High school softball strikeout leaders headlined by Alabama junior Emily Needham with 357

According to statistics submitted to MaxPreps, 14 players have recorded 250 or more strikeouts this spring.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Thomas Frey
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Apr 24, 2025, 3:00pm
According to statistics submitted to MaxPreps, Emily Needham of Saint James (Montgomery, Ala.) leads high school softball nationally with 357 strikeouts. The junior is committed to South Alabama and has thrown six no-hitters this season.

Hannah DeMarcus of Pace (Fla.) is second in the nation with 318 strikeouts. She is one of the top sophomores in the nation and had a 33-strikeout performance in a 12-inning no-hitter March 27.

Jeovanna Carter of Gulf (New Port Richey, Fla.) is the top freshman on this list with 294 punch outs.

Read on for a look at nation's top 25 strikeout leaders this season. See the complete softball statistical leaderboard here.
Rylee Spivey of Kerens (Texas) is No. 11 in the nation with 257 strikeouts. On April 4 she struck out 17 batters in six innings of work. (PHOTO: Cody Dickerson)
Rylee Spivey of Kerens (Texas) is No. 11 in the nation with 257 strikeouts. On April 4 she struck out 17 batters in six innings of work. (PHOTO: Cody Dickerson)

1. Emily Needham, Jr., Saint James (Montgomery, Ala.), 357
The South Alabama commit had six straight games with double-digit strikeouts between April 10-21. The junior has thrown six no-hitters and has a record of 28-5.

2. Hannah DeMarcus, So., Pace (Fla.), 318
Has allowed six earned runs and 26 hits in 129 innings of work for a team ranked No. 32 in the country. Threw a 17-strikeout no-hitter during a March 14 win. The top 10 sophomore somehow topped that in her next start by striking out 33 in a 12-inning no-hitter.

3. Kiette Cooper, Jr., Jena (La.), 299
Struck out 26 batters during a 10-inning no-hitter March 6. Also threw a 5-inning no-hitter while hitting two home runs later in the month.

4. Jeovanna Carter, Fr., Gulf (New Port Richey, Fla.), 294
Started her career with four straight double-digit strikeout games. The freshman had a career-high 19 strikeouts April 9 and has pitched eight games with at least 17 strikeouts.

The Michigan State commit has struck out double-digit hitters in her last seven games. With the exception of a 9-strikeout performance, Flynn had at least 10 strikeouts in her first 14 games of the season for a 20-5 Pirates squad.

7. Victoria Moten, Sr., Daphne (Ala.), 265
8. Chloe Ellis, Sr., Gateway College Preparatory (Georgetown, Texas), 262
T9. Makayli Davis, Jr., Colbert County (Leighton, Ala.), 259
T9. Gabi Winters, So., Mariner (Cape Coral, Fla.), 259
11. Rylee Spivey, Sr., Kerens (Texas), 257
T12. Cali Masters, Sr., St. Marys (W. Va.), 256
T12. Anna Claire Free, So., Long (Skipperville, Ala.), 256
14. Isabelle Hooper, Jr., Shepherd (Texas), 255
15. Mary Taylour Wilbourn, Jr., Grenada (Miss.), 248
16. Allison Cole, Sr., Riverview Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.), 247
17. Lexi St. John, Jr., Ashville (Ala.), 246
18. Grace Lemke, Sr., Altamont (Ill.), 245
19. Arisela Perez, Fr., Incarnate Word Academy (Corpus Christi, Texas), 244
20. Avery Stutts, Sr., Scotland (Laurinburg, N.C.), 243
21. Shelbee Gros, So., E.D. White (Thibodaux, La.), 233
22. Kaylee McDonald, Jr., Des Arc (Ark.), 229
T23. Kaitlyn Tso, Sr., Coconino (Flagstaff, Ariz.), 227
T23. Marina Mason, Sr., Brentwood (Tenn.), 227
T25. Adyson Ordway, Sr., Deer Valley (Glendale, Ariz.), 226
T25. Kynnedi Ware, Fr., Pine Prairie (La.), 226

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