High school softball preview 2026: Rankings, players to watch, more
Storylines
WHAT’S NEXT FOR WILLOW GLEN?
Willow Glen had an enormously successful year last season.
The Rams went 28-2, losing only to St. Francis in the Central Coast Section Open Division championship game and Del Oro in the CIF NorCal tournament.
St. Francis, which was the top team in the Bay Area News Group rankings last season, got all it could handle from Willow Glen in the title game before winning 9-6 in eight innings.
Superstar pitcher (and hitter) Alanna Clincy is back for her senior season after leading Willow Glen to the top seed in CCS last year. The Cal commit won Bay Area News Group player of the year last spring and should be a factor in this year’s race.
St. Francis isn’t going anywhere, but could this be the year a public school team dethrones the Lancers?
We’ll find out in May.
MIKE OAKLAND’S FUTURE AT ST. FRANCIS
Since moving over from leading St. Francis’ baseball team after the 2016 season, coach Mike Oakland has built a softball dynasty at the Mountain View school.
Oakland’s team returns as the defending CCS Open Division champion, a title that his Lancers have won four of the past five years and five of eight since the Open bracket was introduced in 2017.
He originally moved over from baseball because his daughters, who played softball, were reaching high school age. Now, his middle daughter, Jaime, the youngest who took up the game full time, is a senior and the returning West Catholic Athletic League player of the year.
Oakland’s youngest daughter, Jordan, is a sophomore at St. Francis, but she competes in gymnastics and does not play softball. So Jaime is the end of the line on the diamond.
Does that mean this year is it for Oakland as St. Francis’ coach?
Even he doesn’t know.
“I get that question a lot,” Oakland told the Bay Area News Group. “Not sure right now. Trying to focus on this year and make that decision after it is over. Sorry I can’t give you a better answer, but I really don’t know right now.”
Check back with him in June.
LIBERTY BACK ON TOP IN THE EAST BAY?
Liberty was somewhat of a surprise team last season.
The Lions began the year No. 13 in the Bay Area News Group rankings, but a strong regular season positioned them for big things in the postseason.
Liberty went 10-0 in the Bay Valley Athletic League and 20-4 in the regular season, earning the No. 1 seed in the NCS Division I bracket.
Behind pitcher Kate Skinner and a host of talented hitters, the Lions swept through the section bracket, winning each game by at least two runs and conceding no more than four runs in any tournament contest.
Then they went to the CIF NorCal Division II tournament, where they made the final as the No. 4 seed before losing to Salinas.
So what’s in store for the Lions this season? Skinner is back, as is Kaitlyn Macias, the BVAL MVP, and Liberty’s top seven hitters. The Lions are likely to face stiff competition from the likes of Livermore and North Bay power Casa Grande in the NCS.
But there’s a chance Liberty could be even better this year. And if they are, a spot in the NorCal Division I bracket is a distinct possibility.
EXTRA INNINGS
– The King’s Academy had a stellar year last year, winning 24 games and the CCS Division I championship. The Knights were in every game thanks to superstar pitcher Katia Nesper, a Northwestern commit who had an ERA well under one and gave TKA a chance in every game. Star hitter Mia Bennette, a University of the Pacific commit, is also back to anchor an offense that will give Nesper run support. She doesn’t often need much, though. She threw back-to-back shutouts in the semifinal and final of the CCS D-I tournament.
– The last time Mitty won fewer than 20 games in a season, the San Jose powerhouse roared back to win 26 games in spring 2022 and reach the CCS Open Division final. Is something similar about to happen this season? Last year, the Monarchs went 14-8-1 overall and were done in the first round of the CCS Open playoffs. Seven of the Monarchs’ top eight hitters and all four of their pitchers last season were underclassmen, which bodes well for Mitty this spring.
– Livermore made a run to the NCS Division I semifinals last season before being shut out by Casa Grande. Don’t be surprised if the Cowboys take the next step this spring. Of the eight starters who hit over .300 last season for Livermore, five were underclassmen. The three pitchers were underclassmen, too, including Kaci Norton, now a senior.
Players to watch
Julianna Altamirano, P/1B, Live Oak, junior
Second-team all-Bay Area News Group selection in 2025 after hitting .418 with 28 hits, 10 runs scored, 19 RBIs and a home run and finishing 13-1 with a 1.20 ERA and 151 strikeouts in the circle.
Alanna Clincy, P, Willow Glen, senior
Cal-bound star was named Bay Area News Group player of the year in 2025 after leading the Rams to undefeated regular season and CCS Open Division final. Compiled a 0.39 ERA, going 22-0 in the circle with 216 strikeouts in 125 ⅔ innings.
DeAmor Coleman, P/SS, Salesian, junior
Tri-County Athletic League Rock Division co-pitcher of the year in 2025 finished 17-0 with a 1.39 ERA and 196 strikeouts. Also hit .551. Was named second-team all-Bay Area News Group.
Izabella Holt, OF, Clayton Valley, junior
Received second-team all-Bay Area News Group and first-team all-Diablo Athletic League honors in 2025 after hitting .447 with 26 runs scored, 34 hits, 27 RBIs and 14 extra-base.
Lola Jones, P/1B, Hillsdale, senior
Co-PAL Bay player of the year led Hillsdale to CIF NorCal Division III championship, shutting out Cardinal Newman 1-0 in the final with a three-hitter. Received second-team all-Bay Area News Group recognition.
Kyleigh Mace, P, Archbishop Mitty, senior
BYU signee had a 0.84 ERA in 19 appearances and 116 ⅓ innings in 2025, striking out 159. Also was a superb defender. Named co-WCAL pitcher of the year and first-team all-Bay Area News Group.
Kaitlyn Macias, P/1B, Liberty, senior
Weber State-bound standout was named Bay Valley Athletic League player of the year and first-team all-Bay Area News Group last season after hitting .470 with 22 runs scored, 39 hits, 40 RBIs and 10 home runs. In the circle, she was 5-0 with a 0.77 ERA.
Laine Macosky, SS, Livermore, senior
Northwestern signee hit .488 with 30 RBIs, 40 hits and 29 runs scored in 27 games last season while receiving first-team all-Bay Area News Group honors.
Jazzy Maske, SS, Mills, junior
Hit .506 with 45 runs scored, 42 hits (19 for extra bases) and 35 RBIs in 2025, earning first-team Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division and second-team all-Bay Area News Group honors.
Catalina Medina, OF/P, Willow Glen, junior
First-team all-Bay Area News Group recognition in 2025 after hitting .391 with 29 runs scored, 36 hits and 17 RBIs while leading the Rams’ outfield defense.
Katia Nesper, P, The King’s Academy, senior
Northwestern signee had a 0.33 ERA with 249 strikeouts while finishing 16-2 in 2025, earning first-team all-Bay Area News Group and co-Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division pitcher of the year honors.
Ava Norquist, P, Los Gatos, junior
Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division MVP and second-team all-Bay Area News Group selection. Hit .434 with 13 runs scored, 36 hits and 21 RBIs.
Jaime Oakland, OF, St. Francis, senior
Nebraska signee received WCAL player of the year and first-team all-Bay Area News Group recognition in 2025 after hitting .577 with 24 RBIs and 41 runs scored. Finished with an on-base percentage of .604.
Shyla Paredes, IF, Valley Christian, sophomore
As a freshman last season, she hit .447 average with 42 hits and 36 RBIs. Received first-team all-West Catholic Athletic League and second-team all-Bay Area News Group recognition.
Arli Tatum, C/SS, El Cerrito, sophomore
Hit an incredible .731 (57 for 78) with 52 RBIs, 23 doubles, 10 home runs and 12 walks, earning first-team Tri-County Athletic League and second-team all-Bay Area News Group recognition.
Peyton Tsao, SS, St. Francis, junior
Stanford commit batted .398 with 50 RBIs, 40 runs scored and 37 extra-bases hits in 2025 and received first-team all-Bay Area News Group honors.
Alexis Weiler, OF, College Park, junior
Diablo Athletic League Foothill Division co-most valuable player and second-team all-Bay Area News Group selection in 2025. Hit .466 with 20 runs scored, 34 hits (10 for extra-bases) and 18 RBIs.
Taylor Workman, SS, Aragon, junior
Co-PAL Bay Division player of the year and second-team all-Bay Area News Group selection hit .597 with 43 hits, 28 runs scored and 20 RBIs in 2025.
Bay Area News Group preseason Top 20
(Mercury News & East Bay Times)
No. 1 ST. FRANCIS (28-4)
Final 2025 ranking: 1
How it finished in 2025: Won CCS Open Division championship, lost in NorCal Division I semifinal.
No. 2 WILLOW GLEN (28-2)
Final 2025 ranking: 2
How it finished in 2025: Lost in CCS Open Division final, first round of NorCal Division I regional
No. 3 LIBERTY (25-5)
Final 2025 ranking: 4
How it finished in 2025: Won NCS Division I championship, lost in NorCal Division II final
No. 4 THE KING’S ACADEMY (22-8)
Final 2025 ranking: 5
How it finished in 2025: Won CCS Division I championship, lost in NorCal Division II semifinal
No. 5 CAPUCHINO (21-8)
Final 2025 ranking: 3
How it finished in 2025: Lost in CCS Open Division semifinal, first round of NorCal Division I regional
No. 6 LIVERMORE (19-10)
Final 2025 ranking: 9
How it finished in 2025: Lost in NCS Division I third–place game.
No. 7 ARCHBISHOP MITTY (14-8-1)
Final 2025 ranking: 11
How it finished in 2025: Lost in first round of CCS Open Division playoffs
No. 8 VALLEY CHRISTIAN (21-7)
Final 2025 ranking: 10
How it finished in 2025: Lost in first round of CCS Open Division playoffs
No. 9 HILLSDALE (21-9-1)
Final 2025 ranking: 6
How it finished in 2025: Won CCS Division II, NorCal Division III championship
No. 10 LIVE OAK (21-3)
Final 2025 ranking: 12
How it finished in 2025: Lost in CCS Division I semifinal
No. 11 FOOTHILL (16-10-1)
Final 2025 ranking: 7
How it finished in 2025: Won NCS Division I third-place game, lost in first round of NorCal Division II playoffs
No. 12 CALIFORNIA (19-9)
Final 2025 ranking: 13
How it finished in 2025: Lost in NCS Division I quarterfinal
No. 13 GILROY (20-8)
Final 2025 ranking: 8
How it finished in 2025: Lost in CCS Division I final
No. 14 SAN RAMON VALLEY (16-8-2)
Final 2025 ranking: 14
How it finished in 2025: Lost in NCS Division I quarterfinal
No. 15 NOTRE DAME-BELMONT (20-5-1)
Final 2025 ranking: 16
How it finished in 2025: Lost in CCS Division II semifinal
No. 16 MILLS (21-4-1)
Final 2025 ranking: 17
How it finished in 2025: Lost in first round of CCS Division I playoffs
No. 17 ALAMEDA (17-10-1)
Final 2025 ranking: 18
How it finished in 2025: Lost in NCS Division I quarterfinal
No. 18 CARONDELET (15-14)
Final 2025 ranking: 19
How it finished in 2025: Lost in NCS Division II final
No. 19 CASTRO VALLEY (17-5)
Final 2025 ranking: 20
How it finished in 2025: Lost in first round of NCS Division I playoffs
No. 20 JAMES LOGAN (19-7-1)
Final 2025 ranking: Not ranked
How it finished in 2025: Lost in NCS Division II semifinal
Editor’s note: Teams eligible for the Bay Area News Group rankings come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.