Softball season opens this week across Michigan and across Macomb and Oakland County there are programs that have circled this spring on their calendar for months. Here is The County Line’s complete preview of the programs most likely to make noise in the 2026 state tournament.
Macomb County Programs to Watch
CHIPPEWA VALLEY — THE FAVORITE
Chippewa Valley has been the most consistent softball program in Macomb County over the past several years. The Big Reds compete in the MAC — one of the strongest softball conferences in the state — and have the coaching, facilities, and talent pipeline to be competitive in D1 every spring. They enter 2026 as the team everyone else in Macomb County is chasing.
ANCHOR BAY TARS
Anchor Bay’s softball program has benefitted from the same athletic culture that produced nationally-ranked baseball prospect Zac Kruper. The Tars compete in the MAC and have made postseason noise in recent years. With a strong returning core and MAC competition that prepares teams for the state tournament, Anchor Bay should be in the conversation for Macomb County’s top programs this spring.
EISENHOWER EAGLES
The Eagles compete in the MAC Red — the same conference as their girls basketball powerhouse — and the athletic culture at Eisenhower is clearly on the rise. Watch for the softball program to benefit from the school-wide momentum that comes with a girls basketball Final Four appearance.
LAKE SHORE SHORELINER
Lake Shore competes in the MAC Blue and has been a consistent postseason qualifier. Strong pitching has been their calling card and if that continues into 2026 they are capable of a deep district and regional run.
Oakland County Programs to Watch
CLARKSTON — OAKLAND COUNTY’S STANDARD
Clarkston is to Oakland County softball what Chippewa Valley is to Macomb — the program everyone measures themselves against. Competing in the OAA Red, the Wolves face elite competition every week of the regular season. That preparation consistently shows up in the state tournament. Clarkston is the presumptive favorite to represent Oakland County deep into the bracket.
ROCHESTER ADAMS HIGHLANDERS
Adams competes in the OAA White and has been a reliable state tournament program in recent years. Strong coaching and a deep athlete pipeline from the Rochester area make them dangerous in D1 every spring. They should be in the conversation for the OAA White title and a regional appearance.
STONEY CREEK COUGARS
Stoney Creek competes in the OAA White alongside Adams and has the talent to be competitive for a district title. The Cougars’ girls basketball program is strong and that athletic culture crosses over to the diamond.
ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
OLSM competes in the Catholic League and has the program infrastructure to make deep D2 runs. Like their baseball counterpart, the Eaglets’ Catholic League schedule prepares them for postseason pressure better than most conference schedules in the state.
The State Tournament Picture
Michigan’s softball state tournament begins with districts in late May. For Macomb County programs, the MAC serves as the primary qualifying conference. For Oakland County, the OAA is the measuring stick. The programs most likely to advance deep into the 2026 state tournament from our coverage area are Chippewa Valley, Clarkston, and Anchor Bay — with Adams and Lake Shore as dangerous dark horses in their respective brackets.
We will update these rankings as the season develops and game results come in. Check back at thecountylinemi.com weekly for scores, standings, and analysis from across both counties.
