Despite entering last season’s Region 4D Tournament as an underdog, Millbrook softball made history by recording its first-ever Class 4 state tournament appearance.
After a 9-9 regular season, the Pioneers entered the region tournament as the North’s No. 5 seed. They defeated No. 4 seed Orange County 4-0 in the first round, No. 1 Sherando 3-1 in the quarterfinals and No. 2 James Wood 6-5 in the semifinals before falling to the South’s top-seeded Jefferson Forest in the Region 4D title game 7-4. Millbrook then fell 10-0 to Tuscarora in the state quarterfinals.
This historic season helped Pioneers’ head coach Carolyn Campbell win The Winchester Star Softball Coach of the Year award, and Campbell’s roster could be poised for another strong spring after retaining some key performers.
Senior pitcher and utility player Emma Martin is back after being selected to the Class 4 All-State First Team as a designated player and the Second Team as a pitcher last spring. She also made the All-Region 4D and All-Northwestern District first teams as a pitcher.
Martin threw a perfect game against Orange County and finished the season with a 1.92 ERA, an area-best 192 strikeouts, a .360 batting average and 18 RBIs. She will play for NCAA Division II Millersville University next year.
The Pioneers will also continue relying on junior catcher Lexi Edwards, an All-Northwestern District Second Team pick who hit .384 and drove in 19 runs last season. Senior outfielder Rowan McCullough — a First Team All-Area selection — tied for the area lead in stolen bases (14), tied for fourth in runs (27) and ranked fifth in batting average (.418, 38 for 91) last year. She also had 13 RBIs.
Millbrook will look to fill the void of third baseman Jazmin Orr, who made the Class 4 All-State and All-Northwestern District second teams and the All-Region 4D First Team in 2025.
Looking to rebound from their upset losses, Sherando and James Wood also retained plenty of talent. Though the Warriors lost All-Region 4D First Team outfielder Kendra Chunta and All-Region Honorable Mention pitcher Aubrey Weir to graduation, the team returns four other players who received All-Region recognition a year ago.
After a First Team selection, junior outfielder Mady Cox will look to build upon last season, where she hit .400, tallied 18 RBIs and tied for second in the area with 13 stolen bases.
Second Team outfielder Elle Shutts (.373 batting average, 19 RBIs), Honorable Mention pitcher and first baseman Lily Wray (2.15 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 68 strikeouts, .322 average) and Honorable Mention shortstop Makayla Williams (.429 average, 27 RBIs, .493 OBP) will also work to lead Sherando to postseason success.
After reaching the state quarterfinals two seasons ago, James Wood will aim to reach those heights once again. The Colonels will again be led by senior shortstop Brynnen Williams, who won The Winchester Star Softball Player of the Year award and was named to the All-Region 4D and All-Northwestern District first teams in 2025.
Williams led the area with a .524 batting average, a .571 OBP and 32 runs scored last season and ranked second with 29 RBIs. She’ll continue her softball career at Division I Eastern Kentucky next year.
The Colonels will also rely on junior pitcher Sophia Gerald after she led the area with a 1.54 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP en route to an All-Region 4D First Team selection.
Senior outfielder Kayleigh Harden and junior pitcher and second baseman Kaitlyn Brannon are also back after being named All-Region 4D honorable mentions and All-Northwestern District first teamers last season. Senior center fielder Aubrey Nail will also look to build off her All-Northwestern District First Team selection.
Additionally, the Colonels will hope their six-player freshmen class will enhance the team’s depth and long-term upside.
Unlike its local Class 4 counterparts, Handley is coming off a tough season, going 3-13. With the Judges returning eight upperclassmen, they’ll hope their enhanced experience improves their results.
Handley lost outfielder and All-Region 4D Second Team selection Haley Davis to graduation, but will lean on senior pitcher Lily Shearer following her All-Region 4D Honorable Mention and All-Northwestern District Second Team selections last season.
The Judges also added sophomore pitcher Mady Thacker after she transferred from Clarke County. She also played third base in 2025 and made the All-Region 2B Second Team and the All-Bull Run District First Team as a fielder, but will only pitch for Handley.
In Class 2, the Eagles are coming off an 11-11 season that ended with a 4-1 loss to Central in the Region 2B quarterfinals. They gave up all four of Central’s runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Looking to rebound, Clarke County returns nine players from last year’s varsity roster, including junior catcher and infielder Emmerson Kennedy, who made the All-Region 2B Second team and All-Bull Run District First Team after hitting .368, driving in 16 runs and scoring 30.
Sophomore pitcher and infielder Olivia Parker also returns after being named to the All-Bull Run District Second Team.
Here’s a closer look at all five area teams, as provided by their coaches.
Millbrook
Coach: Carolyn Campbell, fifth season.
Last year: 12-11. Lost to Tuscarora in Class 4 state quarterfinals
Key losses: Jazmin Orr, Ciara Major, Allie Simmons
Key returnees: Emma Martin (Sr., P/UTL); Rowan McCullough (Sr., OF); Kimber Rudolph (Sr., OF)
Key newcomers: Jordyn Ganse (Fr., OF)
Campbell’s outlook: “We are looking to build on last year’s success. We made it to the state tournament for the first time in program history. Our district consistently stays the most competitive among other districts. We have proven that we can go toe-to-toe every game, every season.
“We’re better this year in more ways than one. Making it through our district opponents, playing in the regional championship game and making it to the state tournament last season has provided the team with experience that not everyone gets to see at the high school level. We play a tough schedule every year, and that allows us to play competitively throughout the season, not just when the postseason comes around. This season, we’ve had to focus on finding the right pieces to the puzzle. Having a versatile team, with several utility players, we may be looking at many different versions of the lineup this season.
“Both of our pitchers are returning this season. Emma Martin and Amaya Shook complement each other so well. Lexi Edwards will continue to be half our battery and provide exceptional support for our pitchers. Rowan McCullough and Kimber Rudolph will continue to lead our outfield group, along with Lily Nail and Jordyn Ganse. Kaylen Giza and McKenna Ripstein return to the infield and can lock down any position we put them in. Among the others, we have several players that can field both infield and outfield positions if called to, including Riley Mentzer and Kiley Eaton.”
First game: Thursday at Brentsville, 6 p.m.
Sherando
Coach: Mark Conner, fifth season.
Last year: 15-6. Lost to Millbrook in Region 4D quarterfinals.
Key losses: Kendra Chunta, Kayla Grum, Aubrey Weir, Meghan Walker
Key returnees: Lily Wray (Sr., P); Mady Cox (Sr., CF); Makayla Williams (Sr., SS); Leighanne Lowe (Jr., C); Elle Shutts (Jr., OF); Eliza Anderson (Jr., UTL); Sophia Zimmerman (So., 2B); Jessie Kaiser (So., P); Abby Rinker (So., 3B)
Key newcomers: Kaylie Fesenmyer (Sr., UTL); Natalie Sones (Sr., UTL); Olivia Nettles (Jr., UTL); Autumn Clatterbuck (So., P)
Conner’s outlook: “Our philosophy is still unchanged. Hard work in practices will prepare us to compete against many talented teams on our schedule this upcoming season. With the solid pitching that most teams have, these games will be highly competitive, and we cannot afford to make mistakes in late innings that could potentially cost you the game.
“We have more depth in the circle, which will allow our coaches to make decisions based on certain scenarios during the game. Offensively, they’re swinging the bats well in practice and we’re excited to see what run production we can produce to support our pitching staff. Our nine returners have been in some big moments over their high school careers, and we expect them to compete at a high level. The new additions to our team have been in our JV program, and we fully expect them to make contributions throughout the season. We need to improve on finding ways to win games down the stretch and have the mental toughness to do so.
“Overall, our team is working extremely hard to get ready for this season. They understand what our goal is, achieving it one inning at a time. We are leaning on our veteran seniors to lead this team back into playoff contention.”
First game: Thursday at James Wood, 6 p.m.
James Wood
Coach: Patrick Gibson, fourth season.
Last year: 16-7. Lost to Millbrook in Region 4D semifinals.
Key losses: Aliza Judd, Emma Hild
Key returnees: Brynnen Williams (Sr., SS); Aubrey Nail (Sr., CF); Kayleigh Harden (Sr., LF); Sophia Gerald (Jr., P/2B); Kaitlyn Brannon (Jr., P/2B); Molly Maynard (Jr., 1B/3B); Gabby Madagan (Jr., 1B); Julia Rheinberger (Jr., OF); Adilynn Ellison (So., OF)
Top newcomers: Taylor Fishel (Fr., P/SS/3B); Sophia Rohrbach (Fr., C/3B); Taliah Shepherd (Fr., 1B); Reece Madagan (Fr., C/3B/OF); Marleigh Dehaven, (Fr., C); Maggie Maynard (Fr., P/OF)
Gibson’s outlook: “Our expectations are to play fundamentally sound softball, contend for a district/regional title and to make it back to states. We have a very young, talented group with our six freshmen, but also have a solid group of returners that bring leadership and experience. Our district is tough, and all teams bring back a lot of talent, so we know the challenges ahead.
“This team is a much different team than last year. We have a lot of depth this year, and practices will be more competitive as players are fighting for playing time. We will definitely hit better and have a deeper lineup with options off the bench to pinch-hit as well.
“All six of our freshmen are impressive and getting better every day as they get acclimated to our system. Brynnen is primed for another big year. Aubrey, Kayleigh and Addy are looking really good in the outfield. And [we’re] looking for big things from Sophia Gerald, Katilyn and Molly.”
First game: Thursday versus Sherando, 6 p.m.
Handley
Coach: Matt Levy, third season.
Last year: 3-13.
Key loss: Haley Davis
Key returnees: Lily Shearer (Sr., P); Maggie Van Heukelum (Sr., UTL); Bella Knight (Sr., UTL); Alaina Daugherty (Sr., OF); Ka’Liyah Downing (Jr., SS); Laylen Jewell (Jr., UTL); Charisma Hensley (Jr., UTL); Kai’Lani Thornton Kern (Jr., OF)
Key newcomers: Mady Thacker (So., P, transferred from Clarke County); Betsy Sugden (Fr., C); I’nez Turner (So., UTL); Eirene Villafranca Murillo (So., UTL)
Levy’s outlook: “Our district and region continue to put some amazing ball players on the field. We are up against teams that have been together for years, most of them before getting to high school. For this season, I anticipate Handley continuing to grow and build a softball culture in the Winchester city area and hopefully turning some heads and improving from years past.
“Our team has been working since the summer to grow, and a big part of that is thanks to our assistant coaches who have put in the time and effort to make that happen. Our team has another year under its belt and the more games these girls get to play, the better they will be. One area we hope to improve on from previous years is errors. Defense wins ball games and that is one thing we are going to focus on. We had too many innings last season that our pitchers had to fight to get four or five outs per inning due to errors.
“I have been thoroughly impressed with our team as a whole. Our upperclassmen are showing the drive to improve, our younger players want to learn, and the team is getting stronger on all facets.”
First game: Monday versus Millbrook, 6 p.m.
Clarke County
Coach: Jeff Parker, third season.
Last year: 11-11, 8-6 Bull Run District. Lost to Central in Region 2B quarterfinals.
Key losses: Mady Thacker, Courtney Paskel, Devin McDonald, Kirsten Smith
Key returnees: Emma Johnson (Sr., OF); Claire Unger (Sr., OF); Brooke Choate (Sr., OF); Emmerson Kennedy (Jr., C/IF); Miranda Smith (Jr., IF); Eden DeGeorge (Jr., OF); Olivia Parker (So., P/IF); Peyton DeHaven (So., C/IF); Anna Taylor (So., IF)
Key newcomers: Jaidyn Hindman (Fr., P/IF); Faith Pierce (Fr., P/1B)
Parker’s outlook: “I feel like we can compete, challenge and beat any team in the district this season. We have a young pitching staff that will only get stronger and better as the season moves forward. The key to our success this season will be playing solid defensively to back up our pitchers and offensively, to put the ball in play consistently to give us chances to score and manufacture runs.
“We will be a faster team overall on the bases and defensively. We just need to continue to work hard and look to improve in all aspects of the game. We struggled with small ball last season and moving runners, manufacturing runs in key situations. That is something we look to improve greatly on this season.
“We have not had much opportunity to get outside on the dirt to practice yet due to the weather, but overall the attitudes and energy of all the girls has been tremendous. I am looking forward to an exciting season from this group of ladies and watching them grow and improve.”
First games: Saturday at Sherando (doubleheader), noon
— Contact Joe Tuman at jtuman@winchesterstar.com
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