Who are the top junior softball players in Greater Cincinnati in 2026?
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With the 2026 Greater Cincinnati high school softball season just around the corner, The Enquirer is previewing the top players in the area.
Today's offering is the top juniors in the region, highlighted by two All-Ohio honorees and a handful of all-league members.
Sophie Abrams, Lebanon
She was one of the best leadoff hitters in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference, boasting a .508 on-base percentage, a .425 batting average, nine doubles, three triples, 44 runs scored, 39 stolen bases and 30 runs batted in. As the Warriors' center fielder, she hasn't committed a single error in her high school career.
Paige Baker, Ross
The Southwestern Buckeye League-Southwestern Division Player of the Year and All-Ohio first-team honoree led the Rams to the DIII regional tournament, where they lost to eventual regional champion Western Brown. Fans could see that matchup again in the postseason, as both teams return the majority of their rosters. Baker led the Rams in the circle and at the plate, pitching to a 12-5 record with 156 strikeouts and a 2.22 earned run average in 113.1 innings, while hitting .516 with nine doubles, four triples, four home runs, 34 runs scored and 23 RBIs.
Jaycie Broshear, Edgewood
She was the Cougars' lead pitcher, racking up a 9-7 record with 91 strikeouts and a 2.56 ERA in 95.2 innings. At the plate, she hit .264 with two doubles and four triples.
Jenna Brown, Clermont Northeastern
Brown did it all for the Rockets in 2025, hitting .477 with 12 doubles, five triples, one home run, 25 runs scored, 21 RBIs and seven stolen bases. In the circle, she compiled an 8-12 record with 111 strikeouts and a 3.26 ERA in 118 innings.
Avery Clayton, Mason
She stepped in as the Comets' catcher and was named to the Greater Miami Conference first team after hitting .435 with 12 doubles and 22 RBIs. After graduating seven seniors, Clayton will be a leader on this year's squad.
Kaleigh Crawford, Lakota East
The Thunderhawks had an up-and-down year in 2025 but were still on the cusp of upsetting eventual state champion Lebanon in the district final. Crawford pitched in that game, striking out eight batters over six innings of work. For the season, she had a 12-6 record with 122 strikeouts and a 2.00 ERA in 108.1 innings. At the plate, she hit .403 with nine doubles, 17 RBIs and 15 runs scored.
Sasha Emmrich, Oak Hills
The Highlanders' catcher hit .388 with four doubles and a team-leading seven homers and 24 RBIs. Being coached by Jackie Cornelius-Bedel, who owns D1 Catching Academy, will help her become one of the best backstops in the city this season.
Peyton Eversole, Hamilton
One of just two sophomores named to the All-GMC first team, Eversole will be a leader as the Big Blue seek their first league title since 2005. In 2025, the first baseman hit .452 with six doubles, nine homers, 26 RBIs and 25 runs scored.
Josie Feebeck, Campbell County
Feebeck was one of the best young players in Northern Kentucky in 2025, hitting .407 with nine doubles, five triples, eight home runs, 38 runs scored, 35 RBIs and 28 stolen bases for the 19-6 Camels. Look for her to again be one of the Camels' top bats as they contend for a regional title.
Quinn Frieden, Talawanda
The Brave are well positioned to compete in the SWBL with several talented juniors and seniors on the roster. As Talawanda unseated Harrison in its final season in the Southwest Ohio Conference, Frieden hit .414 with seven doubles, a triple, a home run, 26 RBIs, 25 runs scored and nine stolen bases. She could also pitch when needed, racking up 52 strikeouts in 48.1 innings.
Landry Glenn, Indian Hill
One of just two sophomores to make the Cincinnati Hills League first team in 2025, Glenn was among the league leaders with a .592 average, 45 RBIs and five home runs. She also tallied eight doubles, three triples and 30 runs scored.
Judy Harris, Badin
The three-time defending Greater Catholic League-Coed champions are in position to sweep the league slate once again. Harris was among the league leaders with a .486 average, 34 RBIs and 13 doubles while also scoring 30 runs and swiping 14 bases.
Charlee Helton, Western Brown
She was the SBAAC-American Division Player of the Year and a DIII All-Ohio first-team selection after leading the Broncos to the state tournament. Helton hit .375 with two doubles, two triples, 17 RBIs and 15 runs scored. With the help of pitching coach and former Bronco standout Sydni Barnes, she owned a 21-4 record with 208 strikeouts and a 1.12 ERA in the circle. She recently committed to Mount St. Joseph University.
Taylor Jones, Simon Kenton
The Lady Pioneers are projected to be one of the top teams in the Eighth Region and Jones will be one of the top players in the region. As a sophomore, she hit .532 with eight doubles, a triple, four homers, 45 RBIs, 41 runs scored and 12 stolen bases.
Paige Kopp, Lakota West
The Firebirds are working their way back to the top of the GMC after winning the 2022 state championship. Last year, Kopp hit .423 with six doubles, three triples, 24 runs scored and 15 RBIs. She will be one of eight juniors on this year's roster.
Allison Meyers, Highlands
This is Meyers' third year as the 'Birds primary third baseman, and she has been a valuable asset in the hot corner. Last year, she was second on the team with a .449 average and 17 doubles to go along with four triples, two home runs, 45 runs scored, 28 RBIs and 16 walks drawn. That production was a result of moving up to the leadoff spot in the lineup midway through the season.
Emily O'Brien, Badin
Part of what has made the Rams so dominant over the last few years has been their youth. O'Brien was one of Badin's best all-around players last season, hitting .400 with 11 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 24 RBIs and 24 runs scored. In the field, she had a .994 fielding percentage, making 144 putouts with 16 assists and just one error.
Jesslyn Roberts, Milford
The Eagles' catcher had a minor sophomore slump, her .362 average down from her freshman year average of .514. But she also contributed seven doubles, two homers, 26 RBIs, 15 runs scored, eight stolen bases and six hit-by-pitches.
Skye Shaw, Goshen
The SBAAC boasts several excellent two-way players and Shaw is no exception. At the plate, she was among the league leaders with a .551 average while also contributing 10 doubles, six triples, three home runs, 33 runs scored and 22 RBIs. As a pitcher, she had the fourth-best ERA in the league at 1.92 while finishing with a 5-5 record, two saves and 93 strikeouts in just 62 innings.
Ellie Stafford, Taylor
The CHL Player of the Year in 2025 led the Yellowjackets to an eighth straight undefeated league title. Taking over for Camrynn Linneman in the circle, she pitched to a 12-4 record with 170 strikeouts and a 0.91 ERA in 84.1 innings. At the plate, she hit .656 with 15 doubles, two home runs, 33 RBIs and 13 runs scored.
Addi Zinser, Notre Dame
This is going to be an interesting season for the Pandas. Notre Dame was the second-best team in the Ninth Region each of the last two years. However, the team graduated five seniors and only has 10 players listed on this year's roster. Zinser led the 2025 squad with a .473 average to go with four doubles, a homer, 28 runs scored and 14 RBIs.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Greater Cincinnati's top high school softball juniors in 2026
