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2026 high school softball: Pitchers and position players to watch this season

Strib Varsity

Here are 25 of Minnesota’s best players to keep an eye on this softball season.

United South Central's Mariah Anderson (top left), Forest Lake's Avery Muellner (bottom left) and Rocori's Jessica Boos (right) are among the top high school softball players in Minnesota this season. (Star Tribune staff/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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By Jim Paulsen

The Minnesota Star Tribune

Pitchers

Mariah Anderson, United South Central, senior

Anderson was 26-1 on the mound with 407 strikeouts last season, giving her 1,378 K’s for her career.

College: Minnesota State Mankato

Ella Meyer, Edina, senior

A natural leader who had a 1.40 ERA and 203 strikeouts in 2025.

College: St. Thomas

Avery Muellner, Forest Lake, senior

A tested veteran now in her sixth varsity season in the circle.

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College: University of St. Thomas

Tallie Behrens, Byron, senior

Has a combination of speed and power, with a state-leading 11 home runs in 2025.

College: St. Cloud State

Kendal Pillar, Rush City, senior

Pillar led the Tigers in pitching (241 K’s, 0.62 ERA) and hitting (.588, 31 RBI) last season.

College: Bethany Lutheran

Lilly Martin, White Bear Lake, senior

Martin is a hard-throwing righthander who struck out 283 batters in 2025.

College: Minnesota Duluth

Kayla Schweich, Farmington, senior

Schweich can be described as “gritty” and is a pitcher who never backs down on the mound.

College: St. Cloud State

Addy Wallschlaeger, Spectrum, senior

With a 17-1 record last season, the senior is the ace on a team that didn’t allow an earned run for the first 19 games of 2025.

College: Minnesota Duluth

Brooke Borwege, Bloomington Jefferson, junior

A 6-foot power pitcher with great movement, Borwege pitched the Jaguars to the Class 4A final.

College: St. Thomas

Lilly Bury, Rockford, senior

Bury blows by hitters with a plus fastball and a swing-and-miss drop ball.

College: South Dakota State

AnnaBelle Waldoch, Rogers, sophomore

Waldoch is a hard thrower who pitched the Royals to the Class 4A state championship as an eighth-grader.

College: undecided

Ava Abrahamson, Champlin Park, junior

Abrahamson will take over as staff ace this season. She’s a threat at the plate, too.

College: uncommitted

Jessica Boos, Rocori, senior

Boos is a clutch performer who pitched the Spartans to the Class 3A state championship last year.

College: uncommitted

Eagan Hastings, Hawley, senior

Hastings is a five-year starter who was 20-3 with a 1.26 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 2025.

College: uncommitted

Position players

Karianne Drury, Forest Lake, senior, catcher

Drury has power at the plate and a cannon arm behind it.

College: Wisconsin

Bella Dowdall, Forest Lake, senior, shortstop/third base

Dowdall anchors Forest Lake’s infield and has pop in her bat.

College: St. Thomas

Lila Johannsen, Farmington, senior, catcher

Johanssen is a standout backstop who hit .500 with 41 RBI in 2025.

College: Wisconsin

Remi Rudquist, Bloomington Jefferson, senior, catcher/shortstop

Versatile leader who makes contact with the bat, as evidenced by her .367 average last season.

College: Minnesota Duluth

Trinity Jensen, Lakeville South, senior catcher/infield

Jensen has a strong arm and is a whiz with the glove. Can play anywhere on the field.

College: Iowa State

Sadie Meyer, St. Cloud Cathedral, senior, infield

Can stand out anywhere on the infield (first base, shortstop or third) and hit a team-leading .515 in 2025.

College: Undeclared

Tayla Vought, St. Cloud Cathedral, senior, first base

A prototypical slugging corner infielder, Vought launched 10 home runs in 2025.

College: St. Cloud Technical College

Lydia Banse, Mankato West, senior, catcher/first base

Banse is a heady player who is always two steps ahead of the opponent.

College: Minnesota State Mankato

Jordyn Jones, Anoka, senior, shortstop/second base

A table-setter who is always on base, Jones has great range with the glove.

College: Minnesota

Jessica Dittel-Hoefler, Chisago Lakes, senior, infield/utility

A senior who does it all. She’s a tough out who never backs down.

College: Winona State

Hannah Gary, Border West, senior, first base

A power source who can put a charge into the ball and also hit for average (.506).

College: uncommitted

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About the Author

Jim Paulsen

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Jim Paulsen is a high school sports reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

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