SBLive Arkansas Super 7 preseason high school softball rankings

The first rankings of the season

By Kyle Sutherland | Photo by Tommy Land  

Another season on the dirt is just days away and SBLive Arkansas will again be your No. 1 source for all things softball with our Super 7 rankings, player recognition lists and weekly recap episodes from each classification on the Arkansas Prep X-Tra podcast with Kyle Sutherland and Jared Hawthorn.

Below are some of the teams to keep an eye on heading into the season. Following this preseason preview, the Super 7 rankings will be updated each week from mid-March through the end of the season.

6A

1. Bentonville

2. Cabot

3. Rogers

4. Bryant

5. North Little Rock

6. Rogers Heritage

7. Conway

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Bentonville West, Har-Ber

Bentonville: The Lady Tigers have won five of the past six 6A state titles, and you can expect them to not go away anytime soon as the current back-to-back defending champions. All eight seniors on the roster will play at the next level, headlined by Razorback signee Kasey Wood (pitcher/third baseman). Head coach Kent Early expects to be a “solid” team defensively despite the loss of outfielders Alleyna Rushing and Hallie Robison. 6A state tournament Most Valuable Player Ryann Sanders also returns for her junior season in the circle, along with senior Omaha signee Sara Watson (catcher), classmates in Pitt State signee Trista Peterson (first base), Kansas signee Kadence Stafford (shortstop).

Cabot: After falling 3-1 to Bentonville in the state title game, the Lady Panthers return six full-time starters led by South Dakota State signee Akayla Barnard in the circle and utilities Emma Scales (Ouachita Baptist signee) and Graci Hock (Delta State signee). Junior Emily Titus, a Southern Arkansas commit, will be back at catcher after breaking her hand against Benton in late April. After starting 13-0 in 2022, expect Cabot to be right back in the mix to return to their second-straight state finals.

Rogers: A heartbreaking one-run loss to Cabot in the state semifinals is sure to drive the Lady Mounties as they prepare for a new year. They return their three primary pitchers - ace senior Ella Beeman (Abilene Christian signee) as well as juniors Kadence Janney and Ava Johnson - as well as returners across the board with starting experience or plenty of innings under their belt including juniors Sydney Smith (catcher), Lauryn Heinle (first base), and Mak Fithian (outfield).

Bryant: Following a state semifinal run the Lady Hornets could experience some early growing pains behind the plate with the departure of Buddha Dillon, but should be in great shape just about everywhere else with seven starters returning. Junior transfer utility Kandence Armstrong can provide immediate assistance at catcher and also expects to see time in the circle along with junior Alyson White (Arkansas Tech commit). At the plate, junior second baseman Abby Gentry (.631 BA, 41 RBI, 11 HR) provides as much consistency as anyone in Arkansas along with great power. Senior Macy Hoskins (Henderson State signee) and junior Leah Hicks (Arkansas Tech commit) provide veteran leadership in the outfield.

North Little Rock: All three Lady Charging Wildcat departures are now on college rosters (Josie Golden - Henderson State, Amelia Gassman - Cottey College, Janiah Wilson - Central Arkansas), but still have expectations of making another deep run in the state tournament hoping to win their first championship since 2015. Second baseman Macee McGill will be the senior leader amongst a young and talented group that expects up to five freshmen to contribute.

Rogers Heritage: A multitude of talented freshmen will be asked to step up for the Lady War Eagles, but the return of Emily Carpenter - a starter at shortstop since her freshman season - as well as quality depth in the circle should help win some games early in the season while trying to gel. Do-it-all outfielder Grace Pingel will be missed both at the plate and defensively along with Anna Lee and K.G. Germann.

Conway: The biggest question is who will step up and take over in the circle for the departed Katlyn Erickson? Erickson handled all of the pitching duties for the Lady Wampus Cats. Conway also lost catcher Sydney Weiser, but returns seniors Carlee Atkinson (first base), Katelyn Conrad (third base), Allie McMillen (shortstop), as well as junior Ella White (second base). Senior outfielder and Missouri State signee Sofia King headlines the outfield along with classmate AK Bunting.

5A

1. Benton

2. Greene County Tech

3. Van Buren

4. Sheridan

5. Beebe

6. Valley View

7. Vilonia

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Greenwood, Mountain Home

Benton: It isn’t a debate that back-to-back state champions come into the 2023 season as not just the top team in Class 5A, but the state overall, currently on a 64-game winning streak dating back to 2020 and finished No. 3 in the USA Today final national polls. Losing six primary contributors would mean a rebuilding season for most teams, but the Lady Panthers are still in good shape with Stanford signee and reigning Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year pitcher/ infielder Alyssa Houston. Alongside Houston, the Lady Panthers also return seniors Addison Davis (second base), Emily Reed (outfielder), and junior Lydia Bethards (outfielder).

Greene County Tech: The Lady Eagles are as motivated as they have ever been after falling just short to Benton in the weather delayed 5A state finals. They graduated three (catcher Hannah Stallings, designated player Carleigh Hollis, and outfielder Kylie Stokes), but return plenty of experience including one of the better pitchers in the state, senior Karley Burrow, along with junior Arkansas commit Ava Carter in the outfield as well as senior infielders Averie Stokes (second base), Brielle Sage (shortstop), Zoie Reynolds (third base), and sophomore Marley Speer (first base). Sophomore Weslyn Burnside - the sister of former Razorback All-American Braxton Burnside - also returns in the outfield.

Van Buren: Momentum from an exciting 2022 should translate into this year with five starters returning led by gritty senior Ember Caldwell - who threw every inning for the Lady Pointers last season - along with her ultra-reliable classmate Ashlyn Michael behind the plate, as well as senior Riley Lowrey and Hailey Allen in the infield with junior Kyleigh Kuykendall leading the outfield. Per head coach Andy Williams, Caldwell will be in the circle for the majority of the innings yet again, but he is hoping for someone to step up between five talented freshmen.

Sheridan: After winning four-straight state titles from 2016-19, the Lady Jackets hope to build another dynasty. Head coach Scott Hoffman led the Lady Jackets to the 5A semifinals last season and only lost one starter, but the goal for now is to remain healthy. Sophomore shortstop Mary Lem will miss the year recovering from an ACL injury, but the corners should be covered with seniors in ASU-Mountain Home signee Kailtlyn Horton (first base) and Oklahoma Wesleyan signee Hannah Gilbert (third base), while standout junior Chloe Ashmead returns in the outfield where junior utility Emma Goodman will also contribute. Sheridan is the deepest of any team in 5A in pitching with junior Callie Kilburn and sophomores Cooper Terry and Chloe Clark, while Gilbert will also throw. Hoffman calls freshman Skylar Sterritt “unbelievable” with world class speed and could take over at short with the absence of Lem.

Beebe: An early exit from the state tournament has the Lady Badgers extra hungry and they come into 2023 with arguably Class 5A’s best one-two punch in the circle in seniors Kierra “Kiki” Pickens - A Missouri Southern signee who is also lethal at the plate - and Eva Godwin which should make new head coach Sara Flenor’s life easier. Five other starters are back including infielder Avery Perry, an Arkansas State signee, and catcher Ryanne Lefford who will play her college ball at National Park College.

Valley View: The defending 4A state champions likely will not miss a beat moving up in classification. Stud catcher Lexi Davis is gone, but dominant junior pitcher Riley Smith is back after winning MVP honors in the state tournament, along with most of the infield led by Arkansas Tech senior shortstop Anna Winkfield, her classmate Sophie Newberry (first base), sophomore Mackenzie Whitlock (second base), and junior Amera Wright (third base). Seniors Olivia Edwards and Lauren Mitchell return in the outfield where a few underclassmen also expect to contribute.

Vilonia: Kevin Sullivan is tasked with replacing his two pitchers, Hope Johnson and Elise Trautman, but the good news is everyone returns with just two seniors on the roster. Sophomore Lila Toll was initially slated to pitch, but a shoulder injury will keep her in the middle infield where she played as a freshman. Also in the infield, sophomore Emma Sowell (first base), along with juniors Emily Stout (shortstop) and Bri Phillips (third base). The biggest question is the outfield where stellar sophomore Dita Porterfield is the lone returning starter and expects to move over from right to center field. 

4A

1. Bauxite

2. Gravette

3. Malvern

4. Ashdown

5. Nashville

6. Stuttgart

7. Morrilton

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Farmington, Little Rock Christian

Bauxite: Having only lost one starter, this is a squad that features one of the more powerful batting lineups in 4A, led by one of the top power hitters in all of Arkansas prep softball, sophomore Emma King. King’s classmate MJ Bermingham is back in the circle after getting the majority of the innings as a freshman. Senior Bryley Bowman moves from the outfield to shortstop, while classmate Madalyn Ferrell returns at second base. Head coach Maddie Rhodes has raved about her outfield - Skylar Hoyt, Jaycee McClellan, and Kaci West - all of whom are juniors with plenty of experience.

Gravette: Of all the top contenders in Class 4A, Gravette is probably the one that few outside of Northwest Arkansas are paying attention to. The Lady Lions return eight starters off of a 2022 that finished in the state quarterfinals including pitcher Brooke Handle and center fielder Keeley Elsea, who were tabbed all-state as sophomores. Senior Trinity Burnett will move from second base to left field, but the rest of the infield is intact with juniors Olivia Crawford (first base) and Brynn Romine (shortstop) as well as sophomore third baseman Sydney Kildow, the sister of current Arkansas outfielder Callie Kildow. Senior Paige Greer returns alongside Elsea in the outfield.

Malvern: Looking for much more after being eliminated in the state quarterfinals by eventual champion Valley View. A host of returnees led by shortstop Ashlyn “AJ” Fike and catcher Bella Roseberry, both juniors, should help take pressure off of the pitching staff which will consist of Katelyn Minge, who will also play first base, and heralded freshman utility Kendall Watson. Junior Chasney “Chaz” Cooper headlines the outfield.

Ashdown: It would be a safe bet to say the defending 3A champions likely will not miss a beat despite bumping up in classification to the brutal 4A-7. Coach Ashlyn Pelotte returns essentially everyone including juniors in ace pitcher Madison Cook, catcher Kylie Erwin, and shortstop Karielle Forbes, who was the hero of the 3A state championship game. Juniors Zaniya Alexander (first base) and Kaylee Walker (third base) return on the corners as well as sophomore LaKenya Williams at second base. The outfield is in great hands with senior Jeana Paredes, as well as junior Jala Richard and sophomore Jaela Coleman.

Nashville: Southern Arkansas signee Maci McJunkins is gone, along with the rest of Boomer Brown’s famed “Magnificent 7,” but do not expect the Scrapperettes to go anywhere. Sophomore catcher Emalea Bailey (SAU commit), senior first baseman Emma Hutchinson, and sophomore third baseman Harleigh Hill will be heavily relied upon as the lone returning starters, but junior pitcher Nancy Worthington as well as a host of underclassmen should have Nashville right in the thick of things by May.

Stuttgart: Five key seniors graduated following the Lady Ricebirds’ state semifinal run, but per first-year head coach Logan Prince, the “heart and grit of the team is still in tact” with McNeese State signee Emma Banks, arguably the best pitcher in Class 4A, along with her right hand girl and Arkansas-Monticello signee Lauren Spoon behind the plate. Two others to watch are senior Cailyn Baser (P/RF) and junior Ashlyn Eason who has battled injuries but will play third and also pitch.

Morrilton: College signees Madison Garrett (UA-Rich Mountain) and Emalee Cook (Central Baptist College) return for their senior seasons along with classmates Cheyanne Kemp at shortstop and Olivia Self at first base, both seasoned infielders. Junior Sophia Wahrmund will line up in the outfield after playing behind the plate with the emergence of freshman Tessa Bratton. Sophomore utility Trinity Everette provides more depth at multiple spots.

3A

1. Lincoln

2. Atkins

3. Hackett

4. Tuckerman

5. Baptist Prep

6. Booneville

7. Mayflower

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Melbourne, Smackover

Lincoln: A 2022 season that featured 28 victories came to an end at the hands of eventual Class 3A champion Ashdown, but the Lady Wolves return eight starters and are looking for more. 3A is arguably the deepest class in the state from top to bottom, but anytime you have phenom Brinkley Moreton - the 10th-ranked player in the 2025 class per Extra Inning - it gives you an extra advantage. Other key returnees include seniors Ryleigh Landrum (shortstop), Lily Riherd (catcher), and Saylor Stidham (second base), along with juniors Amber Bryant (third base) and Kristen Rhine (first base), plus sophomore Addie Pershall (outfield).

Atkins: It was a strong finish for the Lady Red Devils as they made it all the way to the state finals. Head coach Matt Porter said this year’s goal is to win a championship. Junior Libby May returns in the circle along with senior Christin Flory behind the plate, but everywhere else remains to be seen. The infield will likely consist of juniors Adrian Henderson and Alyssa Lemley, along with senior Kinley Prater and sophomore Makinley Coffman, while the outfield “remains a mystery” per Porter.

Hackett: Three starters have departed, but a crucial piece in Makenzie Freeman returns to the circle after winning 23 games and compiling a state record five perfect games as a freshman. Returning infield starters include sophomore Lily Oxford (second base) and junior Alona Rothwell (first base) while Oklahoma Wesleyan signee Olivia Bouse is one of the better defensive players in Class 3A after not committing an error last season. Freeman’s sister, Michaelyn, a freshman described by head coach Jeff Oxford as a “total stud” will be a solid addition to the outfield where senior Kyleigh Hill junior Lexi Gann will also see time.

Tuckerman: The back-to-back 2A state champions bump up to 3A and likely will not skip a beat and expect to remain strong contenders. Pitcher MaKalie Gist has moved on to Newport, but two proven arms in seniors Hannah Nicolson and Kenzie Soden - who earned the save in the state title game - are back. Five other starters return including senior true utility Ansley Dawson, junior Gracie Smith who caught every game, and senior outfielder Audrey Altom who had just two errors in 22 chances playing right field.

Baptist Prep: Losing North Texas signee Mackenzie Childers in the circle, Macie Henderson behind the plate, along with infielder Taylor Bornds could mean plenty of learning curves but the Lady Eagles are still loaded. Senior Liv Slayton will be one of the primary arms, along with UA-Rich Mountain signee Katie Midkiff who is back to throwing after playing only in the infield last year. Behind their veteran leadership is a mostly host of underclassmen highlighted by freshman catcher Addison Highfill who head coach Tim Yelvington is elated to have behind the plate.

Booneville: Assistant Chad Simpson takes over after Ronnie Denton recently decided to take time away from the program. Everything the Lady Bearcats do starts with Pittsburg State commit, junior Lexi Franklin, who thrives in the circle and also led the team in nearly every statistical category at the plate. Four-year starting catcher Joleigh Tate is gone which could move talented infielder Roni Tillery behind the plate when needed. Senior Layla Byrum “has all the tools” as a four-year starter at shortstop, while senior Leigh Swint could move to third base after playing outfield. Swint’s classmate Karmen Kent also returns in the outfield.

Mayflower: The Lady Eagles are flying high into 2023 following a state semifinals run while playing all underclassmen with just two juniors. Senior Holly Raney, a UA-Rich Mountain commit, sophomore all-state third baseman Tori Barksdale, along with all-conference performers Hannah Duvall (shortstop), Alyssa Haggins (second base), Kylee Branscum (centerfield) lead a young corps that will only continue to improve.

2A

1. East Poinsett County

2. CAC

3. Woodlawn

4. Fordyce

5. Mansfield

6. Riverside

7. McCrory

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Lavaca, Quitman

East Poinsett County: All but one starter returns from the Lady Warrior’s 2A state runner-up squad with record-setting senior pitcher and Copiah-Lincoln signee Keegan McCorkle back in the circle as the two-time defending 2A-3 Player of the Year. Junior Brinley Brewer returns behind the plate, along with infielders Kelly Ann Lucas (sophomore, second baseman), Terrin Powell (junior, shortstop), and Jaycee Davis (senior, third baseman). Sophomore Mercedes Reel, junior Cameron Argo, and senior Natalie Dunman are all back in the outfield.

CAC: The Lady Mustangs went 19-4 last season in Class 3A and moved down in classification as they welcome back seven starters led by senior pitcher BrookLynn White, a Southern Miss signee, and junior catcher Ella Blakely, a Ouachita Baptist commit. Senior first baseman Elizabeth Coleclasure, junior shortstop Ashton Wilbanks, and sophomore middle infielder Kindle Walker all batted over .300 in 2022.

Woodlawn: It was a brutal ending to a rather highly successful season in 2022 falling in the first round of the 2A state tournament, but the Lady Bears are primed to get that taste out of their mouth. Six starters are back, highlighted by sensational sophomore pitcher Lillie McWhorter who throws as hard, or harder, than anyone in Arkansas, along with senior first baseman Kaitlyn Webb and junior catcher Anna Fitzgibbon, who were three of the top batters on the team last year. Other returning starters include sophomores Kathryn Dixon (third base), Lily White (center field), and senior Kendall Sanchez (outfield).

Fordyce: Despite the Lady Bugs’ lone loss being a big one in catcher Kendyl Kemp, the rest of the field should be in fine shape with seniors Emily Graves (third base), Melanie Casillo (shortstop), Mary Crain (second base), Kinley Shankles (first base) and Lauren Petty back in the circle, along with a veteran outfield.

Mansfield: Of all of the teams in Class 2A, the Lady Tigers have as good of a pitcher/catcher duo as anyone in junior ace Alyson Edwards and senior Brooklyn Adams behind the dish. Kaylee Ward is a freshman phenom in basketball already with multiple Power Five offers and will likely snag a spot in the infield, while her sister, Kynslee, will be at shortstop. Senior Natalie Allison will be the veteran in the outfield lining up at center.

Riverside: As one of the younger teams across the state in 2022, the Lady Rebels did not demand much notice outside of Northeast Arkansas until the final month of the season when they won seven of their final ten games. Everyone returns, as well as a strong incoming freshman class, with sophomores Katie Ridge and Klaire Womack splitting pitching duties, while veteran senior Mackenzie Thomas is back at catcher. Other notables include sophomores Annalee Qualls (outfield), Brooklyn Berry (third base), Kaylee Cox (shortstop), along with junior Gracie Doty (first base), and senior Paris McGee (outfield).

McCrory: Two major pieces in the Lady Jaguars’ infield - all-state second basemen Hannah Taylor and third basemen Madi Hankins - must be replaced, but overall there is plenty returning for a squad that started 2022 with 14-consecutive wins. Four-year starter Chandler Reynolds is back at shortstop, along with classmate Natalie Creasey at first base who will also pitch, while junior Mabry Tiner returns behind the plate and junior ace Morgan Schafer is back in the circle. Outfield is possibly the position group with the most depth headlined by four-year starter McKenzie Miller.

1A

1. Taylor

2. Wonderview

3. West Side Greers Ferry

4. Bradley

5. Calico Rock

6. Concord

7. Midland

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Guy-Perkins, Sacred Heart

Taylor: Despite playing the state’s smallest classification, Taylor has set the standard for softball in Arkansas and now has the most all-time state championships after winning the program’s eighth title last May. Shortstop Carly Downs and outfielder Lauran Lenard will be major losses both defensively and at the plate, but stellar sophomore ace pitcher Ayla Buford and six others starters are back shooting for the Lady’s Tigers’ sixth-straight state title. Junior Madison Lindsey is back behind the plate, while senior Maggie McHenry (first base), juniors Mattison McClelland (second base) and Heidi May (shortstop), along with sophomore Brooke Nunn (third base) return to the infield. Juniors Reese Fowler and MaKayla Downs bring starting experience to the outfield.

Wonderview: Last year’s heartbreaking walk-off one-run state semifinals loss to Greers Ferry West Side left a bitter taste that the Lady Daredevils are looking to make up for. Senior Lydia Polk, an Oklahoma Wesleyan signee, has been one of the top pitchers in the small school ranks for a long time, and classmates Abbi Baker (shortstop), Tyleigh Hoyt (catcher), and Gracie Williams (first base) provide plenty of experience on a squad that returns seven starters.

West Side Greers Ferry: Good news is West Side returns seven starters. The bad news is the two losses were at primary positions in UA-Rich Mountain signee and ace pitcher McKenna Bittle and catcher Kortnee Finch. Sophomore Lacy Baker will likely be the Lady Eagles’ primary pitcher after playing right field in 2022, while sophomore shortstop Sam Corpier is also a candidate in the circle. Other starters returning are Alyssa Smith (first base), Mandy Smith (third base), along with outfielders Ellie Thompson and Lolley Parker.

Bradley: Three losses to the Lady Bears infield could present some early learning lessons, but the coaching staff feels comfortable in the next ones up led by veteran senior Maddie McDonald at third base, while solid sophomore Allie Lane moves to shortstop after playing outfield last year, plus a few freshmen who are expected to contribute. Junior Ainslee Moore, a recent Arkansas Tech commit, is back in the circle while her catcher, South Ark signee Jackie Kelner, also returns.

Calico Rock: Considering how most of the regular season played out, the Lady Pirates finished well down the stretch winning their last four regular season contests and had a dominating 16-0 victory over Jasper in the first round of the state tournament. With seven starters returning, led by senior Lyrick Stapleton in the circle, Calico Rock hopes to stay more consistent and make an even deeper state tournament run. Junior Shelby Skidmore will also pitch and play first base while sophomore Havan Stapleton is back in the infield expected to contribute shortstop or third base.

Concord: The experience gained from starting seven freshmen in 2022 should pay off for Keith Cornett’s squad. Sophomore Laiken Cornett and junior Brianna McPike will split pitching duties, with Cornett likely the ace, while sophomore catcher Lily Tharp is the Lady Pirates’ “best overall player.” Sophomores Laney Brackett (infielder), Kendall Devers (infielder), and Kadence Ghannad, along with freshmen Kately Cornett and Ashlyn Cossey all expect to play major roles.

Midland: Dropping down to Class 1A should benefit the Lady Mustangs as seven key players return for a squad that finished last year with a winning record. Junior Danica Brown is the team’s ace pitcher and top player overall, while catcher Skylar Porterfield brings plenty of veteran leadership as the team’s only senior. Junior Gabby Jefford is the top returner in the infield at shortstop, while sophomore Haley Meeks headlines the outfield after starting at center as a freshman.