What to know about Portage County softball | Aurora, Field, Mogadore, Rootstown dream big

Editor's Note: This story has been corrected to note that McKennah Metzger is committed to Coastal Carolina, not Ohio State, and that Aurora won last year's Suburban American championship outright.

Here are seven things to know about Portage County high school softball in 2024:

1. Mogadore, Rootstown, Southeast highlight packed Portage Trail Conference

The Rovers are seeking their fourth consecutive league title.

The Wildcats, who shared the 2021 and 2022 PTC crown with the Rovers, look to return to the top of the league and go on another deep tournament run after winning their first district championship a year ago.

And the Pirates are young, talented and ready to play spoiler.

Rootstown returns longtime ace Shelbie Krieger (13-3, 1.30 ERA) among a decorated group of seniors who have "led this team since their freshman season," per coach Paige Byers. That Class of 2024 includes Gold Glove-caliber centerfielder Abby White, who boasts the "arm strength and hustle" to "keep runners from advancing," and catcher Natalie Hammerschmidt, who's developed a wonderful chemistry with Krieger and brings serious pop at the plate.

Mogadore has a similar foundation, with catcher Olivia Kidd earning all-state honors the last two years and Katie Gardner having long been one of the area's best pitchers. Oh, and Gardner and Kidd are just two of the Wildcats' nine returners who hit at least .333 last year (in at least 30 plate appearances), a list that also includes Lily Hotchkiss (.431, eight doubles) in her fourth year starting at shortstop and speedy outfielder Rylee Clark (.400, 11 doubles).

Southeast has to scramble a little more on the mound with an unfortunate injury to Liv Bragg, with freshman Miranda Timko and sophomore Morgan Muncy ready to fill the void. Muncy (.571, 35 runs, 25 RBIs, 11 doubles, seven HRs) is also part of a strong infield additionally highlighted by catcher Ava Stephens (.482, 29 runs, six triples, five HRs) and second baseman Addie Goldstein (.426). With all three outfielders back as well — Lexi Morris, Bailey Morris and Kylie Byrd — the Pirates are poised to challenge all comers.

2. Field seeks redemption

Losing arguably their best pure hitter (Megan Schmidt) and an outstanding catcher (Bailey Evans) will hurt.

But with 12 returning letterwinners, this year's Falcons team has realistic dreams of avenging the heartbreak of 2023 (when it finished a game shy of Metro Athletic Conference and district titles) and repeating the glory it found in 2022 (when it won league and district championships). Field's bevy of "experience at this level," to quote coach Beth Dyer, includes pitchers Olivia Bey (10-4, 3.32 ERA), Maddie Burge (8-3, 2.63 ERA) and an absolutely loaded lineup.

Delving deeper into the lineup, the Falcons outfield includes Delilah Rahe, who had an absurd 17 extra-base hits last year (including six homers), and Lilli Sutkowy, who tied for the team lead in batting average (.423) as a freshman.

The infield is equally stout, led by third baseman Kailyn Gressman, who struck out just three times last year, and shortstop Tia Ulrich, who tied for the team lead with a .423 average. Tack on athletic second baseman McKayla Miller, savvy first baseman Olivia Dyer and catcher Averi Weis and every starter in the infield hit at least .333 a year ago.

3. Aurora hopes to take next step

A year ago, the Greenmen won their third straight league title — by one game over none other than state champion Tallmadge — and advanced a step deeper in the tournament, finishing as district runners-up.

Aurora is capable of all that and more in 2024, led by a powerful core of 11 returning letterwinners that includes Coastal Carolina commit McKennah Metzger, who dominated on the mound (18-4, 1.50 ERA) and at the plate (.558, 12 doubles, 11 HRs, 54 RBIs) a year ago. The Greenmen have a deep lineup, with shortstop Rayna Unverferth (.462, 42 runs) and second baseman Sophia Petrash (.393, 28 runs) creating a dynamic middle of the infield. And Aurora boasts two more Sophies coming off great seasons at the plate — Retton (.455, eight doubles, six HRs, 28 RBIs, 27 runs) and Schecterman (.443, 11 doubles). Also watch for Retton and Lailah Bohanan to give the Greenmen all sorts of pitching depth behind Metzger.

4. A coaching swap at Crestwood, Streetsboro

No, you can't actually trade coaches (or student-athletes, for that matter) in high school sports, but the Red Devils and Rockets did end up swapping coaches in a bit of an odd occurrence.

Longtime Crestwood coach LeRoy Moore already has Streetsboro one win from of last year's total. He has plenty of talented hitters to work with, including four who hit over .400 a year ago: Samantha Gadus (.477, three doubles, three triples), T'Lanee Boyett (.466, 17 RBIs), Cortney Evert (.429, six doubles) and Hailey Miller (.424, six doubles, three triples).

Red Devils coach Matthew Helm has plenty to be excited about as well, with senior Bella Hunter returning to lead the way on the mound (8-5, 2.41 ERA) and a very talented junior class surrounding her to create a deep and strong lineup. Crestwood's talented juniors include first baseman Kayleigh Helm (.426), center fielder Erin Hallis (.257) and shortstop Alyssa "SportsCenter" Hallis (.343), so named for her remarkable catch that was featured on ESPN as a freshman.

5. Lizzy Moore among area's most experienced pitchers for Garfield

The G-Men's first league title since 2021 (when they split the PTC crown with the Rovers and Wildcats) will never come easily in a league with state power Champion.

Replacing longtime stalwart Kyndall Hahn in center — their leading hitter and fielder a year ago — won't be easy either.

Still, this Garfield team certainly has the chance to improve on last year's .500 mark, led by Lizzy Moore (8-6, 3.44 ERA) in her fourth year starting in the circle.

Moreover, while the G-Men graduated Hahn, their 2023 leader in batting average, they return their next four leading hitters from a year ago — Maddy Wilson (.418, 25 RBIs, 15 runs, nine doubles), Kolby Fresch (.359, 21 runs, six doubles), Juliana Genovese (.421, 18 RBIs, 15 runs), and Moore (.299, 18 RBIs, 18 runs).

6. Waterloo seeks return to winning ways

Losing years are not common along Industry Road, but the Vikings have suffered back-to-back sub-.500 seasons. Can Waterloo return to its winning ways, including going 8-2 or better in league play every year from 2017 through 2021?

The Vikings only lost one letterwinner, but that loss is a resounding one as Jewel Lilley led them on the mound (3.61 ERA, 104 strikeouts in 95 innings) and at the plate (.518, 10 doubles, three homers) a season ago.

Expect freshman Kristlyn Kehrer to handle pitching duties, helped by plenty of experience around her (as Waterloo returns eight letterwinners).

The Vikings' stacked infield includes sophomore catcher Bayley English, who hit .375 with seven doubles as a freshman; senior shortstop Morgan Sweitzer (.354, 19 runs); and senior first baseman Miranda Long (.458).

7. Around Portage County

Roosevelt won just two games all of last season but is already halfway to that number after splitting a doubleheader with Norton. With an experienced pitcher in Ashley Legg, who also hit a grand slam against the Panthers, the Rough Riders are poised to greatly improve upon last year's win total.

Windham, which made its own strides a year ago, looks ready to keep building, led in the infield by the very athletic Quinn Justham (.368) and the highly versatile Lexi Goodwin (.286). The return from injury of catcher Sydnie Sweet, who will "provide a very good bat" per coach Tom VanKirk, should help, as should the return to the sport of centerfielder Angelina Jones, who "has been impressive from the start as a player and a leader." Moreover, Ka'Neese Cunningham, Libby Inman and Justham, who combined to throw all 70 innings last year for the Bombers, are poised to build on last year's experience in the circle.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Seven things to know about Portage County high school softball