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This year's All-Sentinel Softball Team was a difficult one to pick. So many players in the area consistently displayed their offensive, defensive, and pitching skills on multiple occasions, making it tough to narrow the final list to nine. That being said, here are my picks for the 2026 All-Sentinel Softball Team.
Ainsley Ulrich, Jr., P/OF, North Union
Ainsley Ulrich was one of the many catalysts to North Union's success this past season. This is due to her exceptional ability to dominate multiple aspects of the game through her hitting and pitching. A true two-way player. Ulrich logged nearly 200 innings (193.1) inside the circle for the Warriors, posting a 2.82 earned run average to go along with 244 strikeouts. Her numbers were just as impressive on offense. Ulrich hit for an average of .449 to power her 1.205 OPS. She collected 29 RBIs, seven doubles, five home runs and three triples. Ulrich’s impact on the Warriors was crucial in more ways than one.
Brylee Miller, Sr., P/SS, Fairmont
A usual suspect on these All-Sentinel lists, Brylee Miller saved her best for last during her final season wearing Cardinal colors. Miller was another two-way player who controlled the game in the circle and at the plate. She hit .475 during her senior campaign with a 1.340 OPS. She spread her hits all over the field on most occasions, garnering six doubles, six triples, and three home runs that contributed to her 22 RBI total. Pitching three more innings than last season (107.2), Miller’s 2.73 earned run average and 128 strikeouts consistently kept Fairmont in multiple contests.
Brylie Deim, Sr., OF, North Union
Brylie Deim was a weapon in 2026. And that's putting it lightly. Her senior season saw a .432 batting average and a team-high 1.346 OPS. She also led all of North Union in RBIs with 52. Much of this came from her 14 home runs and 10 doubles. Deim also drew 10 walks and finished the season with an OBP of .473. Her centerfield position saw two errors and a handful of nifty grabs throughout the grass.
Courtney Anderson, Sr., 3B, MCW
The third basemen for a Martin County West team that finished with 24 wins, Courtney Anderson played a key role every step of the way. Leading the Mavericks in batting average (.439), RBIs (38), and home runs (5), Anderson was a force with her bat. She also had 29 assists and 19 putouts at the hot corner.
Gwyneth Schultz, So., C, Fairmont
The catcher position is always demanding and can make it difficult for players to thrive on offense. But Gwyneth Schultz didn't have too tough a time making the adjustment. Schultz finished with a .313 batting average and was second on the Cardinals in SLG (.513), doubles (4), triples (3), home runs (2) and runs (21). Her speed, power and athleticism will be key for head coach Cory Hainey and Fairmont in future seasons.
Lillie Schultz, So., OF, MCW
Lillie Schultz was a partial starter last season for the Mavericks, but stepped up into a bigger role as the everyday center fielder in 2026. More reptitons favored MCW's overall success. Schultz was found in the leadoff spot in the batting order and, more often than not, reached base with a hit (.415 BA) or a walk (20 BB). She tied the MCW school record for runs with 40, doing her part to get the offense started early and often. In the outfield, she had two assists and 23 putouts, playing with what Maverick head coach Darrell Ziegler called "outstanding game situational awareness."
Maddie Carlson, Jr., P, MCW
Maddie Carlson took home Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2026 for a reason. And her ability to pitch with precision is the most notable trait. While currently holding MCW school records in strikeouts (680), wins (65) and shutouts (22), this past season was just another showing of her dominance. Carlson finished with a 1.24 earned run average in the stretch of 124 innings, striking out 181 and walking 19. Her 20 wins and 11 shutouts were both new season records for the Maverick softball program. But it's unfair to stop there. Carlson was very destructive at the plate as well. She hit .338 with 10 2B, three home runs and two triples, collecting 33 RBIs off her 25 total hits.
Maisey Bierstedt, Jr., OF, North Union
There was so much power in North Union's lineup this season. The Warriors finished the year with a Class 1A leading 50 home runs, 24 ticks ahead of St. Edmond in second place. Part of this was because of Maisey Bierstedt's bat. Bierstedt finished with 10 long balls and 51 RBIs, both second place on the team behind Deim. She hit a team high .463 from the plate with an OPS of 1.306. Her 14 doubles led all Warriors.
Shallie Walders, Jr., C/OF, North Union
The final catcher on this list, Walders was another individual who had no struggle creating havoc with her offensive capabilities. Walders finished with a .394 batting average and was the third Warrior to reach double-digit home runs (10). She had the third most RBIs in North Union with 43 and collected 12 doubles. On defense, Walders had 265 putouts and just two errors. A sound player on both sides.
Honorable Mentions:
Bria Williamson, So., 1B, Fairmont (.342 BA, .357 OBP, 26 RBI)
Emily Schettler, Sr., C, MCW (.368 BA, 23 RBI, 7 2B, 3 HR)
Lexi Sundeen, So., SS/P, Fairmont (.281 BA, .443 OBP, 15 RBI, 53.2 IP, 3.78 ERA)
Mariel Parish, So., C/OF, GHEC/T/ML (.350 BA, .409 OBP, 17 SB)
Olivia Price, Sr., SS, North Union (.408 BA, 1.131 OPS, 12 2B, 21 SB)
Rowan Faber, Fr., SS, MCW (.379 BA, 11 2B, 4 HR, 2 3B)
Tisa Rosales-Wegner, So., 3B/SS, GHEC/T/ML (.339 BA, .408 OBP)
Editor’s Note:
All names on the 2026 All-Sentinel Softball Team and Honorable Mentions are listed alphabetically. The All-Sentinel Baseball and Softball Players of the Year will be announced in Saturday's edition of The Sentinel.