With the 13th Region High School sports season now over after North Laurel was eliminated during the KHSAA Fastpitch State Tournament, it’s the time of the year to have some fun, and use the crystal ball to see who will be the team to beat in 2026.
They’re a ton of talented players graduated along with numerous stellar players returning as well, including some newcomers from the middle school level.
With that said, let’s not waste any more time.
2026 Early outlook for Fastpitch
1. North Laurel (29-7)
The Lady Jaguars will remain in the top spot until a regional team can beat them.
North Laurel has won two consecutive 13th Region crowns and will look to make it three in a row next spring but it won’t be easy.
Chris Edwards’ squad graduates two of its top five hitters (Saige McClure and Bella Sizemore), but returns a lot of talent once again.
The cupboard is far from bare.
Emma Carl will be returning along with a .482 batting average while leading North Laurel with 12 home runs, 50 runs scored and 26 stolen bases.
Carl and Tessa Monhollen will make up the best one-two pitching duo in the region, and one of the best in the state. They combined to go 29-7 with four saves.
Monhollen is also a top notch hitter, who batted .398 with a home run, 33 hits and 23 RBI. Also returning will be Katie Sams, Bella Finley, Katie Keen, Lucy Jo Linville, Reeselyn Garland, and many more.
2. South Laurel (26-6)
The Lady Cardinals’ season ended quickly in first round play of the 13th Region Tournament this past season, but I expect Carly Mink’s team to give North Laurel a run for its money in 2026.
South Laurel’s roster is loaded with talent, including leading hitter Bailey Frazier (.505 batting average, 51 hits, and 36 stolen bases), pitcher Kenzie Williams (21-5, 1.41 ERA, and 214 strikeouts in 159.1 innings; .426, and 46 hits), Morgan Jackson (.433 batting average, two home runs), Ryleigh Bretz (.482 batting average, three home runs), Emmie Rice (15 home runs, 51 RBI), Skye Lawson (27 hits, 31 RBI), Sadie Lewis (24 hits, 18 RBI), Audrey Likins (5-1, 3.54 ERA; 21 hits, and 11 RBI), Kinlee Ertel (.300 batting average), Piper Jackson (36 runs, 12 stolen baseball), Kennedy Nolan (21 runs), Taya Smith, and Bella Martin.
3. Pineville (19-7)
The Lady Mountain Lions are ready to make a push at their first regional crown with one of the systems top pitchers returning in Rachel Howard.
Howard became the 13th Region all-time leader in career strikeouts, and led the 13th Region with 346 Ks this past season while going 17-3 with a microscopic 0.62 ERA. She was also solid at the plate, batting .286 with 24 hits, and 21 RBI.
Also returning will be Junior Rayanna Maidon, who led Pineville with a .414 batting average. She also had two home runs, four triples, 34 runs scored and 19 hits. Monica whitehead returns along with a .316 average, 25 runs scored, 14 hits, and 10 runs scored. Malley Smith, Shawna Wlliott, Jayce Caldwell, Isabella Adams, Kameron Evans, Hannah Abner, Kayleigh Evans, Emery Gambrell, Patience Hoskins, and Haylee Muncy are also expected to contribute.
4. Clay County (11-13)
The Lady Tigers are stacked with young talent, and the upcoming season, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re competing for the region crown as well.
Maci White will be at the varsity level, and will immediately be one of the top players in the region. She will be joining one of the most talented young rosters in the region.
Losing Abby Bowling to graduation will hurt, but they do return Anna Samples, who led the team with a .366 batting average. She also six home runs, 26 hits, 17 runs scored and 16 RBI.
Madison Sizemore, Presley Griffin, Alivia Hoskins, and numerous other players returning will make Clay County a hard team to beat.
Hoskins and Presley Griffin will return as pitchers, too. The loss of Bowling will be big, but Hoskins went 4-3 with 52 Ks last season. Griffin had a win and 3.50 ERA.
5. Corbin (13-15)
Crystal Stidham’s Lady Redhounds will be hit hard by graduation for the second consecutive season. Gone will be Danni Foley, Morgan Hicks, Raegan Walker, Anela Sanders, and Alana Stidham.
That’s some key players, but Corbin’s cupboard is never bare.
Apple Terrell returns after batting .293 with four home runs, 10 RBI, 22 hits, and 22 runs scored. Joining Terrell will be Lydia King (17 hits), Kaili Sanders (one home run, 22 RBI, and 16 hits.), Chloe Bays (12 hits, 11 runs scored), Mikailia Hopkins (five hits, eight runs scored, Olivia Anderson (four hits, 17 runs scored, and numerous other talented players.
Best of the Rest
6. Knox Central (10-9)
The Lady Panthers will surprise next season.
7. Harlan County (11-17)
The Lady Black Bears will be much improved, especially with Alexis Adams returning in the pitcher’s circle.
8. Jackson County (18-16)
Losing Candace Williams to graduation will be a big loss for the Lady Generals.
9. Harlan (18-9)
The Lady Green Dragons graduate a ton of seniors but will return pitcher Jordyn Smith along with many other standout players.
10. Bell County (11-14)
I expect the Lady Bobcats to be much better next season and move on up in the rankings. Kenley Foster (.391 batting average), Tristan Saylor (.385), Adyson Scott (.381), Jayda Boateng (.361), Madelyn Fuson (.342), and Addison Maiden (.297) return along with even more players that are expected to produce.
