As we noted in this week’s Line Drive SUPER 70 National High School Rankings, almost all of the country has wrapped up the spring high school softball season with the exception of states such as Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia which are still in play.

Kentucky is of particular interest this weekend because the prep softball in the Bluegrass State is down to the Final Four, with the semi’s being played tonight (Friday) and the championship tomorrow to determine who wins it all.

The No. 1 team in the nation as of this week, undefeated South Warren High from Bowling Green, Ky., is two victories away from being named National Champion, but it won’t be easy.

Here’s a closer look at who’s involved in the playoff games over the next two days:

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KHSAA SOFTBALL STATE FINAL FOUR — PREVIEW 

South Warren (43–0) vs Highlands (35–6) 

Friday, June 12: Game #1 — 3:30 PM EST

*** South Warren enters the Final Four at 43–0, continuing a dominant postseason run built on depth, experience, and consistency in high-pressure moments.

The Spartans’ identity traces back to their 2022 postseason win over Highlands, where early contributors like Carrie Enlow (3-for-4, 2B, RBI), Elly Bennett (2-for-2, RBI), and McLaine Hudson (2-for-3, 2 R, SB) helped establish a winning standard, while Layla Ogden (3-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Courtney Norwood (5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 K) laid the foundation in the circle that still anchors the program today. 

Here is a statistical snapshot of South Warren’s projected starting lineup and dual aces entering the Final Four.

The batting order listed below is the same 1-through-9 lineup that has remained intact since the Spartans’ Spring Break trip through Alabama and Florida on April 5-9, 2026.

STARTING LINEUP

1. McLaine Hudson (Sr.) – 95-130 | 26 HR | 78 RBI | 49 SB | 104 R | .731
2. Hadley Borders (Sr.) – 60-109 | 5 HR | 60 RBI | 39 SB | 79 R | .550
3. Parker Willoughby (Sr.) – 66-120 | 12 HR | 82 RBI | 18 SB | 66 R | .550
4. Layla Ogden (Sr.) – 63-126 | 13 HR | 65 RBI | 4 SB | 40 R | .500
5. Kinleigh Russell (Sr.) – 54-115 | 2 HR | 54 RBI | 8 SB | 36 R | .470
6. Keegan Pruitt (So.) – 51-117 | 6 HR | 43 RBI | 23 SB | 46 R | .436
7. Courtney Norwood (Jr.) – 22-79 | 1 HR | 21 RBI | 2 SB | 12 R | .278
8. Kaylee Wilson (Sr.) – 30-101 | 0 HR | 28 RBI | 6 SB | 34 R | .297
9. Kalie Kuzma (8th) – 41-93 | 3 HR | 28 RBI | 8 SB | 45 R | .441

DUAL ACES

• Courtney Norwood (24-0) – 120.2 IP | 193 K | 1.10 ERA
• Layla Ogden (18-0) – 71.2 IP | 109 K | 0.78 ERA

TEAM TOTALS

490 Hits | 69 HR | 513 RBI | 185 SB | 547 Runs | .485 AVG

FUN FACTS

• McLaine Hudson leads Kentucky in virtually every major offensive category and has established a new Kentucky single season record with 26 home runs, the most ever hit by a player in one season.

• Parker Willoughby leads the state of Kentucky in RBI (82) entering the KHSAA State Final Four.

• Layla Ogden continues to be one of Kentucky’s premier dual-threat players, ranking among the state’s offensive leaders while also leading Kentucky pitchers in fewest runs allowed (9) this season.

• Courtney Norwood (24-0) and Layla Ogden (18-0) are the only two undefeated pitchers in Kentucky, combining for a remarkable 42-0 record in the circle.

• Since becoming a varsity pitcher in 2021, Layla Ogden has a career record of 75-3 and has never lost a game on Kentucky soil. Her only three career losses came in out-of-state competition in Alabama (2025) and Florida (2023).

• South Warren’s current batting order has remained intact since the Spartans’ Spring Break trip through Alabama and Florida (April 5-9, 2026).
• Kalie Kuzma, an 8th grader and South Warren’s everyday starting right fielder, made an immediate impact in her first KHSAA State Tournament appearance by hitting a home run in her first career state tournament at-bat against Oldham County in the opening round on June 4, 2026.
• McLaine Hudson was recently named the 2026 Kentucky Gatorade Softball Player of the Year, becoming a back-to-back winner (2025 and 2026) of the state’s most prestigious individual softball honor.

*** Highlands High enters at 35–6 with a clear identity centered around senior ace Kaitlyn Dixon (202.0 IP, 30–3, 0.66 ERA, 345 K, 35 BB), the defining force of their postseason push.

Dixon’s connection to this matchup dates back to the 2022 meeting, where she appeared in relief as an 8th grader, and now she returns as the full-time staff leader carrying a significantly expanded role.

The Bluebirds rely heavily on her command and strikeout ability to control tempo and keep games within reach against elite competition. 

Dixon earned national recognition this week, being named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) South Central Region Player of the Week. The honor follows her dominant performance at the KHSAA State Tournament, where she fired a one-hit shutout with 15 strikeouts and no walks in a first-round victory over South Laurel.

Dixon is committed to Thomas More University in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, where she will continue her collegiate softball career.

KEYS to the GAME:

It comes down to pace and execution: South Warren must apply early pressure and prevent Dixon from settling into a rhythm, while Highlands must keep the game low-scoring and maximize limited scoring opportunities.

The matchup ultimately hinges on whether South Warren’s depth can break through Dixon’s control or if Highlands can extend a tight game into late-inning pressure. 

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George Rogers Clark (38–5) vs Bullitt East (31–4) 

Friday, June 12: Game #2 — 6:30 PM EST 

*** George Rogers Clark enters at 38–5 with one of the most explosive offensive cores in the state, led by Lilliana Hill (.527 AVG, 15 HR, 66 RBI, 15 SB), Arabella Guinn (.486 AVG, 14 HR, 59 RBI, 11 SB), and Jordyn Abner (.454 AVG, 10 HR, 56 RBI, 12 SB).

Hill also anchors the pitching staff at 17–2 with a 1.91 ERA, giving GRC a dual-threat centerpiece capable of controlling both sides of the game. Their profile is built on power, speed, and multi-run innings that can shift momentum quickly. 

*** Bullitt East High comes in at 31–4 with a balanced, efficiency-driven approach led by Allie Carter (.474 AVG, 6 HR, 40 RBI, 2 SB), Mollie Johnston (.440 AVG, 10 HR, 54 RBI, 0 SB), and Mackenzie Mingus (.495 AVG, 5 HR, 51 RBI).

Mingus also leads the pitching staff at 12–1 with a 1.19 ERA and 128 strikeouts, giving Bullitt East a top-end arm capable of neutralizing power-heavy lineups. Their formula centers on contact hitting, disciplined at-bats, and limiting opponent damage through elite pitching control. 

KEYS to the GAME:

George Rogers Clark must generate early power and force Bullitt East into high-scoring tempo, while Bullitt East must keep GRC’s middle order contained and rely on Mingus to control the game flow.

The deciding factor will be whether GRC’s explosive offense can break through a disciplined pitching-and-contact system built to slow momentum.