In the zone: Who are the top softball pitchers through the first few weeks of the season?

The Kentucky high school softball season is almost a month old. Teams in Ohio have been on the diamond for about two weeks.

Just as we did in 2023, the Enquirer will put together lists of the best pitchers, infielders and outfielders in Greater Cincinnati as the season plays out. We'll start with the pitchers who have commanded the diamond while operating in the circle.

As teams try to avoid rainouts and postponements, batters are probably trying to avoid facing these pitchers.

Kaitlyn Dixon, Highlands

The Bluebirds have gotten off to a fast start this season behind the sophomore's dominance in the circle. Dixon has started eight of their 10 games and has a 6-2 record, a 1.69 ERA and 71 strikeouts.

Audrey Gildea, Mount Notre Dame

The junior currently has the most innings pitched of any Girls Greater Catholic League hurler. She is 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA, recorded double-digit strikeouts in her first two games, and recently pitched nine innings in an extra-innings win over Ross.

Madison Goddard, Ryle

Goddard is in the conversation for the best pitcher in Northern Kentucky. She has a 1-4 record with a 3.68 ERA as the Raiders have challenged themselves against some tough competition. She also has 24 strikeouts to just five walks, showcasing her control of the strike zone.

Goddard is no slouch at the plate as she currently leads the Raiders with a .438 average.

Riley Hopkins, Dixie Heights

The senior wasn't in the circle to start the season as she was still coming back from shoulder surgery. After easing her way back into the rotation, Hopkins has started three games and appeared in five. She has a 2.85 ERA and is just 1-3 as the Colonels' offense hasn't quite clicked to begin the season.

Dixie Heights is 3-5 but onlookers shouldn't doubt their ability to bounce back. The Colonels were 6-9 halfway through the 2023 season but bounced back to finish 21-14 and appear in the Ninth Region championship game.

Tegan Hughbanks, Batavia

She leads the Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference with 38 strikeouts and 35 innings pitched. Her 2.00 ERA has been inflated by recent losses to Wilmington and Goshen, but she can get the Bulldogs back in the win column with upcoming games against Williamsburg, Mercy McAuley and Western Brown.

Halle Klaiber, Badin

She didn't appear in the first three games of the season, but her return to the circle helped the Rams get off the mat and pick up their first two wins.

It didn't take Klaiber long to return to the form she has displayed in her previous two years as a pitcher. She hasn't allowed any runs so far and has struck out eight batters apiece in her two starts.

Camrynn Linneman, Taylor

The senior leads the Cincinnati Hills League with 27 2/3 innings pitched and has thrown two shutouts. She has a 0.51 ERA thanks in part to her 55 strikeouts. Linneman recorded 12 strikeouts in each of her first two starts before punching out 14 batters in a five-inning perfect game on Wednesday, April 3.

Meghan McClellan, Milford

McClellan currently leads the Eastern Cincinnati Conference with five wins; the Eagles are on a six-game winning streak thanks to her efforts. She is also second in the league with 30 innings under her belt.

Her complete stat line shows a 5-1 record with a 1.17 ERA and 53 strikeouts. She wasn't joking around when she recorded 14 punch-outs in a five-inning perfect game on Monday, April 1.

Emili Schappacher, Hamilton

The sophomore has been a key cog in the Big Blue's first 5-0 start since 2008. In four of her five wins, she has surrendered two runs or less. Overall, she has a 0.68 ERA with 47 strikeouts to just four walks. Schappacher is also allowing 0.81 walks and hits per inning, proving just how hard it is to get on base against her.

The Big Blue face Fairfield on Saturday at noon in what will be a major early litmus test for their season.

Mollie Sharp, Conner

The Cougars are 4-6 to start the season, but four of their six losses are by three runs or less. Sharp has been in the circle for a few of those tough losses. She has a 2-4 record, but just a 1.49 ERA with 55 strikeouts. Sharp has also allowed just 14 runs.

Sophia Sheidler, Lebanon

For as much credit as Ella Tuebner gets for leading the Warrior offense, Scheidler deserves just as much for her work in the circle. Through three games, she has a 3-0 record with 28 strikeouts and has not allowed any runs.

Lebanon and Milford split the ECC title in 2021 and 2023; Scheidler's performances will certainly have a say in who wins this year's title.

Megan Spence, Fairfield

Spence has similar numbers to Schappacher through five games. The winner of Saturday's game will have an early advantage in the GMC regular season race. If Schappacher and Spence are both in the circle, it could be a battle of the top two contenders for conference pitcher of the year.

Spence is 4-1 with a 0.92 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 30.1 innings of work.

Abby Turnpaugh, Notre Dame

The junior has started all three games for the Pandas. She has a 2-1 record with a 0.93 ERA and has given up just four runs so far. Maybe more impressively, she has 25 strikeouts while not walking a single batter, and has thrown 179 pitches in 15 total innings of work (12 pitches per inning).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: High school softball: flame throwing pitchers in Greater Cincinnati