City high school softball guide: Douglass leads pack of 11th Region contenders
It might take a while for Kentucky high school softball to warm up with the weather as the season progresses from its chilly March 16 start date.
But Lexington’s eight high school varsity teams already have a few games under their belt on their way to a postseason that lies a scant two months away.
Frederick Douglass came in as the 11th Region’s preseason No. 1, according to the Kentucky Prep Softball coaches poll. That’s ahead of defending region champion Scott County, who the Broncos beat out for the 42nd District title last year.
Joining the Broncos in the top 10 from Lexington were No. 3 Lafayette, featuring Kentucky softball commit Addi Combs, No. 4 Bryan Station, No. 8 Tates Creek and No. 10 Henry Clay.
Here’s a look at the Lexington softball landscape in order of the teams’ preseason ranking (or order of finish last season for unranked teams), including top players and coaches’ comments.
Stats are from last season. Current season standings are through Tuesday, March 24. Region preseason rankings are according to the Kentucky Prep Softball Facebook page/X.com account, which does not do statewide preseason rankings. All comments in quotes are from coach responses to the Herald-Leader’s preseason survey.
Frederick Douglass
Last season: 22-10; 42nd District champion
Region preseason rank: No. 1
Big hitters: Haley McGuire, 1B/OF/P, Jr. (.533, 47 H, 41 RBI, 32 R, 10 HR, 20 2B, 28 BB); Jarynn Bowman, 2B, Jr. (.396, 36 H, 22 RBI, 43 R, 17 BB, 35 SB); Haylee Lefever, C/OF, Sr. (.352, 32 H, 21 RBI, 12 BB); Kavery Myrick, 3B, So. (.350, 36 H, 27 RBI, 25 R).
In the circle: Savannah Wombles, P, Fr. (101 IP, 4.23 ERA, 11-6, 98 K, 1 SV); Haley McGuire, 1B/OF/P, Sr. (80 IP, 1.40 ERA, 8-0, 68 K, 6 SV).
College commits: Bowman (Murray State); Lefever (Transylvania); McGuire (Liberty).
Notes: Eight of nine starters return for first-year coach Tim Toler. McGuire is “a dynamic offensive threat,” who will split time in the circle and at first. Bowman “we trust defensively every time the ball is hit her way.” Lefever’s experience as one of three seniors “will be invaluable.” Myrick’s “best softball is ahead of her.” Wombles “made a big impact last year ... her development will be a major piece of our success.”
Coach Toler says: “The goal isn’t just to repeat as district champions — it’s to push deeper into the regional round and compete for a regional title with the opportunity to earn a spot in the state tournament. The biggest difference this year is experience.”
Lafayette
Last season: 23-9; 43rd District runner-up; 11th Region semifinalist.
Region preseason rank: No. 3.
Big hitters: Addi Combs, UTL, Sr. (.407, 37 H, 34 RBI, 34 R, 8 HR, 23 SB); Anna Clay Denton, SS, Sr. (.400, 38 H, 25 RBI, 40 R, 4 HR, 14 BB, 20 SB); Brynna Harris, OF, Sr. (.300, 30 H, 19 RBI, 34 R, 12 2B, 14 BB, 19 SB); Skylar Davis, C, Jr. (.300, 24 H, 17 RBI); Mckenzie Harney, UTL, Sr. (.262, 22 H, 14 RBI, 19 R, 14 BB, 13 SB).
In the circle: Lyla Hould, P, Sr. (33 IP, 4.45 ERA, 17 K, 4-1, 2 SV); Leanna Burnett, P, 8th (3.1 IP, 2 K).
College commits: Combs (Kentucky); Denton, (Evansville-signed); Harney and Harris (Charleston-signed); Hould (Oakland City-signed).
Notes: Combs and Denton earned all-city first team honors in 2025, and coach Chris Hould expects them to continue to play at a “high level.” The Generals started last season on a 10-game win streak and won seven straight going into the postseason before losing to Lexington Catholic in the district final.
Coach Hould says: With six seniors and two juniors, “this should be an exciting season. ... Arguably the glue to the team and our most valuable player could be our junior catcher Skylar Davis. She will help keep our pitchers grounded during the season while anchoring what I believe will be a good year for our defense.”
Bryan Station
Last season: 16-8.
Region preseason rank: No. 4.
Big hitters: Karsyn Rockvoan, P, Sr. (.306, 22 H, 14 RBI, 7 HR, 10 BB); Aniyah Farris, 2B, Fr. (.313, 21 H, 12 RBI, 10 R); Olivia Greenberg, CF, Jr. (.271, 16 H, 8 RBI, 10 R, 9 BB).
In the circle: Rockvoan, P, Sr. (145.2 IP, 0.96 ERA, 10-4, 282 K).
College commits: Rockvoan (Northwest Florida State College).
Notes: Rockvoan is the reigning city player of the year and earned preseason 11th Region player of the year from coaches who participated in Kentucky Prep Softball’s survey. Ferris returns “stronger and faster with a more mature mindset.” Greenburg “had a great travel ball season” and is expected to be a leader on offense and defense. Hector Urbaneja is the longest-tenured softball coach in Lexington, having led the Defenders since 2015.
Coach Urbaneja says: “We have a good mixture of experienced players and new players that are talented and with broad experience in travel ball. I tell my kids that we have the talent to go to a place where we have never been. We just need to stick together, trust the process and have each other’s back.”
Tates Creek
Last season: 9-17.
Region preseason rank: No. 8.
Big hitters: Alexis Bazzell, 2B, Jr. (.452, 38 H, 12 RBI, 29 R, 11 SB); Alexis Sempsrott, P, So. (.342, 25 H, 15 RBI); Kylie Howell, 3B, Jr. (.394, 28 H, 22 RBI, 26 R, 16 BB); Madison Bowman, OF/UTL, Sr. (.314, 22 H, 20 RBI, 18 R, 9 BB).
In the circle: Sempsrott, P, So. (132.1 IP, 5.87 ERA, 9-15, 119 K).
College commits: Bowman, Union College.
Notes: Coach Mike Thomas expects Howell’s offseason work to pay off at the hot corner this year and believes Bowman and Semsprott will build on progress made last season. Bazzell earned an all-city second-team honors in 2025. Kentucky softball standout Peyton Plotts is a 2023 alumna.
Coach Thomas says: “We are a young, talented team this year in all positions. They have worked really hard this summer and fall. They are hungry for the district and pushing themselves to get a shot at a regional. Work hard and good things will come.”
Henry Clay
Last season: 10-17.
Region preseason rank: No. 10.
Big hitters: Elise Pearson, UTL, So. (.514, 38 H, 15 RBI, 30 R, 11 2B, 10 BB); Abby Watts-Claunch, UTL, Jr. (.333, 21 H, 19 RBI, 22 R, 13 BB); Kathryn Skaggs, OF, So. (.295, 18 H, 15 RBI, 12 R); Jayne Skaggs, P/INF, So. (.283, 15 H).
In the circle: Ella Smith, P, Sr. (76 IP, 3.68 ERA, 65 K, 7 BB); Jayne Skaggs, P/INF, So. (72.2 IP, 3.85 ERA).
College commits: Smith, Transylvania.
Notes: Smith (first team) and Watts-Claunch (second team) earned all-city honors in 2025. Smith and Adrianna Harris are the Blue Devils’ only seniors on a team that includes four eighth graders and a seventh grader.
Coach Alysha Sakamura says: Sakamura did not offer comments in our survey.
Lexington Catholic
Last season: 16-9; 43rd District champion.
Region preseason rank: Unranked.
Big hitters: Lauren Kelley, P, Sr. (.317, 19 H, 15 RBI, 8 BB, 2 HR); Payton Coomer, IF, Sr. (.246, 14 H, 8 RBI, 14 R, 12 BB); Lauren Husz, UTL, Jr. (4 R, 1 RBI in 13 AB).
In the circle: Kelley, P, Sr. (12 IP, 10.50 ERA, 0-2, 3 K).
College commits: Coomer (Oakland City).
Notes: Jamie Carpenter takes over as head coach of a program that graduated 2025 Miss Softball Abby Hammond, now at UK. Kelley, who takes over in the circle and as leading hitter, “does it the right way, with a greate attitude.” Coomer “is like a coach on the field, a hard-nosed, tough kid.” Carpenter calls Husz “a fast, athletic kid who goes all out at all times.”
Coach Carpenter says: “We have new pieces all over the diamond this year and all are hungry to prove themselves. We will take some lumps but never stop moving forward. The culture here is great, and I’m lucky to be here. The older girls look after the younger kids, and it just continues to organically be a great, supportive place to play.”
Paul Laurence Dunbar
Last season: 9-17
Region preseason rank: Unranked
Big hitters: Samantha Dixon, OF, Jr. (.388, 26 H, 17 RBI, 17 R, 10 SB); Ellie Brajuha, C, 8th (.338, 24 H, 20 RBI, 16 R); Tinsley Plowman, P/IF, Fr. (.383, 23 H, 21 RBI).
In the circle: Plowman, P/IF, Fr. (52 IP, 6.73 ERA, 3-9, 25 K); Lily Sawyers, P/SS, Fr. (37.2 IP, 8.36 ERA, 1-3, 14 K).
Notes: Dixon, Brajuha and Sawyers will be onfield captains, and coach Greg Dixon will also look for leadership from his three seniors, Ava Rankin, Cortney Diersen and Abby Young. Dunbar’s seeking its first berth to the 43rd District tournament finals since 2018.
Coach Greg Dixon says: “We’ve grown our roster from 16 players last season to 24 for 2026. Still very talented but young, as 75 percent of the roster is ninth grade or younger. It’s an experienced group! The future is extremely bright, and they’ve got their goals within arm’s reach.”
Lexington Christian Academy
Last season: 6-12.
Region preseason rank: Unranked.
Big hitters: Mackenzie Waits, UTL, Sr. (.531, 26 H, 27 R, 12 SB); Madison Wertzler, C/3B, So. (.512, 21 H, 20 RBI, 10 R, 2 HR); Piper Graham, UTL, Sr. (.462, 18 H, 11 RBI, 29 R, 12 BB).
In the circle: Ella Deaton, P, Fr. (did not play in 2025; 2024 stats: 73 IP, 9.97 ERA, 5-11, 49 K).
Notes: Waits and Wertzler juggle lacrosse and softball, which are both in season. Waits returns to a field position after pitching duties last year. Wertzler has a “powerful bat” and also somehow runs track. Piper Graham, the Eagles’ Miss Basketball finalist and 11th Region player of the year, comes back for her second season of softball.
Coach Chris Waits says: “Sophia Gorshak, Megan Moore and Emma McIntosh also return for us in addition to five newcomers that will make an immediate impact. As a team our focus is development and improvement, and focusing on one play at a time and one game at a time.”
