Story By Heath Hambrick

The 2026 high school softball season across DeKalb County featured dominant pitching performances, explosive hitters and championship-caliber teams, and the Times-Journal is proud to recognize the athletes and coaches who stood above the rest with the release of the 2026 All-Times-Journal Softball Team.

Leading the way as Co-Players of the Year are Abby Williams of Plainview and Makinley Traylor of Ider after outstanding seasons that helped lead their teams to tremendous success on the diamond.

Williams was one of the area’s most complete players throughout the season, providing leadership, consistency at the plate and stellar defense for the Lady Bears. Traylor proved to be one of the top all-around talents in Northeast Alabama and was a key piece in Ider’s successful campaign.

Williams finished the season with 93 hits, 38 RBI, 80 runs scored, 2 home runs and a batting average of.554. Williams also finished her career as the AHSAA career hits leader with 488 hits. 

Traylor finished the season with 73 hits, 46 RBI, 70 runs scored, and 4 home runs and a batting average of .503. Traylor also  ended her career as the AHSAA leader in triples with 52, most consecutive games played with 278 and with the fewest strikeouts in state history with just 18. 

Plainview’s powerful lineup was led by Hitter of the Year Annalee Shrader, who turned in one of the best offensive seasons in the area. Shrader consistently delivered in key moments and helped fuel the Lady Bears offense all season long.

Shrader finished the season with 80 hits, 64 RBI, 55 runs scored and 10 home runs with a batting average of .468.

Inside the circle, Plainview’s Piper Anderson earned Pitcher of the Year honors after a dominant season against some of the top competition in the state. Anderson’s ability to control games and shut down opposing lineups made her one of the most feared pitchers in Northeast Alabama.

Anderson finished the season with a record of 14-4 with five saves. She recorded 120 strikeouts this season in 27 games pitched. 

The success of Plainview and Ider was also reflected in the coaching honors as Jeff Brooks and Mitch Mitchell shared Coach of the Year honors after guiding their programs to outstanding seasons. Brooks led the Lady Bears to a 44-12 record, their tenth straight county title and a state runner up finish. Mitchell, in his first year as the Lady Hornets head coach led Ider to a 31-16 record and a third place finish in the state tournament. 

First Team includes:

P- Piper Anderson, Plainview

IF- Cory Kramer, Fort Payne

IF- MaKinley Traylor, Ider

IF- AnnaLee Shrader, Plainview

IF- Kennedy Cook, Geraldine

IF- Ella Coker, Collinsville

OF-Abby Williams, Plainview

OF-Ellie Fleming, Plainview

OF-Gabriella Whitmore, Collinsville

U- Faith Odom, Plainview

U- Shyla Thompson, Geraldine

U- Lexi Coffman, Valley Head

Second Team includes:

P- Brynley Traylor, Ider

IF- Amelia Coffield, Geraldine

IF- McKenna Mitchell, Ider

IF- Carley Cash, Fort Payne

IF- Sam Galloway, Fyffe

IF- Katlyn Smith, Sylvania

OF- Georgia Baker, Fort Payne

OF- Ellie Stone, Fyffe

OF- Halle Peek, Collinsville

U- Mara Anderson, Sylvania

U- Olivia Harrison, Valley Head

U- Madelyn Akers, Ider