'Talented sophomore class' contributes to Ellet's softball success over City Series foes

Ellet softball coach Chuck Shuman finds himself surrounded by sophomores this season on the diamond.

And he is totally OK with that.

“We have seven returning starters off of the team that we ended with last year,” Shuman said. “Our sophomore class is strong. We have 10 sophomores, and most of them see quite a bit of playing time.

“... They are a seasoned group as far as being with each other and playing ball. This is a talented sophomore class. The key is to bring everyone’s talent together at the same time.”

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The sophomores — coupled with senior leaders Stephanie Eiseman and Kierstynn Stephanoff and junior Emily Kearns — played well in Ellet’s two regular-season wins over Firestone.

Shuman is hoping his youngsters at Ellet will play well again in the City Series softball postseason championship game against Firestone at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Firestone Stadium.

Ellet (13-6, 10-0) is seeking its third win this season over Firestone (11-9, 7-2) after the teams split regular-season meetings and the Falcons won the postseason final last season.

“I am excited to go out and compete with my teammates and more importantly my friends,” Stephanoff said. “I have been playing with a lot of these girls for a while now, especially Steph. I have been playing with her since coach-pitch [softball]. I am excited to recover from a tough loss last year against Firestone, but I think our team has learned from that and we are excited to come out and compete.”

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Stephanoff, a shortstop, is batting .510 with 28 RBIs and 20 runs. Eiseman contributes as a third baseman, second baseman and pitcher. She is batting .392 with 21 runs and 12 RBIs.

“We have a lot of talented people on our team, and I am excited for us all to join together,” Eiseman said.

Ellet defeated Firestone 9-4 at Shatto Field and 10-7 at Davenport Park this season.

Shuman said his players “showed a lot of character” in Ellet’s second game against Firestone at Davenport Park after the Falcons built a 5-1 lead.

“They are growing together as a team,” Shuman said. “They got down and they were able to come back. … Everyday we ask these girls to be a little bit closer to one another, to like each other and to support each other.”

Eiseman, Stephanoff and junior first baseman Emily Kearns returned as starters this season. So did sophomores Sicillia Albaugh (now injured), Avery Simmons, Rylie Sprouse and Carmen Allen.

“It is really fun to play Firestone because we know a lot of the girls,” said Kearns, who is batting .350 with 15 runs and 14 RBIs. “… We are really working on teamwork, cheering each other on and lifting each other up.”

Kearns hit a two-run single, was hit by a pitch, walked and scored three runs in Ellet’s comeback win over Firestone on May 5.

Simmons, who plays second base and in the outfield, added a two-run single the same against Firestone. She said keeping a positive mindset is important on the field for the large sophomore class.

“As a class, we have a lot of talent, so it is like don’t let one bad play ruin what you already have going for yourself,” said Simmons, who is batting .356 with 21 runs and nine RBIs.

Sprouse is Ellet’s top pitcher with a 7-6 record and is also batting .417 with 14 RBIs. Allen, who contributes at third base and catcher, is batting .378 with 14 RBIs. Both had a multi-hit game May 5 against Firestone.

Ellet’s first-year starters are senior center fielder Carley Martin (.379, 16 RBIs), sophomore outfielder Madie Tracy (.357, 15 RBIs), sophomore catcher EmmaMae Watts (.476, 14 RBIs) and sophomore outfielder Grace Norman. All three reached base multiple times May 5 against Firestone.

“When we get down, we come together, we have our talks and we really pick each other up,” said Watts, who hit an RBI double and a three-run double in that game.

“As a team, we are like, ‘We got this. We believe in each other.’ We all work hard and play together.”

Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Stephanie Eiseman and Kierstynn Stephanoff lead Ellet softball