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Madison Babcock, a junior pitcher at Fox Valley Lutheran, has been named High School On SI Wisconsin Softball Player of the Year after a fan vote that capped a dominant season. Her performance on the mound and at the plate — including a one-woman showing in the Division 2 title game — made her the clear choice for readers following the 2026 high school season.
Babcock captured 43% of the vote — 3,050 ballots — in a two-week online poll that ran July 1–15 and drew 6,891 total responses. Johnson Creek sophomore Tori Buglass finished second with 30% of the vote; Mineral Point’s Tenleigh Bockhop placed third (13%), and Sussex Hamilton’s Bitsy Palicka rounded out the top four with 4%.
How she sealed the award
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Across the 2026 campaign, Babcock helped Fox Valley Lutheran to a share of the Bay Conference crown and the WIAA Division 2 state championship, finishing the year 26–3. The WFSCA named her to its first-team all-state list — an honor that highlighted a season defined by consistency and big-game production.
Her signature moment came in the D2 championship at UW–Madison’s Goodman Diamond on June 13: Babcock threw a complete-game three-hitter with 12 strikeouts and two walks, while going 2-for-2 at the plate with four RBIs. In the fourth inning she launched a two-run homer to center that swung momentum decisively in the Foxes’ favor in a 9–1 victory.
Top finishers in the poll
| Player | School | Position | Votes (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Babcock | Fox Valley Lutheran | P | 3,050 (43%) |
| Tori Buglass | Johnson Creek | P | 30% |
| Tenleigh Bockhop | Mineral Point | P | 13% |
| Bitsy Palicka | Sussex Hamilton | P | 4% |
Readers weighed both postseason achievements and season-long production. Babcock’s combination of elite pitching, timely hitting and a state title gave her a clear edge in a crowded field of standout players across Wisconsin.
Other nominees and season highlights
- Kailey Anderson, Franklin (Sr., C/OF) — First-team WFSCA; led Franklin to a Southeast Conference title and a 20–6 record.
- Tenleigh Bockhop, Mineral Point (So., P) — WFSCA first-team; SWAL champion and Division 4 state title, 28–4.
- Samantha Brunner, Muskego (Jr., SS) — First-team WFSCA; Classic 8 champion, Division 1 state-game berth, 28–3.
- Tori Buglass, Johnson Creek (So., P) — First-team WFSCA; Trailways (South) champion, Division 4 state-game berth, 27–5.
- Haleigh Caspary, Lomira (Sr., P) — WFSCA first-team; Flyway Conference and Division 3 state champion, 27–3.
- Riya Ceballos, Almond‑Bancroft (Sr., P) — WFSCA first-team; Division 5 state champion, 28–1.
- Kennedy Christopher, Oak Creek (Sr., 1B/3B) — First-team WFSCA; Classic 8 runner-up, 22–7.
- Grace Danoski, Hortonville (Sr., P/2B) — First-team WFSCA; Fox Valley Association winner, 23–4.
- Ashlyn Hunt, Catholic Memorial (So., P) — First-team WFSCA; helped team to sectional semifinals, 19–10.
- Tenley Kuehn, Green Bay Preble (Sr., P) — Fox River Classic champion, 25–2.
- Piper Olson, Grantsburg (Sr., P) — Lakeland West champion, Division 4 semifinalist, 25–1.
- Bitsy Palicka, Sussex Hamilton (So., P) — WFSCA first-team; Greater Metro champion and Division 1 state champion, 30–1.
- Rory Salvesen, Wittenberg‑Birnamwood (Sr., SS) — Central Wisconsin Conference (East) runner-up, 25–5.
- Lauren Voss, Hartford (Sr., SS/3B) — North Shore Conference champ, 22–6.
- Anna Wall, Tomah (Sr., P) — Mississippi Valley Conference champion, 19–6.
This year’s shortlist was compiled from the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association and MaxPreps reports; the fan poll provided the final selection. For high-school softball followers, the result underscores how postseason performance and championship moments weigh heavily with voters.
For questions or corrections, contact the reporting desk.
