New coaches, rebuilt rosters: What you need to know as softball season gets underway
BATTLE CREEK - New head coaches, new faces on the roster, there's a lot to learn about the city and area teams as we head into the 2024 high school softball season.
Lakeview, Battle Creek Central and Pennfield all have new leaders among the city softball teams. Plus, there are several players who have waited their turn who are ready for a big season.
MORE: Who is the Preseason Player of the Year in high school softball?
Fans will want to update their high school softball calendar with key dates coming up, including the All-City tourney on May 11, and districts finals on May 31-June 1. The MHSAA state tournament is set for the weekend of June 13-14 at Michigan State University.
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Here’s a closer look at the city and area softball teams for 2024:
Battle Creek Central
Coach: Ciara Wilson-Santos (1st season)
2023 record: N/A
Top returners: Kaylynn Jones, sr.; Allie Cook, jr.
Outlook: After not having a team three seasons ago, Battle Creek Central brought back its program two years ago and is continuing that rebuilding process in 2024 under first-year head coach Ciara Wilson-Santos. With one win last year, there will still be a learning curve this season with only a few experienced players, including two All-City performers in returning junior pitcher Kaylynn Jones and junior catcher Allie Cook.
"We have a team full of positive and ambitious student-athletes, who are eager to transform the Battle Creek Central High School softball program one step at a time. We are striving for progress over perfection all season long as we work towards our end goal - which is to build a successful program and create the next group of women leaders in the Battle Creek community," Wilson-Santos said.
Harper Creek
Coach: Bill Burritt (10th season)
2023 record: 16-20
Top returners: Breegan Woodworth, sr.; Ayddin Thompson, sr.; Kloey Ledbetter, sr.; Kennedy Halverson, so.; Sophia Kline, so.; Taegen Anderson, so.
Outlook: Harper Creek is looking to gain momentum from a 2023 season that saw the Beavers win 16 games and the All-City title. With six key returners this season, the Beavers have the experience and talent to get back over .500 and compete in the Interstate 8 Conference. Leading that group are three players that earned All-City honors a year ago. Sophomore Kennedy Halverson, who led the team in hits, was All-City as well as all-league and all-region as an infielder. Sophomore Sophia Kline was All-City and all-league and the top defensive player on the Beavers. And, sophomore Taegen Anderson earned honorable mention All-City as a pitcher/infielder. Harper Creek will also get some good senior leadership from Breegan Woodworth, Kloey Ledbetter and Ayddin Thompson.
"The team has committed to going back to the basics and working hard on our fundamentals and being team players," Burritt said.
Lakeview
Coach: Jason McCullough (1st season)
2023 record: 19-20-1
Top returners: Faith Hewkin, sr.; Marin McCullough, jr.; Sarah Metzger, sr.; Camille Oxley, jr.;
Outlook: After 24 years, longtime Lakeview head coach Brian Ratliff stepped down as first-year head coach Jason McCullough takes over the program. The Spartans have experience at key positions, led by four-year varsity player Sarah Metzger as a utility player, and four-year infielder Faith Hewkin, who has received All-City honors and has committed to play at Calvin College next year. Three-year shortstop Marin McCullough returns for her junior season after earning All-City and all-league honors and is paired with All-City returner Camille Oxley at second base, giving Lakeview a strong middle of the infield as the two set the school record for double plays in a season. Lakeview's roster will also include four sophomores who saw time on the varsity last year, including Gia Palma, Kelsey Krick, Brooklyn Berning and Claire VanDis.
"After 25 years at the helm, Coach Ratliff left the Lakeview softball program in a very good position to be competitive and successful in one of the toughest leagues in the state. The job of the returning letter winners will be to see Coach Ratliff’s vision through and continue to pass along his attributes of hard work, dedication and teamwork to the rest of the softball program," McCullough said.
Pennfield
Coach: Jason Porter (1st season)
2023 record: 5-33
Top returners: Avery Moran, sr.; Torrance Walling, sr.; Emilee Klacking, sr.; Caroline Branham, sr; Mackenzie Lambeth, sr.; Lexi Downs, sr.; Alaina Simmons, so.; Hailey Martinez, jr.; Areli Copland, sr.
Outlook: Pennfield will have its fourth different head coach in four seasons along with many new faces on the diamond. Jason Porter takes over the program and will have some experience to work with as the Panthers feature seven seniors who started games a year ago. Included in that group is pitcher Avery Moran and catcher Torrance Walling to give Pennfield a good battery to start with. Seniors Caroline Branham, Emilee Klacking, Mackenzie Lambeth all play in the infield with Areli Copland coming back for her senior year in the outfield. There is a another good group of underclassmen ready to give Pennfield some depth with seven freshman joining the roster.
"Offensively, the points of emphasis this year will be to put the ball in play and to battle at the plate. We will stress being explosive at the plate and creating runs. We need to be aggressive and smart and score as many runs as possible to keep the pressure off of our pitching staff so that they can perform at a high level," Porter said.
St. Philip/Climax-Scotts Co-Op
Coach: Janae Gibson (2nd season)
2023 record: 12-16
Top returners: Hailey Talbert, sr.; Rylee Altman, sr.; Mackenzee Grimm, sr.
Outlook: In her second season as head coach Janae Gibson is looking to see the program grow, leaning on some good experience with every player returning from a squad last year that did not have a senior. Leading the way will be senior outfielder Rylee Altman, senior catcher Hailey Talbert and senior infielder Makenzee Grimm. The co-op squad, featuring athletes from St. Philip and Climax-Scotts, also includes seniors Jaise Lane and Gina Smith.
"We are excited for the upcoming season to see the growth of our players from one year to the next. Every player is returning from last year's team with an addition of a couple of new players. Our goal is to come out to compete in every game to continue the growth and development of our program," Gibson said.
Area Teams To Watch
Athens
Coach: Kathy Parlin (15th season)
2023 record: 28-7
Top returners: Kami Parlin, sr.; Evangelynn Daghuer-Swarts, sr.; Isabel Paul, sr.; Mallory Kincaid, so.; Zoey Williams, sr.; Grace Paul, jr.; Allison Stauffer, jr.
Outlook: Athens is coming off a standout season that saw the Indians win 28 games and win their conference. Senior catcher Kami Parlin is a key part of the returning group after being all-state a year ago and earning Enquirer All-Area honors, batting over .500. There is also good senior leadership for Athens from Evangelynn Daghuer-Swarts, Isabel Paul and Zoey Williams.
"With seven returning starters, we are looking to have a great season. Some kids are learning new roles and are adjusting well. This group works well together and should make it a fun season," Parlin said.
Gull Lake
Coach: Katie Smith (16th season)
2023 record: 25-15
Top returners: Ava Coffinger, sr.; Tess Barnebee, sr.; Jaicey Harty, so.; Elizabeth Flores, jr.; Kylie Arnold, jr.
Outlook: Gull Lake continues to be one of the stronger programs in the area and is coming off a 25-win season. The Blue Devils have the majority of their starters returning and should contend in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference after finishing second last year. Gull Lake will be led by returning all-conference players senior Ava Coffinger, who was also all-state, as well as juniors Elizabeth Flores and Kylie Arnold and sophomore Jaicey Harty.
"We have more experience this year that should give us a chance to have a successful season. The majority of our starters are back and we have some exciting newcomers to add the lineup. Our speed will be one of our biggest strengths," Smith said.
Marshall
Coach: Aaron Ambler (6th season)
2023 record: 26-12
Top returners: Hannah Burdette, sr.; Bailey Parker, sr.; Alexis Stealy, sr.; Emmalie Hirst, jr.; Brooke Carden, so.; Brielle Kelly, so.; Gwen Beach, so.
Outlook: Marshall has seven starters returning as the Redhawks are looking to build on a 26-win season that saw them contend in the Interstate 8 Conference. The infield will be anchored by senior shortstop Bailey Parker and senior catcher Hannah Burdette, who led the team in batting average at .435. The outfield will include senior Alexis Stealy with junior Emmalie Hirst returning as the top pitcher on the team, earning all-league honors last year.
"We expect to compete for the I-8 title this season. With the amount of experience and talent on this roster, we believe that we can play very well this season. Pitching and defense will be the keys to our success," Ambler said.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek-area softball teams to watch in 2024 season
