It’s been an incredible season for Cincinnati high school softball teams in Divisions I and II, and we’re sure to see more electric games during the district and regional brackets.
With the release of the big school postseason brackets on Sunday, May 10, the pathways were revealed for local teams hoping to play in the state tournament at Akron Firestone Stadium from June 3-7. Let’s take a look at which teams can hoist trophies in the coming weeks.
The DI and DII district brackets open play on Sunday, May 17 and district championships will be played on May 20 and 21.
Could Cincinnati send two Division I teams to Akron?
First round matchups: Centerville vs. Walnut Hills; Lakota West vs. Seton; Lebanon vs. Middletown; Springboro vs. Wayne; Milford vs. Springfield; Mason vs. West Clermont; Lakota East vs. Colerain; Sycamore vs. Beavercreek; Hamilton vs. Fairmont; Fairfield vs. Oak Hills
What to know: Hamilton, Fairfield and Oak Hills opted into the Region 1 bracket, which will be filled with central Ohio teams. Oak Hills looks like the favorite to advance, and the toughest test the Highlanders could face in the regional bracket is Lancaster, which is coming off a 2025 state tournament appearance.
In the top half of the Region 4 bracket, there could be a rematch of the 2025 DI state championship game as Lebanon and Centerville are on a path to meet in the regional semifinals. The Warriors beat the Elks, 7-0, on April 25.
The most intriguing district final in Southwest Ohio should be between Milford and Mason. The Eagles have, somewhat quietly, gone 21-3 this season and their only in-state losses are to Lebanon and Kings. While the Comets have stumbled recently, they did win 10 of 11 games at one point that included victories over Lebanon, Hamilton and Oak Hills.
Regional semifinal projections: Centerville vs. Lebanon; Milford vs. Lakota East; Oak Hills vs. Grove City (Region 1)
Kings the overwhelming favorite in Division II
First round matchups: Kings vs. Winton Woods; Stebbins vs. Withrow; Fairborn vs. Ursuline; Little Miami vs. Edgewood; Troy vs. Miamisburg; Mount Notre Dame vs. Ursuline; Anderson vs. Xenia; Northmont vs. Anderson/ Xenia winner; Harrison vs. Loveland
What to know: Kings can all but walk to the regional tournament. They scored 41 runs in two games to win a district title in 2025; don’t be surprised if this year’s trophy comes with a similar offensive output.
Little Miami last appeared in a district championship in 2017 but should take home its first district title since 2007. Led by Ella Cook, Lyla Hatfield, Bailey Thieme and Faith Thompson, the Panthers are 18-8 with wins over Lebanon, Springboro, Ross and Talawanda.
One more team to watch is Harrison. Coming off a 12-12 season, the Wildcats’ best wins are over Mount Notre Dame and Lakota East. They are a perennial winner and will be looking for their first district title since 2019.
Regional semifinal projections: Kings vs. Little Miami; Troy vs. Harrison
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati high school softball postseason projections for DI, DII
