After a season in which Frankfort dominated the area from start to finish, several teams are expected to vie for the top spot in the 2026 softball landscape.
The Falcons graduated two Division 1 talents in pitcher Avery Noel (Liberty) and catcher Tayler Likens (Kent State), as well as hurler Rylee Mangold, who is at D2 West Liberty.
That talented senior class powered Frankfort to a 29-2 record, a Class AAA runners-up finish and the area championship, but the Falcons are in a rebuild.
Allegany (18-4), a Class 1A state semifinalist last year, returns its ace Jordyn Sneathen, a St. Francis commit, and most of its starting lineup.
Section finalist Keyser (18-9) and region finalist Northern (15-5) bring back key players; the Golden Tornado led by Bibs Felton and Brielle Root, and the Huskies paced by Rain Ritchey and Demi Ross.
Petersburg (23-12) has Class AA championship expectations with the bulk of its lineup and its ace returning following a runner-up finish.
Southern (13-8), led by D1 University of Maryland Eastern Shore signee Adeline Wilson in the circle, Mountain Ridge (11-8) and Moorefield (12-12) also earned recognition in the maiden preseason poll.
Here’s what to expect from the 2026 area softball season:
Allegany
Head coach: Dave Winner
Last year’s record: 18-4
Key losses: INF Mackenzie Monahan (.369)
Key returners: P/INF Jordyn Sneathen (D1 St. Francis signee; .373 AVG, 1.35 ERA), INF Savannah Walton (.333 AVG), OF Desi Hilton (.417 AVG), OF Mykah Baker (WVU Potomac State commit; .393 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “We just hope to compete in every game and get better as the season progresses. We want to be playing our best come playoff time.”
East Hardy
Head coach: Noah Orndorff
Last year’s record: 1-19
Key losses: INF Addison Armentrout (.389 AVG), INF Ginger Combs (.333 AVG)
Key returners: C Gracie Heishman (.317 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “Our goals and expectations for this season are to grow as a team day by day and be able to play our best ball by the end of the regular season.”
Fort Hill
Head coach: Jason McMahan
Last year’s record: 5-15
Key losses: N/A
Key returners: INF Tatum Bishop (D2 Frostburg State commit; .317 AVG), P/INF Haley Metz (.322 AVG, 6.04 ERA), OF Brynnan Wigger (Allegany College commit; .315 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “We’re a young team with nine underclassmen, but there’s a lot of energy and potential in this group. I’m excited about what we can build together and expect us to be competitive throughout the 2026 season. There will definitely be opportunities for growth, and with that comes challenges, but I believe this team will rise to the occasion.”
Frankfort
Head coach: Kim Root
Last year’s record: 29-2
Key losses: P/INF Avery Noel (2025 Area Player of Year; .533 AVG, 1.00 ERA), C Tayler Likens (.558 AVG), P/INF Rylee Mangold (.446 AVG, 0.69 ERA), INF Adison Pritts (.410 AVG), INF Raley Nestor (.286 AVG), OF Aubrie Root (.290 AVG)
Key returners: C/INF Claire Westfall (.371 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “New season, new team. A very young, strong, developed program is how I would explain the Lady Falcons in the 2026 season. Three juniors, five sophomores and six freshmen. To say this is a young team is an understatement. However, the expectations do not change.
“If the talent and dynamics this group has brought to the table is an indication of how the season will go, it is safe to say we will be OK. We are looking forward to getting in the dirt, putting the ball in play and walking away stacking up some wins. This is a group of young athletes we will all love to watch develop and grow.”
Hampshire
Head coach: Kevin Combs
Last year’s record: 6-21
Key losses: N/A
Key returners: INF Ava Call (D1 St. Johns signee; .565 AVG)
Keyser
Head coach: Cody Spotts
Last year’s record: 18-9
Key losses: INF Ivy Bromhal (.366 AVG)
Key returners: INF Bibs Felton (.513 AVG), P Leighton Johnson (.301 AVG, 4.03 ERA), C Brielle Root (.584 AVG), OF Edie Bromhal (.354 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “We have a very experienced team blended with youth and upside. Eight of the current girls on the team were a part of our state runners-up team two years ago. Our goal is to be back in Charleston competing for a state championship. The girls have been locked in from the get-go, looking to get better in every part of their game every day. They have high expectations for themselves, as well as us on the coaching staff. We have a very talented team and are looking forward to getting this year started. Hard work, determination and laser focus is all I’ve seen so far.”
Moorefield
Head coach: Jason Markwood
Last year’s record: 12-12
Key losses: INF Carlee Haines (.391 AVG)
Key returners: OF CiCi Kump (.476 AVG), C Gracie Simmons (.377 AVG), INF Kerigan Bergdall (.367 AVG)
Mountain Ridge
Head coach: Kim Jackson
Last year’s record: 11-8
Key losses: OF Jaianna Wickline (.475 AVG), INF Lanie Iski (.438 AVG), INF Sophie Rounds (.312 AVG)
Key returners: C Anne Baker (.441 AVG), INF Maci Beeman (.480 AVG), OF Macy Barth (.325 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “We are hoping to have one of the girls step up to replace the seniors we lost. Those 2025 seniors contributed both offensively and defensively to our success. We do have a good core group back and some under class girls have done well during practice. Our goal is to compete in every game throughout the season.”
Northern
Head coach: Kadi Cosgrove
Last year’s record: 15-5
Key losses: C Madysen Gilpin (.333 AVG), INF Lily Chambers (.304 AVG)
Key returners: INF Demi Ross (D2 Lock Haven signee; .515 AVG), P/INF Rain Ritchey (.484 AVG, 2.02 ERA), P Bailey Champlin (.333 AVG, 2.04 ERA)
Coach’s quote: “Our goals for this season are to work hard and hopefully win the region. We have a great team this year and some key returning players as well as some freshmen who are going to be consistently in the lineup this year. I’m excited to kick off the season.”
Petersburg
Head coach: Bubba Hedrick
Last year’s record: 23-12
Key losses: INF Addy Kitzmiller (.330 AVG)
Key returners: C Ella Chew (WVU Potomac State commit; .375 AVG), INF Miley Tingler (.430 AVG), INF Shyane Tawney (.378 AVG), INF Ella Markwell (.377 AVG), P Olivia Kimble (.250 AVG, 3.65 ERA)
Coach’s quote: “As we approach the upcoming softball season, our expectations are clear — we are focused on returning to the state tournament. Last year’s team performed well coming up short in the championship game. With only one senior graduating, the majority of the roster returns with valuable experience and a deeper understanding of what it takes to compete at a high level. This group is no longer just talented — they are seasoned.
“They’ve grown through competition, learned from adversity and understand commitment required to be successful. With that experience comes higher expectations. We are excited about the potential of this team and confident in their ability. We have been state runner up four out of the last six years, so our goal is to put ourselves in position to make another strong run in the postseason and win the school’s first state championship.”
Southern
Head coach: Amber Hill
Last year’s record: 13-8
Key losses: C Jordan Rush (.260 AVG), INF Miranda Martin (.276 AVG)
Key returners: P Adeline Wilson (D1 University of Maryland Eastern Shore signee; .475 AVG, 1.77 ERA), OF Emelee Parks (.322 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “This season, we expect everyone to buy into the team-first mindset. Roles may vary, but every player will contribute to our success. Our focus is on individual and team growth. We expect players to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes and push each other to get better every day. We expect to play hard, stay disciplined and grow as a team win or lose.
“If we do that, we’ll put ourselves in a great position this season. We are very young, but the potential is great. Our goal is to continue the momentum from last season, make a deeper run in the playoffs, and keep Southern softball moving in the right direction. Bring on the 2026 season.”