Five Of The Best High School Softball Programs In The Country

By Timmy Wilcox
on July 14, 2023

Before they become college softball stars, many of the country's best players gain national recognition with their respective high school programs. These programs often have a history of winning and producing some of the top softball talent in the country.

We looked at five of the best high school softball teams in the country throughout the 2023 season.

See these teams below, highlighted by some of the nation's top incoming freshmen ahead of the 2024 college softball season.

Lake Creek

Montgomery, Texas

Lake Creek went an astounding 44-1 in 2023, with an even more impressive 14-0 district record, leading the squad to its second consecutive 5A state title. The Lions’ lone loss came at a neutral site against No. 25 Georgetown (TX) on May 26. This season, Lake Creek outscored its opponents 396-55.

Regarded by some as one of the greatest prep players ever, Lake Creek’s Ava Brown ended her high school career with an overall record of 81-0 in the circle. If that doesn’t speak to her dominance, then how about the Florida-commit's 0.55 ERA and 844 strikeouts over 468.2 innings of work. Brown, who also plays first base, blasted 40 home runs over her four years of high school softball and had a career .497 batting average along with a .564 on-base percentage.

Ballard

Louisville, Ky.

Ballard went 34-1 this season. The Bruins’ only loss came on the road against Great Crossing (KY) by a score of 6-4 on May 4. Ballard outscored opponents 308-53 this season, leading to the program's second straight state championship.

Ballard High’s Brooke Gray was this year’s Gatorade Softball Player of the Year for Kentucky, becoming the fifth player from Ballard High to win the award. This season, the Louisville-commit pitched to a 27-0 record with a 0.68 ERA. The senior struck out 287 batters across 175.2 innings pitched, while only allowing 85 hits.

Roncalli

Indianapolis, Ind.

Roncalli advanced to the 4A state championship before falling and finishing with an overall record of 31-4-1. The squad couldn't be stopped in its district, going 6-0 in Circle City competition. The Royals’ offense surged, scoring 343 runs across 35 games, averaging out to 9.8 runs a game. Meanwhile, the team only allowed 43 runs all year, coming out to 1.2 a game.

Roncalli’s Keagan Rothrock, a pitcher, dominated in the circle to the tune of a 0.53 ERA and 25-2 record. Also a Florida-commit, Rothrock punched out 315 batters across 158 innings. Even after surgery on both legs in January, the senior hit .500 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs. This year was her second time winning the Gatorade Player of the Year award for Indiana.

Hanover

Mechanicsville, Va.

Hanover went a mighty 23-0 in 2023. In the Capital region, the Hawks won all 10 of their games, outscoring opponents 103-9. Across the entire season, Hanover allowed fewer than one run per game, defeating opponents 157-18.

Hanover’s ace, Julia Cuozzo, was outstanding in the circle this spring. As a senior, the Virginia-commit pitched to a 0.40 ERA, while striking out 148 batters over 79 innings. Meanwhile, at the plate, she hit .450 with four home runs and 23 RBIs.

Jackson

Mill Creek, Wash.

Jackson ended the season winning its last 14 games, en route to a 28-1 overall record and a 4A state title. The Timberwolves’ lone loss came on the road to Kamiak by a score of 2-1 on April 25. Allowing exactly one run per game, Jackson outscored its opponents 222-29 on the year.

Jackson’s Yanina Sherwood was a star in the state of Washington this season. As a junior, the UNLV commit pitched to a 0.55 ERA with 255 strikeouts over 164 innings of work, leading to a 23-1 record. Sherwood could swing it with the best of them, too, batting .381, including five home runs.