The 2026 Softball Season has come and gone in the listening area with many outstanding individual performances and a season that saw plenty of success for KQRadio area schools. Without further aideu, here is the 2026 All-Area Softball Teams and Awards.

Awards

Player of the Year: Miley Geise, Jr. (Roland-Story)

Stats — .463 AVG/.491 OBP/.684 SLG/1.158 OPS, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 50 H, 9 2B, 7 R scored, .857 F%

After a slow start to the season, the Norsemen slugger tore the cover off the ball the 2nd half of the season, batting over .460 for the year with 3 homers and 16 RBI, with an area-high 50 hits, garnering 1st-team all-HOIAC and 1st-team All-State Honors.

Pitcher of the Year: Miley Geise, Jr. (Roland-Story)

Stats — 30 starts, 18-8 record, 2.31 ERA, 173.0 IP, 43 BB, 196 K, 57 ER allowed

Despite the slow start at the plate, Geise emerged early as one of the top pitchers in the Heart of Iowa Conference, finishing 4th in ERA (2.31), wins (18) and #1 in strikeouts (196) en route to all-conference and all-state honors.

Defensive Player of the Year: Holly Anderson, Jr. (Eagle Grove)

Stats — .410 AVG/.438 OBP/.735 SLG/1.172 SLG, 5 HR, 41 RBI, 34 H, 8 2B, 2 3B, 124 putouts, 8 assists, .941 F%, 5 thrown out stealing, 29 stolen bases allowed

After a breakout sophomore season, Anderson emerged as one of the top players in the Top of Iowa Conference, especially behind the plate. Anderson was in the top of the conference in putouts (124) and runners thrown out (5) from her catcher spot.

Newcomer of the Year: Ellie Beaune, 8th Grade (South Hamilton)

Stats — .488 AVG/.576 OBP/.634 SLG/1.210 OPS, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 40 H, 5 2B, 2 3B

Beaune burst onto the scene for South Hamilton as a sparkplug for a young Hawk offense, leading the Hawks in hits (40), average (.488) and OPS (1.210), showcasing a bright future for the Hawk catcher.

Coach of the Year: Amber Doyle (Roland-Story)

Accomplishments — 24-9 record, T-2nd in Heart of Iowa Conference, 3A Regional Finalist

Roland-Story softball was able to cash in on the promise the 2nd half of the year delivered for the Norsemen in 2025, as Amber Doyle’s squad tied for 2nd in a grueling Heart of Iowa Conference, while climbing back to their first region final since 2021.

First-Team

Catcher – Holly Anderson, Jr. (Eagle Grove)

(See Defensive Player of the Year)

First Base – Claire Hewitt, Sr. (South Hamilton)

Stats — .214 AVG/.295 OBP/.345 SLG/.640 OPS, 1 HR, 21 RBI, 18 H, 8 2B, .962 F%, 202 putouts, 8 errors

Hewitt provided power at the plate for a young Hawks lineup in 2026, with half of her hits coming in the extra-base variety, while also providing a stabilizing force at first defensively, recording over 200 putouts.

Second Base – Keely Oberender, Sr. (Roland-Story)

Stats — .279 AVG/.336 OBP/.385 SLG/.721 OPS, 2 HR, 19 RBI, 29 H, 5 2B, 10 R, .899 F%

Oberender provided spark to start the season for the Norsemen, with some early-season slumps from the top of the order, driving in nearly 20 runs and providing consistency defensively at 2nd base.

Shortstop – Brookelyn Jondle, Jr. (Roland-Story)

Stats — .349 AVG/.419 OBP/.410 SLG/.829 OPS, 10 RBI, 29 H, 5 2B, 5 SB, 18 R, 46 putouts, 40 assists, .925 F%

Jondle saw great improvements on the defensive end in 2026 for the Norsemen, providing a sure glove in the middle of the defense, while providing a consistent base-reacher offensively.

Third Base – Ali Johnson, Fr. (Roland-Story)

Stats — .258 AVG/.303 OBP/.366 SLG/.669 OPS, 2 HR, 23 RBI, 24 H, 4 2B, 2 SB, 20 R, 25 putouts, 51 assists, .874 F%

A newcomer at the hot corner for Roland-Story, Johnson delivered in numerous clutch situations for the Norsemen, namely a 3-run home run to secure an upset over East Marshall late in the regular season.

Outfield – Morgan Tempel, So. (Webster City)

Stats — .353 AVG/.367 OBP/.612 SLG/.978 OPS, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 30 H, 9 2B, 2 3B, 7 SB, 20 R, .737 F%

Tempel emerged as the Lynx’s top bat in 2026, with a team-high 3 home runs and 18 RBI, while providing consistency with a team-high .353 average.

Outfield – Ellie Lenning, So. (Eagle Grove)

Stats — .383 AVG/.462 OBP/.543 SLG/1.006 OPS, 24 RBI, 31 H, 7 2B, 3 3B, 23 putouts, 1 assist, 1.000 F%

With the absence of Mya Morgan most of the season, Lenning emerged as one of the Eagles top bats, finishing 2nd on the team with 24 RBI, while also not committing an error all season in center field.

Outfield – Evelyn Carlson, Fr. (Roland-Story)

Stats — .360 AVG/.439 OBP/.740 SLG/1.179 OPS, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 36 H, 10 2B, 2 3B, 7 SB, 31 R, 33 putouts, .837 F%, 3 assists

Carlson became one of the hottest bats in Class 3A the 2nd half of the season, finishing with 8 homers, including 4 home runs in the postseason alone.

Pitcher – Miley Geise, Jr. (Roland-Story)

(See Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year)

Utility – Adelyn Trask, Fr. (South Hamilton)

Stats — .222 AVG/.337 OBP/.383 SLG/.719 OPS, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 18 H, 4 2B, 14 R, 6 SB, 36 putouts, 5 assists, .837 F%

Trask emerged as one of the more dangerous young bats in the Heart of Iowa Conference in 2026, becoming a headliner for a young Hawk offense that saw her finish 2nd on the Hawks in RBI and lead the team in home runs.

Second-Team

Catcher – Klaire Krausman, 8th Grade (Roland-Story)

Stats — .390 AVG/.419 OBP/.470 SLG/.889 OPS, 1 HR, 22 RBI, 33 H, 5 2B, 238 putouts, 15 assists, 5 runners thrown out, .992 F%

First Base – Chloe Schultz, Sr. (Eagle Grove)

Stats — .367 AVG/.524 OBP/.433 SLG/.957 OPS, 11 RBI, 22 H, 4 2B, 9 R, 2 SB, 132 putouts, 3 assists, .951 F%

Second Base – Crystal Flores-Baez, Sr. (Eagle Grove)

Stats — .398 AVG/.429 OBP/.506 SLG/.935 OPS, 19 RBI, 33 H, 5 2B, 2 3B, 43 putouts, 31 assists, .691 F%

Shortstop – Jaylyn Bahrenfuss, So. (Webster City)

Stats — .273 AVG/.342 OBP/.364 SLG/.706 OPS, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 18 H, 3 2B, 13 R, 9 SB, 33 putouts, 45 assists, .772 F%

Third Base – Addie Pamperin, So. (Eagle Grove)

Stats — .279 AVG/.436 OBP/.442 SLG/.878 OPS, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 12 H, 2 2B, 1 3B, 16 R, 9 SB, 24 putouts, 31 assists, .786 F%

Outfield – Alivia Burns, Sr. (Webster City)

Stats — .256 AVG/.326 OBP/.291 SLG/.617 OPS, 6 RBI, 22 H, 1 2B, 1 3B, 18 R, 16 SB, 49 putouts, 2 assists, .850 F%

Outfield – Cece Doyle, Fr. (Roland-Story)

Stats — .288 AVG/.339 OBP/385 SLG/.724 OPS, 1 HR, 22 RBI, 30 H, 5 2B, 1 3B, 14 R, 4 SB, 16 putouts, 7 assists, .920 F%

Outfield – Lauren Crabbs, So. (Roland-Story)

Stats — .319 AVG/.413 OBP/.404 SLG/.817 OPS, 19 RBI, 30 H, 8 2B, 20 R, 1 SB, 25 putouts, .962 F%

Pitcher – Johanna Flores-Baez, So. (Eagle Grove)

Stats — 21 starts, 12-9 record, 108.2 IP, 4.70 ERA, 46 BB, 66 K, .300 BAA, 73 ER allowed

Utility – Emma Lammers, So. (South Hamilton)

Stats — .402 AVG/.458 OBP/.552 SLG/1.010 OPS, 1 HR, 16 RBI, 35 H, 10 2B, 22 R, 12 SB, 21 starts, 5-15 record, 105.0 IP, 4.93 ERA, 34 BB, 61 K, .326 BAA, 74 ER allowed

Honorable Mention

Jakaela Cherry, Sr. (Webster City)

Hayden McCoy, Jr. (Webster City)

Amanda Lahr, Jr. (Webster City)

Jill Hesse, Jr. (South Hamilton)

Lillie Ammerman, Sr. (South Hamilton)

Maddie Berggren, Sr. (Roland-Story)

Myka Anderson, So. (Eagle Grove)

Lily Locke, Sr. (Eagle Grove)

Blaire Askelsen, Jr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

Kinlee Nail, 8th Grade (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

Harper Nerlein, So. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)