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Kings' Leah Mitchener (35) readies for the pitch during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
Kings pitcher Neely McElhaney receives the sign from her catcher during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
Lebanon pitcher Sophia Sheidler flips to first base for the out during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
Lebanon's Sophie Abrams (7) slides safely into third base during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
Lebanon's Sophia Sheidler throws a pitch during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
Kings' Julia Lowry mentally prepares for an at-bat during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
Lebanon third baseman Kyra Heyser throws to second for the force out during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
Lebanon catcher Kylie Kopp receives the pitch call from her coaches during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
Lebanon second baseman Georgia Underwood throws to first base for the out during a game against Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
Kings' Grace Parkhurst makes contact during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
Lebanon's Sophie Abrams secures the catch in center field during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
Kings' Olivia Smith receives instruction from her coach during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
The Kings dugout celebrates a hit during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
The Lebanon Warriors hold a meeting in the pitching circle during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
Kings' Emma Myles celebrates a seventh inning double during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
Kings' Olivia Smith (14) celebrates a three-run homer by stomping on home plate during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Kings' Alexis Fera takes a swing during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Kings' Alexis Fera takes a swing during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Lebanon's Jenna Callahan throws the ball back to the infield after fielding a double during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Kings' Grace Parkhurst (7) takes her lead off second base during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Kings second baseman Madi Titler takes her defensive stance during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Lebanon's Skyler Perfetti (11) prepares to run from first base during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Kings' Leah Mitchener (35) readies for the pitch during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Kings pitcher Neely McElhaney receives the sign from her catcher during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Lebanon pitcher Sophia Sheidler flips to first base for the out during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Lebanon's Sophie Abrams (7) slides safely into third base during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Lebanon's Sophia Sheidler throws a pitch during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Kings' Julia Lowry mentally prepares for an at-bat during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Lebanon third baseman Kyra Heyser throws to second for the force out during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Lebanon catcher Kylie Kopp receives the pitch call from her coaches during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Lebanon second baseman Georgia Underwood throws to first base for the out during a game against Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Kings' Grace Parkhurst makes contact during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Lebanon's Sophie Abrams secures the catch in center field during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Kings' Olivia Smith receives instruction from her coach during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
The Kings dugout celebrates a hit during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
The Lebanon Warriors hold a meeting in the pitching circle during a game against Kings on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Kings' Emma Myles celebrates a seventh inning double during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
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Late offensive surge leads Kings softball to victory over Lebanon | Photos
Kings' Olivia Smith (14) celebrates a three-run homer by stomping on home plate during a game at Lebanon on April 13, 2026.
It's been an incredible season for Cincinnati high school softball teams in Divisions I and II, and we're sure to see more electric games during the district and regional brackets.
With the release of the big school postseason brackets on Sunday, May 10, the pathways were revealed for local teams hoping to play in the state tournament at Akron Firestone Stadium from June 3-7. Let's take a look at which teams can hoist trophies in the coming weeks.
The DI and DII district brackets open play on Sunday, May 17 and district championships will be played on May 20 and 21.
Could Cincinnati send two Division I teams to Akron?
First round matchups: Centerville vs. Walnut Hills; Lakota West vs. Seton; Lebanon vs. Middletown; Springboro vs. Wayne; Milford vs. Springfield; Mason vs. West Clermont; Lakota East vs. Colerain; Sycamore vs. Beavercreek; Hamilton vs. Fairmont; Fairfield vs. Oak Hills
What to know: Hamilton, Fairfield and Oak Hills opted into the Region 1 bracket, which will be filled with central Ohio teams. Oak Hills looks like the favorite to advance, and the toughest test the Highlanders could face in the regional bracket is Lancaster, which is coming off a 2025 state tournament appearance.
Freshman Kelsie Schuehler has brought a valuable bat and glove to Oak Hills this season.
Freshman Kelsie Schuehler has brought a valuable bat and glove to Oak Hills this season.
In the top half of the Region 4 bracket, there could be a rematch of the 2025 DI state championship game as Lebanon and Centerville are on a path to meet in the regional semifinals. The Warriors beat the Elks, 7-0, on April 25.
The most intriguing district final in Southwest Ohio should be between Milford and Mason. The Eagles have, somewhat quietly, gone 21-3 this season and their only in-state losses are to Lebanon and Kings. While the Comets have stumbled recently, they did win 10 of 11 games at one point that included victories over Lebanon, Hamilton and Oak Hills.
Regional semifinal projections: Centerville vs. Lebanon; Milford vs. Lakota East; Oak Hills vs. Grove City (Region 1)
Kings the overwhelming favorite in Division II
First round matchups: Kings vs. Winton Woods; Stebbins vs. Withrow; Fairborn vs. Ursuline; Little Miami vs. Edgewood; Troy vs. Miamisburg; Mount Notre Dame vs. Ursuline; Anderson vs. Xenia; Northmont vs. Anderson/ Xenia winner; Harrison vs. Loveland
What to know: Kings can all but walk to the regional tournament. They scored 41 runs in two games to win a district title in 2025; don't be surprised if this year's trophy comes with a similar offensive output.
Emma Myles has been a menace on the basepaths for Kings this season, stealing 13 bases and scoring 27 runs.
Emma Myles has been a menace on the basepaths for Kings this season, stealing 13 bases and scoring 27 runs.
Little Miami last appeared in a district championship in 2017 but should take home its first district title since 2007. Led by Ella Cook, Lyla Hatfield, Bailey Thieme and Faith Thompson, the Panthers are 18-8 with wins over Lebanon, Springboro, Ross and Talawanda.
One more team to watch is Harrison. Coming off a 12-12 season, the Wildcats' best wins are over Mount Notre Dame and Lakota East. They are a perennial winner and will be looking for their first district title since 2019.
Regional semifinal projections: Kings vs. Little Miami; Troy vs. Harrison
