Voting now open to decide the People’s Choice for Alabama’s top softball player
Voting begins today in all four Round 1 matchups and ends June 17. Semifinal voting will begin June 18.
Olivia Bennett 
The stage is officially set to crown the People’s Choice for Alabama’s top high school softball player of the 2026 season. 205focus.com has assembled an elite field of eight standout athletes, seeded in an NCAA tournament-style bracket to let the fans decide who reigns supreme.
Hewitt-Trussville superstar and reigning Gatorade Player of the Year Corey Goguts leads the field as the No. 1 seed.
RELATED: See the full ASWA all-state softball team for 2026
Round 1 voting is officially underway and runs through June 17, with semifinal action set to tip off on June 18. This competition follows the inaugural 2025 event, where former Saraland standout and current University of South Alabama player Gracie Dees secured the first-ever People’s Choice title.
The 2026 Field
1. Corey Goguts, OF/IF, Hewitt-Trussville, Sr.
A dominant force, the Class 7A and Gatorade Player of the Year closed her senior campaign with a .618 batting average, 29 homers, 91 RBIs, and 109 runs scored. The Ole Miss signee posted a staggering 2.140 OPS.
2. Katie King, IF, Orange Beach, Sr.
The Arkansas signee and Class 4A Player of the Year powered the state champion Makos, batting .536 with 17 home runs and 59 RBIs while swiping 24 bases.
3. Emily Needham, P, Saint James, Sr.
The South Alabama signee earned Class 3A Player of the Year honors behind a 30-3 record, 327 strikeouts, and a 0.96 ERA, including two perfect games and 11 shutouts.
4. Myleigh Dobbins, P, Saraland, Sr.
The Class 6A Player of the Year anchored the Spartans' run to their first Class 6A state title, finishing her senior year with a 24-6 record, 189 strikeouts, and a 1.63 ERA.
5. Arden Breedlove, IF/DH, Austin, Sr.
Named the Class 7A Hitter of the Year, the Mississippi Christian signee mashed 27 home runs and drove in 98 RBIs, hitting at a .589 clip.
6. Braylynn Pope, P/IF, Hackleburg, Jr.
The Class 1A Player of the Year was a dual-threat weapon, hitting .612 with 15 homers and posting a 25-8 record in the circle with 216 strikeouts.
7. McKinley McCaghren, P/IF, Lawrence County, Jr.
The Chattanooga commit and Class 5A Player of the Year guided Lawrence County to a state title with a 27-2 record and 185 strikeouts, while adding 41 RBIs at the plate.
8. Kate Flanagan, P/OF, Vestavia Hills, 8th
The Class 7A Pitcher of the Year made an immediate impact, recording a 1.04 ERA and 141 strikeouts while hitting .415 with five home runs.
Cast Your Vote
Don't miss your chance to support your favorite player in the quarterfinals. If you have trouble viewing the polls, use the links below to cast your ballot:
