2025 softball preview: See who made our preseason Austin-area rankings for 6A, 5A and 4A & below

By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal

The 2025 Texas high school softball regular season gets underway on Monday, which means it’s time for the Austin Sports Journal’s preseason rankings for Class 6A, 5A and 4A-below.

More preseason coverage

Here are the top teams to watch in the upcoming season:

Class 6A

Bowie pitcher Kate Bookidis (8) winds up to deliver a pitch from the circle during a District 26-6A playoff game on Monday, April 22, 2024 at Cavalier Field in Austin, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal)

1. Bowie (28-9): Senior Kate Bookidis is a difference maker in the circle. Bowie will be the team to beat in 2025.

2. Lake Travis (26-15): Both games against Bowie will be must-see TV as the Cavaliers return a lot of firepower, including 2024 Newcomer of the Year Julie Rodriguez and infielder Maddie Pinzon.

3. Cedar Ridge (29-4): The Raiders graduated their top pitcher and best power hitter, but return several starters, including senior P/IF Caitlin Benningfield and senior P/INF Nicole Mann.

4. Dripping Springs (27-13): You can never count out Dripping Springs in softball. The Tigers return infielder Jai-Lynn Flores who can play any position.

5. New Braunfels Canyon (15-10): Canyon made the state tournament the last time the Cougars were in Class 6A. With an experienced roster, Canyon will challenge Buda Johnson for the District 29-6A title.

Others: Vista Ridge, Buda Johnson, Westlake, Austin High, Round Rock

Class 5A

1. Liberty Hill (18-10): Arguably the best overall team in the Austin-area in all classifications, despite losing 2024 Miss Austin Softball Rylee Slimp (UCLA) to graduation. The Panthers are a legit state contender with a loaded roster that returns eight starters.

2. Leander (37-7): The Lions graduated two Division I college recruits – Taylor Porter (Illinois) and Madalyn Strader (Indiana). However, there are 10 lettermen returning from a team that reached the regional semifinals.

3. Smithson Valley (31-9): Head coach Amanda Wolf-Schramm consistently puts out a winning team, and 2025 won’t be any different. The Rangers are coming off a district championship and a run to the regional quarterfinals, where they lost to Liberty Hill.

4. Georgetown (29-8) The Eagles will need to find a replacement for Cambree Creager (Arizona State) in the circle. However, Georgetown only graduated three seniors from a team that went 13-1 in District 22-5A.

5. Rouse (16-22-1): The Raiders were young in 2024 and will be much improved this year. Senior Madilynn George led the team in almost every offensive category and pitcher Blakely Barber returns in the circle after posting a 1.51 earned run average as a junior.

Others: Glenn, New Braunfels, Hays, Elgin, Weiss

Class 4A-Below

Thorndale’s Karis Ginn (3) gets a hit during a Class 2A, Region IV quarterfinal softball playoff on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Hutto Memorial Field in Hutto, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal)

1. Salado (35-4): The Eagles return all but two members from last year’s team that reached the regional semifinals, including senior pitcher Ally Schauer.

2. Gateway Prep (26-8-2): Utility player Chloe Ellis returns for her senior season after leading the team in batting average (.434), home runs (41), RBIs (43), strikeouts (3388) and earned run average (0.84).The Gators are going to be a dangerous team in 2025.

3. Hyde Park (37-6): A new coach and a new starting pitcher will be early hurdles for the Panthers, but Cariana Stout and company won’t miss a beat.

4. Thorndale (20-12): Pitcher Karis Ginn returns for her senior season and will carry the Bulldogs far in 2025. Thorndale will need to find a replacement for the graduated Kassidy Eubanks but has a solid team that could make a deep playoff run.

5. Llano (19-4): The Yellowjackets graduated their top hitter and pitcher from 2024, but a new group led by junior Emile Clopton and senior Jayme Duroy are ready to step in.

Others: Lexington, Burnet, La Grange, Thrall, Smithville