- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 405,421
- Reaction score
- 43
Mason sophomore Delaney Radtke took two steps to her right and reached across her body to grab a line drive, recording the second out of the fifth inning of the Comets' 10-0 win over Sycamore on April 2. She flipped the ball to shortstop Halle Martin to complete a game-ending double play and secure the second no-hitter of junior pitcher Anna Polca's career.
The win was the 299th of head coach Liann Muff's storied career. While the team will surely celebrate her next victory, she was just as proud of Polca's accomplishment. It will prove to be another reason to smile when Muff looks back on her tenure.
Before the season began, Muff announced that her 15th year as head coach would be her last. Certain moments in the first few weeks of the season have made her wonder why she is stepping down, but she knows she is making the right decision to spend more time with her family.
One thing is for certain: She will always be a part of the program.
Since taking over for Brian Castner in 2011, she has a 299-89 record, has won at least 20 games in 11 of 14 seasons and has averaged 21 wins per season. During her tenure, the Comets have won four GMC titles, 11 district championships and two regional crowns.
"When I think about how many games I've been a part of, I think about the girls that were in those games. This has been so nostalgic for me," Muff said.
Muff coached the Comets to the state tournament in 2013 and 2016. More often than not, the GMC has represented Southwest Ohio at Akron's Firestone Stadium. This season, getting that far in the postseason is the girls' goal; she feels like she's simply along for the ride.
"We're doing exactly what I want to do. I'm with a team of girls who love to play together. They have great chemistry, they are F-U-N all the time and they play their hearts out for each other. I'm just here to watch it and enjoy it," Muff said.
Aside from the infielders snagging a few key line drives, Mason's defense got an assist from a constant wind that was blowing in from left field.
Even if they aren't helped by the weather, the Comets' take pride in their staunch defense. They have a cumulative fielding percentage of .948 and have been error-free in four of seven games.
"Hitting is going to come and go, but defense is always something that we can count on. If we have good defense, that keeps us in games all the time," senior Addie McBrayer said.
Last year, the Comets opened the season with two losses. Later in the season, they had another two-game skid and a three-game losing streak. While some of the toughest nonconference opponents are in the rear view mirror, Mason has a five game stretch coming up against Fairfield, Lakota East, Oak Hills, Lakota West and Lebanon. Those games are crucial to the Comets' Greater Miami Conference title chances and a measuring stick for the season.
"Taking advantage of what we've got and using the defense to our advantage is a huge emphasis here. We put ourselves at very high standards and I know that we can exceed them every year," senior Annabelle Geiser said.
At the top of the lineup, Geiser has set the tone for the offense with a .760 average through seven games. While she hasn't gotten many opportunities to drive in runs, she has set up her teammates with 17 stolen bases, a major reason she has scored 16 runs so far. There's a reason she was named to the All-Ohio first team in 2024 and is committed to Marist University.
Martin, Aleah Hensley and Brooke Henson also return with heaps of experience. Senior Lucy Beese has stepped into an expanded role, patrolling the outfield and hitting .333.
The four newcomers this season are Radtke, Avery Clayton, Morgan McBrayer and Alyssa Weitz.
Morgan is Addie's younger sister and is hitting .364, leads the team with three doubles and is second with eight RBIs, all while anchoring the infield at first base. When hitting back-to-back in the lineup, they use Mark Morrison's "Return of the Mack" as walk-up music.
"This one year we have together, it's really special and for me, being my last year, I think being able to give the legacy to her and have her carry on through the program is really special," Addie said.
Clayton took over behind the plate after Izzy Ferreira graduated. Stepping into the starting lineup as a sophomore catcher for one of the best teams in the state isn't always easy, but she has made it look effortless, committing just one error so far and hitting .400 with two doubles.
Radtke has been a valuable defensive addition. Weitz has appeared in six games and has been used as a designated hitter.
"They came to compete. They compete with their teammates. They come to work, they stay after practice, they come early. They didn't want to just make the varsity team, they want to be in the starting lineup and make an impact," Muff said.
In 2024, Polca and Fox were Mason's only two pitchers, combining for a 3.42 ERA, 164 strikeouts and four shutouts. This season, they have combined to pitch 33.2 innings with 32 strikeouts and a 2.53 ERA.
Polca is a dynamic pitcher who can throw opposing batters off balance with an array of pitches. Fox has power in the circle and at the plate. She has 396 career strikeouts and has hit three home runs each of the last three years.
"To be able to depend on either one of them at any time is a dream scenario," Muff said.
Fox will continue her career at Mount St. Joseph. Muff believes she will be the best pitcher in program history. Polca, just a junior, is undecided but can also look forward to a college career.
Muff believes they are the best pitching duo in the GMC. While combining for all of the Comets' innings in 2024, they pitched in the same game eight times and have total confidence in each other.
"I know Alicia's got it. She's a pretty amazing pitcher. If I have to come into the end of the game, I also know the defense has my back," Polca said.
Mason's season ended in 2024 with a 10-1 loss in the regional semifinal to an upstart Centerville team. With the amount of talent at the top of the GMC and the Eastern Cincinnati Conference, the Comets know it will take a disciplined effort to win another regional title. But they also believe this is their year.
"It's the team chemistry. It's the girls wanting to play hard for each other. This team has that tenfold and they carry themselves like a championship team," Muff said.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mason softball hoping for state tournament run behind discipline, defense
Continue reading...
The win was the 299th of head coach Liann Muff's storied career. While the team will surely celebrate her next victory, she was just as proud of Polca's accomplishment. It will prove to be another reason to smile when Muff looks back on her tenure.
'I'm just here to watch and enjoy it.'
Before the season began, Muff announced that her 15th year as head coach would be her last. Certain moments in the first few weeks of the season have made her wonder why she is stepping down, but she knows she is making the right decision to spend more time with her family.
One thing is for certain: She will always be a part of the program.
Since taking over for Brian Castner in 2011, she has a 299-89 record, has won at least 20 games in 11 of 14 seasons and has averaged 21 wins per season. During her tenure, the Comets have won four GMC titles, 11 district championships and two regional crowns.
"When I think about how many games I've been a part of, I think about the girls that were in those games. This has been so nostalgic for me," Muff said.
You must be registered for see images attach
Muff coached the Comets to the state tournament in 2013 and 2016. More often than not, the GMC has represented Southwest Ohio at Akron's Firestone Stadium. This season, getting that far in the postseason is the girls' goal; she feels like she's simply along for the ride.
"We're doing exactly what I want to do. I'm with a team of girls who love to play together. They have great chemistry, they are F-U-N all the time and they play their hearts out for each other. I'm just here to watch it and enjoy it," Muff said.
The Mason Comets are potent at every position in the field and at the plate
Aside from the infielders snagging a few key line drives, Mason's defense got an assist from a constant wind that was blowing in from left field.
Even if they aren't helped by the weather, the Comets' take pride in their staunch defense. They have a cumulative fielding percentage of .948 and have been error-free in four of seven games.
"Hitting is going to come and go, but defense is always something that we can count on. If we have good defense, that keeps us in games all the time," senior Addie McBrayer said.
Last year, the Comets opened the season with two losses. Later in the season, they had another two-game skid and a three-game losing streak. While some of the toughest nonconference opponents are in the rear view mirror, Mason has a five game stretch coming up against Fairfield, Lakota East, Oak Hills, Lakota West and Lebanon. Those games are crucial to the Comets' Greater Miami Conference title chances and a measuring stick for the season.
You must be registered for see images attach
"Taking advantage of what we've got and using the defense to our advantage is a huge emphasis here. We put ourselves at very high standards and I know that we can exceed them every year," senior Annabelle Geiser said.
At the top of the lineup, Geiser has set the tone for the offense with a .760 average through seven games. While she hasn't gotten many opportunities to drive in runs, she has set up her teammates with 17 stolen bases, a major reason she has scored 16 runs so far. There's a reason she was named to the All-Ohio first team in 2024 and is committed to Marist University.
Martin, Aleah Hensley and Brooke Henson also return with heaps of experience. Senior Lucy Beese has stepped into an expanded role, patrolling the outfield and hitting .333.
The four newcomers this season are Radtke, Avery Clayton, Morgan McBrayer and Alyssa Weitz.
Morgan is Addie's younger sister and is hitting .364, leads the team with three doubles and is second with eight RBIs, all while anchoring the infield at first base. When hitting back-to-back in the lineup, they use Mark Morrison's "Return of the Mack" as walk-up music.
"This one year we have together, it's really special and for me, being my last year, I think being able to give the legacy to her and have her carry on through the program is really special," Addie said.
Clayton took over behind the plate after Izzy Ferreira graduated. Stepping into the starting lineup as a sophomore catcher for one of the best teams in the state isn't always easy, but she has made it look effortless, committing just one error so far and hitting .400 with two doubles.
You must be registered for see images attach
Radtke has been a valuable defensive addition. Weitz has appeared in six games and has been used as a designated hitter.
"They came to compete. They compete with their teammates. They come to work, they stay after practice, they come early. They didn't want to just make the varsity team, they want to be in the starting lineup and make an impact," Muff said.
Mason's defense is led by one of the best pitching duos in Cincinnati
In 2024, Polca and Fox were Mason's only two pitchers, combining for a 3.42 ERA, 164 strikeouts and four shutouts. This season, they have combined to pitch 33.2 innings with 32 strikeouts and a 2.53 ERA.
Polca is a dynamic pitcher who can throw opposing batters off balance with an array of pitches. Fox has power in the circle and at the plate. She has 396 career strikeouts and has hit three home runs each of the last three years.
"To be able to depend on either one of them at any time is a dream scenario," Muff said.
Fox will continue her career at Mount St. Joseph. Muff believes she will be the best pitcher in program history. Polca, just a junior, is undecided but can also look forward to a college career.
You must be registered for see images attach
Muff believes they are the best pitching duo in the GMC. While combining for all of the Comets' innings in 2024, they pitched in the same game eight times and have total confidence in each other.
"I know Alicia's got it. She's a pretty amazing pitcher. If I have to come into the end of the game, I also know the defense has my back," Polca said.
Mason's season ended in 2024 with a 10-1 loss in the regional semifinal to an upstart Centerville team. With the amount of talent at the top of the GMC and the Eastern Cincinnati Conference, the Comets know it will take a disciplined effort to win another regional title. But they also believe this is their year.
"It's the team chemistry. It's the girls wanting to play hard for each other. This team has that tenfold and they carry themselves like a championship team," Muff said.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mason softball hoping for state tournament run behind discipline, defense
Continue reading...
