2026 high school softball: Pitchers and position players to watch this season
Strib VarsityHere are 25 of Minnesota’s best players to keep an eye on this softball season.

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.
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).

Comments