High school softball has crowned its first state champions of the 2026-27 academic year as Nebraska and Oklahoma wrapped their respective tournaments on Monday.
The other three states playing softball in the fall are Georgia, Colorado and Missouri. Each of them will crown champions before the next edition of Softball Insider.
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In front of a rocking crowd at the University of Nebraska’s Rhonda Revelle Field, three Nebraska schools rose above the rest, with one being a first-time winner.
Kearney Catholic earned its first title in school history behind outstanding performances from two freshmen. Perri Tidwell tossed a three-hit shutout and Jersey DeVall hit a two-run inside-the-park home run to lift the Stars over Bishop Neumann in the Class C championship 3-0.
Class C is Nebraska’s smallest classification for softball.
Tidwell struck out 10 and left the bases loaded to end the game and secure the title. The game was extra special for her because she shared it with her mom, Sydnee Tidwell, who happens to be Kearney Catholic’s head coach.
“This is emotional, right,” Sydnee Tidwell said after the game. “This is the best way to send out a group of seniors. And, the best way for a mom and a coach to end their daughter’s freshman year. I just can’t quite put it into words yet.”
“It doesn’t feel real.”
Class B’s final was a unique matchup as Gretna defeated Gretna East 2-1.
It was Gretna East’s first appearance in the state title game and it was Gretna’s first Class B title since winning the Class A crown in 2024. Overall, it was the third title for the Dragons.
Taelyn Rupiper pitched a complete game for Gretna, striking out seven and allowing just four hits and one walk.
Natalie Boozikee drove in both runs for the Dragons with a bloop single to left field in the third inning.
Brynlea Beyer took the loss for the Griffins. She allowed just five hits and struck out six.
In the nightcap, it was Millard North that finally claimed its first Class A title since 1993 after three-straight runner-up finishes. The Mustangs defeated Elkhorn South 4-1.
Sophomore Jules Severson twirled a two-hitter and her solo home run solidified a gold medal for the Mustangs. She finished the night with five strikeouts and did not allow a walk.
After allowing an unearned run in the first, the right-hander retired 19 of the final 20 Storm hitters.
Jadyn Pokorny drove in two runs to give Millard North the lead, Severson homered in the second and then Mallory Closman added a solo home run in the fifth.
Ollie Songster pitched a complete game for the Storm and drove in Elkhorn South’s only run. She allowed seven hits in six innings.
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Oklahoma crowned four champions on Monday after the smaller classifications finished their seasons on Oct. 10.
In 6A, Choctaw defeated Mustang 4-2 for the program’s third state title. Devan Strecker went 3-for-4 and was a triple shy of the cycle — the offense combined for 10 hits.
Marlee Collier earned the complete-game victory for Choctaw, allowing just two runs, one earned, on three hits across seven innings. She struck out six and walked one.
Tahlequah shut out Pryor 4-0 (5A) to secure the first fastpitch softball state championship in school history. Two-way star Zoie Griffin went 2-for-3 with a double, home run and walk and struck out 10 in the circle.
Lone Grove captured the 4A title over Blanchard 4-1. The win secured a perfect 41-0 season for the Lady Horns, who claimed their third straight state championship and fifth in six years.
Washington won the 3A state title over Sequoyah (Tahlequah) 12-4. It was a back-and-forth affair until Washington took a 5-3 lead in the fifth inning and never looked back.
The other three state title games from earlier in the month included Dale (2A) over Warner 4-2, Arapahoe-Butler over Okarche 4-0 in A and Red Oak over Caney 10-0 in B.
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