The 2026 girls’ softball season officially kicked off this week. Area teams range from having some of the top rosters in the region to being in the middle of rebuilds. Here’s a look at what to expect from each team.
Apollo: The E-Gals season came to a heartbreaking close a year ago in the 9th District Tournament, but they return the majority of their roster after only losing one senior to graduation.
On the mound, Mollie Julian and Hannah Holder made the bulk of the E-Gals’ appearances a year ago, combining for 186 1/3 innings and posting respective 2.36 and 5.22 ERAs.
Ramirez led the offense last season with a .362 average, two home runs, and 25 RBIs. Liza Page (.385) also hit over .300, while Tyler Hall led the team with nine doubles. Emersyn Bullington, Keelan Wettstain, Annsley Hall, and Kaylee Booker are expected to be key offensive contributors.
Head Coach Stephen Julian wants to see his team punch their ticket to the 3rd Region Tournament and go from there.
Daviess County: The Lady Panthers are chasing a seventh straight 3rd Region title after reaching the second round of the State Tournament last year, where they were eliminated by Henderson County.
Daviess County returns seven hitters who batted over .300. Annie Newman led the way in 2025, hitting .535 with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs. Kylie Clark was a perfect 13-for-13 in stolen bases, while Molly Hancock hit .440 with six homers and 37 RBIs. Callie Smith, Briley Henry, Shelby Bennett, and Sophia Cain round out the returning offensive threats.
Pitchers Story Hume and Caine combined for 120 1/3 innings and 135 strikeouts last year and will lead the staff again.
“The expectations and the standards have kind of been set,” Daviess County Head Coach John Biggs said. “I think the biggest thing we want to do is keep getting better.”
Hancock County: After finishing the 2025 regular season 15-12, the Lady Hornets stumbled in the playoffs, losing the 11th District Championship, before bowing out in the first round of the 3rd Region Tournament.
Hancock County only lost one senior in Baylee Estes, and Head Coach Dwayne Wroe believes he has a plethora of girls who will be able to step up and replace her production this year.
Pitchers Jordyn Waltrip, Bella Bryant, Ryleigh French, Maci Winkler, and Ava Riggs combined for 184 2/3 innings last season and will be counted on more heavily in 2025.
At the plate, the Lady Hornets return five players who hit over .300 in Aubree Mosby (.339), Audry Carnes (.398), Madyson Higdon (.315), Bryant (.363), and Riggs (.337).
The Lady Hornets have lofty expectations for this season – winning the All-A Classic and 11th District and competing for the 3rd Region crown.
McLean County: In her third year at the helm, Head Coach Rileigh Bobo is focusing on growth and consistency for a young but motivated Lady Cougars roster.
“We had a group of girls who showed up consistently during the offseason to work on fundamentals and improve their skills,” Bobo said. “In a small county where many of our athletes share multiple sports and have work commitments, that dedication really stands out.”
The Lady Cougars are led by seniors Kyra Nichols and Kylie Rickard, junior Kaydence Stokes, freshmen Ava McCarty, and eighth grader Emily Howard. They are joined by up-and-comers Kylie Jo Woodburn and Ady Estes.
“I want to see us grow as a team and be better in May than we are in March,” Bobo said.
Owensboro: The Lady Devils lost six starters from a year ago, but return Haley Sikes (.278, 5 triples), Taylor Sowders (.342, 12 RBIs), and Ayrish Barksdale (.400, 16 RBIs). They are joined by senior Kierstin Hughes and junior Ella Hall, who is making the transition from soccer.
Hughes, Railey Scott, and Paislee Hodge are expected to be the team’s frontline pitchers.
“I think a lot of people are probably going to overlook us, because we did lose five seniors from last year,” Owensboro Head Coach Quincy Moorman said. “People are probably going to think we are starting from scratch or rebuilding, but I don’t like to look at it that way. I think we have young talent coming up that is going to prove itself on the field.”
Owensboro Catholic: The Lady Aces enter the season with a young roster, having only one senior in Taylor Clarke, and two juniors in Lily Logsdon and Emma Riney.
The freshmen core of Laila Hundley, Raegan Leach, Addilyn Simmons, Abi Murphy, and Lily Medley are all in line for larger roles. Murphy and Medley are expected to throw the bulk of the team’s innings and will be joined on the mound by three seventh graders.
“I want to see them continue to get better throughout the year, learn how to play together, and get used to the new faces,” Owensboro Catholic Head Coach Jeremy Phelps said. “Hopefully, by the end of the year, we will be peaking at the right time.
Trinity (Whitesville): Behind a lights-out pitching staff, the Lady Raiders won the 12th District and advanced to the 3rd Region Championship.
“We have put in a lot of work this offseason,” Trinity (Whitesville) Head Coach said. “My girls come out with open field and pretty much every night. almost all of them are showing up and just coming with intensity and energy.”
On the mound, Sophie Hatfield went 15-8, with a 3.02 ERA and 194 strikeouts in 164 2/3 innings. Behind her was Ella Morris, who posted a 1.81 ERA with 48 strikeouts. They will be joined by up-and-comer Michaela Knight.
Despite losing two of their top bats from a year ago to graduation, the Lady Raiders return Kendall Howard (.365, 27 RBIs), Aubree McKinney (.304, 10 RBIs), Morris (.309, 18 RBIs), and Hatfield (.362, 5 HRs).
“We want to improve on last season,” said. “I have a young team with one junior and no seniors. …We made it to the All A State last year and the 3rd Region Championship. So, I told the girls my expectations are high this year. We made it there last year, so let’s improve on that.”
