High school softball players from Southwest Virginia put up some of the best numbers in the state this season, slugging and hurling their way to individual and team success.
Athletes across several classes showcased their skills on the diamond and led their squads to deep postseason runs.
Presented here is The Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø 2025 All-Timesland Softball Team, highlighting the student-athletes who exceled on the field this season.
Coach of the Year: Tim Smoot, Auburn
Tim Smoot
Smoot orchestrated the Eagles' run to the Class 1 state championship game, which capped off an impressive 22-5 season.
Under Smoot, Auburn went 12-1 in the Mountain Empire District and captured the Region 1C championship. During the regular season, the Eagles earned notable wins over defending Class 3 state champion Christiansburg, Class 4's Blacksburg and went to extra innings with Jefferson Forest, the Class 4 state runner-up.
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Player of the Year: Hope Wilson, Auburn
The sophomore catcher put together a huge season to lead the Eagles to the Class 1 state championship game. Perhaps no bigger feat was hitting 15 home runs, finishing two shy of the VHSL single-season record.
Wilson batted .563 with an on-base percentage of .604 and a slugging percentage of 1.218. She ended the year with 49 hits, 59 RBIs and 35 runs along with 12 doubles, earning a first team all-state selection.
Pitcher: Amelia Long, Jefferson Forest
JF’s Amelia Long prepares to deliver a pitch against Gloucester in the Class 4 state semifinals on Friday, June 13.
The senior hurled her way to the Region 4D championship and the Class 4 state title game, striking out 215 batters with an ERA of just 0.84.
Long collected 125 innings in the circle, earning an 18-2 record and walking only 14 all season. In addition to receiving first team all-state honors, she was also named Seminole District and Region 4D Pitcher of the Year.
Catcher: Caitlin Wells, Salem
The senior hit .542 this season with an on-base percentage of .578 to lead the Spartans to a 17-5 record.
Wells collected 41 hits and scored 28 runs, along with 18 RBIs and a dozen doubles. She also stole 11 bases and earned a second team all-region nod.
First Base: Tyleigh Dillard, Christiansburg
Christiansburg's Tyleigh Dillard (left) celebrates after hitting a home run against Lord Botetourt in a 2024 game.
The senior hit 10 home runs this season for the Blue Demons, earning a .508 batting average.
Dillard finished with 33 hits, including five doubles and two triples. She also picked up six stolen bases and earned a second team all-state selection.
Second Base: Kennedy Cooper, Franklin County
Franklin County’s Kennedy Cooper rounds the bases after a two-run homer in the top of the second inning to put the Eagles up 2-1 over Staunton River in an April 8 game in Moneta.
The junior hit .460 with 17 RBIs and 18 runs to lead the Eagles to a 19-4 record and the Region 5C semifinals.
Cooper earned an on-base percentage of .532 and a slugging percentage of .680. She collected 23 hits, including three home runs, and received a second team all-state selection.
Third Base: Lilly Gillispie, Floyd County
The sophomore didn't just hit the ball well but contributed heavily to the Buffaloes scoring, racking up 40 RBIs and 32 runs this season.
Gillispie also smacked 12 home runs and finished with 40 hits, batting .580. She earned first team all-region honors.
Shortstop: Kailynne Keister, Staunton River
Staunton River’s Kailynne Keister (1) slides into second base during an April 12, 2024 game against Franklin County.
The sophomore picked up extra bases on 22 of her 38 hits, collecting 13 home runs, five doubles and four triples to lead the Golden Eagles to the Class 3 state quarterfinals.
Keister finished the season with a batting average of .523, earning a second team all-state selection.
Outfield: Abby Teubert, GlenvarÂ
The senior hit .548 for the Highlanders this season while driving in 22 runs and scoring another 25.
Teubert collected 40 hits and tallied 10 stolen bases. She received a first team all-region nod.
Outfield: Ariel Mullins, Auburn
The junior center fielder batted .481 with a .579 on-base percentage and a .727 slugging percentage for the Eagles this spring.
Mullins collected 37 hits, 22 RBIs and 39 runs, along with nine doubles, two triples and pair of home runs, earning a first team all-state selection.
Outfield: Madysen McCrickard, Franklin County
The sophomore scored 26 runs and drove in 15 as part of a .509 batting average performance this season.
McCrickard tallied an on-base percentage of .534 and a slugging percentage of .673. She ended the year with 28 hits, including two home runs, and received a second team all-region selection.
Honorable Mention
Lauren Smith (Jefferson Forest); Autumn Russell (Lord Botetourt); Caroline Harris (George Wythe); Emma Faulkner (George Wythe); Kaylee Maxfield (Staunton River); Payton Evans (Staunton River); Kailey Davidson (Rural Retreat); Sydnee Breeding (James River); McKenzie Booth (Auburn); Olivia Julian (Parry McCluer); Blair Jackson (Fort Chiswell); Abby Bradberry (Cave Spring); Olivia Bustamante (William Byrd);Â Brooke Weaver (Franklin County)
