High school softball 2026 season preview: Auburn Riverside Ravens
The high school softball season is underway in Washington, and The News Tribune has been making stops across the South Sound, visiting local programs at practices as games begin. Up next, we’re previewing a handful of teams individually as they begin league play.
Here’s how things are shaping up for the Auburn Riverside Ravens this spring.
Editor’s note: The “outlook” section for each program is pulled from the TNT’s practice tour. Find the full practice tour story here, complete with insight on several teams in the area, quotes, photos, videos and more.
AUBURN RIVERSIDE RAVENS
Head coach: Bryce Strand, 14th season
2025 results: 14-8, Class 4A District 3/4 tournament
OUTLOOK
Hannah Potter launched 14 home runs for the Ravens last spring, the South Sound’s all-classification leader. What’s her target for 2026?
“I’m trying to get a little more,” she said Tuesday. “But if I try to, it’s not gonna happen. I’m focusing more on my batting average than my home runs, and they come.”
The home runs are certainly a bonus — but after moving to the South Sound last year, Potter quickly became more than the 4A NPSL’s most-feared catcher. She became Auburn Riverside’s voice, too, voted senior captain before joining North Texas next spring.
“That tells you a lot about what our girls think about Hannah,” said head coach Bryce Strand, who guided the Ravens to the 3A state title in 2024. “She is a true leader, a leader by example. She’s the vocal leader on the team.
“She has a real presence at the plate. When she’s up there, she just exudes confidence. … She just plays bigger than the game sometimes.”
Potter’s calling pitches for No. 1 right-hander Kylee Curtis, a promising right-hander with 50 strikeouts to just 14 walks last spring (11-5, 4.72 ERA). The younger arms earned more reps when graduated ace pitcher Danica Butler lost the bulk of her senior season to injury. Butler is now at Montana State University Billings.
Also back is third baseman Katelyn Taylor, a senior defensive specialist who’s “really taken a step offensively,” Strand said.
Auburn Riverside’s early gauntlet begins with Graham-Kapowsin (March 12), Auburn Mountainview (March 17), and Fife (March 18). Strand knows a battle-tested style of schedule pays dividends down the road.
“All the best teams want to play the best teams,” he said.
KEY PLAYERS
C Hannah Potter
P Kylee Curtis
3B Katelyn Taylor
SAVE THE DATE
March 31: vs. Tahoma, 7 p.m.
April 21: vs. Stadium, 7 p.m.
May 8: at Enumclaw, 7 p.m.
