News Summary
Layla Ogden, a junior at South Warren High School, has been named to the First Team All-Region VIII by the NFCA for her impressive performance as a utility player and starting pitcher. She is the only athlete from Kentucky to achieve this honor in Region VIII, which includes high school programs from multiple states. Ogden’s outstanding season includes leading statistics in home runs and RBIs, contributing to her team’s successful performance that includes winning the Region 4 Tournament championship. Fellow teammate Kinleigh Russell also received recognition as a Second Team selection.
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Layla Ogden, a junior at South Warren High School, has been honored with First Team All-Region VIII recognition by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) for the 2025 spring season, as announced earlier this week. The award is a testament to her outstanding performance as a utility player and starting pitcher throughout the season.
Ogden is one of 13 athletes selected for the prestigious first team roster out of a total of 192 honorees, which included 50 juniors, 83 seniors, 37 sophomores, 20 freshmen, and two eighth-graders. Notably, she is the only athlete from Kentucky to earn First Team honors in Region VIII, which comprises high school programs from Kentucky, Ohio, Missouri, Indiana, and Virginia.
The selection process for the All-Region teams involves nominations and voting from NFCA member coaches who assess the top players across their respective regions. Following this recognition, Ogden will also be considered for the NFCA High School All-America Teams, with selections to be unveiled on July 18.
This accolade comes on the heels of a fruitful season for Ogden and her team. Under her leadership, South Warren clinched the Region 4 Tournament championship and made a significant impact by advancing to the KHSAA state tournament. The team maintained its position at the top of the state’s coaches poll for the majority of the season.
During the season, Ogden showcased exceptional skill, tying the KHSAA single-season record for home runs with 24. In addition to this remarkable feat, she led the state in both home runs and RBIs, with a staggering total of 75. Her bat saw impressive numbers as she finished the season with a .530 batting average, racking up 62 hits, 13 doubles, while also achieving a slugging percentage of 1.256.
As a valuable player on the mound, Ogden’s pitching statistics further underline her expertise, achieving a record of 12-1 in 20 appearances, with 14 of those being starting roles. Her performance included an impressive 1.08 ERA and a total of 105 strikeouts over 77 2/3 innings.
In addition to Ogden’s recognition, Kinleigh Russell, a fellow junior at South Warren, received a nod on the NFCA Region VIII Second Team as a second baseman/infielder. Russell showcased her own standout season, tying for second in the state with 10 triples and ranking sixth with 18 doubles. She boasted a .484 batting average, hit six home runs, and gathered 54 RBIs while successfully stealing 11 of 12 bases.
These achievements not only highlight the individual talents of Layla Ogden and Kinleigh Russell but also reflect the broader success of the South Warren High School softball program. The NFCA’s recognition serves as valuable acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication displayed by these student-athletes throughout the spring season.
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Additional Resources
- BG Daily News: Sports Prep Softball
- Wikipedia: Softball
- WNKY: Lady Spartans Ogden Verbally Commits to WKU Softball
- Google Search: KHSAA softball
- BG Daily News: Sports Prep Softball May 12
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Softball
- Beech Tree News: Layla Ogden WKU Hilltoppers Softball
- Google News: Layla Ogden
- BG Daily News: Sports Prep Softball May 28
Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER
The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
