11 DII softball bats that may make a distinction within the match

The season is coming down the ultimate stretch, and there are nonetheless just a few weeks of the common season remaining to pad these DII softball championship resumes. While pitching is at all times key this time of yr, having the explosive bats to counter it can assist groups go far into May.

Below are among the hottest DII softball bats for 2026. We are specializing in groups which might be within the match hunt. Surprisingly, you gained’t see anybody from No. 1 Saint Leo on this checklist. That is as a result of Izzy LaRoche (.423, 1.163 OPS, seven doubles, six house runs), Abigail Hynes (.413, 1.109 OPS, seven doubles, six house runs) and Briana Neal (,396, 1.141 OPS, 11 doubles, 5 house runs) are so comparable in stats that one merely didn’t stand out among the many relaxation. Perhaps that’s what received the Lions to No. 1 — a well-oiled machine that has a number of elements contributing to among the finest hitting and pitching groups in DII.

11 bats to look at down the ultimate stretch

Heather Arnett, Pittsburg State. Well, no kidding. The Gorillas’ senior infielder is having a historic season, on tempo to interrupt a number of DII softball information. She already eclipsed Adams State’s Katelyn Lovato’s report 41-game hitting streak, at present sitting at 43-straight video games courting again to final season. She has hit in all 41 video games this season, and of these 41 video games, 29 have been multi-hit performances, a staggering 71.1 %. She now has 90 hits, which is simply 36 shy of the DII single-season report, and 63 runs scored, which is simply 44 shy of the DII single-season report. She is averaging 2.2 hits per sport, so with 12 regular-season video games remaining, if she retains up the present tempo, Arnett will likely be about 11 hits shy coming into the MIAA match.

Jordyn De Los Santos, West Texas A&M. To nobody’s shock, the Buffs are as soon as once more one of many prime groups in DII. They appear a lock for his or her fourth-straight DII softball championship and eleventh up to now 12 seasons. Leading the run-producing cost is their senior infielder, De Los Santos. She’s at present hitting .504 with a 1.007 slugging proportion, 16 doubles, 15 house runs, 58 runs scored and 60 RBIs. Each a type of stats are a prime 10 mark in DII. She was strong for UT Tyler final yr, successful a nationwide championship with the Patriots, however has crushed all of her profession highs with West Texas A&M. The Buffs are hoping she brings that championship expertise this May.

Jillian Albayati, Cal State San Marcos. Albayati, a four-year starter within the infield, is having one of many greatest breakouts in all DII in 2026. She had a high-quality season a yr in the past, ending with a .337 common to go together with 15 extra-base hits and 34 RBIs. She is crushing these stats for the Cougars, a group that has held the No. 1 spot a number of instances this yr. Behind two prolonged hitting streaks of 15 and 19 video games, Albayati leads DII with a .566 common and is third with 60 RBIs. She has additionally seen an influence surge this season, blasting 12 house runs (she had 17 whole in her three seasons prior) and 17 doubles — her mixed whole for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. She is a giant purpose for the Cougars’ continued success and hopes of returning to the ultimate eight for the second time in 4 years.

Kat Hanson and Arriana Wright, Colorado Christian. The Cougars are 42-2 in a area that has 4 groups ranked within the prime 15 of DII softball. They have an unreal offense and Hanson, a sophomore second baseman, and Wright, a senior utility participant, have been explosive in main the Cougars cost. Hanson is hitting .535 with a 1.483 OPS with 57 runs scored, all of that are prime three in DII proper now. Wright is tied with Hanson for the group lead with 12 house runs, a prime 15 mark within the division, and leads the group with 63 RBIs, which is probably the most in DII. These aren’t your on a regular basis good hitters; they aren’t merely main their group in stats…they’re fairly actually, statistically talking, two of the easiest in all DII softball.

Brooklyn Willis, UIndy. The Greyhounds are as soon as once more rising to the highest of the Midwest Region, and whereas they’ve some good hitting to enhance her, Willis is the facility manufacturing facility for the No. 4-ranked offense. The sophomore outfielder is hitting a strong .380 with a 1.299 OPS. She leads the GLVC with 16 house runs, 48 RBIs and 55 runs scored. She additionally is sweet on the basepaths, main the Greyhounds with 10 stolen bases on 11 makes an attempt. The Greyhounds have a pair of aces within the circle that energy them, however Willis offers the spark that helps them pile up all these wins.

Emma Chisholm, Florida Tech. The Panthers are two wins away from surpassing their 2025 win whole and are hoping to succeed in their first DII softball championship since 2019. Chisholm, a junior infielder, is doing every part in her energy to ensure each occur. She is hitting .442 with a 1.410 OPS, 17 house runs and 57 RBIs, all of that are tops on Florida Tech. She leads the Sunshine State Conference in house runs and RBIs, and is third in batting common, giving her an actual probability to take house the SSC triple crown.

Chloe Baynes, AUM. The Warhawks have reached No. 1 this yr and are at present 34-7 with their sights set on yet one more match run. Baynes doesn’t do it with an influence bat — in her four-year profession, she has but to hit a house run — however she causes chaos on the basepaths. She is among the GSC’s all-time nice hitters, her .435 profession batting common is tied for fourth all-time in convention historical past, and with two extra stolen bases, she will likely be sixth all-time in GSC historical past with 125. On the season, she is hitting .466 with 47 runs scored and 41 stolen bases.

Zoey Sifuentes, Angelo State. You could acknowledge Sifuentes’ identify, as she was highlighted as one in every of NCAA.com’s prime freshmen to look at earlier this season. Well, she hasn’t slowed down, main the No. 13 group within the nation in batting common (.451), OPS (1.377), house runs (9) and RBIs (61), with all these runs batted in probably the most amongst all freshmen and second-most amongst all DII. You’re taking a look at who must be a lock for Lone Star freshman of the yr and will very effectively be the DII rookie of the yr as effectively.

Sydnee Reaves, North Georgia. The Nighthawks are a DII softball establishment. They have reached the Southeast Region tremendous regionals in 9 of the final 10 seasons whereas advancing to the finals seven instances. There is plenty of strain on this group to maintain up with these lofty expectations, and Reaves and her fellow Nighthawks meet the invoice each time. Reaves, a senior outfielder, is main a potent offense, hitting .446 with a 1.370 OPS, 47 runs scored, 20 doubles, 12 house runs, 49 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. She is among the greatest all-around gamers in DII, contributing in all places on the sphere.

Greenlee Wells, Oklahoma Baptist. The Bison are trending the unsuitable method, however at 34-10, they nonetheless have some postseason hope. Wells, a senior infielder, has been restricted on the plate through the Bison’s latest four-game skid, basically getting the Barry Bonds remedy — through the shedding streak, she has been walked 14 instances, eight of which have been intentional, fully taking away any alternative to do harm with the bat. That bat has been super in these 34 wins, nevertheless. On the season, she is hitting .459 with a DII-best 19 house runs, 49 runs scored and 57 RBIs. She additionally has 10 doubles and 12 stolen bases, so she showcases a number of instruments on the plate.