30 Mississippi high school softball players who are turning heads in 2021

With the 2021 Mississippi high school softball playoffs almost here, SBLive is taking a closer look at players who are having impressive seasons across the state.

From Puckett's Kinley Ainsworth to Lake Cormorant's Reese Woods, here's a look at 30 softball players who are turning heads in 2021. The list is in alphabetical order:

Kinley Ainsworth - SO - Puckett

Career .557 hitter who is currently batting .615 through 17 games (39 at bats) with eight doubles, four triples, two home runs, 17 RBIs and 17 runs scored. 

Aimee Buckley - FR - Calhoun City

In her first year with the varsity team, she’s currently batting .364 through 12 games (33 at bats) with six doubles, a home run, 11 RBIs and 13 runs scored. She’s also 7-3 in the circle with a 2.28 ERA, 62 strikeouts and 23 walks in 55.1 innings of work, including two no-hitters and one perfect game.

Ally Callahan - JR - Hernando

Career .406 hitter who is currently batting .442 through 21 games (52 at bats) with four doubles, three triples, three home runs, 27 RBIs and 19 runs scored. 

Jaclyn Carter - SR - Hernando

Career .376 hitter who is currently batting .525 through 21 games (61 at bats) with nine doubles, three home runs, 27 RBIs and 23 runs scored. 

Francesca Clark - SR - Pearl

Career .361 hitter who is currently batting .473 through 17 games (55 at bats) with three doubles, two triples, one home run, 11 RBIs and 27 runs scored. 

Emily Coggin - SR - East Union

Has hit .350 or better all four years. Is currently batting .491 with 15 doubles, seven home runs and 23 RBIs. She’s 7-7 on the mound in 16 appearances with a 2.89 ERA, 78 strikeouts and 19 walks.

P.J. Cooper - JR - Houston

Career .414 hitter who is currently batting .583 through 15 games (48 at bats) with 11 doubles, a triple, two home runs, 23 RBIs and 25 runs scored. 

Carly Dunigan - SO - Senatobia

Career .368 hitter who is currently batting .562 through 15 games (48 at bats) with nine doubles, two home runs, 30 RBIs and 20 runs scored. 

Mabry Eason - 8th Grade - Russell Christian Academy

Hit .586 in 11 games (29 at bats) as a seventh grader last year. Is currently batting .500 through 16 games (48 at bats with five doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 22 RBIs.

Rylee Eyster - JR - Hernando

Hit .567 in her last full season as a freshman in 2019. Is currently batting .571 through 20 games (56 at bats) with three doubles, three triples, a home run 13 RBIs. She’s also stolen 11 bases and scored 33 runs.

Kira Finkley - SR - Grenada

Career .366 hitter who is currently batting .455 through 13 games (33 at bats) with five doubles, two triples, a home run and 15 RBIs. She’s 11-1 in the circle in 13 appearances with a 0.78 ERA, 120 strikeouts and 24 walks in 63 innings of work.

Gracey Harbour - SO - South Panola

Hit .481 in 12 games (27 at bats) as a freshman in 2020. Is currently batting .326 with six doubles, a triple and 11 RBIs. The Lady Tigers’ pitching ace is 3-4 on the mound with a 0.28 ERA in 49.2 innings of work with 99 strikeouts and 10 walks.

Natalie Herrington - SR - Petal

Currently batting .314 through 15 games (35 at bats) with four doubles, a home run and eight RBIs. She’s also 2-0 in the circle with a 0.50 ERA, 132 strikeouts and 14 walks in 83.2 innings of work.

Kaitlyn Hill - FR - Ridgeland

Currently batting .667 through 14 games (45 at bats) with nine doubles, two triples, five home runs and 34 RBIs with eight runs scored.

Jaycee Holifield - 8th Grade - Stringer

Currently batting .474 in her first full season of varsity through 15 games (38 at bats) with seven doubles, three triples, one home run and 30 RBIs with 23 runs scored. 

Ryanne Hornsby - JR - Oak Grove

Hit .552 in 10 games (29 at bats) as a sophomore last season. Is currently batting .447 in 13 games (38 at bats) with five doubles, two home runs and 16 RBIs. She’s also 10-1 in the circle with a 0.95 ERA, 116 strikeouts and 20 walks in 66 innings of work.

Kirsten Johnson - JR - Biloxi

Hit .367 in nine games (30 at bats) as a sophomore, but has come on strong as a junior. Currently batting .426 through 16 games (61 at bats) with six home runs, 22 RBIs and 20 runs scored.

Paige Kilgore - SR - Houston

Hit .438 in 10 games (32 at bats) as a junior last season. Is currently batting .467 through 15 games (45 at bats) with nine doubles, two triples and 14 RBIs. She’s 14-0 on the mound in 14 starts with a 1.39 ERA and 143 strikeouts and 20 walks in 75.2 innings of work.

Izzy Martin - SO - Pearl River Central

Career .421 hitter who is currently batting .446 through 19 games (56 at bats) with eight doubles, one triple and three home runs with 26 runs scored.

Ramsey Montgomery - FR - Mantachie

In her first year with the varsity team, she’s currently batting .604 through 15 games (48 at bats) with 11 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 27 RBIs. She’s also 1-0 on the mound, with 140 strikeouts and 13 walks over 84.2 innings of work.

Dallyn Nance - SR - Nanih Waiya

Career .452 hitter who is currently batting .406 through 14 games (32 at bats) with three doubles, three triples, two home runs, 11 RBIs and 23 runs scored. She’s also successfully stolen 17 bases in 22 attempts.

Jena Pacheco - SR - Vancleave

Hit .308 in 11 games (26 at bats) as a junior last year. Currently batting .537 through 15 games (41 at bats) with five doubles, a triple, six RBIs and 22 runs scored. She’s only struck out three times in 56 plate appearances.

Lilli Robertson - SR - Sumrall

Career .427 hitter who has played varsity since seventh grade. Currently batting .588 through 16 games (51 at bats) with six doubles, two triples, two home runs, 17 RBIs and 28 runs scored.

Cadence Rolison - FR - Walnut

Hit .351 in 11 games as a seventh grader. Is currently batting .614 in 22 games (70 at bats) with 14 doubles and 37 RBIs.

Julia Shaw - JR - Hernando

Career .248 hitter who is currently batting .148, but she’s 12-0 in 14 starts in the circle with a 0.81 ERA, 92 strikeouts and 13 walks in 69 innings of work.

Kacey Stampley - SR - Columbia

Has hit .500 or better since freshman year in 2018, batting .718 through 15 games with seven doubles, four triples, three homers and 29 RBIs. Is currently 11-1 in 12 starts with a 1.42 ERA, 100 strikeouts and 19 walks.

Sydni Stevens - SR - Ridgeland

Career .400 hitter who is currently batting .490 through 14 games (51 at bats) with five doubles, 10 triples, a home run and 25 RBIs with 30 runs scored.

Megan Vinson - JR - DeSoto Central

Hit .348 in eight games (23 at bats) as a sophomore last year. Is currently batting .489 through 17 games (47 at bats) with five doubles, a triple, three home runs and 11 RBIs. She’s been nearly unhittable in the circle, with a 0.18 ERA through 38.1 innings of work, 82 strikeouts and eight walks.

Madison Weeks - SO - Walnut

Currently batting .390 through 22 games (77 at bats) with nine doubles, three triples, 11 RBIs and 33 runs scored. She’s also 6-2 in the circle with 48 strikeouts and 18 walks in 48 innings of work.

Reese Woods - SR - Lake Cormorant

Career .440 hitter who is currently batting .610 through 15 games (41 at bats) with four doubles, three triples and 15 RBIs. She’s also stolen eight bases and scored 20 runs.