On the radar: 10 Chillicothe-area softball players to watch during the 2024 season
CHILLICOTHE — Only a few days remain until the beginning of the high school softball season. With winter sports around the area fully closed for the year, area schools are now in the middle of transitioning to spring sports.
As the softball season pushes into regular season schedules, there's bound to be a load of area players that will stick out this spring. It'll be difficult to narrow down a complete list, but we're here to try anyway.
As the softball season creeps closer, here's a list of 10 area players to follow in 2024:
VOTE: Cast your vote online for the Chillicothe Gazette 2023-24 Winter Athletes of the Year
Kiera Williams, Adena
A Shawnee State commit, Williams is one of the cornerstone players for an Adena squad fresh off its first Scioto Valley Conference title since 2011. Williams can do a little bit of everything, as indicated by her being named 2023 SVC Player of the Year. She ended last season with a .624 batting average, 20 extra base hits, 20 stolen bases, 50 runs and 45 RBIs.
The Warriors have plenty to live up to after last season, but they've retained a good portion of their roster and have Williams back in the infield. Needless to say, success won't be far behind.
Bree Cousins, Chillicothe
Cousins got considerable playtime for the Cavaliers in her freshman season, and the numbers back up her dependability in the lineup. She batted .333 with 14 RBIs and three home runs last season. That's the batting power the Cavaliers will need following the departure of Julie Lemaster after last season.
Savannah Bushatz, Huntington
Bushatz got her breakout season last year as a sophomore, guiding the Huntsmen to an improved 12-15 record compared to 2022. For the Huntsmen, Bushatz led the SVC with 16 doubles, and she posted a .407 batting average with 18 RBIs and 25 runs. Bushatz also earned Second Team All-SVC honors. Another year of growth is bound to grant a chance to build on her success from last spring.
Kasarah Cantrell, Paint Valley
The Bearcats are still a young team, but their contingent of underclassmen got considerable experience last year, and that will pay off down the line. Case in point: Kasarah Cantrell. She stuck out her in starting duties as a freshman in the circle all season, and she dealt a string of excellent performances in the Bearcats' final stretch in late April. Cantrell's already got one year as a starter under her belt. There's bound to be some newfound confidence in the circle for Paint Valley this year.
Kyndall Carroll, Piketon
An All-SVC Honorable Mention last year, Carroll cemented herself as a dependable player in the Redstreaks' batting order and a solid pitcher when needed. Piketon lost former starting pitcher Camryn Campbell to graduation, and now Carroll may have to take the reins. Not like that will be much of a problem, though. Carroll pitched well when given the starting nod last year, and she also performed up to snuff when pulled in for relief. Plus, she batted .339 with 10 RBIs and 18 runs, to boot.
Ally Fisher, Southeastern
The Panthers, like many of their conference opponents in the SVC, have the benefit of a young roster growing up at the right time. Fisher is one part of that young contingent, earning an All-SVC honorable mention last year in her solid freshman campaign. She batted .302 as a strong leadoff hitter for the Panthers, as well as stealing 14 bases.
Hannah Hull, Unioto
Hull is easily one of the best pitchers in the SVC, and her senior season is shaping up to be more of the same. Last year, she posted a 23-4 record with a 2.77 ERA and 117 strikeouts. Much of the Shermans' success last year — which ended in the Division II regional finals against Steubenville — came thanks to Hull's presence in the circle. The senior has one more year left, as does much of Unioto's roster. If last year is any indication, Hull is going to make the most of this season.
Lexi Smith, Waverly
Smith returns as the Tigers' sole first team All-Southern Ohio Conference selection from last season. Now in her sophomore year, Smith has the opportunity to push herself further while continuing to grow alongside a youthful Tigers roster. She's already got a year of starting experience, and it ended with her conference-wide recognition. There's a solid case to be made for Smith having another breakout year.
Delana Landefeld, Westfall
Landefeld was just one part of a potent Westfall offense last year, but her efforts were strong enough to garner her a second team All-SVC honors. If Westfall needed a jump at the plate, Landefeld more often than not would provide it. Batting .457 with 34 runs to her name last season, plus a commitment to Rio Grande last fall, is enough to show that Landefeld will make a significant impact in 2024.
Brynn Wipert, Zane Trace
If there's one thing the SVC won't be short on this year, it's pitching. Wipert posted a 10-2 record in the circle with a 2.54 ERA in her sophomore season, helping the Pioneers to a 15-9 record overall, fourth place in the SVC and a sectional title. But Wipert can hold her own at the plate, as well. She ended the 2023 season batting .433 with 24 RBIs and six doubles to her name. Whichever side of the plate she's on, Wipert can get the job done.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: 10 Chillicothe-area softball players to watch during the 2024 season
