Five Uncommitted 2026s Who Turned Heads This Summer

While possibly feeling like they had just started their high school careers, softball players in the high school graduating class of 2026 are about to become seniors. And that means they are deep into their college softball recruiting process if they are not already committed to a school for after their high school days end.   Below, Prep Softball highlights five uncommitted 2026s who turned heads on the field this summer.    It is difficult to comprehend improving on a sophomore season in which you hit .694 and had an on-base percentage of .780. However, Ava Gish did just that for the Portland Christian Eagles this past season. In 28 games played, Gish sported a .727 batting average with 48 hits, 46 RBIs, and nine doubles. She led all juniors in Kentucky in batting average and on-base percentage. This summer, while playing for KY Fury Platinum Long 16U, she kept up her hot hitting. At the Buckeye Recruitfest in early July, she racked up 11 hits, nine RBIs, and a .579 batting average. A couple weeks later in Indiana at the USSSA Elite Showcase Hoosier Invitational, she again led her squad in hitting with a .727 batting average and eight hits. In addition to her offensive prowess, Gish is also an elite fielder. In over 40 games played for the Portland Christian Eagles, she has only committed one error. Any college program would be lucky to have a well-rounded player like Gish on their team.     In her two full seasons with the Molina Jaguars, Ayleen Castillo has 31 extra-base hits, 81 RBIs, 72 hits, 65 runs scored, and a .610 batting average. It's safe to say she can handle her bat very well. She also has an element of speed to her game and can be a menace for opposing teams on the basepaths. Her eye for the strike zone is also quite impressive, as she has drawn 37 free passes so far in her high school career and has only struck out five times. This summer, however, she has also shown her skills on defense. Starring at catcher for the Firecrackers, Castillo has shown an accurate and strong arm by nailing runners attempting to steal. During one play, after catching a rise ball out of the zone, Castillo unleashed a fastball towards second base, beating the runner by nearly two seconds. It is a win-win for college coaches when they can snag a player who offers big rewards on both offense and defense.     Rhianna Weaver finished her junior season for the Creekside Seminoles with an astounding .809 batting average, including 38 hits in 47 at-bats, with 28 of those hits being of the extra-base variety. If that wasn't enough, she also picked up four wins in the circle and collected 108 strikeouts. She finished second among all players nationwide in the fall 2024 season in batting average, first in on-base percentage, and fourth in slugging. She hasn't slowed down this summer. At the Ringgold Legendary Showcase, she shut down the opposition for the ATL Lady Braves with 28 strikeouts. At that same tournament, she hit .400 at the plate, with a .733 slugging percentage and a home run for good measure. Her pitches have great movement, with her best action tailing away from the hitter, forcing awkward swings. At the plate, she has an open stance, and then lets it fly with a quick swing through the zone, generating a lot of power.     Bailee Hollis has yet to lose a game in her high school career. That stat alone is impressive enough, but there's plenty more to the story. The reigning state champ in Georgia for the Heritage Generals, Hollis allowed only seven earned runs all season for a 0.83 ERA and posted a perfect 9-0 record with 77 strikeouts. Her overall career record is 14-0, and she has yet to give up multiple home runs in a single season. This summer, she has shown off her offensive capabilities as well. At the Scenic City Showcase, she collected nine hits to go along with a .600 batting average and a .562 on-base percentage. The following week, she helped her team to a championship at the Owl City Showcase. With a career .389 batting average at the plate overall for Heritage and her ongoing dominance in pitching, Hollis is the whole package.     Best of luck trying to hit Aubrie Pogue's rise ball. Many hitters have tried and many hitters have failed. And it is just as nasty as her drop ball. This past season for the Elk City Elks, Pogue had everything working to the tune of 283 strikeouts and a 26-4 record. Among her many accolades from her junior season was a 14-strikeout performance in only five innings of work. Pitching this summer for Oklahoma Athletics National Madden/Brown, she has continued her mastery in the circle, including a perfect ERA and 13 strikeouts in nine innings pitched at the USAO Camp & Showcase. She can also do damage at the plate, as she hit 10 doubles for the Elks last fall.

While possibly feeling like they had just started their high school careers, softball players in the high school graduating class of 2026 are about to become seniors. And that means they are deep into their college softball recruiting process if they are not already committed to a school for after their high school days end.