The state’s top high school softball standouts for 2026 have been selected for The Republic’s All-Arizona team. Players were chosen on the basis of coaches’ votes, observed performance during the season and available statistics. The list highlights a mix of dominant pitchers, powerful hitters and versatile two-way players who helped their teams to region crowns, deep playoff runs and state championships across classifications.
From this group of All-Arizona honorees will come the Softball Player of the Year, which will be announced Sunday, June 7. Readers may participate in choosing the top player via an online poll tied to this story; the poll remains open through June 6 at 6 p.m. The Republic’s staff will make the final selection for Player of the Year from among the All-Arizona players, but fan input will be collected in the accompanying poll.
Among the first-team selections are several pitchers whose numbers defined seasons. Arianna Figueroa of Marana Mountain View finished 22-3 and was voted the 5A Sonoran Region Player of the Year after logging 147 innings, recording 204 strikeouts and posting a 2.04 ERA while also hitting .444. Freshman Savanna Mares of Oro Valley Canyon del Oro went 21-5 and was a key factor in Canyon del Oro’s 5A state title, compiling a 1.29 ERA with 248 strikeouts and 55 walks in 146 innings. Macee Jackson of Tucson Salpointe Catholic produced a season ERA of 0.830, tossed a perfect game, recorded two immaculate innings, six shutouts and totaled 200 strikeouts. Alexis Mendez of Queen Creek was unbeaten at 12-0, held opposing batters to a .087 average, struck out 133 while allowing only eight walks and finished with an ERA below 1.00. Lilly "Goose" Goodwin of Scottsdale Desert Mountain, a three-time Player of the Year commit to Northwestern, battled through a second-half injury yet still hit .610 with six home runs and 35 RBIs and went 11-1 in the circle with a 1.24 ERA, 139 strikeouts and just 10 walks. Brooke Zuluaga of Chandler Seton Catholic, a Miami Ohio commit, struck out 130 and hit .631 as part of an 18-4 season.
Xavier player holds an MVP plaque while an official interviews her during the 6A state softball championship presentation.
The list also recognizes several two-way stars and position players whose offensive numbers stand out. Tanner Banks of Mohave Accelerated, a Boise State commit, set state career records with 70 home runs and 303 RBIs, and this season hit an extraordinary .710 with 66 hits, 21 homers, 82 RBIs and 20 doubles. Violet Mitchell of Peoria Liberty, who has committed to the University of Arizona, hit .562 with 50 hits, 44 runs, 43 RBIs, 14 doubles, five triples and 15 home runs. Emma Reynolds, a junior shortstop for Queen Creek, posted a .613 batting average with a 1.226 slugging percentage, totaling 57 hits, 23 doubles, 10 home runs and 34 RBIs while helping her team reach the 6A final. Kylynn Sylvester of Mesa Mountain View, an Utah Valley commit, batted .476 with 49 hits, 38 runs, 60 RBIs, 14 doubles and 14 home runs and was instrumental in the Toros’ run to the 6A semifinals.
Other position standouts include Ava Briski of Phoenix Desert Vista, who hit .527 with a .968 slugging percentage, compiling 49 hits, 45 RBIs, 12 doubles and nine homers while posting a .958 fielding percentage and earning 6A Central Region Offensive Player of the Year honors. Alessia Velazquez, a junior at Queen Creek, hit .495 for a team that lost only twice, finishing with 47 hits, 47 runs, 36 RBIs, 10 doubles, five triples and eight home runs. Payton Westra of Mesa Red Mountain hit .603 with 35 hits, 36 runs, 33 RBIs, nine doubles and 10 homers. Sydnee Williams of Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor hit .576, adding 49 hits, 52 runs, 36 RBIs, 13 doubles and 14 home runs. Sydney Root of Phoenix Xavier Prep emerged as the Gators’ primary pitcher this season, going 19-3 and earning 6A Central Region Player of the Year recognition from the coaches; one set of statistics lists her with a 1.04 ERA and 216 strikeouts in 134 innings, while a separate summary of the state title run references a .99 ERA and 198 strikeouts. These two-way contributors and positional performers anchored their teams with both production at the plate and leadership in the field.
The Republic also named an extensive list of honorable mentions, recognizing players who made significant contributions to their programs this season. Honorable mentions include: Ciara Anthony, Cactus, P, Sr.; Bella Corona, Marana, 2B, Sr.; Anaya Romero, La Joya Community, SS, Sr.; Lauren Grunert, Boulder Creek, OF/2B, Jr.; Jocelyn Thompson, North Canyon, C, So.; Peyton Udall, Phoenix Sunnyslope, SS, So.; Sam Hyde, Sunnyslope, 2B, Sr.; Aniyah Jaiman, Basha, OF, Sr.; Alexia Ramirez, South Mountain, P, Jr.; Aubrey Chavez, Queen Creek, P, Jr.; Torynn Slaughter, Pinnacle, OF/C, Sr.; Nina Montenegro, Red Mountain, SS, Sr.; Saige Peters, Red Mountain, OF, Sr.; Sariah McNabb, Xavier Prep, SS, Jr.; Aliyah Fatigoni, Desert Edge, U, Jr.; Sienna Caro, Pinnacle, OF, Sr.; Claire Achilles, Tanque Verde, P, Jr.; Hattie Macumber, Willcox, P, Fr.; Easton Spriggs, Surprise Willow Canyon, P/1B, So.; Abigail Verstegen, Arcadia, P, Sr.; Paula Cantu, Arizona College Prep, 1B, Sr.; Paisley Patton, Duncan, U, Jr.; Makena Blauman, Valley Christian, U, So.; Makay Fraley, Valley Christian, P, Jr.; Amanda Benites, Hamilton, 2B, Sr.; Taylor Hampton, Hamilton, 3B, Sr.; Ameliana Mendez, Waddell Canyon View, OF, Fr.; Kelsey Rolls, Canyon del Oro, C, Sr.; and Kaelyn Moffitt, Chaparral, 3B, Sr.
Sydnie Steffen of Phoenix Xavier Prep is The Republic’s Coach of the Year after guiding the Gators to a third straight 6A state championship. Xavier closed the season with a 6-0 victory over top-seed Queen Creek in the title game, prevailing after navigating back through the consolation bracket in the double-elimination tournament. Xavier’s only tournament loss had come at the hands of Queen Creek by a 9-1 score; the Gators’ ability to rebound and secure another title capped a 31-5 season. Steffen credited the team’s mental toughness and a strong group identity tied to their school’s college-preparatory environment, saying, "Something really special about this team is how well they are able to handle so much pressure while still remembering who they are and where their identity lies. Being at a college preparatory school brings the challenge of high expectations. Seeing these girls work at the level they do, both in the classroom and on the field, has been incredible. They are such a close group who pushes one another while still remembering that softball is not our full identity, but rather our identity is in Christ, and playing softball is something we get to do with joy. So proud of these girls and the way they have persevered, especially after dropping into the losers' bracket and fighting through the playoffs."
Xavier teammates erupt in celebration in the dugout as they cheer on a play during a postseason/state tournament game.
The All-Arizona selections reflect performances across classifications and regions, honoring both veterans who closed out standout careers and underclassmen who announced themselves as players to watch in coming seasons. The full roster of first-team selections, the long list of honorable mentions and the Coach of the Year designation together paint a picture of a competitive high school season marked by dominant arms, powerful sluggers and deep postseason battles. Readers are encouraged to cast their vote in the Player of the Year poll through June 6 at 6 p.m.; The Republic will reveal the top player from among these All-Arizona honorees on June 7.