News Summary
The South Warren High School softball team seeks to secure their third consecutive 4th Region title, currently ranked No. 1 in the state with a record of 19-2. With a roster featuring NCAA Division I commits and standout players like McLaine Hudson, the Spartans are focused on clinching their first state championship. Their impressive offense and pitching staff have demonstrated dominance throughout the season, setting the stage for their upcoming matchup against Henderson County.
Bowling Green, Kentucky – The South Warren High School softball team is making headlines as they aim for their third 4th Region title in four years, building on a remarkable season that has them currently ranked No. 1 in the state with a record of 19-2. With a promising roster that features several NCAA Division I commits, the Spartans are poised to contend seriously for the school’s first-ever softball state championship.
Leading the charge is McLaine Hudson, a 5-foot-5 two-sport athlete who is committed to play softball for the University of Kentucky. Hudson has been a standout for South Warren, serving as the team’s leading hitter for three consecutive seasons. In the previous year, she set a state record with 93 hits in a single season, breaking the former record held by Kaylee Tow, who had 90 hits in 2017. As of this Saturday, Hudson has already tallied 334 hits in her career and is on track to eclipse the impressive career record of 365 hits established by Tow.
The talent surrounding Hudson is equally impressive. Junior Layla Ogden, committed to Western Kentucky University, currently leads the state with 15 home runs and boasts a batting average of .557. Meanwhile, Parker Willoughby, committed to Ohio State, holds a batting average of .443 and performed notably well with a 5-for-7 record in recent games. Fellow junior Hadley Borders, who is committed to the University of Missouri, has a solid average of .380, while Hayden Holloway from Florida Atlantic University hits at .355 with nine home runs this season. Their teammate, Kinleigh Russell, is also making waves, averaging .485 with 33 RBIs and 34 runs scored.
The Spartans’ pitching staff is anchored by sophomore Courtney Norwood, whose record of 11-1 and an earned run average of 1.34 have earned her recognition on several national watch lists. Senior Jenna Lindsey contributes significantly to the team’s success with a batting average of .433 and has committed to play both basketball and flag football at Lindsey Wilson College.
South Warren’s offensive capabilities are on full display this season, with the team averaging an impressive 11.47 runs per game and maintaining a team batting average of .431. They have hit a total of 43 home runs, significantly outpacing the next closest competitor. The pitching team also performs admirably, sporting a 1.65 ERA, ranking fifth in the state.
The Spartans have faced stiff competition this season, with their only two losses occurring against Assumption and Greenwood, currently ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in the coaches poll. South Warren has reached the 4th Region finals every year since 2015, winning the title four times. However, they have faced challenges in recent state semifinal appearances in both 2022 and 2024, where they were knocked out by the eventual state champions.
In their most recent games, South Warren demonstrated their dominance by securing mercy-rule victories against Scott County (14-1) and Great Crossing (10-0). Hudson’s exceptional performances included not only home runs but also significant contributions with multiple RBIs.
Looking ahead, South Warren is set to face Henderson County next, utilizing their current momentum and talented roster as they strive to reach their goal of securing yet another 4th Region title and their first state championship. The team’s focused approach and grounded mentality reflect their commitment to incremental progress toward their objectives: district, region, and ultimately, the state.
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Additional Resources
- WBKO News
- Wikipedia: Softball
- Kentucky.com
- Google Search: South Warren softball
- MaxPreps
- Google Scholar: Softball High School
- News Graphic
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Softball
- BG Daily News
- Google News: South Warren softball headline
