Circle these names as the top softball pitchers in Cincinnati in 2026
· Yahoo Sports
Greater Cincinnati softball has an incredible collection of talent in the pitching circle. In 2025, it was the key to league, district, region and even state titles.
The Enquirer has already compiled top Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky players by class - seniors, juniors and sophomores.
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As The Enquirer pivots to previewing the best softball players by position, let's start with one of the most, if not the most, important roles on the field.
Here are the 15 best pitchers in the region this season.
Paige Baker, Ross
While the Rams have a reliable second pitching option in Taylor Bertram, Baker can really establish herself in the circle this season as they search for a second straight district title. The schedule sets up to where she can pitch more often than last year, when she accrued a 12-5 record with 156 strikeouts and a 2.22 earned run average in 113.1 innings
Kaleigh Crawford, Lakota East
As a freshman, Crawford had a 13-5 record with a 4.06 ERA. Last year, she improved to a 12-6 record with 122 strikeouts and a 2.00 ERA in 108.1 innings. If she continues on a similar trajectory, the Thunderhawks will see themselves at the top of the Greater Miami Conference.
Ava Crombie, Clinton-Massie
The Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference may have the best group of pitchers of any conference in the city. Crombie, just a sophomore, can bolster that reputation. The Falcons have been on an upward trajectory since 2023, posting a six-win improvement from 2024 to 2025. In her first year in the circle, Crombie finished with a 10-4 record with two saves, 161 strikeouts and a 2.73 earned run average in 97.1 innings.
Kaitlyn Dixon, Highlands
Named to the Kentucky Softball Coaches Association Division II second-team all-state, Dixon should level up this year as the Bluebirds will be a heavy favorite to win their fourth Ninth Region title in the last five years. Her numbers may not be as gaudy as they were in 2025 (22-3 record, a 1.18 ERA and 295 strikeouts in 166.1 innings) but the Thomas More University commit will still be the best pitcher in Northern Kentucky.
Charlee Helton, Western Brown
By the time her career is over, Helton could be a three-time SBAAC-American Player of the Year and All-Ohio honoree. Already committed to Mount St. Joseph University, she is one of Cincinnati's brightest talents in the circle. As a sophomore, Helton had a 21-4 record with 208 strikeouts and a 1.12 ERA in the circle.
Cam Kratzer, Villa Madonna
It can be tough to be a pitcher at a small school in Northern Kentucky, especially when the region has been dominated by big schools. Entering her junior year, Kratzer is already a veteran in the circle. She threw all but 6.1 of the Vikings' innings last year, racking up a 13-8 record with 168 strikeouts and a 2.75 ERA as Villa went 14-9 and finished as a 34th District semifinalist.
Meghan McClellan, Milford
The last time Milford had a pitcher with a tenure as exceptional as McClellan was Valerie Thompson, who pitched nearly a decade ago. McClellan, a Johnson University commit, has pitched over 100 innings each of her first three seasons and has over 500 career strikeouts and a 48-18 career record. Fielding and defense will start with her as the Eagles will compete for the top spot in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference.
Neely McElhaney, Kings
The Knights will be the favorite to advance to the Division II state tournament out of Region 8. They have exceptional talent at every position, including McElhaney in the circle. Her 6-foot-3 frame contributes to superior velocity but she can fool hitters with a variety of pitches. As a junior, the Indiana University-Indianapolis commit had a 17-3 record, 160 strikeouts and a 1.07 ERA in 117.2 innings.
Anna Polca, Mason
For her career, Polca has a 19-9 record with a 3.52 ERA in 153 total innings. Being the Comets' primary starter will be a new role for her but she can lean on her past experience where she has been consistently good and reliable. As a junior, she had a 6-1 record with 40 strikeouts and a 3.23 ERA in just 39 innings.
Emili Schappacher, Hamilton
It's hard to believe that Schappacher is already in her final high school season since she's been a significant contributor to the program since her freshman year. Last year, she posted career bests with a 2.09 ERA and just 37 earned runs. She had just 140 strikeouts, a sign that she could rely on her defense more this year, but she is approaching her 500th career strikeout.
Skye Shaw, Goshen
She showed marked improvement from her freshman year to her sophomore campaign, starting the same number of games but throwing 62 fewer innings. She dropped her ERA from 3.97 to 1.92 while finishing with a 5-5 record, two saves and 93 strikeouts in just 62 innings.
Sophia Sheidler, Lebanon
Six pitchers were named to the Eastern Cincinnati Conference first team last season, but Sheidler topped them all as she was also named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year. She had a 13-1 record against league opponents and won the final 13 games of the year for the Warriors. In all, she had a 23-4 record, 293 strikeouts and a 1.75 ERA in 160.1 innings.
Ellie Stafford, Taylor
Taylor has been home to the Cincinnati Hills League Player of the Year for each of the last three seasons, a trend that should continue if Stafford can replicate or improve upon her sophomore season numbers in the circle and at the plate. In her first full season as a pitcher, she finished with a 12-4 record with 170 strikeouts and a 0.91 ERA in 84.1 innings.
Annaliese Szabo, Oak Hills
In her first season in the circle, Szabo made 22 starts and completed 14 games. Both of her shutouts came in the district tournament against Seton and Milford. She also had four double-digit strikeout performances in the second half of the season, including a career-high of 16 in the district championship. She finished her junior year with a 10-10 record with 155 strikeouts and a 3.44 ERA in 128.1 innings
Alyssa Vearil, Williamsburg
She more than proved herself last year, stepping into the circle as the Wildcats' primary pitcher for the first time. While nearly doubling her workload, she nearly tripled her strikeout total with 179 and cut her ERA almost in half, allowing just 1.68 earned runs per seven innings.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top pitchers in Greater Cincinnati high school softball in 2026