South Sound high school softball preview: Top teams, players in 2026
New year, same abundance of softball talent in the South Sound.
Here’s what to monitor, teams on the postseason radar, and players to watch in 2026.
4A NPSL
Mia Hammington knows a gauntlet awaits every spring at the Class 4A state tournament — but why can’t the star outfielder’s Tahoma Bears make another run? The undefeated 2025 NPSL champions return all three of last year’s TNT All-Area selections and feature a strikeout machine in the circle, a true contender for an extended stay at the Columbia Playfields (Richland) in late May. Hammington, the reigning league MVP, established herself as one of the South Sound’s top all-around players last spring, mashing nine home runs (.642 AVG) with a perfect 19-for-19 stolen base clip. The Bears return an All-Area battery between junior pitcher Alexa Ramirez and catcher Kalani Higa, friends ever since their older sisters played for the Bears in 2019. “For us, it’s kind of a full-circle moment,” said Higa, a Cal Poly commit. “I’ll catch (Alexa) even during the summer, just to keep up with understanding how her pitches are moving and understanding her progress.” Ramirez broke the school’s single-season strikeout record in each of her first two years, and Higa hit .487 with six homers and 29 RBI last spring.
Stadium could make noise, powered by its defense and standout catcher London Kim — who paced the Tigers in batting average (.444), RBI (30), and home runs (7) last season. Sophomore Ella Enciso should see the bulk of Stadium’s innings pitched, joined by infielder Lily Hart and Willamette outfield commit Kate Erickson.
Auburn Riverside’s Hannah Potter led the South Sound with 14 home runs last spring, a perennial playoff contender under head coach Bryce Strand. Watch for Kentridge ace Jozi Thompson, too, the league’s defending Pitcher of the Year who struck out 20 batters and homered in an eight-inning complete-game performance over Mount Rainier on March 17.
4A SPSL
Is the 4A South Puget Sound League the best and most-competitive in the state? Last year’s state tournament says so. Three of the bracket’s final six teams hailed from the SPSL, including runner-up Rogers and ace freshman Sierra Murray. The eventual TNT All-Area Player of the Year racked up 252 strikeouts in 155.1 innings pitched, posting a 1.35 earned run average with a .413 batting average at the plate. Opposing coaches were quick to ask Rogers head coach Mike Hawkins: “Wow, did she transfer in? Is that a senior?” The reply never changed: “No, that kid’s 14. She’s a freshman.”
So what does a sophomore Murray have in store this spring? “I’ve just got to focus on the future,” she told The News Tribune. “It’ll be fun this year.” Watch for Murray’s rise ball and changeup.
A new-look Rams team lost eight varsity players from last year’s state runner-up squad, but Rogers returns TNT All-Area outfielder Payton Walling and all-league infielder Madison Adair (.303 AVG). Hawkins thinks this team could be even stronger, but they’ll go as far as Murray, their ace, takes them. After a pair of opening losses to Issaquah and Redmond earlier this month, Rogers rebounded with wins over Woodinville and league-rival Curtis.
Murray isn’t the only star pitcher the 4A SPSL has to offer. It’s a big reason why the league is so loaded — and why it’s so well-represented come playoff time.
Graham-Kapowsin’s Brooklyn Pettit enjoyed a freshman breakout last spring and hasn’t skipped a beat, tossing a five-inning no-hitter with 15 strikeouts in last week’s win over a competitive Yelm program. Four days later, the right-hander struck out 17 more and allowed just two hits in a win over Issaquah. Through 28 total innings this spring, Pettit is 5-0 with a 0.50 earned run average, allowing eight total hits with 69 strikeouts. The Eagles grabbed third place at last year’s state tournament, and if Pettit’s mastery continues? Watch out.
In Puyallup, Jaycee Kemp is already proving why coaches were bullish on the incoming freshman. The 6-foot-1 right-hander threw four no-hit innings in the first start of her high-school career, piling 10 strikeouts throughout a sensational Vikings debut over Seattle Christian on March 10. She’s 3-0 in three early starts (15 IP), allowing four total hits with a 0.47 earned run average. Puyallup finds a way to contend year after year, and the good times should keep rolling with Kayla Ringenbach at second base and infielders Jenny Tuivaiave and Mackenzie Hardesty on the corners.
Sumner’s freshman infielder Keira Roberts continues to wow coaches with her glove, joined by No. 1 pitcher Josslyn Sorensen — a Pacific Lutheran commit with a deceiving changeup. Emerald Ridge returns utility standout Jayda Guadron, a Central Washington commit, and Olympia features junior catcher Sydney Potvin.
3A NPSL
The defending district champions graduated dominant ace pitcher Alyssa Harris, but Enumclaw has the pieces for another playoff run this spring. The Hornets crushed crosstown-rival White River, 10-0, on March 16 and ran away from 4A-Olympia two days earlier, a sign that head coach Quinn Haney’s squad picked up right where they left off one year ago.
Can the undefeated NPSL champs repeat their title? All-league shortstop Ava Lim returns alongside third baseman Natalie Otero, who’s pacing the Hornets with 13 hits and a .619 batting average six games in. In Harris’ absence — she’s now at Pacific Lutheran University — Enumclaw rotates Delainey Saw and Adelyn Price in the circle.
White River’s Laken Elvig enjoyed a freshman breakout last spring, piling 84 strikeouts in the circle with a .415/.522/.811 slash line and 29 RBI at the plate. It’s safe to say the sophomore campaign is off to an equally-strong start: Elvig struck out 13 in a seven-inning, complete-game win over Auburn Mountainview on March 20. Expect White River near the top of the NPSL standings, even if Enumclaw stays in the driver’s seat.
Watch for Auburn Mountainview’s leadoff shortstop Tessa Trippy, a freshman TNT All-Area selection last spring. Can Kentlake find a way to factor in, too? The Falcons are 3-0 to start the season with runaway league wins over Thomas Jefferson, Federal Way, and Kent-Meridian. Two-way sophomore Riley Linnane, junior Hi’ilei Gomes, and catcher Violet Goldsworthy each piled 6+ hits in Kentlake’s three wins.
3A PSL
Mike Paul guided Peninsula all the way to the 3A state title in 2023. Could this year’s squad be even better? “This is the best group of kids, as a total, that I’ve ever had,” the head coach told The News Tribune. “Bar none. Not close. We don’t have (2023 All-Area Player of the Year Alli Kimball), but man, I’m 12 deep of kids that would’ve started for my state team. It’s super fun. Really excited.” Two-way junior Vivien Sweet headlines the core, posting a 4.46 ERA in the circle and .436 batting average (28 RBI) at the plate last year. Senior Meghan Webster will play just about everywhere, and Paul would be surprised if sophomore infielders Paige Jones and Izzy Michaels don’t contend for PSL Nisqually MVP honors. The Seahawks dropped their season opener to 4A-Auburn Riverside before rolling to league wins over Lincoln and Capital.
Timberline can repeat their 3A PSL Nisqually crown, headlined by TNT All-Area infielder Nevaeh Haagen. The reigning league MVP led the South Sound with 61 RBI last spring and doubled as Timberline’s top arm, now poised for another two-way workhorse role. “She’s just so consistent with her hitting,” Timberline head coach Lynsi Polanco said of Haagen. “She’s a power hitter, but she’s also just a line-drive, base-hit hitter. She gets on, she moves people around. She’s smart on the bases. … Having her as one of our offensive weapons is just fun to watch.” The Blazers routed a strong River Ridge group, 16-2, on March 23, returning all-league catcher Kayleese Dorfner and “contact machine” outfielder Brookelyn Read.
River Ridge is powered by reigning Nisqually Pitcher of the Year Jaylah Sok-Vandergriff, who mashed eight homers and held opponents to a .250 batting in the circle last spring. North Thurston is also in the mix, narrowly falling to Gig Harbor, 15-13, on March 16 before erupting for 37 runs in a blowout win over Lakes. The Rams are led by first-team utility pick Sara Halterman.
In the PSL Narrows, Gig Harbor aims for a fourth-straight state tournament appearance despite graduating five all-league seniors — now led by Lakes catching transfer Savanna Newville and senior Payton Cantrell. Bellarmine Prep’s Ashlyn Powell (.688 AVG) and Clare Walsh (.714 AVG) have the Lions undefeated in early league play (3-0) after winning just three games last season; Central Kitsap returns power-slugger Scarlett Mabe and all-league P/OF Savvy Paulson.
2A SPSL
After a runner-up finish last year, can Fife grab the 2A SPSL crown this spring? The Trojans are among the favorites, led by two-way threat Mallory Geving (.462 AVG) in a league once again up for grabs. No. 1 arm Frankie Wolfrom has held her own throughout an early non-league gauntlet, posting a 3.26 earned run average with 23 strikeouts against the likes of 4A-Puyallup, 4A-Auburn Riverside, and 3A-White River.
Franklin Pierce raced to an undefeated league title and state-tournament appearance last spring, but a large group of graduating seniors left the Cardinals with a new look. The constant? Star infielder Kiley Sledge, the reigning SPSL MVP with a .737 batting average and 3.99 earned run average in the circle. One rival coach described the five-tool standout best: “She is the type of player that you can build a successful program around.” With former Fife head coach Ron Angelot taking the Franklin Pierce job over the offseason, can the Cardinals capture a third-straight league title?
Orting’s first-year head coach Trevor Smith expects a gritty Cardinals team led by a strong freshman class and just four seniors. Watch for slugging catcher Norah Fenton, already with three home runs in just two games this spring.
Washington could factor into the race behind reigning TNT All-Area second-team pitcher Stevie-Rae Garcia Zamora, who struck out 176 batters (3.74 ERA) with 24 RBI and a team-leading .552 batting average at the plate in 2025. Steilacoom welcomes freshman P/INF Audrey Gidley and returns outfielder Izabella Cortez, an all-SPSL first-team pick last season.
2A EVERGREEN
Can Tumwater three-peat their Evergreen Conference crown? They’re without Sacramento State’s Ella Ferguson, a dominant two-way fixture in Thurston County from 2022-25, but the T-Birds are rolling early in ‘26 — including a 12-3 win over Seattle Christian and 20-2 blowout over Steilacoom. Returning middle infielder Megan Barrett, a Northwest Nazarene commit, is batting .714 with three extra-base hits through two games. Catcher Brielle Womach’s bat is clicking early (5 R, 6 RBI), and two-way lefty Sarah Stevens has yet to allow an earned run in her first eight innings pitched this year (0.00 ERA, 18 K) after helping Tumwater to a fourth-place finish at the 2A state tournament in 2025.
They’ll need to fend off defending 2A state champion Aberdeen, which graduated pitching standout Lilly Camp (Grand Canyon University) after claiming the school’s first-ever softball title. Camp’s absence opened the door for sophomore INF/P Maysinn Jones this spring, who tossed a complete-game four-hitter with 14 strikeouts over Hoquiam in her first start of the season. Watch for catcher Alyssa Yakovich (.438 AVG in 2025) and outfielder Rylee Hendrickson (3-for-3, 2 2B in 2026).
30 PLAYERS TO WATCH
INF Megan Barrett, Tumwater, sr.
P Laken Elvig, White River, soph.
OF Kate Erickson, Stadium, sr.
P Stevie-Rae Garcia Zamora, Washington, jr.
INF Mallory Geving, Fife, sr.
C/SS Jayda Guadron, Emerald Ridge, sr.
P/INF Nevaeh Haagen, Timberline, jr.
OF Mia Hammington, Tahoma, sr.
C/INF Kalani Higa, Tahoma, sr.
INF Paige Jones, Peninsula, soph.
P Jaycee Kemp, Puyallup, fr.
C London Kim, Stadium, sr.
INF Ava Lim, Enumclaw, sr.
INF Scarlett Mabe, Central Kitsap, sr.
P Natalie Medalia, Silas, sr.
INF Izzy Michaels, Peninsula, soph.
P Sierra Murray, Rogers, soph.
C/3B Savanna Newville, Gig Harbor, sr.
P Brooklyn Pettit, Graham-Kapowsin, soph.
C/INF Hannah Potter, Auburn Riverside, sr.
UTIL Paityn Powell, Yelm, soph.
P Alexa Ramirez, Tahoma, jr.
INF Kayla Ringenbach, Puyallup, jr.
INF Keira Roberts, Sumner, fr.
SS Kiley Sledge, Franklin Pierce, jr.
P/OF Jaylah Sok-Vandergriff, River Ridge, sr.
P/OF Vivien Sweet, Peninsula, jr.
P/OF Jozi Thompson, Kentridge, jr.
INF Tessa Trippy, Auburn Mountainview, soph.
OF Payton Walling, Rogers, jr.
