The WVSSAC Class AA softball state tournament enters a new era this week at Little Creek Park in South Charleston.
The field expands from four teams to eight in 2026, creating a longer path to the state championship.
Defending state champion Oak Glen (18-11) returns to defend its state championship, while Logan, Petersburg and several other contenders arrive with explosive offenses and legitimate championship aspirations.
The Golden Bears enter as the five seed and will open the tournament Wednesday against 4-seed Weir (21-9).
Top-seed Logan (21-7) may possess the most dangerous lineup in the field, while Independence (22-10) and Sissonville (24-6) feature explosive offenses capable of taking over games quickly.
Meanwhile, Petersburg (22-5) returns seeking redemption after falling to Oak Glen in last year’s championship game.
Oak Glen returns with championship experience
The Golden Bears know what it takes to survive South Charleston.
Oak Glen captured last year’s state championship with a 10-2 victory over Petersburg in the title game behind a dominant offensive performance and a strong outing from then-freshman pitcher Mattie Carney, who returns as one of AA’s top two-way players after batting .482 with 41 hits, 26 RBI and 21 stolen bases this season.
Oak Glen also features a balanced lineup with multiple hitters batting above .300, including Braylee Lash, Mikayln Balch, Danica Holden and Nevaeh Heath. The Golden Bears scored 197 runs while collecting 258 hits during the regular season.
The experience factor could matter in the expanded format.
Logan, Independence bring explosive offenses
Few teams in the field can match the offensive firepower of Logan and Independence.
Logan enters after posting a 21-7 record behind a lineup featuring North Georgia signee Myleigh Adkins and West Liberty signee Ashlin Brumfield. Adkins blasted 10 home runs with a staggering 1.724 OPS, while Brumfield added four home runs and 20 RBI.
The Wildcats hit 20 home runs as a team and finished with a .343 batting average.
Independence may be even deeper offensively.
The Patriots batted .412 as a team with 29 home runs and 344 runs scored in 32 games.
Jenna Joyce led the way with 11 home runs and 59 RBI while hitting .495, while Ava Parks batted .541 with 60 hits and 19 stolen bases.
If either lineup gets hot early, they could quickly become favorites to reach the championship game.
Pitching depth could decide the tournament
The expanded bracket may ultimately favor the teams with the deepest pitching staffs and strongest two-way stars.
Weir enters with perhaps the tournament’s most proven ace in Eliza Utt, who posted a 1.50 ERA with 17 wins while also batting .519 with 39 RBI.
Sissonville also features a dominant two-way threat in Lydia Ellis, who hit .506 with 10 home runs and 50 RBI while helping lead the Indians to a 24-6 record.
Petersburg returns with several key pieces from last year’s runner-up squad, including Miley Tingler, who has produced one of the most eye-popping stat lines in the state with a .613 batting average, five home runs and a 2.158 OPS.
The Vikings will also carry added motivation after last year’s championship game loss to Oak Glen.
With more games and less margin for error, depth in the circle may be what separates the eventual champion from the rest of the field.
Players to watch
Mattie Carney, Oak Glen: Defending championship game winning pitcher hit .482 with 41 hits, 26 RBI and 21 stolen bases.
Miley Tingler, Petersburg: Dynamic returner batted .613 with five home runs, 21 RBI and a 2.158 OPS.
Myleigh Adkins, Logan: North Georgia signee hit .492 with 10 home runs and 31 RBI.
Ashlyn Brumfield, Logan: West Liberty signee batted .373 with four home runs and 20 RBI.
Jenna Joyce, Independence: Power-hitting junior hit .495 with 11 home runs and 59 RBI.
Ava Parks, Independence: Sparkplug hitter batted .541 with 60 hits, 33 RBI and 19 stolen bases.
Lydia Ellis, Sissonville: Senior slugger hit .506 with 10 home runs and 50 RBI.
Eliza Utt, Weir: Ace pitcher posted a 1.50 ERA with 17 wins while batting .519 with 39 RBI.
Madison Rader, Midland Trail: Contact hitter batted .500 with 51 hits and a 1.110 OPS.
Mattie Carney, Oak Glen: Defending state tournament standout also struck out eight in last year’s championship game victory over Petersburg.
Schedule and ticket information
What: WVSSAC Class A softball state tournament
When: Wednesday-Friday
Where: Little Creek Park, Field A, South Charleston
Tickets: All tournament passes are $49.25 and single session tickets are $11.50. Tickets can be purchased here.
Streaming: All games will be streamed on the NFHS Network
Wednesday
Session I
Game 1: No. 1 Logan (22-11) vs. No. 8 Midland Trail (10-11), 9 a.m.
Game 2: No. 4 Weir (16-6) vs. No. 5 Oak Glen (18-6)
Game 3: No. 3 Sissonville (24-6) vs. No. 6 Independance (22-10)
Game 4: No. 2 Petersburg (22-5) vs. No. 7 Lincoln (23-9)
Session II
Game 5: G1 loser vs. G2 loser, 6:30 p.m.
Game 6: G3 loser vs. G4 loser
Thursday
Session III
Game 7: G1 winner vs. G2 winner, 9 a.m.
Game 8: G3 winner vs. G4 winner
Game 9: G5 winner vs. G8 loser
Game 10: G6 winner vs. G7 loser
Session IV
Game 11: G7 winner vs. G8 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Game 12: G9 winner vs. G10 winner
Friday
Session V
Game 13: G12 winner vs. G11 loser, 10:30 p.m.
Championship: G11 winner vs. G13 winner, 1:30 p.m. (If necessary, Game 2 will follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1.)