelby Ralston; Newport: Shayla Egbert, Kailey Fisk; Newport Central Catholic: Hannah Carr, Maura Franzen, Emma Kevill, Leyla Stewart, Miley Wolf; Notre Dame: Rosemary Kunkel, Annie Lawrie; Ryle: Leah Broussard, Makenna Hirshey, Kam Patterson, Brooklyn Roland; Scott: Jaydyn Corbin, Kaitlyn Fraley, Rylee Gribble, Emory Sullivan; Simon Kenton: Myka Brown, Scarlett Cochran, Alli Fowler, Jayden Jones, Lauren McIntosh, Cara Swope; South Dearborn: Ava Cutter, Claire Elliott, Hayley Land; St. Henry: Emmy Mathews, Sydney Nelson, Kenna Zimmer, Korra Zimmer; Villa Madonna: Brooklyn Clark, Georgia Colvin, Cam Kratzer, Charlotte Pinkiewicz, Emma Tupman; Walton-Verona: Ava Donato, Rylan Edwards, Sophia Lepping, Anna Napier
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Enquirer presents 2026 high school softball all-city teams
Reporting by Brendan Connelly, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brendan Connelly, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
