Softball Preview: A glance at Richland County softball teams ahead of 2024 season
MANSFIELD — The 2024 high school softball season begins on Saturday with seven teams slated to take the diamond.
Before we get too deep into the season, let's take a quick look at each team.
KEY PLAYERS: Off the charts talent highlights top returning Richland County softball infielders
Clear Fork Colts
Last year’s record: 17-9
Number of returning letter winners: 7
Number of returning starters from: 7
Number of players lost to graduation: 4
Key Players: Mel Blubaugh, Jr. 3B (honorable mention All-Ohio, first team All-NW District, first team All-MOAC, .598 BA, 55 hits, 24 RBIs); Renee Anders, Sr. SS (second team All-NW District, first team All-MOAC, .522 BA, 48 hits, 10 HR, 46 RBIs); Katrina Rogers, Jr. RF (honorable mention All-NW District, second team All-MOAC, .398 BA, 6 HR, 42 RBIs); Ava Carr, So. CF (.329 BA, 5 HR, 28 RBI); Andrea Swainhart, Sr. C; Bri Patterson, Sr. 1B; Macy Ousley, Sr. 2B; Mya Perry, Fr. LF; Miley Shafer, Fr. P.
Coach's Comment: The biggest X-factor for the Lady Colts this season is probably pitching and lack of varsity experience in the circle. Freshman Miley Shafer and Senior Renee Anders will carry the brunt of the pitching workload, with little to no varsity experience in the circle. Both will work hard to keep the Lady Colts competitive from within the circle. - Chris Clapper.
Crestview Cougars
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 16-8 (10-4)
Number of returning letter winners: 9
Number of returning starters from: 9
Number of players lost to graduation: 0
Key Players: PJ Endicott, Jr. C (.351 BA, 24 RBIs, 4 HR, second team All-Firelands Conference, Honorable mention All-NW District); Sophie Durbin, Sr. SS (Firelands Conference Player of the Year, first team All-NW District, second team All-Ohio, .577 BA, 28 steals, 42 runs, .949 fielding percentage); Makensie Tucker, Jr. RF (honorable mention All-FC, .338 BA, 23 H, 9 RBIs); Jillian Weaver, So. DP (.216 BA, 12 RBI, 13 R); Chesnie Patton, Jr. P (first team All-FC, honorable mention All-NW District, .507 BA, 9 RH, 36 RBIs, 12-7, 173 Ks, 2.69 ERA); Kalee Mamon, Jr. P (.394 BA, 14 RBIs, 2-0, 1.80 ERA, 3 Saves, 28 Ks); Allison Volz, Fr. 1B; Maddie Grant, Jr. 2B (.255 BA, 8 RBIs); Mallory Ringler, Fr. 3B; Addie Cline, So. LF; Makenna Tacket, So. CF (.259 BA, 11 R).
Coach's Comment: Playing with confidence is our X-factor. We’ve had a lot of girls putting in the work this offseason and now they have to step on the field and play like the veterans that they are. The other factor is how deep can we get in our line up and still hit consistently? The closer we get to 1 through 9 hitting obviously we will be hard to beat with our talented pitching. - Scott Durbin.
Lexington Lady Lex
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 10-15 (6-8)
Number of returning letter winners: 11
Number of returning starters from: 5
Number of players lost to graduation: 3
Key Players: Jillian Morr, Sr. C/2B (.617 BA, first team All-OCC, first team All-NW District, second team All-Ohio); Kylie Thornton, So. 1B (.342 BA, honorable mention All-OCC); Quinn Patrick, Fr. 2B/OF; Kylie Galownia, Sr. 3B/P (.573 BA, second team All-OCC, second team All-NW District); Kaylie Eichorn, Sr. SS (.471 BA, honorable mention All-OCC, honorable mention All-NW District); Kyra Boyd, So. CF (.245 BA); Makaree Chapman, Jr. 1B/LF/P; Madyson Taylor, So. C (.292 BA); Emily Asher, Sr. C/CF/RF; Addison Cyrus, Jr. 2B (.391 BA); Madyson Taylor, So. 3B (.292 BA); Camryn McGuire, So. 3B (.391 BA); Rylie McGuire, So. SS (.282 BA): Jaylee Stull, So. LF; Lauren Risser, So. RF; Savanah Lutz, So. P.
Coach's Comments: We will have a great mix of veteran leadership and younger athletes. Our focus this year has been to play fast, minimize our mistakes and put a lot of pressure on other teams. This will continue to keep us competitive and gain both confidence and experience as the year progresses. - Todd Galownia.
Lucas Cubs
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 9-12 (6-2)
Number of returning letter winners: 8
Number of returning starters from: 7
Number of players lost to graduation: 3
Key Players: Zoey Baker, Jr. C (.235 BA, .898 FPCT); Trinity Stickney, Sr. 1B (.333 BA, honorable mention All-MBC); Kailyn Caugherty, Sr. 2B (.319 BA, .848 FPCT, second team All-MBC); Alyssa Shay, Sr. 3B; Myah Midkiff, So. SS (.395 BA, .814 FPCT) Destiny Foss, So. LF; Abigail Smith, Sr. CF (.256 BA); Izzy Iceman, Sr. RF; Maddie Boyer, Jr. P (.452 BA, 48 Ks, first team All-MBC; Alyssa Shay, Sr. P (10 Ks, injured last year); Keara Ammons, So.; Ruby Conn, So.; Olyvia Culler, So.; Truby Conn, Fr.; Emma Brown, Fr.; Arianna Ohm, Fr.
Coach's Comment: The biggest X-factor for our team to have success is eliminating mental errors and not letting mistakes compound. We have a tendency to let errors determine our mindset and I know that if we can eliminate that we can be a successful team. We also need to have aggressive approaches at the plate. - Jackie Alt.
Madison Rams
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 18-6 (9-3)
Number of returning letter winners: 9
Number of returning starters from: 7
Number of players lost to graduation: 3
Key Players: Emma Stankovich, Jr. C (.382 BA, 34 H, 11 2B, 2 HR, 27 RBIs, 13 R); Jillian Conard, Sr. C/1B; Ashley Markley, Sr. 1B/2B; Sophie Lowe, So. 1B; Izzy Wamsley, Fr. 2B; Kyleigh Reiter, Sr. 3B (.526 BA, 41 H, 9 2B, 2 HR, 35 RBIs, 23 R); Campbell Kiser, So. SS/P; Allie Schrader, Fr. LF; Libby Bekeleski, So. LF; Addy Farris, Jr. LF; Emily Nolan, Sr. CF (.500 BA, 45 H, 5 RBI, 41 R); Kendyll Kershner, Sr. RF (.373 BA, 25 H, 17 RBIs, 23 R); Layla Azmoun, Sr. P (16-4, 3.44 ERA, 136 Ks128 IP, OCC Pitcher of the Year); Chloe Jeffers, Fr. P; Liv Ash, Sr.; Makayla Lewis, Jr.
Coach's Comment: We have a lot of experience in some spots and inexperience in others. Our team chemistry has been great and that and our pitching is expected to be the main factors in helping us win until our younger players gain experience and get comfortable playing at the varsity level. People say we are always blessed with a lot of talent, but the reality is, we have the same opportunities as every else and we are blessed with kids who buy into what we are doing and put hard work and sacrifice above everything else and that should allow us to continue to be competitive. - Tim Niswander.
Ontario Warriors
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 19–6; 12–2
Number of returning letter winners: 7
Number of returning starters from: 4
Number of players lost to graduation: 4
Key Players: Trista Jewell, Sr. C (.511 BA, 46 H, 8 2B, .959 Fielding Percentage, second team All-MOAC); Olivia Kreger, Sr. 1B (.286 BA, 22 H, .967 FP); Edie Howard, Jr. SS/P (.309 BA, 25 H, .931 FP, 7-1, 2.56 ERA); Autumn Taylor, Sr. CF/P (.360 BA, 31 H, 11 2B, .912 FP, honorable mention All-MOAC, 7-2, 2.66 ERA); Gracie Thurber, Sr. P; Morgan Pearson, So. P; Emma Fagan, So. P; Brinlee Kreger, So. U; Maddie Mullins, So.; Bailey DelGreco, Jr.; Piper Studer, Fr.; Katie Pollock, Jr.; Kennedy Weiler, Jr.
Coach's Comment: Our emphasis in the off-season and in the early pre-season is better attention to the little things that can win us the close games. We also have priorities set on being better teammates and having fun while we play. - Jamee Burke.
Shelby Whippets
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 13-13; 9-5
Number of returning letter winners: 12
Number of returning starters from: 7
Number of players lost to graduation: 2
Key Players: Kendal Parsons, Sr. C (first team All-MOAC, second team All-NW District, 46 H, .479 BA); Adey Cornette, Jr. 1B/P (.349 BA), Kennedy Studer, Jr. 1B (26 Putouts, 4 Es); Alyssa Booker, Jr. 2B/P; Karlie Walp, Fr. 2B; Maggie Bogner, Sr. 3B (second team All-MOAC, .345 BA); Mallary Gundrum, Sr. SS (second team All-MOAC as a sophomore, ACL Injury last year); Alexis Mohn, Jr. LF: Natalie Kennard, So. CF (.333 BA); Kendra Walp, Jr. RF (.279 BA); Alexis Booker, Sr. P (first team All-MOAC, honorable mention All-NW District, 3.30 ERA, 10 wins); Kelsey Snyder, Sr. P; Bre Neill, Sr.; Jadyn Bowman, So.; Braylee Sturts, Fr.; Katie Taylor, So.
Coach's Comment: The biggest X-Factor for the team to be successful this season is being able to adjust to different pitching. The teams we play all have really good pitching, but they are all very different so we have to be able to adjust our timing on a daily basis and score more runs this season with more consistent hitting. Another x factor for our team to have a successful season is to rely on one another. Our team takes pride in being a unit and trusting that their teammate will be there to have their back and pick them up when they are down. A Lot of our girls have played together for a long time on this team and they know each other very well and are very close. I think this will lead to us having a very successful season. - Sami Martin.
*The News Journal did not receive a preseason response from Mansfield Christian, Mansfield Senior or Plymouth.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Softball Preview: A glance at Richland County softball teams ahead of 2024 season
