BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — With a senior-heavy roster and a full slate of games ahead, Martin County High School’s softball team will look to turn experience into progress during the 2026 season.
The Lady Cardinals finished 9-15 overall last season, including a 6-9 mark in the 15th Region and a 0-7 record in the 57th District. Now under head coach Boo Newsome, Martin County enters the new campaign with a veteran core and hopes of taking a step forward.
Experience should be one of the Lady Cards’ biggest strengths.
Martin County’s roster features nine seniors in Raegan Horn, Tessa Gantt, Bailey Parsons, Hallee Preece, Marlee Grayson, Alyssa Mullins, Sophie Harless, Bella Muncy and Haley Robinson. Juniors Mia Fields and Isabella Robinson also return, while KarLee Gillman is back as a sophomore. Freshmen Brianna Muncy and Allyson McGinnis add youth to the roster, along with eighth-grader Makenna Marcum.
That mix gives Martin County leadership and varsity experience throughout the lineup.
Bella Muncy returns after turning in one of the Lady Cards’ top offensive seasons a year ago. In 23 games, Muncy batted .325 with 26 hits, 26 runs scored, 11 RBIs, three doubles, two triples and three home runs. She also drew 13 walks and stole 20 bases, making her one of Martin County’s most dynamic all-around threats.
Sophie Harless also gives the Lady Cards a proven bat after hitting .329 with 24 hits, 10 RBIs, four doubles and a triple last season. Raegan Horn added 13 hits and eight RBIs, while Haley Robinson scored 16 runs and drove in 10 more. Alyssa Mullins chipped in 14 hits, and several other returners gained valuable experience that Martin County hopes will pay off this spring.
In the circle, the Lady Cards will lean heavily on Mullins, who logged 72.2 innings last season and recorded 59 strikeouts with four wins in 18 starts. Replacing innings from last year’s staff will be important, but Martin County at least returns an experienced arm to help anchor the pitching rotation.
As a team, the Lady Cards batted .265 last season, collecting 167 hits, 74 runs, 25 doubles, eight triples and four home runs. Martin County also showed patience at the plate with 91 walks and aggressiveness on the bases with 56 stolen bases.
The biggest area for improvement may come defensively and in run prevention. Martin County posted a 7.74 team ERA last season, and cutting down on opponent scoring chances will be key if the Lady Cards hope to climb in both district and regional play.
The schedule offers Martin County an early chance to test itself.
The Lady Cards are scheduled to open the season at home March 18 against Prestonsburg before traveling to Breathitt County on March 19. Martin County then returns home for games against Knott County Central and Elliott County on March 21, followed by additional early home matchups against Paintsville, Tolsia, Fairview and Fleming County.
District and regional challenges continue throughout April and May with games against Paintsville, Johnson Central, Betsy Layne, Magoffin County and Floyd Central. Martin County is also scheduled to play in the All “A” Classic Region against Belfry on April 7.
Martin County’s game against Prestonsburg starts at 6 p.m. at Cardinal Field.
Martin County Softball 2026
March
March 18 — Prestonsburg, 6 p.m.
March 19 — at Breathitt County, 5:30 p.m.
March 21 — Knott Central, noon
March 21 — Elliott County, noon
March 24 — Paintsville, 6 p.m.
March 25 — Tolsia (WV), 5:30 p.m.
March 26 — Fairview, 6 p.m.
March 27 — Fleming County, 6 p.m.
April
April 7 — at Belfry, 6 p.m.
April 8 — at Prestonsburg, 6 p.m.
April 10 — at Johnson Central, 6 p.m.
April 10 — at Johnson Central, 8 p.m.
April 14 — at Paintsville, 6 p.m.
April 15 — Betsy Layne, 6 p.m.
April 25 — at Elliott County, noon
April 25 — Powell County at Elliott County, 1:45 p.m.
April 28 — at Tolsia (WV), 6 p.m.
April 30 — at Magoffin County, 6 p.m.
May
May 2 — at Owsley County, noon
May 2 — at Owsley County, 1:30 p.m.
May 4 — Magoffin County, 6 p.m.
May 6 — at Betsy Layne, 6 p.m.
May 7 — Mingo Central (WV), at Chapmanville Regional, 6 p.m.
May 8 — Floyd Central, 6 p.m.
May 11 — at Fairview, 6 p.m.
May 15 — at Fleming County, 5 p.m.