Several new coaches will look to continue or revamp this year’s Southern Tier softball teams, including Megan Dold, Sue Edwards, Demetra Hall and Julie Farlow, who are entering their first year as head coaches for Vestal, Chenango Valley, Binghamton, and Ithaca, respectively.
With changes in leadership and the absence of some senior all-stars, the 2026 season may pose as a test of which underclassmen can step up to the plate, metaphorically speaking. Here’s a look at which teams, players and games to look out for ahead of the 2026 season.
12 players to look out for from top divisional teams
Sophia Schoonover [3B, Corning, SOPH.]: Made the West/Metro All-Conference team as a freshman (2025). Schoonover drove home all four of Corning’s runs in the Hawks’ 4-0 title victory over Elmira last season and was also named to the all-state fifth team in Class AAA last season, selected by the New York State Sports Writers Association.
Lilli’Onna D’Introno [P, Susquehanna Valley, SR.]: Made the Central/East All-Conference team as a sophomore (2024). D’Introno was named to the all-state first team in Class B last season, selected by the New York State Sports Writers Association. D’Introno has pitched 36 strikeouts in the Sabers’ 4-0 record to start the season.
Allie Policare [P/3B, Vestal, JR.]: Named to Metro All-Division team as a sophomore (2025). Policare is an all-around player, and this season has posted 3 HR and 17 strikeouts in the Golden Bears’ 2-1 start to the 2026 season.
Lauren DeRosa [CF, Corning, JR.]: Named to the West All-Division team as a freshman (2024).DeRosa has been integral in the Hawks’ 11 HR average per game and 5-0 start to the 2026 season.
Amelia Paske [3B/SS, Chenango Valley, SR.]: Made the Central/East All-Conference team as a sophomore (2024) and junior (2025). Paske was also named to the all-state third team in Class A last season, selected by the New York State Sports Writers Association.
Danica LaBarre [C, Susquehanna Valley, SR.]: Made the Central/East All-Conference team as a sophomore (2024).
Caitlin Yearick [3B, Horseheads, SR.]: Named to the West All-Division team as a sophomore (2024) and made the West/Metro All-Conference team the following year as a junior. Named to the all-state first team in Class AA last season, selected by the New York State Sports Writers Association. Yearick has recorded 3 RBIs and 7 HRs in the Blue Raiders’ last 4 games.
Maggie Costello [SS, Vestal, JR.]: Made the West/Metro All-Conference team two years in a row, as a freshman (2024) and sophomore (2025). Costello has racked up 3 RBIs and 5 HRs in her last 3 games.
Isabel Hunter [CF, Maine-Endwell, SR.]: Named to Metro All-Division team as a sophomore (2024), made the West/Metro All-Conference team the following year as a junior.
Notable mention – Tessa L’Amoreaux [P, Maine-Endwell, JR.]: Named to the Metro All-Division team as a sophomore. L’Amoreaux is a key, versatile player for the Spartans and has posted 2 HRs and pitched 26 strikeouts in the Spartans’ 3-0 start to the season, allowing less than 3 home runs per game.
Miley Laubach [C, Owego, SR.]: Named to Central All-Division as a sophomore (2024), made the Central/East All-Conference team the following year. Laubach was also named to the all-state fifth team in Class A last season, selected by the New York State Sports Writers Association.
Notable mention – Carsten Crawford [P, Owego, SR.] (out for season): Crawford has made the Central/East All-Conference team since her sophomore year and has been an integral part of Owego’s defense.
Payton Baret [1B, Windsor, SOPH.]: Made the Central/East All-Conference team as a freshman. Baret has posted 3 HRs and 2 RBIs in the Black Knights’ last 3 games.
Maryn Morse [SS, Union-Endicott, SR.]: Made the West/Metro All-Conference as a sophomore (2024) and has helped the Tigers remain upset material in the Metro division. Morse has hit 5 of the Tigers’ 15 HRs scored in the season so far.
Games to watch in April
Vestal vs Maine-Endwell (April 13, 5:00 p.m.): Vestal will face off against last year’s Class A regional champions, Maine-Endwell, which could serve as a preview of which Metro team will outlast the other in the conference playoffs.
Horseheads vs Corning (April 13, 5:00 p.m.): Two West divisional powerhouses, Corning and Horseheads, will face off in mid-April, with both teams holding a high standing in Class AAA and AA, respectively. Horseheads will have a chance to rectify last year’s tiebreaking postseason loss that crowned Corning the best in the division.
Vestal vs Horseheads (April 20, 5:30 p.m.): These Class AA rivals have met in the postseason on numerous occasions, with Horseheads taking the most recent matchup, a 7-6 victory over Vestal, and winning the 2025 Section 4 Class AA championship. This mid-April game may preview this year’s sectional and regional champion.
Corning vs Vestal (April 22, 5:00 p.m.): This cross-divisional matchup has two consistent divisional champions facing off in late April. Both teams have gone back and forth in wins in the postseason and could be looking to size one another up ahead of conference playoffs–most likely keeping last season’s conference championship matchup, where Corning out bested Vestal 7-5, in mind.
Susquehanna Valley vs Chenango Valley (April 27, 5:30 p.m.): Both Susquehanna Valley and Chenango Valley have sat atop their respective divisions year after year. Although the two teams are unlikely to meet in the postseason, this late-April matchup will still prove to be competitive and good practice before the playoffs.
Chenango Valley vs Owego (April 29, 5:00 p.m.): Both teams will be looking to establish themselves as No.1 in the Central division, as Chenango Valley narrowly claimed the top spot last season with a 12-7, 10-2 STAC record over Owego (12-5, 9-3 STAC).
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Southern Tier Softball Players to Watch & Games to Catch in April
Reporting by Aniya Sumner, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
