By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
Opening day for the 2026 Texas high school softball season is Monday, and the road to McCombs Field officially gets underway.
The Austin–San Antonio area is home to several softball blue bloods but has produced just three state champions over the last decade – Hyde Park (2025), Weimar (2023) and La Grange (2016).
Hyde Park captured the TAPPS Division II state title in 2025 and looks poised to contend again, while Dripping Springs and Smithson Valley both reached the state semifinals last season.
Here are 10 teams to watch in the area in 2026:
Weimar
The Class 2A school, located along I-10 on the border of Colorado and Fayette counties, is known for its success in girls sports. Its softball program, however, stands out as one of the most storied in the region, boasting six state championships and 10 state tournament appearances.
The Wildcats return a strong core led by junior shortstop Tate Griffin and junior Samantha Rangel, both of whom earned all-district and all-state honors as sophomores. Sophomore utility player MJ Griffin is another name to watch.
Dripping Springs
With a loaded roster, the Tigers will be one of the most feared teams in the area. Junior catcher Lorelei Gamble (.547 batting average, 23 home runs, 66 RBIs) anchors a young lineup with plenty of firepower.
Sophomore pitchers Tatum Green and Sadie Bradford will handle duties in the circle while also contributing at the plate. Green stole 26 bases and hit .393 as a freshman, while Bradford posted a 15-5 record with a 3.36 earned run average. Sophomore outfielder Emma Phillips is another key piece.
Liberty Hill
The Lady Panthers are never a team to overlook, and 2026 will be no different. Junior Bella Nicholson, a University of Central Florida commit, may be one of the most underrated pitchers in the state.
Nicholson leads a young roster that includes Texas State signee Maddie Kingslien, a dynamic infielder with speed and power. Several sophomores made major contributions as freshmen in 2025, including Kyrinn Vaughan and Aly Tuley. With Nicholson’s experience in the circle and Kingslien’s leadership, Liberty Hill has the makings of a dangerous postseason team.
Hyde Park
The TAPPS season got underway Tuesday, and if the Panthers’ 21-0 win over Hill Country Christian is any indication, Hyde Park will again be a force in 2026.
Sophomore Alex Akins threw a no-hitter with nine strikeouts and went 2-for-4 at the plate, while senior Grace Parscal finished 2-for-3 and sophomore catcher Kylie Yeager went a perfect 4-for-4 with a home run. Loaded with talent, the Lady Panthers look primed to defend their Division II state championship.
Lexington
The Lady Eagles return the core of last season’s team that reached the Class 3A Division II state finals. At the center is junior pitcher Taylor Akin (21-4, 1.70 ERA, 216 strikeouts), who also provides pop at the plate with a .346 average, 11 doubles and 36 RBIs.
Junior Avery Rodriguez was the team’s second-leading hitter, batting .398 with four triples and 16 RBIs, while Teal Brockenbush adds athleticism and production after hitting .356 with 27 RBIs and six extra-base hits. A return trip to McCombs Field is firmly within reach.
Leander
The Lions boast one of the most talented lineups in the area, highlighted by Illinois signee Rachel Grundei and Tulsa signee Madelyn Lee. Lee led the team offensively with a .517 batting average, 12 extra-base hits and 35 RBIs.
Grundei added power throughout the lineup, hitting .511 with 14 home runs, 60 RBIs and 23 extra-base hits. In the circle, Lehigh signee Kylee Arnold (14-5, 2.71 ERA) and Scarlett Geurin (11-5, 2.77 ERA) form a reliable pitching tandem.
Smithson Valley
Head coach Amanda Wolf-Schramm continues to produce winning teams year after year. The Lady Rangers return several key contributors from last season’s Class 5A Division I semifinal run, including Ava Capek, Piper Moeller and Zoey Allison.
Capek, now a sophomore, led the team as a freshman by hitting .595 with 21 RBIs and 22 runs scored. Senior catcher Allison hit .455 with 18 RBIs and 24 runs, while Moeller matched Capek’s .595 average and drove in 36 runs.
Lake Travis
The Cavaliers lost several key players to graduation but return one of the most dynamic pitchers in Class 6A in junior Julie Rodriguez (15-6, 2.25 ERA, 209 strikeouts). Rodriguez also contributes offensively, hitting .310 with five doubles, 10 RBIs and a home run.
Junior outfielder/second baseman Kamdyn Ingram adds depth after batting .347 with 11 extra-base hits and 11 RBIs. Senior shortstop Ella Smith is another power threat, finishing last season with five home runs, nine extra-base hits and 17 RBIs.
Hutto
Competing in a tough District 25-6A, the Hippos return nearly their entire roster from last season’s 16-13 team that advanced to the area round of the playoffs.
Sophomore shortstop Kaylen Price and sophomore pitcher Bailey Kelley headlines a group that includes five returning all-district players. Senior infielders Kenna Spence and M’Kayla Hicks will also play key roles.
Georgetown
Georgetown was one of three regional semifinalists from District 23-5A last season, along with Hendrickson and Weiss, and the Lady Eagles remain the standard. The roster is led by district offensive MVP Kynleigh Ball, a senior shortstop who hit .565 and stole 30 bases.
Georgetown’s infield is among the best in the area, returning four all-district players, including junior first baseman Gabi Acosta and senior second baseman Namoi Bower. Sophomore pitcher Caitlin Gomez went 13-3 with 135 strikeouts and a 3.27 ERA and earned district pitcher of the year honors.
