City high school softball guide: Lexington has four of 11th Region’s best. Others rising
Lexington Catholic returned to the state tournament last season as 11th Region champions, and the Knights are among the favorites in one of the state’s toughest divisions once more in 2025.
Who in the city besides will challenge for their respective district crowns and beyond? Those answers will play out as the season progresses toward May 19 when the high school softball postseason begins.
The opportunity looks ripe. Lexington Catholic is off to a 3-6 start and already has twice the losses it suffered all of last year.
Three new coaches join the Lexington ranks as former Lexington Catholic assistant coach Tina Watson takes over the Knights, Chris Hould steps in at Lafayette and Greg Dixon looks to revive Paul Laurence Dunbar.
Here’s a look at the Lexington softball landscape in order of each team’s 11th Region preseason coaches’ rankings, as reported by 104thescore.com, one of the caretakers of the statewide coaches poll system. That outlet does not produce a statewide preseason top 25.
Unranked teams are listed in order of last season’s approximate finish. All quotes are from each team’s coach. Statistics are from last season. This season’s records are through March 31.
Lexington Catholic
Last season: 27-3. 43rd District and 11th Region champions; reached state quarterfinals.
Region preseason rank: No. 2.
This year’s start: 3-6.
Big hitters: Abby Hammond, P, Sr. (.564 AVG, 13 HR, 43 R, 41 RBI); Aevea Mosley-Franklin, C, 8th (.400 AVG, 1 HR, 38 R, 12 RBI, 21 SB); Kayla Mattingly, OF, Sr. (.269 AVG, 2 HR, 5 R, 16 RBI).
In the circle: Hammond (27-3, 0.51 ERA, 178.2 IP, 282 K).
College commits: Hammond, Kentucky.
Notes: The Knights have suffered six uncharacteristic losses early, including a 15-12 shocker Monday to Paul Laurence Dunbar and a 4-3 loss to 11th Region preseason No. 1 Great Crossing on March 18. Hammond earned co-city player of the year honors in 2024 after having the award to herself the year before. Former head coach Emery Emmert stepped down after seven seasons that included two 11th Region championships and a run to the 2022 state finals. His daughters Ava and Ella Emmert are on the Kentucky softball roster.
Coach Watson says: “The Lady Knights have 10 returning players from last year’s KHSAA state tournament roster but eight of them will be in new roles this year. After graduating five seniors, we have some athletes ready to step up and fill those positions. We have a lean roster and will likely see several different lineup configurations through the season.”
Frederick Douglass
Last season: 17-15. 42nd District runner-up.
Region preseason rank: No. 3 (tied with Scott County).
This year’s start: 7-4.
Big hitters: Haley McGuire, 1B/P, So. (.614 AVG, 10 HR, 38 R, 47 RBI, 27 2B); Jarynn Bowman, 2B, So. (.400 AVG, 2 HR, 22 R, 15 RBI); Emma Dunn, SS, So. (.301 AVG, 2 HR, 26 R, 17 RBI); Kavery Myrick 3B, Fr. (.279 AVG, 6 HR, 19 R, 25 RBI).
In the circle: McGuire (8-6, 3.66 ERA, 118.2 IP, 89 K, 4 SV); Savannah Wombles, P, 8th (4-2, 10.02 ERA, 43.1 IP, 50 K).
College commits: Armani Happy, Agnes Scott College.
Notes: Douglass ended Scott County’s run of 17 straight district titles by defeating the Cardinals 11-1 in last season’s semifinals. Myrick played for Lafayette as a middle schooler.
Coach Jason McGuire says: “Sophomore Haley McGuire will be expected to lead and carry this team. The rest of the lineup … has the potential to put up big numbers, which I expect. … For our pitching, we’ll be relying on eighth-grade sensation Savannah Wombles. … If we throw strikes and minimize walks, this will be a great season for us.”
Bryan Station
Last season: 18-12. 42nd District champion.
Region preseason rank: No. 5.
This year’s start: 5-1.
Big hitters: Tiahna Bowman, SS, Sr. (.433 AVG, 2 HR, 41 R, 11 RBI, 23 SB); Brooke Weathers, 1B/C, Sr. (.276 AVG, 5 R, 13 RBI); Olivia Greenberg, OF, So. (.394 AVG, 8 R, 5 RBI in 16 games); Adrienn Acure, 3B, So. (.224 AVG, 21 R, 9 RBI, 10 SB).
In the circle: Karsyn Rockvoan (14-7, 1.75 ERA, 152 IP, 274 K, 3 SV); Imani Metoyer, P (4-2, 3.99 ERA, 33.1 IP, 10 K).
College commits: Tiahna Bowman, Kentucky State.
Notes: The Defenders claimed their first-ever softball district crown with a 2-1 win over Douglass in last season’s finals. Station has made the region tournament each of the last three seasons. Rockvoan shared co-Lexington player of the year honors with LexCath’s Hammond last season.
Coach Hector Urbaneja says: “Our team is led by seniors Tiahna Bowman and Brooke Weathers among others. Pitcher Karsyn Rockvoan comes on strong as a junior and is expected to lead the team in pitching and hitting. We have some young girls coming in as eighth graders that are also expected to make an impact.”
Lafayette
Last season: 20-16. 43rd District runner-up.
Region preseason rank: No. 7.
This year’s start: 7-0.
Big hitters: Rylan Music, 1B/P, Sr. (.417 AVG, 6 HR, 22 R, 35 RBI); Addison Combs, OF, So. (.443, 3 HR, 34 R, 28 RBI, 14 SB); Brynna Harris, OF, Jr. (.381 AVG, 28 R, 24 RBI, 22 SB); Anna Clay Denton, SS, Jr. (.308 AVG, 2 HR, 25 R, 26 RBI).
In the circle: Lyla Hould, P, Jr. (11-6, 3.93 ERA, 121 IP, 53 K, 2 SV); Music (6-8, 5.53 ERA, 74.2 IP, 43 K, 4 SV); Abigail Winkler, P, Sr. (2-1, 3.33 ERA, 27.1 IP, 26 K, 1 SV).
College commits: Music, Augusta University; Winkler, Sewanee; Kierstyn Kelley, Wabash Valley.
Notes: Chris Hould takes over the Generals after the departure of Dan Grantz, who led Lafayette for five seasons that included the 2021 11th Region championship and a state quarterfinals appearance. Kierstyn Kelley returns to the roster after missing her junior season with an injury.
Coach Hould says: “I have high hopes for the 2025 season due to our ability to execute basic softball fundamentals while our team learns to be advanced students of the game. As a result, Lafayette could be a tough out during the postseason. … As with most teams, pitching will pave the path for the Generals.”
Tates Creek
Last season: 14-20.
This year’s start: 2-6.
Big hitters: Alexis Bazzell, 2B, So. (.364 AVG, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 4 R); Madison Bowman, OF, Jr. (.294 AVG, 3 HR, 29 RBI, 23 R); Kacey Cline, 1B, Sr. (.290 AVG, 2 HR, 23 R, 16 RBI).
In the circle: Alexis Sempsrott, P, Fr. (7-12, 6.37 ERA, 117.2 IP, 73 K).
College commits: Madison Bowman, Union College.
Notes: The Commodores have sent one of their players on to NCAA Division I each of the last two years in Kentucky’s Peyton Plotts and Minnesota’s Tinley Easton. Both are starters.
Coach Mike Thomas says: “We are a young talented team with only one senior and two juniors. … Overall, I’m pleased with this team and the hard work they do every day. Each player is growing and getting better.”
Lexington Christian
Last season: 8-16.
This year’s start: 1-1.
Big hitters: Anna Gorshak, OF, Sr. (.475 AVG, 5 HR, 21 R, 24 RBI); Mackenzie Waits, P, Jr. (.386 AVG, 22 R, 9 RBI); Lucy Gordon, 1B, Sr. (.327 AVG, 10 R, 9 RBI).
In the circle: Waits (12.1 IP last season).
College commits: Gorshak, Cedarville.
Notes: LCA last made a district finals and the 11th Region Tournament in 2003.
Coach Chris Waits says: “Returning seniors Anna Gorshak and Lucy Gordon will be leading the defense behind Mackenzie Waits who will be holding down the circle this season. We have a small roster but have some talented multi-sport athletes and promising newcomers.”
Paul Laurence Dunbar
Last season: 7-18.
This year’s start: 4-4.
Big hitters: Tatum Golden, C/SS, Sr. (.415 AVG, 21 R, 20 RBI); Samantha Dixon, CF, So. (.294 AVG, 17 R, 11 RBI); Courtney Dierson, P/3B, Jr. (.316 AVG, 1 HR, 16 R, 15 RBI).
In the circle: Tinsley Plowman P, 8th (2024 stats incomplete); Cortney Diersen, P/3B, Jr. (2024 stats incomplete).
College commits: None.
Notes: Dunbar stunned defending 43rd District and 11th Region champion Lexington Catholic 15-12 on Monday. It was the Bulldogs’ first win over LexCath since 2019. All three meetings last season were 15-0 mercy-rule LexCath wins. Dunbar had a run of reaching eight region tournaments in nine years until 2018. Greg Dixon is the third different coach of the now five season drought.
Coach Dixon says: “We are a very young team with 10 middle school players, and six high school players. Lots of heart on this squad and girls who really love the game. … Learning how to win and finish games is our biggest challenge this season.”
Henry Clay
Last season: 3-25.
This year’s start: 2-4.
Big hitters: Ella Smith, P/1B, Jr. (.370 AVG, 8 R, 11 RBI; Elise Pearson, OF, Fr. (.345 AVG, 14 R, 2 RBI, 16 BB); Kyndal Brewster, 2B, Sr. (.231, 6 R, 7 RBI).
In the circle: Smith (2024 stats incomplete); Jayne Skaggs (2024 stats incomplete).
College commits: Smith, Transylvania; Brewster, Union Commonwealth.
Notes: The Blue Devils had no seniors last season and returned every player who saw action in 2024.
Coach Alysha Sakamura says: “This season will be fun. It’s my second year as head coach and I look forward to seeing growth, trust, and connection. … This offseason we were able to build chemistry.
11th Region preseason poll
Kentucky Prep Softball’s 11th Region top 10 according to a vote of 10 of the region’s 17 coaches as published on Facebook.com.
1. Great Crossing
2. Lexington Catholic
T3. Scott County
T3. Frederick Douglass
5. Bryan Station
6. Madison Central
7. Lafayette
8. Franklin County
9. Western Hills
10. Madison Southern
