For the final time with four classifications, the N.C. High School Athletic Association softball playoffs are upon us. In this playoff preview, we hand out bracket superlatives, give favorites and dark horses for each region, showcase players to watch, and make championship predictions.

HighSchoolOT will have coverage of the softball playoffs all the way through this year’s championships in Greensboro and Durham.

Like a photo that you see? HighSchoolOT’s photo archives can be viewed and purchased HERE

4A East

Bracket Superlatives

Best first-round matchup: (17) Fuquay-Varina at (16) Corinth Holders – The Greater Neuse River Conference caused some of the biggest chaos across the state this spring, with the top six teams in the league all playoff-bound. When these two teams met on March 11, the Bengals rode an early lead to a 6-2 win. The Pirates returned with a vengeance on April 8 when a seven-run third lifted them to a 16-5 victory. For a 16 vs. 17 matchup, there is a lot of star power in this one, headlined by UCF recruit Ayala Durant (Fuquay-Varina) and Memphis commit Ava Marks (Corinth Holders).

Best chance at an upset: I like (23) Apex going down to (10) Pine Forest in Fayetteville. The Cougars are just two years removed from winning it all, and Coastal Carolina recruit Leah Kendall is still in the middle of it all. She has a career batting average of .502 and has swiped 144 career bags. 21-seed Clayton on the road at (12) Holly Springs is also a fascinating game to watch for.

Hardest road: The bottom half of the bracket is a tough one. 3-seed Cleveland did a fantastic job navigating through the GNRC, but the Rams have a gauntlet ahead of them this postseason. Lumberton made a nice third-round run last year, New Bern is having a breakout year, and Topsail is two years removed from a regional final appearance. The biggest test would come in round three as the 11-seed Wakefield is paired in their pod. A win there still leaves 2-seed Laney and defending champion Garner in a potential fourth-round showdown.

Favorites and a Dark Horse:

• Cleveland
• Laney
• Wake Forest
• Wakefield
• Dark horse: Garner. A year after winning it all, the Trojans (14-7) have battled inconsistency throughout. Last week was a great example when they handed Cleveland its first conference loss of the year, only to turn around and fall short at Hoggard (9-9) two days later. Half of last year’s core remains, and they are strong pieces. Gabby Czuczuk still anchors down the circle, and the middle of the order, alongside reigning championship MVP Lily Keefer and Virginia Tech-bound shortstop Gaby Mizelle. Heritage is a scrappy team to face in round one, and Laney has played well as of late. But if the Trojans get hot, they’re in the mix.

4A East Players To Watch For:

• Kaylee Bowers, Wake Forest
• Layla Carr, Laney (UNCG commit)
• Macey Ciamillo, Hoggard (East Carolina commit)
• Ayala Durant, Fuquay-Varina (UCF commit)
• Kendall Gaunt, Cleveland (Syracuse commit)
• Amariya Green, Gray’s Creek (UNC-Pembroke commit)
• Kendall Howard, D.H. Conley
• Karsyn Hudacky, Cleveland (North Florida commit)
• Sydney Joyce, Apex Friendship
• Lily Keefer, Garner (Queens commit)
• Leah Kendall, Apex (Coastal Carolina commit)
• Maddy Lampman, Wakefield
• Jilian Livengood, Wake Forest (North Carolina commit)
• Ava Marks, Corinth Holders (Memphis commit)
• Gaby Mizelle, Garner (Virginia Tech commit)
• Jordynn Parnell, South View (Duke commit)
• Brianna Riehle, Wakefield (Winthrop commit)
• Izzy Tart, Clayton (Tennessee Tech commit)
• Kendall Wallace, Holly Springs (NC Wesleyan commit)

4A West

Bracket Superlatives

Best first-round matchup: (17) Lake Norman at (16) East Forsyth – These two teams combined to start the season 0-10 (Lake Norman had to forfeit three games), but have been red-hot since. Both the Eagles and Wildcats enter having won 7 of their last 9. That includes the Wildcats picking up two big wins over Hickory Ridge. Aaliyah Long has had a strong freshman season for East Forsyth, and Avery Evans is swinging a hot bat for Lake Norman.

Best chance at an upset: I would be surprised if this region had a genuine upset on Tuesday. The 18-20 seeds: Mooresville, South Iredell, and Charlotte Catholic are intriguing.

Hardest road: West Forsyth. The Titans, led by Carolina-bound Sydney Horton and sophomore lefty Morgan Maxwell, have compiled an impressive 23-2 regular season record, but things get difficult after Tuesday’s first round. Cuthbertson has wins over Marvin Ridge, Independence, and Piedmont. A trip to round three could send Marvin Ridge up to Clemmons, and if they escape, round four would potentially feature South Caldwell or a trip to Alexander Central.

Favorites and a Dark Horse:

• Alexander Central
• Marvin Ridge
• South Caldwell
• Weddington
• Dark horse: Reagan. Priority to conference champions could fill the later rounds of this bracket with double-digit seeds like South Caldwell or Marvin Ridge. Seeded at 12, the Raiders could also find their way into that mix. Bailey Huff is a phenomenal lead-off hitter, and Caycee Wilson has put together a strong season in the circle. Reagan has an impressive resume with wins over West Forsyth, East Wilkes, West Stokes, and High Point Christian.

4A West Players To Watch For:

• Sydnee Bumgarner, South Caldwell (Western Carolina commit)
• Kensley Davis, Alexander Central (North Carolina commit)
• Kristyn Embler, Hickory Ridge (Furman commit)
• Kyla Hamby, Alexander Central
• Mcartney Harrington, South Caldwell (Clemson commit)
• Sydney Horton, West Forsyth (North Carolina commit)
• Bailey Huff, Reagan (Coastal Carolina commit)
• Natalie Johnson, Independence (Louisiana-Lafayette commit)
• Alexis Juhl, Cuthbertson (UConn commit)
• Lexi Kirby, Marvin Ridge (Campbell commit)
• Morgan Maxwell, West Forsyth
• Maddy Moore, South Caldwell
• Emersyn Presutty, Weddington (Appalachian State commit)
• Sophie Strugar, Providence
• Joella Thomas, Weddington (Lenoir-Rhyne commit)
• Ella Tracy, Marvin Ridge (East Carolina commit)
• Laney Wike, Alexander Central (Belmont Abbey commit)
• Caycee Wilson, Reagan

4A Predictions

4A East: Wakefield over Wake Forest

4A West: South Caldwell over Weddington

4A Championship: South Caldwell over Wakefield

My confidence in these picks is low. Not because I don’t feel strongly about these teams, but because they have played so many close games against top teams in these brackets. Wake Forest took the season series from Wakefield by a narrow margin, South Caldwell had to come from behind to beat Weddington a few weeks back, and the Spartans still have to defeat Alexander Central a second time in a game where all the records get thrown out the window. That being said, depth wins in the postseason. Wakefield and South Caldwell have strong lineups, and the Spartans’ pitching staff is starting to round into shape with freshman Maddy Moore and lefty Zalee Brown.

3A East

Bracket Superlatives

Best first-round matchup: (17) Triton at (16) Orange – Picking 16 vs. 17 games is lame but this once could be intriguing. Katie and Allie Carden pack a punch in Orange’s lineup while Triton has an impressive sophomore trio of Bailey Johnson, Mackenzie Lucas, and Addie Stanley. Both teams enter having recently dropped three games so something has to give.

Best chance at an upset: We could see 3-4 lower seeds escape the first round. 20-seed West Johnston has momentum entering its game at (13) Cedar Ridge. The Wildcats’ lone loss in their last nine games was a thrilling extra-inning game at South Johnston this past Friday. Southern Alamance and Western Alamance could also venture home victorious on Tuesday.

Hardest road: South Brunswick. Defending their 3A crown won’t come easily this spring. The Cougars could have a 2024 regional final rematch against South Central in round three, and a rubber match at Scotland looms in round four. The team that escapes Laurinburg that day should be the favorite to win it all.

Favorites and a Dark Horse:

• Scotland
• South Brunswick
• South Central
• Southern Nash
• Dark horse: West Carteret. The Patriots lost a heartbreaking conference tournament championship to Richlands, 2-1. They earned the 11-seed in this year’s bracket because of it. Ella Grace Rodriguez and Saylor Gray have had phenomenal seasons at the plate, and Caitlin Dumarce is one of the toughest pitchers in the state to hit. The road features potential trips to South Johnston and Richlands, but they can contend for a regional final appearance if they can escape.

3A East Players To Watch For:

• Elizabeth Andrews, Union Pines (North Texas commit)
• Dawson Blue, Scotland (Oklahoma State commit)
• Allie Carden, Orange (Mars Hill commit)
• Kina Davis, South Brunswick (North Carolina commit)
• Anna Dickinson, Southern Nash (USC Upstate commit)
• Noel Dobbins, Southern Nash
• Caitlin Durmace, West Carteret
• Makenzie Goin, Richlands
• Addison Johnson, Scotland (Methodist volleyball commit)
• Lannah Price, South Johnston (VCU volleyball commit)
• Haven Roebuck, South Central (Auburn commit)
• Avery Stutts, Scotland (Memphis commit)

3A West

Bracket Superlatives

Best first-round matchup: (19) Central Cabarrus at (14) Pisgah – It will be a long haul for the Vikings, who have impressive wins over East Rowan and Alexander Central this season. The Bears also have a strong resume, thanks to wins over Franklin, West Carteret, and Owen. Watch for Pisgah’s Addie Foust against a pitching staff that has allowed 142 hits in 138.1 innings.

Best chance at an upset: Some strong seeds are in this region, so don’t be shocked if the “upsets” are minimal. (24) South Point at (9) Hibriten is intriguing because the Panthers have dropped 9 of their last 12. Both play in leagues that feature multiple top teams, which makes this one tough to predict.

Hardest road: East Rowan. The Mustangs are a young and exciting group that will be tested with a gauntlet this month. Round two could feature the 2024 state runner-up, Kings Mountain. The Mountaineers’ toughest test has been Crest, which could await in round three. 1-seed Enka is also in this half of the bracket as a possible round four opponent.

Favorites and a Dark Horse:

• Enka
• Kings Mountain
• Oak Grove
• Piedmont
• Dark horse: West Rowan. This is the most unpredictable region in the state. Eight teams have a real chance of making it to the state championship series. West Rowan is an interesting pick among the ones I have not mentioned. The post-Emma Clarke era has been a seamless transition with the Falcons finishing the regular season 20-4 overall. Reese Poole and EA Nance have elevated their games this year, and Arabelle Shulenburger remains a strong presence in the circle.

3A West Players To Watch For:

• Sarah Belk, Piedmont
• Averi Coggins, Enka (Wofford commit)
• Savannah Frisbee, Enka
• Makena Henderson, West Henderson
• Mary Peyton Hodge, Oak Grove (Arizona State commit)
• Madeline Huffman, Kings Mountain (Western Carolina commit)
• Izzy Lawrence, Oak Grove (Queens commit)
• Kayden Lyda, West Henderson (Western Carolina commit)
• Camryn Perkins, East Rowan
• Reese Poole, West Rowan
• Ava Grace Pruitt, Rockingham County (North Carolina commit)
• Kendall Rumans, Franklin (Appalachian State commit)
• Arabelle Shulenburger, West Rowan (Lenoir-Rhyne commit)
• Allie Summer, Crest
• Jailyn Thomas, Piedmont (Wingate commit)
• Madalynn Tigert, East Rowan

3A Predictions

3A East: Scotland over Southern Nash

3A West: Oak Grove over Kings Mountain

3A Championship: Scotland over Oak Grove

My 3A West prediction is sure to be wrong. Of the over half dozen contenders in the region, whichever one can find the most consistency will escape. It’s hard not to be a fan of Oak Grove’s pitching tandem of Mary Peyton Hodge and Izzy Lawrence. They could make a deep run if the Grizzlies can find a little more offense outside of Lawrence. The same can be said for so many of these teams. Ultimately, it comes down to Scotland and South Brunswick in the east. Avery Stutts and Kina Davis have been masterful this season, and Dawson Blue is a major X-factor for the Fighting Scots.

2A East

Bracket Superlatives

Best first-round matchup: (19) J.F. Webb at (14) Eastern Wayne – If you want your money’s worth for an early round matchup, you can’t go wrong with Eastern Wayne’s Mallory Reed vs. J.F. Webb’s Terrie Thornton. Reed is averaging 18.1 strikeouts per game— yes, you read that right. The junior UNC recruit is approaching 850 in her career, and if her electric fastball is at its best, there is no reason not to dream of a situation where she wills the Warriors to a second or third-round berth. Thornton, meanwhile, has 164 punch-outs in only 93 innings.

Best chance at an upset: If (23) Jordan-Matthews can bottle up the strong play that allowed it to start the season 9-2, the Jets could go down to (10) Trask and escape with a win. The Titans won’t be the easiest out because they are riding good momentum into this postseason.

Hardest road: South Granville. The Vikings can conquer this road well, but Emma Orr and Washington are a stout second-round opponent. Midway lurks in round four, and over the past two seasons, the Raiders have owned the 2A East playoffs.

Favorites and a Dark Horse:

• Bunn
• Martin County
• Midway
• South Granville
• Dark horse: Washington. Let’s talk some more about the Pam Pack. As a 13-seed, they could make some noise with an upset of South Granville. Orr is one of the state’s best two-way players, and Carly Woolard has put together an outstanding junior season.

2A East Players To Watch For:

• Madeline Bryson, Bunn (Belmont Abbey commit)
• Chloe Chappell, Holmes (East Carolina commit)
• Jordyn Christopher, Midway
• Chaleigh Currin, South Granville (Barton commit)
• Emma Grace Hill, Seaforth
• Emma Orr, Washington (Virginia Wesleyan commit)
• Angel Purcell, St. Pauls
• Mallory Reed, Eastern Wayne (North Carolina commit)
• Victoria Sasser, North Johnston
• Kyleigh Stonerock, Midway
• Erica Sturgill, Martin County
• Madeline Wilkins, South Granville
• Michele Wirth, Farmville Central

2A West

Bracket Superlatives

Best first-round matchup: (17) Bandys at (16) West Lincoln – This region is full of great first-round games, but give me Bandys vs. West Lincoln Part IV. The Trojans took the first two meetings, but the Rebels broke through last Wednesday with a big 11-6 win. Having won eight straight, West Lincoln is riding loads of momentum. Stacia Cowan is swinging a hot bat, and Gabrielle Wright is putting together a strong sophomore campaign at the plate and in the circle. Bandys has a strong senior core led by Avery Alexander, Haven Helton, and Jessie Sipe.

Best chance at an upset: (24) Mount Pleasant defeating (9) East Gaston or (22) Walkertown defeating (11) West Davidson is the most drastic upset I could imagine. Maiden, R-S Central, Brevard, and Bandys are all good teams that must go on the road in the opening round.

Hardest road: Southwestern Randolph. The Cougars are another reigning state champion getting no favors this postseason. Serena Thurman and Bunker Hill await in round two, traditional powers West Stanly and McMichael come knocking in round three, and top-seeded West Wilkes lurks in round four. West Caldwell, North Stanly, and West Stokes are tough outs on the opposite side of the bracket.

Favorites and a Dark Horse:

• Southwestern Randolph
• West Caldwell
• West Stanly
• West Wilkes
• Dark horse: McMichael. The Phoenix is in a similar boat to West Rowan. After the graduation of All-State two-way player Dakota Redmon, McMichael has kept on winning. At 20-4 overall, only West Stokes has been a thorn in their side, but luckily, they are opposite them in the bracket. 2025 may not be their year, but this stage could do wonders to catapult their strong sophomore class into a successful 2026 campaign (I think the same can be said for potential second-round opponent West Stanly).

2A West Players To Watch For:

• Kennedy Austin, West Stanly
• Abby Bowman, West Caldwell (Pfeiffer commit)
• Macie Crutchfield, Southwestern Randolph (Catawba commit)
• Kami Dunn, Southwestern Randolph (Wingate commit)
• Madison Fletcher, West Wilkes (Appalachian State commit)
• Kora Ingle, McMichael
• Kelsey Madden, West Wilkes
• Daylann Patterson, West Caldwell
• Mia Roland, Owen
• Hannah Rollins, West Davidson
• Kylie Speight, North Stanly (Mars Hill volleyball commit)
• Rylee Tedder, West Stokes
• Serena Thurman, Bunker Hill
• Laney Tucker, West Stanly
• Claire Wilson, Brevard
• Zoey Woodruff, West Wilkes
• Gabrielle Wright, West Lincoln

2A Predictions

2A East: Midway over Martin County

2A West: West Wilkes over North Stanly

2A Championship: West Wilkes over Midway

A 2024 Eastern Championship rematch could be a possibility. If Midway faces South Granville in round four, I like the winner’s chances in the regional final. The 2A West has too much depth for the eastern region to compete. West Wilkes epitomizes that with Kelsey Madden’s dominance in the circle and bats like Zoey Woodruff and Madison Fletcher. This is all subject to the Blackhawks escaping their half of a loaded bracket.

1A East

Bracket Superlatives

Best first-round matchup: (31) Wilson Prep vs. (2) Roxboro Community – Hold up, what? Yes, this is the game to see on Tuesday. Roxboro Community’s Karrie Obie ended the regular season by tying Karli Godwin’s 2023 NCHSAA single-season home run record at 20. She can break the Oklahoma State standout’s mark with her next blast. Coincidentally, two years ago in the playoffs, Obie was opposite of Godwin when she launched her record-breaking home run for East Columbus. Who knew that record would go from lasting over a decade to only two years?

Best chance at an upset: Would not consider this the strongest chance at an upset, but (19) Chatham Charter has played good ball in stretches this season. They hit the road to face (14) North Moore who won the first meeting 12-2, but the Knights are winners in five of their last six.

Hardest road: North Duplin. The Rebels went to the title series two years ago and were a favorite in last year’s postseason. This go-around could feature a third round trip to Bear Grass Charter and a fourth round visit to Roxboro Community.

Favorites and a Dark Horse:

• Bear Grass Charter
• North Duplin
• Perquimans
• Roxboro Community
• Dark horse: Pamlico County. The Hurricanes have the tall task of getting past top-seeded Perquimans, whom they lost 6-1 to a few weeks back. But they played a challenging schedule this spring and escaped with a 15-8 overall record. Peyton Robinson and Hailey Shamblin are a dynamic duo at the plate, which is beneficial this time of year.

1A East Players To Watch For:

• Emma Chambers, Wake Prep (Wagner commit)
• Gracie Coyle, East Columbus
• Haleigh Eason, Hobgood Charter
• Addyson Faucette, Oxford Prep
• Lilly Fulghum, North Duplin (Charlotte commit)
• Wynterlee Glenn, Falls Lake
• Aleigh Godwin, East Columbus
• Lane Gregory, Bear Grass Charter
• Mariah Harris, Warren County
• Addison Higginbotham, North Duplin (Wingate commit)
• Kaydee Hunter, Perquimans
• Maddie Kaczmarczyk, Chatham Central
• Lily McLean, Southside
• Karrie Obie, Roxboro Community (UNCG commit)
• Callee Perry, Bear Grass Charter
• Aubrey Puryear, Vance Charter
• Peyton Robinson, Pamlico County
• Sydney Russell, North Moore
• Heather Smith, Perquimans
• Ava Talley, Roxboro Community (UNCG commit)

1A West

Bracket Superlatives

Best first-round matchup: (17) South Stanly vs. (16) Hiwasse Dam – Don’t let the records fool you. Hiwassee Dam was competitive in tough matchups with Franklin and Robbinsville. Meanwhile, South Stanly is fresh off a signature win over now top-seeded Union Academy, which entered last week’s conference tournament 21-0.

Best chance at an upset: 18-seed Queen’s Grant heads to (15) Highland Tech with a 16-5 overall record. Alyssa Steele is a force at the plate, and if the Stallions can back Addi Benton with some strong defense, they could return home victorious.

Hardest road: Robbinsville. The Black Knights have been superb this season, even after Zoie Shuler’s graduation. But with a team full of freshmen and sophomores, navigating past Cherryville, East Wilkes, and eventually Union Academy could be too tall a task this season.

Favorites and a Dark Horse:

• East Wilkes
• Robbinsville
• Union Academy
• Uwharrie Charter
• Dark horse: Cherryville. In the 1A ranks, a 6-seed contending for a title can be classified as a “Dark Horse”. All nine of the Lady Ironmen’s losses have come to teams in a higher classification. Emma Proctor leads an offense that can swing it with anyone in the region.

1A West Players To Watch For:

• Daphne Barlow, Robbinsville
• Addi Benton, Queen’s Grant (Salem College commit)
• Paisley Boatright, Union Academy (Wingate commit)
• Meredith Bolick, Highland Tech
• Evangeline East, Piedmont Community
• Paisley Johnston, Murphy
• Emma Proctor, Cherryville
• Alyssa Steele, Queen’s Grant
• Taylor Surratt, Union Academy (Auburn commit)
• Coco Tyson, South Stanly
• Gracelynn Whitt, East Wilkes
• Avery Wilson, Union Academy (Coastal Carolina commit)

1A Predictions

1A East: Perquimans over Roxboro Community

1A West: Union Academy over East Wilkes

1A Championship: Union Academy over Perquimans

It will be interesting to see if last week’s loss kicks Union Academy into another gear. The Cardinals are uber-talented, as evidenced by catcher Taylor Surratt and her batterymate Avery Wilson. East Wilkes has had a strong year as well. Both teams have represented the 1A West in the last two state championship series. Perquimans and Roxboro Community is also an intriguing regional series. The Pirates have conquered a demanding schedule this season and will need to play some of their best ball to keep Obie and Talley in check. In the end, I don’t think there is much of an answer for Union Academy’s all-around talent.