Randolph Hub's 2026 All-Randolph County Softball Team

During the high school spring sports season every year, the success Randolph County baseball teams achieve is surpassed by just one thing: The success the Randolph County softball teams have. 

Randolph County is truly one of the top counties in the state when it comes to high school softball and when you put Davidson and Stanly counties in the mix, it’s probably the best region for high school softball in the state of North Carolina.

The success and improvement for most of the local programs was very evident as Southwestern Randolph captured the state 4-A championship for the second time in three years and Randleman advanced to the regional championship for the second straight season — where it ran into SWR.

Providence Grove unleashed a litany of young talent and proved they will be a team to talk about, maybe as soon as next season, while Uwharrie Charter may have taken a step down win-loss wise, but a victory over SWR showed they were as talented and dangerous as anyone.

We saw Wheatmore and Asheboro take steps up, and with Courtnee Carter now in charge of the Eastern Randolph program, expect positive changes in the not-so-distant future.

The only negative was Trinity High School canceling its season with just a few weeks to play because they found it difficult to get enough healthy girls each game.

The play on the field was extraordinary again, which made it very difficult to select The 2026 Randolph Hub All-County Softball Team. There were so many candidates to choose from. And since eight freshmen made the team, the county is in good hands for years to come.

In order for a player to be eligible, that player had to be nominated by the coach. Then statistics that the coach provided, sportsmanship, availability, effort and teamwork were all taken into consideration when selecting the team.

So here we go. The 2026 Randolph Hub All-County Softball team.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Katelyn West, Southwestern Randolph

When she transferred in from Uwharrie Charter Academy, where she had incredible seasons, SWR coach Toby Strider knew he had another piece to what was already looking like a championship puzzle. West had been a strong offensive player, a stout defensive player and was one of the Eagles’ top pitchers.

West didn’t disappoint. She was named the most valuable player of the state champion series after a season in which she hit .453 with an on-base-percentage of .490. She had four home runs and 40 RBIs. In the playoffs, she hit .682 with a home run and 15 RBIs.

She found herself the team’s top hurler near the Easter break and finished with a 10-2 record from the circle, including a perfect 6-0 mark during the run to the state title.

When she wasn’t pitching, she was at first base and solidified that position. It was one of the truly great all-around seasons in Randolph County history, and for her efforts, Katelyn West has been named the 2026 player of the year.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Toby Strider, Southwestern Randolph

Strider guided the team to its second state title in the past three years. The Cougars finished 25-4, falling to UCA (which they split with), Randleman (against whom they won three out of four), McMichael (which finished 25-5) and Central Davidson (which finished 21-5 with two of those losses coming to Randleman and another to SWR in the playoffs). 

Two of the losses were by one run and one was a two-run setback.

There were some personnel changes made on the field and that’s when the Cougars really took off.

Overall, the Cougars outscored their opponents 273-82 on the season and they captured both the Four Rivers Conference regular season and conference tournament championships, with a 17-0, three-inning win over Northwood for the tournament title.

Their playoff run included a 9-3 win over North Lenoir, a 9-1 victory over Roanoke Rapids and a 4-1 revenge win over Central Davidson. That set up an Eastern Regional Finals Series with Randleman, which the Cougars won handily by the scores of 16-1 and 11-7.

A two-game sweep over West Stanly (8-3 and 11-5) secured the Cougars’ sixth softball state championship in school history. After a first-round bye, the Cougars outscored their playoff foes 68-21.

For leading the Cougars to all that success, Toby Strider has been named the Randolph Hub Coach of the Year.

Also strongly considered for this award was RHS’ Josh Ashby, who took over the program one game into the season after a coaching change. A coaching change at this time may sometimes be disastrous, but Ashby kept his team together as they rolled to the Piedmont Athletic Conference regular season championship (there was no postseason tournament), including late-season wins of 5-4 and 8-6 in eight innings over Central Davidson. The Tigers finished 25-4 in the campaign with three of those losses coming to Southwestern Randolph.

ALL-COUNTY MEMBERS

CORA LITTLE (ASHEBORO) — A freshman who played much older on the diamond. She hit a blistering .453 with five home runs. She knocked in 42 runs for the Blue Comets, who increased their win total by five from last year. She played both pitcher and catcher.

SHELLEE CULLER (ASHEBORO) — An outfielder who has proven she will do anything to help the team, she finished her junior year hitting .614. She smashed two home runs and had an OBP of .776. She also knocked in 25 runs.

HAILEY RITTER (EASTERN RANDOLPH) — She played exceptionally well for the Wildcats this season, despite experiencing a major back injury. She finished the season hitting a robust .405 and did not commit an error in the field all season long. She was a role model for other players.

ADI JOHNSON (PROVIDENCE GROVE) — A freshman who had a superb first season. The team’s shortstop and leadoff hitter, she hit .500 (37-for-74) and had an OBP of .655. She recorded six doubles, four triples, three home runs, scored 46 runs and knocked in 29. She also walked 26 times and had 26 stolen bases.

CALLIE LAMBERT (PROVIDENCE GROVE) — A finalist for player of the year, she hit .535 with a .617 OBP. She had 11 doubles, 1 triple and seven home runs among her 46 hits this season. She scored 35 times, recorded 56 RBIs and walked 18 times.

CAMPBELL ZIEMBA (PROVIDENCE GROVE) — She was one busy pitcher as she started 25 games, hurling 132 1/3 innings. She allowed 126 hits and 56 earned runs for a 2.96 ERA. She walked just 27 batters and fanned 205. Offensively, she hit .317 with seven doubles, two triples and one home run among her 26 hits. She also knocked in 27 runs.

ADDYSON DEES (RANDLEMAN) — A finalist for player of the year, she hit .465 for the Tigers this year with a total of 33 hits, two home runs, 17 runs scored and 22 RBIs. She played a sparkling first base and also pitched her junior year. She recorded a number of clutch hits.

KAYLEE PHILLIPS (RANDLEMAN) — A member of the stout junior class at RHS, she hit .446 with 33 hits, including four home runs and 40 RBIs. She also scored 18 runs and was very steady at third, making numerous tough plays look easy. She has a strong arm.

KINZIE IVEY (RANDLEMAN) — One of the top hurlers in the area, she was 12-3 with a 2.95 ERA. She hurled 87 2/3 innings, striking out 110. She also became stronger at the plate as the season progressed, finishing at .312 with one home run, 12 runs scored and 16 RBIs.

OLIVIA ASHBY (RANDLEMAN) — She would definitely put the ball in play as she struck out just three times the entire season. A slap hitter, she hit .348 with 20 runs scored while knocking in six. She was a strong outfielder with a great arm.

ELLA ROGERS (RANDLEMAN) — The freshman pitcher-first baseman had a solid first year at the plate as well. On the mound, she was 5-0 with a 1.81 ERA. She struck out 38 in 31 innings pitched and also had a couple of saves. Offensively, she hit .456 with 26 hits on the season. She had a home run, knocked in 28 and scored 18 times. 

NAUTTICA PARRISH (SOUTHWESTERN RANDOLPH) — A finalist for player of the year, she was the catalyst for the powerful SWR offense. From her leadoff spot, she hit .464 with a .523 OBP. She recorded 45 hits, 46 runs scored and knocked in 13. She was as strong as anyone on the basepaths and she finished with 45 stolen bases. She made the transition from left field to center field flawlessly and was the best outfielder in the county.

BRISTOL MARINE (SOUTHWESTERN RANDOLPH) — She also was a transfer from UCA and solidified the lineup and the outfield for the Cougars. The No. 2 hitter in the powerful lineup, she hit .388 with an OBP of .495. She had 33 hits, 22 RBIs, 38 runs scored and 25 stolen bases. She showed her patience at the plate with 18 walks and saved many runs from her outfield position.

KAMI DUNN (SOUTHWESTERN RANDOLPH) — The FRC Player of the Year, she played third to start the season and was switched to second base and teamed with Maddie Strider in the middle infield to give the Cougars what more than likely was the top middle infield in the state of North Carolina, turning 11 double plays. She hit .395 with an OBP of .495. She had 32 hits, 16 of which were for extra bases. She ripped four home runs and knocked in 41 runs while scoring 37 times and recording 20 stolen bases.

ALYSSA HARRIS (SOUTHWESTERN RANDOLPH) — She recorded a batting average of .387 with an OBP of .420. She had 37 hits, 17 of which went for extra bases. She scored 28 runs and knocked in 36 with 10 stolen bases. On the mound, she was 9-2 on the campaign and she also played first base and third base. A big key to the team’s success.

MADDIE STRIDER (SOUTHWESTERN RANDOLPH) — If high school softball teams designated players to wear the letter “C” on their jerseys for being named the team captain, Strider would have worn that honor. A player with an unbelievable knowledge of the game, she moved to shortstop for her senior year after three years as serving as the Cougars’ catcher. She hit .333 with an OBP of .457. She had nine extra-base hits, including two home runs, and she knocked in 32. She added 17 bases. One of the top shortstops in the state with a .981 fielding percentage, she has tremendous arm strength.

JADA FREELAND (SOUTHWESTERN RANDOLPH) — The freshman catcher looked like anything but all season long. She looked like a veteran who had been in this scenario all her life as she took over the catcher position and excelled. Offensively, she had so many big hits down the stretch, finishing with a .333 average and a .408 OBP. She had 11 extra-base hits and knocked in 16 runs. She also walked 11 times. She possesses a great arm and ability to block the ball at the plate.

CHLOE EUDY (SOUTHWESTERN RANDOLPH) — Eudy’s importance in the circle became critical as the Cougars made their state championship run. She finished a perfect 4-0 on the mound, including a complete-game win when the Cougars defeated West Stanly in Game 2 to clinch the 4-A title. She hit. 327 with nine extra-base hits, including two home runs at the plate. She gladly accepted any role she could fill.

EMORY JOHNSON (UWHARRIE CHARTER ACADEMY) — She capped off a tremendous four-year career with a .356 batting average. A utility player, she often found herself in the catcher position. She was the emotional leader for the team, providing positive energy and feedback.

TORI DIXON (UWHARRIE CHARTER ACADEMY) — One of eight freshmen on the all-county team, she hit a whopping .478 in her first taste of varsity action. She could play anywhere on the field, but settled in at first base. She had a number of clutch hits this year for the Eagles.

JULIA NELSON (UWHARRIE CHARTER ACADEMY) — As the season progressed, this freshman became more and more of a threat at the plate for the Eagles while doing a solid job at third base the entire season. She finished with a .385 batting average, hitting from the cleanup spot. She is one to watch over the next three years,

MAKENNA LAWRENCE (WHEATMORE) — As a freshman, she started at first base but moved to the outfield because of a team need there. She hit .420 for the season with 21 hits, 17 runs scored and 18 RBIs. She had five doubles, two triples and an OBP of .525. She has a bright future.

EMMA GOWER (WHEATMORE) — Another freshman, she played third base, but also spent time at shortstop and in the circle. She hit .345 for the season with a .455 OBP. She had a pair of doubles and two triples and 22 runs scored. She also added seven stolen bases. She threw 23 innings on the mound.

Honorable Mention

Ryleigh Hineline (SWR), Sara-Kate Marion (SWR), Aubrie Kaufman (UCA), Paityn Williams (UCA), Meghan Peters (UCA), Adalyn Boles (WHS), Vivian Underwood (ER), Shelby Williams (ER), London Hardin (ER), Natalie Roach (RHS), Kadie Green (RHS), Lilah Covington (RHS), Lara Wiseman (PG), Cailyn York (PG), Ruby Caudle (PG), Carly Lambert (PG).