Softball Preview 2024: Who are the top contenders in the Wayne/Holmes area?
The Wayne/Holmes area produced state contenders on the softball diamond year after year, and 2024 is no exception.
Triway and Hillsdale are no strangers to the big stage and enter the 2024 season hungry after earlier-than-expected postseason exits. Teams like Loudonville and Northwestern have been knocking on the door as well and look primed for big seasons.
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Here's a glance at each of the area teams:
Central Christian
Coach: Juliane Kozel (3rd year)
Last season: 1-15 overall (0-8 Mid-Buckeye Conference)
Returning players: Seniors Angela Miller (C), Greta Patterson (LF), Abby Hewitt (SS/P), Caitlyn Yoder (RF); junior Nevaeh Dickens (2B); sophomore Adeline Aubrey (3B)
Newcomers: Sophomores Malayka Charlestin, Lilly Kindbom, Mattea Nofzinger; freshmen Lily Miller, Samantha Yoder, Violet Longacre, Carmen Galvan
Outlook: Looking to continue to build for the future, Central Christian will carry relatively a young roster this year in both experience and age. The Comets will look to progress as the season continues forward.
Chippewa
Coach: Glenn Regan (2nd year)
Last season: 12-10 overall (7-7 Wayne County Athletic League)
Returning players: Seniors Sky Regan (P/1B), Katy Gartrell (P/1B), Annie Henegar (OF), Nina Johnson (C), Landri Jett (DH/1B); juniors Dakota Hill (OF), Ava Panaciulli (SS), Toura Speegle (OF/2B); sophomore Kyleigh Gartin (3B)
Newcomers: Sophomore Aira Regan (OF)
Outlook: Anchored by standouts like Ava Panaciulli and Katy Gartrell, and speedsters like Annie Henegar, the Chipps will look to take the next step in contending in the league. Having arms like Sky Regan and Gartrell will be key for Chippewa.
Dalton
Coach: Rob Fiesler (1st year)
Last season: 12-10 overall (6-8 WCAL)
Returning players: Seniors Savannah Wenger (2B), Josslyn Reynolds (SS), Ava Fivecoat (P), Jade Miller (1B/3B); junior Mykayla Neiger (OF)
Newcomers: Freshmen Hannah Wenger (CF), Mei Simmons (P), Lily Teague (1B/3B), Kenna Doty (C/UT)
Outlook: The biggest question for this young Bulldogs team will be if they can find enough punch in the lineup to support pitcher Ava Fivecoat. A year ago, Fivecoat really stepped up for Dalton and she will look to take another step forward this year. Offensively, Dalton has plenty of potential up and down their batting order but lost some of the WCAL's most productive hitters from a year ago.
Hillsdale
Coach: Hannah Moore (8th year)
Last season: 18-6 overall (12-2 WCAL co-champion)
Returning players: Seniors Belle Dalton (C), Mollie Goon (SS), Jacey Sermulis (OF), Lillyan Amend (OF); juniors Willow Funk (OF), Rodalynn Mast (OF), Laci Huber (3B/C), Keira Filius (P/1B); sophomore Ally Morgan (2B)
Newcomers: Sophomores Kennedy Fickes (P/1B), Macy Mager (P), Emma Linder (P/OF), Aurora Martin (OF/C); freshmen Jordyn Fickes (UT), Liliana McCrory (OF)
Outlook: For the first time in years, the Falcons aren't exactly sure who will be the ace inside the circle. They have plenty of potential though and will look for someone to step forward this spring to meet the team's lofty goals and complete a stout hitting lineup.
Loudonville
Coach: Serena Fenton (11th season)
Last season: 16-7 overall (8-0 MBC champion)
Returning players: Seniors Karena Burgess (UT), Payton VanSickle (C/3B/SS), Olyvia Fenton (CF), Natalee Buzzard (P/1B); juniors Alesha Felix (2B), Carlee Young (3B/C), Lily Carr (OF)
Newcomers: Sophomore Addison Wolford (UT); freshmen Helaina Gray (UT), Jaiden Stitzlein (P/1B), Avery Kline (P/1B)
Outlook: Featuring one of the area's most dangerous lineups with Karena Burgess, Olyvia Fenton and Payton VanSickle, the Redbirds can swing with the best of them across the area. Combine that with the strong arm of Natalee Buzzard, Loudonville will look to continue to build off of their success last year and take the next step.
Northwestern
Coach: Scott Hershey (24th year)
Last season: 21-5 overall (12-2, WCAL co-champion)
Returning players: Seniors Kara Burgan (1B/P), Quinn Fast (C), Kiersten Bateman (UT/IF); juniors Taylor Wurst (1B/P), Gabby Cubur (IF/C), Alysa Troyan (IF/OF/P); sophomores Kelsee Smith (3B), Coralyn Hall (OF) and Nevaeh Kirk (OF)
Newcomers: Sophomores Arayah Nussbaum (IF), Kaylee Cherry (UT), Camryn Boak (UT)
Outlook: The loss of ace Olivia Amstutz was a setback entering this season, but the Huskies will turn to Taylor Wurst, Kara Burgan and Alysa Troyan to soak up those innings. Using a familiar style of strong defense, small-ball tactics and timely hitting, Northwestern will look to contend in the WCAL once again.
Norwayne
Coach: Bree Gill (2nd year)
Last season: 16-7 overall (12-2 WCAL co-champion)
Returning players: Seniors Anna Metsker (SS), Emrie Schmidt (1B), Zoe Gadosik (C), Gabby Workman (OF); juniors Avery Lonsbury (UT), Kylie Heyden (2B); sophomores Abby Workman (P/OF), Riley Gwinn (3B), C.J. Moore (LF)
Newcomers: Freshman MaKenna Heyden (OF)
Outlook: Hitting will be second nature for the Bobcats with Riley Gwinn, Anna Metsker, Abby Workman and Zoe Gadosik all coming back. The quartet and swing the bats and will set the tone this year as they look to maximize the potential inside the circle to compete in a tough league.
Orrville
Coach: Abby Reusser (2nd year)
Last season: 6-15 overall (5-9 Principals Athletic Conference)
Returning players: Senior Ellie White (P/OF); juniors Grace Hamrick (C/3B), Madie Shearer (1B/OF/P); sophomore Addison Proudfoot (P/2B/OF)
Newcomers: Sophomores Laylah Evans (UT), Vanessa James (OF), Mahlah Royes (OF), Jaycee Bailey (OF); freshmen Kate Lacy (SS), Kailynn Gray (C/OF), Taylor Swartzentruber (1B/P/OF), Kristen Lilley (1B/OF)
Outlook: Featuring just one senior, this will be a young Orrville squad that will look to only get better as the season moves forward. The Red Riders will look to gain that experience early on and make some noise in the stretch run.
Rittman
Coach: Jenna Frame (2nd year)
Last season: 2-17 overall (0-14 WCAL)
Returning players: Seniors Savannah Smith (CF), Jaime Warner (C); juniors Meredith Brown (RF), Olivia Csirmaz (2B); sophomore Brooke Warner (1B)
Newcomers: Freshmen Lillian Halliwell (P), Carly Frame (SS), Lexi LaBo (3B)
Outlook: With a young lefty inside the circle in Lilly Halliwell, Rittman will be young across the board. They will be looking to gain experience and make improvements they can build on going forward.
Smithville
Coach: Katelyn Kinney (3rd year)
Last season: 6-16 overall (2-12 WCAL)
Returning players: Seniors Taylor Blankenship (RF), Glystin Burnett (1B), Gabby Cannon (LF), Tatum Dickens (OF), Breanne Fatzinger (CF/C), Taylor Rohrer (3B), Lacey Ross (2B); juniors ZeAnna Cyrus (P), Caitlin Walsh-Knouff (SS/P); sophomore Kiersten Ross (C)
Newcomers: Senior Kayli Falter (RF); junior Kacie O'Brien (OF); sophomores Morgan Shutt (UT), Reagan Gherian (UT)
Outlook: Led by Taylor Blankenship, Breanne Fatzinger, Caitlin Walsh-Knouff and ZeAnna Cyrus, Smithville will look to continue lay the foundation for the future. Cyrus will anchor things from the center of the diamond and the Smithies will look to play small ball and vault up the WCAL standings.
Triway
Coach: Ron Rock (13th year)
Last season: 21-4 overall (11-1 PAC-7 champions)
Returning players: Seniors Carter Wachtel (P), Hanna Massaro (SS), Michelle Lyons (C), Callie Robson (CF), Emma Yoder (OF), Samantha Schumacher (OF), Livia Grabowski (IF); juniors Kenzie Gatti (2B), Ashley Braunscheidel (1B), Alyssa Hochstetler (LF), Kaydince Moran (P); sophomore Myah Lester (3B)
Newcomers: Sophomores Payton Snyder (UT), Kylee Strong (UT), Julia Root (UT) and Alayna Perman (UT)
Outlook: Featuring the area's best arm the center of the diamond in Carter Wachtel, the Titans will look to their youth to be a year older and more experienced this spring. With leaders like Hanna Massaro, Michelle Lyons and Kenzie Gatti setting the tone, Triway will look to achieve its lofty goals and continue their run atop the PAC.
Tuslaw
Coach: Cayla Mattox (6th year)
Last season: 17-7 overall (11-3 PAC)
Returning players: Seniors Kylie Johnson (C), Camryn Kiefer (P/1B), Annebelle Liebig (3B); juniors Shaylyn Fox (OF), Gracie Sirgo (2B/SS); sophomore Isabel McCune (P/1B)
Newcomers: Junior Danica Crescenze (SS); sophomore Hailey Carano (UT); freshmen Kaydence Chapman (CF), Jacie Mazzocca (OF/P), Eily Bolgiano (C/3B)
Outlook: There are some big shoes to fill from a year ago, but at the most important spot on the diamond, the Mustangs have Camryn Kiefer. The talented senior was a mainstay last year and Kylie Johnson will complete a tough battery.
Waynedale
Coach: Jamie Lynch (2nd year)
Last season: 8-15 overall (5-9 WCAL)
Returning players: Seniors Kaitlyn Miller (P/UT), Nevaeh Persinger (SS/CF), Cailey Miller (2B/OF); junior Kendall Rising (1B/OF); sophomores Madi Miller (C), Brayleigh Mast (3B), Carleigh Lynch (2B/P), Brooke Compston (1B/P)
Newcomers: Senior Aaliyah McVay (UT); junior Hannah Rodhe (UT); sophomores Kaitlyn Lastohkein (UT), Ashtyn Miller (CF/2B); freshmen Hailey Miller (P/UT), Miley Raber (UT)
Outlook: In a tough WCAL, Waynedale will rely heavily on the arm of Kaitlyn Miller and the experience gained last year to continue to climb the standings. The Golden Bears will look to be pesky at the dish and combine that with some solid pitching this spring.
West Holmes
Coach: Steve Frank
Last season: 14-10 overall (8-6 OCC)
Returning players: Seniors Jocelyn Lucas (OF), Peyton Carathers (OF), Emrie Lemon (IF/P), Kali Woods (OF), Addison Yoder (P), Keegan Uhl (IF) and Kenzie Woods (IF); sophomores Zalina Proper (C) and Briar Cline (IF/P)
Newcomers: Freshman Peyton Hudson (OF)
Outlook: Featuring a talented batting order anchored by standouts Kenzie Woods, Keegan Uhl and Zalina Proper, West Holmes will pack a powerful punch. The Knights will look to combine that with some potential inside the circle as it looks to contend in the OCC.
Wooster
Coach: Jimmy Williams (1st year)
Last season: 7-18 overall (2-12 OCC)
Returning players: Seniors Promise Markley (1B), Tori Pettorini (IF/OF), Isabelle Fortune (1B/OF), Maddy Bisesi (UT); juniors Emily Boyd (C), Ava Craemer Parker (3B), Kiara Hanna (UT) and Kennedy Russell (OF); sophomore Ella Karger (P)
Newcomers: Freshmen Mckenzie Dorris (IF), Sydney McAfoos (P) and Allie Murzin (1B/OF)
Outlook: A new coach, new atmosphere and a renewed spirit are all keys this year for Wooster as it looks to climb up the OCC ladder. Starting with leaders like Promise Markley, Tori Pettorini, Maddy Bisesi and Kennedy Russell, the Generals will look to turns things around in a big way.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Softball: Previewing every 2024 Wayne/Holmes team
