MONTGOMERY, ALA. — Saint James High School won the Class 3A Alabama High School Athletic Association softball state championship on May 21-22, 2026, with pitcher Emily Needham named MVP of the title game. The championship was three seasons in the making for the program.

Needham pitched 26 innings across the state tournament, going 4-0 with 35 strikeouts. At the plate, she added six hits and three RBIs during the two-day event.

Saint James received additional offensive production from Sydney Johnston, who recorded five hits and four RBIs during the tournament. Teammate Emily Darby also tallied five hits and contributed three RBIs over the championship run.

Earlier in the AHSAA state tournament, Wetumpka pitcher Lalah Culpepper turned in a complete-game performance on May 18, 2026. Culpepper pitched seven innings and allowed one earned run on six hits, striking out five batters on 99 pitches in the win.

Johnston and Darby each finished the tournament with five hits, giving Saint James three players — Needham, Johnston, and Darby — who combined for 16 hits and 10 RBIs across the Class 3A championship event. Needham's 35 strikeouts over 26 innings were the standout pitching figure of the tournament for the school.