Big3 holds combine, draft in Las Vegas as league looks toward ninth season
Big3 League Hosts Combine and Draft in Las Vegas for Ninth Season
Cincinnati DIII-DVII softball teams are evaluating their postseason potential as the season progresses. Key players and recent performances will influence their chances of success.
Conner's Jocelyn Ortiz (11) throws a pitch during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
Highlands' Peyton Brown stands in to bat during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
Conner second baseman Alexa Hamilton gathers a ground ball and fires to first base during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
Highlands' Kaitlyn Dixon (22) is greeted by first base coach Terry Cain during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
Highlands' Kaitlyn Dixon checks her wristband before pitching to a Conner batter on April 27, 2026.
Cincinnati DIII-DVII softball teams are assessing their postseason prospects based on current performance and player contributions.
Key players like Jocelyn Ortiz and Peyton Brown have been highlighted for their impactful performances this season.
The postseason for Cincinnati DIII-DVII softball typically begins in late May, following the regular season.
Success in the postseason will depend on team performance, player health, and matchups against other teams.
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Conner's Kayla Ortiz (13) dances off of second base during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
Conner's Averie Lightner (19) slides into second base under the tag of Highlands' Morgan Pompilio (15) during a game between the Cougars and Bluebirds on April 27, 2026.
Conner's Breanna Meredith (7) takes a swing during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
Conner first baseman Bayli Bell keeps her eye on the throw from pitcher Jocelyn Ortiz (11) during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
Conner left fielder Abigail Fuller gets the ball back to the infield during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
Highlands' Bailee Class (5) talks to head coach Milt Horner during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
Conner's Kayla Ortiz (13) signals that there are two outs during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
Highlands' Morgan Pompilio (15) watches the action from second base during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
The Highlands Bluebirds celebrate a strikeout during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
Highlands' Kate Class (8) prepares to catch a fly ball during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
Conner catcher Ryanne Carter snags a pitch during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
Conner third baseman Breanna Meredith takes her defensive stance during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
Conner's Riley Rosenborough focuses on the pitch during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
Conner right fielder Emma Stanton tracks a fly ball during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
Highlands shortstop Layla Zepf prepares to field a ground ball during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
Highlands' Cam Markus (17) hustles down the first base line during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
Conner head coach Shawn Sproles looks on during the Cougars' game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
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Conner's Jocelyn Ortiz (11) throws a pitch during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
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Conner's Jocelyn Ortiz (11) throws a pitch during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
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Highlands' Peyton Brown stands in to bat during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
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Conner second baseman Alexa Hamilton gathers a ground ball and fires to first base during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
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Highlands' Kaitlyn Dixon (22) is greeted by first base coach Terry Cain during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
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Highlands' Kaitlyn Dixon checks her wristband before pitching to a Conner batter on April 27, 2026.
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Conner's Kayla Ortiz (13) dances off of second base during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
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Conner's Averie Lightner (19) slides into second base under the tag of Highlands' Morgan Pompilio (15) during a game between the Cougars and Bluebirds on April 27, 2026.
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Conner's Breanna Meredith (7) takes a swing during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
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Conner first baseman Bayli Bell keeps her eye on the throw from pitcher Jocelyn Ortiz (11) during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
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Conner left fielder Abigail Fuller gets the ball back to the infield during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
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Highlands' Bailee Class (5) talks to head coach Milt Horner during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
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Conner's Kayla Ortiz (13) signals that there are two outs during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
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Highlands' Morgan Pompilio (15) watches the action from second base during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
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The Highlands Bluebirds celebrate a strikeout during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
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Highlands' Kate Class (8) prepares to catch a fly ball during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
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Conner catcher Ryanne Carter snags a pitch during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
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Conner third baseman Breanna Meredith takes her defensive stance during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
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Conner's Riley Rosenborough focuses on the pitch during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
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Conner right fielder Emma Stanton tracks a fly ball during a game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
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Highlands shortstop Layla Zepf prepares to field a ground ball during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
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Highlands' Cam Markus (17) hustles down the first base line during a game at Conner on April 27, 2026.
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Conner head coach Shawn Sproles looks on during the Cougars' game against Highlands on April 27, 2026.
It's shaping up to be a postseason full of potential for a number of Cincinnati high school softball teams that have already made history in the regular season.
In Southwest Ohio, the first postseason softball games takes place on May 12 and quickly waterfalls into wall-to-wall (or foul pole to foul pole) action.
That said, let's take a look at the district tournament brackets for Divisions III-VII. The postseason brackets will be announced on May 10.
The full brackets can be found here.
First-round matchups: Western Brown vs. Northwest; Turpin vs. WB/ Northwest winner; Ross vs. Badin; Monroe vs. New Richmond; Goshen vs. Monroe/ NR winner; Wilmington vs. Talawanda
What to know: Cincinnati-area teams make up two of the four brackets that will feed into the Region 11 tournament, and both of those brackets could see downright incredible district semifinal showdowns on May 19.
Western Brown will have to win two games to get to the district semifinals, but would end up facing either Ross or Badin. Ross is on a 10-game winning streak and has claimed a share of the Southwestern Buckeye League title. Badin, at 22-2, is not ranked in the DIII coaches poll, but very well should be.
Talawanda's Audrey Hilbert is among the Southwestern Buckeye League's leaders with a .506 batting average, 36 RBIs and six home runs.
The winner of a potential matchup between Goshen and Talawanda could wind up advancing to the regional tournament. The Warriors, led by Skye Shaw, Macee Steele and Makayla Campbell, are 22-3 and have only lost to Highlands (Kentucky) and Western Brown. The Brave are ranked No. 7 in the latest statewide coaches poll and have versatility throughout the lineup.
Regional semifinal predictions: Western Brown vs. Toledo Central Catholic; Greenville vs. Goshen
First-round matchups: Indian Hill vs. Roger Bacon; Wyoming vs. CHCA; Carlisle vs. Waynesville; Batavia vs. Mercy McAuley; Taylor vs. McNicholas; Fenwick vs. Taylor/ McNick winner; Brookville vs. Middletown Madison
What to know: A Cincinnati team is guaranteed a spot in the district final in three of the four brackets that feed into the Region 15 bracket.
Can Indian Hill get revenge for an 8-7 loss to Roger Bacon? A win would most likely mean the Braves advance to the district championship, where they would face Kenton Ridge, considered to be the best team in the state.
The winner of Batavia and Mercy McAuley is automatically into the district final. Urbana and Carlisle are the top two seeds in the top half of that bracket.
Ady Frankie (27) has helped Taylor to a ninth straight Cincinnati Hills League title.
All Taylor needs to do to advance to a district championship is beat McNicholas and Fenwick, which are a combined 2-25. To advance to a third regional tournament in the last four years, the Yellowjackets would need to beat Brookville (15-10) or Benjamin Logan (8-10).
Regional semifinal predictions: Kenton Ridge vs. Urbana; Taylor vs. Caledonia River Valley
First-round matchups: Williamsburg vs. Madeira; Blanchester vs. St. Bernard-Elmwood Place; Georgetown vs. Deer Park; Cincinnati Christian vs. Mariemont; Reading vs. Clermont Northeastern; Bethel-Tate vs. Norwood
What to know: The best district tournament matchup in Region 20 would be a rematch between Blanchester and Williamsburg. Blanchester has already beat Williamsburg twice this season, part of the reason the Southern Buckeye Conference-National division will have a new champion for the first time since 2023.
Georgetown is enjoying its best season since 2021. After a 5-18 record in 2025, Carolyn Edmisten, Bren Hudson, Zoey Kelch and Morgan Preston have the Lady G-Men at 16-4 and have assured a share of their first ever SBAAC-National title. They should make it to the district final, but will most likely run into Miami East, which is the No. 4 team in the state.
Also at 16-4 is the Norwood Indians. It's their most wins since they joined the SBAAC in 2018. They're the favorite to make their respective district final, but they would go up against No. 2-ranked Springfield Shawnee, which has a win over Western Brown.
Regional semifinal predictions: Blanchester vs. Piketon; Miami East vs. Springfield Shawnee
First-round matchups: East Clinton vs. Legacy Christian; Fayetteville-Perry vs. EC/ LC winner
What to know: It's a small batch of teams in DVI, but Fayetteville-Perry owns the top seed, even with a 6-7 record. The Rockets' best wins are over Georgetown and Williamsburg, two of the top teams in the SBAAC-National. They need just one win to advance to the district championship where they would likely face Tri-County North.
Regional semifinal predictions: Tri-Village vs. Tri-County North; Ada vs. Danville
First-round matchups: New Miami vs. Lockland; Felicity-Franklin vs. NM/ Lockland winner/ Oyler vs. Middletown Christian
What to know: New Miami earned its first conference title since 2017. Can the Vikings follow it up with a first-ever district title? They share a bracket with Lockland, Felicity-Franklin and Middletown Christian, but they would likely face Southeastern, which is ranked No. 7 in the state, in the district final.
Regional semifinal predictions: Southeastern vs. Hardin Northern; New Riegel vs. Cedarville
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 2026 Cincinnati high school softball postseason projections, DIII-VII