PIAA softball season preview 2026: Meet the top 9 players to watch in Butler County
For the past four seasons, the Butler County-area softball scene starred Seneca Valley’s Lexie Hames, who graduated after last season and moved on to play at Clemson.
Another player will be able to break out and take the mantle as the best local player on the diamond. Here are a few to watch.
Brown, the Trojanettes’ go-to hurler, ranked in the WPIAL’s top seven in strikeouts last season, despite playing fewer games than most of the others near her on that list. She also batted .355.
Burrows, a three-year starter and three-time all-conference selection, owns a .415 career batting average and has struck out 202 batters in the circle.
Campbell, a three-year starter, was a first-team all-region backstop and hit .387 a year ago.
“You will be hard-pressed to find a better one this year,” Rockets coach Dan Beebe said.
Gourley, a Pitt-Johnstown commit, will anchor the Yellowjackets’ outfield and help out in the pitching rotation. A four-year starter, she batted .283 in 16 games last season.
Jenkins only batted .200 last season, but her fundamentals are undeniable.
“Defensively, she’s very steady and reliable up the middle, and she has a great feel for the game,” Falcons coach Lauren Forrest said. “At the plate, she embraces her role and does the little things that help our team succeed, like getting bunts down and moving runners when we need it.”
Jones, who broke out as a newcomer, led the Knights in batting average (.509), RBIs (37), runs scored (25) and home runs (10) last go-round. She earned an all-section nod for her efforts.
Kalkowski posted a .324 average at the plate last season, scoring 13 runs and bringing home 22. As the Raiders forge ahead without Hames, Kalkowski will be relied upon to get the offense going.
Olivares was a first-team all-section honoree as a freshman. She hit .317 for the Golden Tornado last season and will platoon in the circle with Mikayla Crouch.
Staab, who’s nearing the Warriors’ career home run record, was an all-conference performer at shortstop last spring.
“I could play her anywhere on the field, including pitcher, and she would excel,” Moniteau coach Bob Rottman said. “She stays calm but relentless on the field.”
