A look at the Lenawee County softball season
It's been three seasons since the Clinton softball team made it to Michigan State for the MHSAA state semifinals.
Could this be the season the Redwolves return, or another Lenawee County team makes it to Secchia Stadium.
Here is a preview for the 2024 softball season:
Preseason Player of the Year Vote
ADDISON
Head coach: Justin Patterson, 4th season
Outlook: The Panthers are coming off back-to-back district championship seasons and are poised for a three-peat. Senior Mae Patterson is back as First Team All-County selection along with senior Second-Teamer Alisha Gahn and senior honorable mention Lexi Patterson. They'll be looking to lead the Panthers to a regional and further.
Road to Regional: Division 4, District 120 at TBD vs. Britton Deerfield, Morenci, Summerfield
ADRIAN
Head coach: Toby Ernst, 2nd season
Outlook: The Maples lost a couple of solid seniors and All-County Second Teamer Natalie Gilliam has moved out. Ciara Ernst earned All-County honorable mention last season and will look to lead Adrian in her final season as a senior.
Road to Regional: Division 2, District 52 at Tecumseh vs. Tecumseh, Dundee, Milan, Ypsilanti
BLISSFIELD
Head coach: Tiffanie Terry, 2nd season
Outlook: The Royals have three returning all-county selections, including First-Teamer, senior Natalia Wilson and Second-Teamers senior Bella Treloar and junior Nicole Brewer. Blissfield will look to make a run toward a district title on its home field.
Road to Regional: Division 3, District 83 at home vs. Madison, Hudson, Sand Creek, Whiteford
BRITTON DEERFIELD
Head coach: Stephanie Thorton, 1st season
Outlook: The Patriots are a young, but experienced team as much of the roster are returners as coach Thorton will look to get BD trending up in her first season. Victoria Fraley is a junior and lead in the circle along with sophomore Adriana Rafalko.
Road to Regional: Division 4, District 120 at TBD vs. Addison, Morenci, Summerfield
CLINTON
Head coach: Kim Phillip, 12th season
Outlook: The Redwolves look poised to take the LCAA once again behind strong cast of experienced upperclassmen. Senior Kendall Phillip and junior Taryn Hernandez were First Team All-County selections while senior Kyleigh Ramos is back as well as an All-County honorable mention selection.
Road to Regional: Division 3, District 82 at Onsted vs. Onsted, Manchester, Columbia Central
HUDSON
Head coach: Erika Borck, 1st season
Outlook: The Tigers will be a challenge for Clinton with many returners of their own for Borck's first season as head coach. Senior Dinah Horwath will lead from the plate along with Second Team All-County selection, sophomore Taylor Kopin and junior Teagan Arredondo and honorable mention selection, sophomore Sam Anderson.
Road to Regional: Division 3, District 83 at home vs. Blissfield, Madison, Sand Creek, Whiteford
MADISON
Head coach: Bill Flores, 10th season
Outlook: The Trojans made the move to the LCAA and will reignite a past TCC rivalry with Clinton. Madison enters the season with Second Team All-County returners, seniors Caylan Sower and Roni Flores and junior Micajah Briggs as an honorable mention.
Road to Regional: Division 3, District 83 at home vs. Blissfield, Hudson, Sand Creek, Whiteford
MORENCI
Head coach: Kay Johnson, 51st season
Outlook: The Bulldogs don't have any returning All-County members, but legendary head coach Kay Johnson will have Morenci ready to compete in the TCC. Seniors Claire Gibbs and Madi Wilkins are coming off the successful basketball season, along with sophomore Evelyn Joughin, junior Alyssa Gibbs and sophomore Addyson Valentine, who looks to be leading the circle.
Road to Regional: Division 4, District 120 at TBD vs. Addison, Britton Deerfield, Summerfield
ONSTED
Head coach: Tony Aiken, 15th season
Outlook: The Wildcats have faced struggles, but they've been gaining experience on the diamond. Ainsley Brezvai and Olivia Harding have battled for two seasons and looking to end with a strong senior seasons.
Road to Regional: Division 3, District 82 at home vs. Clinton, Manchester, Columbia Central
SAND CREEK
Head coach: Derek Hewitt, 1st season
Outlook: The Aggies are looking to claim a third-straight district title and will go for it with some solid returners. Junior Maddie Osburn was a First Team All-County selection while senior Tanana Emmendorfer was a Second Team selection.
Road to Regional: Division 3, District 83 at Madison vs. Madison, Blissfield, Hudson, Whiteford
TECUMSEH
Head coach: Tyffani Stines, 3rd teams
Outlook: Tecumseh is as experienced as it comes and will look to challenge Chelsea in the SEC White and make a run toward a district title and beyond. Senior Wendy Ketola was a First Team All-County selection while Bella Juozapaitis was a Second Team selection and Lucy Whelan was an honorable mention selection.
Road to Regional: Division 2, District 52 at home vs. Adrian, Dundee, Milan, Ypsilanti
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Lenawee County high school softball season
