Batter up! Team-by-team previews for the 2025 softball season

[ASFN Admin]

Area softball teams kicked off the new season last weekend.

Now, the Daily Jeffersonian turns its attention to spring sports to preview our area softball teams from Cambridge, Meadowbrook, John Glenn and Buckeye Trail as they take to the diamond to start a new season.

Here's a look at our area teams as they begin play this spring.

Buckeye 8 Conference​

Cambridge​

Coach: Bob Shepard, 23rd year

Last year's record: 12-10 overall, 15-1 MVL Big School Champs, Sectional Champs, District Runner-Ups

Players graduated/lost: 4-year starter, Abby Mann (10-8 pitching record; .306 batting average, 6 HRs, 22 RBIs); Jazz Bell, 3-year letterman (.914 fielding percentage, .397 batting average, 28 RBIs); Mel Ruiz, (.307 batting average, 12 RBI).

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Returning letterwinners: Senior Bailey Kenworthy (3B) (308 batting average, 16 RBIs, 15 runs scored). Juniors Miranda Cole (SS) (Eastern District All-Star, .406 batting average, 16 RBIs, 35 runs scored, 10 stolen bases), Lainey Harper (P/1B) (Eastern District All-Star, 2-2 pitching record 4.48 ERA, 25 innings pitched, .417 batting average, 21 RBIs, 2 doubles, 9 runs scored), Ebanie Gutierrez (OF), Abby Roth (2B/OF), Chelsey Wells (OF/3B).

Key newcomers: Freshmen Cami Moore (OF), Taylor Harden (C), Kadence Hanes (1B), Chole Davis (P/OF), Allianna Arenas (1B/OF).

Team strengths: Team speed.

Areas to improve: "We need to improve defensively and not give opponents extra outs," Shepard said. "We also need to get better with our situational hitting. But we are working hard to get better in each case."

League outlook: "Going into the Buckeye 8 Conference schedule I would say Martins Ferry and Barnesville are the favorites," Shepard added. "We have a young team, but hope as we get experience can have success in league play."

Season outlook: "We have a very young team that hopefully can improve throughout the season," Shepard said. "The key to our season is to play better defense and produce offensively this season."

Muskingum Valley League Big School​

John Glenn​

Coach: Scott Johnson, 1st year

Last year's record: 20-7 overall, 15-1 MVL Big School Champs, Sectional Champs, District Runner-Ups

Players graduated/lost: A trio of 4-year starters, Sydney Marshall (1st team All-Ohio, East District and Unanimous MVL; Alivia Boothe, 2nd team All-Ohio, 1st Team East District and Unanimous MVL; Sarah Wayne (HM East District, HM MVL)

Returning letterwinners: Juniors Addi Babcock (Unanimous 1st team MVL, 2nd team East District , C/1B/OF), Estelle Matheney (2nd team MVL and East District, SS), Ava Miller (HM MVL and East District, 3B/1B), Libby Brown (OF), Kinley Porter (OF/SS), Bella Daniels (OF); Senior Haylee Young (P/1B)

Key newcomers: Juniors Riley Wunder (C/OF) and Cecelia Maldonado (OF/2B); Sophomores Delaney Bell (P/1B) and Josilyn Stashonsky (1B/3B); Freshmen Kendall Snider (P/2B) and Morgan Harper (INF)

Team strengths: "This is the most tight knit group I've ever coached, and not even close. They have their fun but know when it's time to get serious. They encourage and push each other all the time. They look for reasons to get team functions together. These young ladies are all able to play various positions on the field."

Areas to improve: "We need to improve their strikeout to walk ratio from last year. We need to put the ball in play more and swing at pitches we can drive and not just go up to hit anything close," Johnson said. "We have to give teams three outs every inning not four or five. The inexperience we have pitching will need help."

League outlook: "The MVL is going to be very competitive again this year," Johnson added. "If you don't come ready to play every game, you will get beat. It's that simple."

Season outlook: "How our season goes will depend on how well our pitchers can hit their spots, and can our defense make the routine play routine," Johnson said. "Can we put the ball in play at the plate and most importantly staying healthy."

Inter-Valley Conference​

Buckeye Trail​

Coach: Devani Roe, 4th year

Last year's record: 17-6 overall, 1-5 Inter-Valley Conference

Players graduated/lost: Allison Johnston (2b/OF), Kyley Barnhart (OF), Morgan Watson (1B) and Andilyn Lowry (3B.OF).

Returning letterwinners: Seniors Gwen McElwain (P) All-IVC, 5-10 pitching record, 2.21 ERA, 97 Ks, .224 batting average, Delanie Roe (CF), Lindsey Smith (C) .227 batting average, Alyssa Steward (1B); Juniors Ella Ashby (3B) .281 batting average, 8 home runs, Anna McVicker (SS); Sophomore Daisy Cyrus (2B), Emilyn Watson (RF).

Key newcomers: Makenna Boylen, Avery Wayble, Ela Patterson Ashlyn Franklin

Team strengths: "We are an experienced team with four seniors," Roe said. "We have mostly the entire infield back from last year. So, we are hoping to use that to our advantage this season."

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Areas to improve: "We just need to hit the ball better and be more consistent this year," Roe added. "We made contact last year but never hit in the gaps really or got hits when we needed them most with runners on base."

League outlook: "The IVC is a tough league with teams like Strasburg who is a traditional state power," Roe said. "We are going to need to work every night at every game. You know how softball season is … once the season starts, every day is game day."

Season outlook: "I think we will be able to hold our own this year," Roe continued. "I am expecting a lot out of this senior group. They have all been playing since they were little girls, and I hope they end their high school season on a positive note."

Muskingum Valley League Small School​

Meadowbrook​

Coach: Mike Wiggins, 1st year (Just prior to start of season, Sean Frizzell who was entering his 6th sixth opted to resign due to some family concerns)

Last year's record: 21-11 overall, 9-7 MVL, Sectional Champions, District Champions

Players graduated/lost: Taylor Sichina (1B), Hailey Fordyce (3B), Mackenzie Krenisky (RF).

Returning letterwinners: Senior Alexx Combs (C) 4-year lettermen, Addy Wiggins (2B) 4-year lettermen, Bethany Dickey (3B/OF) 3-year lettermen; Juniors Addy Sichina (P/1B) 3-year lettermen,1st Team MVL , 1st Team East District, 2x District Champion Pitcher, Sommer Ginn (SS) 3-year lettermen, 1st Team MVL, 1st Team East District , All Ohio East District Player of the Year, Jordy Vargeson (CF) 3-year lettermen, Mckendell Boyer (1B/P), 2-year lettermen, Addy Randles (OF) 3-year lettermen; Sophomores Nat Norman (3B/OF) 2-year lettermen, Chloe Callihan (OF) 2-year lettermen.

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Key newcomers: n/a

Team strengths: "We have a veteran team with experience in the tournaments and big game situations," Frizzell said prior to the start of the season. "Defensively solid at all positions, do a good job of making the routine plays. That helps keep us from allowing big innings."

Areas to improve: "We need to continue the improvement at the plate," Frizzell said. "We have strong pitching with Addy and McKendell that is we can give them support we will a bunch of games for us."

League outlook: "The MVL is going to be very strong again this year," Frizzell added. "But we will be looking to compete for the MVL Small School title this year."

Season outlook: "With all our experience we have returning, we are looking for another strong season," Frizzell said. "We have the expectation to continue the success from the last two years and put together another strong postseason run."

[email protected]; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Softball 2025 preview: Team-by-team capsules

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