The Virginia High School League has announced its 2026 All-Region 1D softball teams, with several athletes from the Black Diamond District recognized for their performances this season.
The all-region teams were selected on June 9 during a meeting at the Russell County Technical School. Coaches from the Cumberland, Hogoheegee and Black Diamond districts participated in the voting process.
Eastside senior Emma Sartin was named Region 1D Player of the Year after helping lead the Spartans to another successful season. Eastside coach Suzie Atwood and her coaching staff were selected as Region 1D Coach of the Year.
The first-team all-region squad included pitchers Emma Sartin of Eastside and Makenzie Gillenwater of Twin Springs. Northwood’s Bailee Nutter was selected as the first-team catcher.
The first-team infield featured Zoe Hester of Chilhowie at first base, Sarah Sartin of Eastside at second base, Mallory Durham of Twin Springs at third base and Cadence Rose of Eastside at shortstop.
The first-team outfield consisted of Haley Frazier of Honaker, Madi Preston of Eastside and Lindsay Dean of Chilhowie. Aliyah Hilton of Twin Springs earned first-team honors as the designated player.
A trio of Buchanan County athletes was selected to the All-Region 1D softball second team, including Grundy High School senior third baseman Ryleigh Church and a pair of Council High School players, freshman outfielder Zoey McGlothlin and Ava Rose as the designated player.
Church had a .531 batting average with a .610 on-base percentage, .939 slugging percentage, 15 RBIs, 23 runs scored, only three errors on the season, and ended her career with a .527 career batting average.
Rose had a .403 batting average on the season to go along with 23 hits and 14 RBIs. McGlothlin finished the year with a .436 batting average for 24 hits and seven RBIs.
The second-team all-region pitchers were Emmaline Dowell of Chilhowie, Allison Akers of Rye Cove and Gracie Shelton of Honaker.
At catcher, Presley Hall of J.I. Burton was selected to the second team. Kylee Darcy of Chilhowie earned second-team honors at first base, while Olivia Crouse of Rural Retreat was selected at second base.
Church was named the second-team third baseman for Grundy.
Emma Ross of Twin Springs earned second-team honors at shortstop.
The second-team outfield included Kasey Robinson of Twin Springs, Autumn Parks of Patrick Henry and McGlothlin of Council. Rose was selected as the second-team designated player.
2026 VHSL All-Region 1D Softball First Team Selections
Pitcher – Emma Sartin, Eastside (Sr.)
Pitcher – Makenzie Gillenwater, Twin Springs (Sr.)
Pitcher – Bailee Nutter, Northwood (Soph)
Catcher – Payton Hester, Chilhowie (Jr.)
First base – Zoe Sartin, Eastside (Soph)
Second base – Sarah Davidson, Twin Springs (Sr.)
Third base – Mallory Durham, Eastside (Soph)
Shortstop – Cadence Rose, Honaker (Soph)
Outfielder – Haley Frazier, Eastside (Jr.)
Outfielder – Madi Preston, Chilhowie (Sr.)
Outfielder – Lindsay Dean, Twin Springs (Sr.)
DP – Aliyah Hilton, Honaker (Jr.)
2026 VHSL All-Region 1D Softball Second Team Selections
Pitcher – Emmaline Dowell, Chilhowie (Sr.)
Pitcher – Allison Akers, Rye Cove (Jr.)
Pitcher – Gracie Shelton, Honaker (Sr.)
Catcher – Presley Hall, J.I. Burton (Jr.)
First base – Kylee Dancy, Chilhowie (Jr.)
Second base – Oliva Crouse, Rural Retreat (Sr.)
Third base – Ryleigh Church, Grundy (Sr.)
Shortstop – Emma Ross, Twin Springs (Soph)
Outfielder – Kasey Robinson, Twin Springs (Soph)
Outfielder – Autumn Parks, Patrick Henry (Soph.)
Outfielder – Zoey McGlothlin, Council (Fresh.)
DP – Ava Rose, Council (Sr.)
2026 VHSL All-Region 1D Softball Honorable Mention Team Selections
Grundy: Sophia Belcher, Savannah Childress, Jade Vencill, Leah Rasnake and Ava Ward
Hurley: Kesha Hagerman and Brooklyn Owens
Council: Candace Runyon
Holston: Haleigh Dutton
Chilhowie: Anna Ramirez
J.I. Burton: Mayala McCurdy
