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After a strong year in 2024, the Elkhart High softball team looks to take another step forward with a strong group of returning letterwinners.
Coach Matt Walker’s first Lions team went 15-9 last season, including an 8-3 mark in the Northern Indiana Conference. Elkhart was also the sectional runner up to Penn in Class 4A.
“Expectations are high for this group,’’ Walker admitted. “We return a core of strong talent who have done the right things this off-season to put us in a position to be extremely competitive.’’
For starters, the Lions return all four pitchers from last season, led by senior Laci Stimac. Classmate Natali Finkhousen, along with juniors Anna Knight and Natalie Smith also return after seeing action in the circle in 2024.
Sophomore shortstop Ava Walker, was a first-team All-NIC choice last season as a freshman after hitting .438. Junior catcher Bailey Harris-Rogers is also back, after earning second-team All-NIC honors despite hitting .434 with five homers and a team-high 28 RBIs.
Stimac, who hit .339 last season, will rotate between pitching and third base with Knight. Fiona Topolski is expected to play second after a solid freshman year, with Smith, Ambria Leedy and Gabby Wagner starting in the outfield. Freshman Addison Reid is also pushing for time in the outfield.
“The NIC has a handful of really solid programs that have done some big things in the past, but our focus is really about Elkhart this year,’’ Matt Walker said. “Out goal is to be the most competitive version of ourselves every time we step on the diamond.
Jimtown will be young this season, but coach Brandy Eberhart’s squad has three strong senior starters returning, while also getting out of the Northern Indiana Conference.
The Jimmies reached the 3A sectional title game last season, before falling 5-4 to defending state champion New Prairie with Jimtown’s No. 3 pitcher in the circle.
The top returning Jimtown offensive threat is senior shortstop-catcher Kendal McPhee, who returns for her fourth varsity season. McPhee his .437 last season with six homers and 38 RBIs. Skyler Pello returns to the outfield after hitting .389 with five homers and 26 RBIs.
The third Jimtown senior is pitcher Kiyla Eberhart, who battled a baffling leg injury last spring, missing most of the year after going 4-1 with 75 strikeouts in 40 innings.
“Kiyla is doing well,’’ head coach and mom Brandy Eberhart said. “Lots of doctor visits and specialists to see what was wrong with her legs last year, which shut her down after just a couple of weeks of the season. We never did get a real answer until mid-February of this year.
“It’s been rough, but she is tough and ready to give it one last ride.’’
Sophomore Lily Gaugler and junior Layla Winrott combined to go 15-7 in the circle last season after Kiyla Eberhart went down. The return of three pitchers, along with freshman Claire Carlson, gives the Jimimes some very important pieces.
The pitching will be especially important, as the Jimmies will be young at most positions.
Gaugler started at second base as a freshman, while Winrott and sophomore Olivia Campbell each started a handful of games in 2024.
“We are young ... this might be one of the youngest teams I am going to start a season with,’’ Brandy Eberhart said. “I have some great senior leaders that have taken the younger girls under their win and are really becoming coaches on the field.’’
Jimtown will move to Class 2A this year, escaping the South Bend St. Joseph-New Prairie sectional gauntlet they’ve faced recently. In addition, they will now be in the Indiana Northern State Conference, rather than in the Northern Indiana Conference.
NorthWood should open the 2025 season as one of the favorites both in the Northern Lakes Conference and in the Class 3A Fairfield Sectional.
Head coach Mandy DeMien returns seven starters this season, including senior pitcher Ana Beachy and six hitters that batted over .300.
“I’m excited to see what this year holds for the Panthers,’’ DeMien said. “The girls have worked really hard in the off-season and we only graduated two starters, so we are bringing back a lot of experience.’’
Leading the way is senior Ana Beachy, who led the team with a .387 average, three homers and 19 RBIs in 2024. She also won five games and posted a 2.32 ERA in the circle.
Senior Megan Yoder returns after hitting .380 last season, as does Payton Sears, who hit .361 as a freshman and was a first-team all-conference selection.
Junior catcher Brooklyn Davis (.300), senior Chloe Davis (.319) and shortstop Victoria Vega (.318) also return to the lineup, as does outfield Natalia Vega (.277). Davis also won five games as a pitcher last season.
Among the newcomers are Evyn Weldy, Lydia Paul, Amelia Ramer, Mady Grover, Taryn Marcum and Ella Haseley.
“The NLC is always competitive, so we will need to come out ready every night to be successful,’’ DeMien said. “There are a lot of new coaches this year in the conference, so I am excited to see how we compete with each team.’’
The Northridge Raiders return eight starters from last season’s 14-13 team, including two players that flirted with hitting .500 and a three-year letterwinner in the circle.
Senior Rielyn Goodwin returns at shortstop for Raiders’ coach Andrew Robinson after hitting .458 with six triples and stealing 27 bases in 27 attempts. Junior second baseman Rachel Humbarger was even better, hitting .489 with eight doubles, seven triples and stealing 28 bases.
Centerfielder Willow Staley also returns to the Raider lineup after hitting .326 with two homers and 23 RBIs as a freshman.
Senior pitcher Addison Knisley won games last season and struck out 99 in her third season as a starter. Humbarger went 4-1 in the circle with a 3.22 ERA.
“We look to 2025 with cautious optimism,’’ Robinson said. “The team will miss the leadship of Felice Blasko and Brooklyn Gigler, but we do return nine letterwinners and should be strong up the middle with Humbarger, Goodwin, Knisley, catcher Mia Branham and Stanley in center.’’
Also returning for the Raiders are juniors Angelina Barbaro, Kyla Kauffman and Claire Palmer, along with sophomore Halle Moeller.
With Penn moving out of the 4A local sectional, it should be wide open, with the Raiders and Elkhart going in as co-favorites.
Senior shortstop Cassi Reames is in a position to set a couple of records for Concord this season, while also extending another.
Reames, a three-year starter for coach Brent Bardo, already has the school record for career homers (17) and will be in position to break records for career RBIs and innings played.
The Minutemen are coming off a rare losing season (8-18), but coach Brent Bardo is excited about the young talent on this year’s roster to go along with 10 returning letterwinners.
“Our defense will be greatly improved, as will our offensive production,’’ Bardo said. “Allison Ralston has worked really hard in the off-season and will lead out pitching staff, along with freshman Kendalyn Spicer.’’
Bardo is counting on Spicer and a couple other girls to help Ralston through a grueling 28-game schedule.
A strong freshman class has at least three players pushing for starting roles, including first basemen Laela Moore.
Senior Morgan Weatherholt, injured in a care accident last fall, isn’t expected to play, at least for awhile.
“Morgan is an amazing leader for us,’’ Bardo said. “Right now, she is like having another assistant coach on the field, as her attitude and leadership are off the charts, especially considering what she endured over the winter.’’
Fairfield coach John Skibbe has won 457 games in his 32 seasons with the Falcons and his 2025 team should be in position to add some more.
Sophomore Madison Jones is coming off a great freshman season, where she hit .436 with six home runs. She was also stole 22 bases. Junior Lily Yoder is also back after hitting .386 with 10 doubles.
Adelyn Holsopple returns for her senior season after hitting .318 and slugging four home runs.
Faith Berkey won games in the circle last season and returns as the Falcons’ top pitcher.
“We have a good mix of experience and a solid freshman class to round out our roster,’’ Skibbe said. “Pitching and defense will be the key to how much success we have this year.’’
With just four letterwinners returning, this could be a rebuilding season for Elkhart Christian coach Brett Ehninger. But two of those bring heavy lumber and experience in the circle.
Junior Brianna Ehninger hit .521 last season with 12 doubles, while classmate Naomi Herbster batted .460.
Ehninger was 3-3 in the circle last season, but struck out an eye opening 66 in just 35 innings. Herbster was 2-1 in 2024.
Junior Ryleigh Viront also returns for the Eagles, as does Kaylee Morna-Linn. Brett Ehninger is also high on newcomers Kiara Trovatore and Mia Hiler.
“We graduated five seniors, so to start the season we will have five new players to identify, preapare and develop into the starting lineup,’’ Brett Ehninger said. “This is also very exciting because we have a young team with a lot of growth potential.’’
Edwardsburg repeated as a district champions last season, despite a very young team.
This season, coach Todd Tighe has 10 letterwinners returning, including seniors Kourtney Zarycki, Mia Castelucci and Lani Hardin.
The Eddies also have junior pitcher Victoria Pulling and sophomore Makhaya Heflin back.
As a program, we will continue to focus on the processes, not the results and all the little things it takes to win,’’ Tighe said. “We have lofty goals as a team this year, but the main goal is to enjoy the game and have fun.
Edwardsburg also beefed up it’s schedule this year, adding a trip to the Lake Central tournament in Indiana, along with a game against Dearborn Divine Child, Lakeshore, St. Joseph and Coldwater.
The Penn Kingsmen should be a true force this season, as head coach Beth Zachary has 11 seniors returning, nine of whom will be playing college softball.
All that senior class has done is win a 4A state title in 2023, a Final 4 appearance last year and a Final eight in 2022.
Leading the returnees is Notre Dame-bound shortstop Ava Zachary, who hit .473 with 11 doubles, seven triples, two homers and drove home 40 runs last season. She also stole 24 bases in earning first-team All-State honors..
Leadoff hitter Izzy Hanna is back after hitting .504 last season with five triples and going 25-for-25 stealing.
One of the keys to the Kingsmen will be the health of senior pitcher Olivia Signorino, who battled hip and back injuries in 2024, after helping pitch Penn to the 2023 state title.
“Our goal this season is to play the strongest schedule possible,’’ Beth Zachary said. “We went to learn every single day and get better, give back to our community, have fun and of course, we are always chasing a state championship.’’
Russell Claxton takes over a Goshen program that went 5-20 last season, but the RedHawks have a beautiful new facility for this season and will host a Class 4A sectional.
Claxton does have experience returning in the circle, as juniors Abi Blankenship and Emily Diaz are back to anchor the staff.
Goshen does have some hitters back, led by Blankenship, who hit .407 last season. Senior Kaelyn Marcum (.354) and classmate Ryen Yoder (.312) are also coming off solid seasons at the plate. Yoder will be the team’s catcher this season.
Claxton is also high on the potential of freshman shortstop Abby Snyder.
“Other than our pitchers and catcher, we do not have a lot of game experience,’’ Claxton admitted. “Seniors Mia Crist and Emi Ortiz have worked hard this off-season and are poised to have a good year. Seniors Janae Schrock and Rachel Aceves, who did not play their junior year, have come back to the program and will play key roles.’’
Claxton is also excited that Goshen will field a JV team this season after not having one in 2024. He said there are close to 30 girls in the program.
Continue reading...
Coach Matt Walker’s first Lions team went 15-9 last season, including an 8-3 mark in the Northern Indiana Conference. Elkhart was also the sectional runner up to Penn in Class 4A.
“Expectations are high for this group,’’ Walker admitted. “We return a core of strong talent who have done the right things this off-season to put us in a position to be extremely competitive.’’
For starters, the Lions return all four pitchers from last season, led by senior Laci Stimac. Classmate Natali Finkhousen, along with juniors Anna Knight and Natalie Smith also return after seeing action in the circle in 2024.
Sophomore shortstop Ava Walker, was a first-team All-NIC choice last season as a freshman after hitting .438. Junior catcher Bailey Harris-Rogers is also back, after earning second-team All-NIC honors despite hitting .434 with five homers and a team-high 28 RBIs.
Stimac, who hit .339 last season, will rotate between pitching and third base with Knight. Fiona Topolski is expected to play second after a solid freshman year, with Smith, Ambria Leedy and Gabby Wagner starting in the outfield. Freshman Addison Reid is also pushing for time in the outfield.
“The NIC has a handful of really solid programs that have done some big things in the past, but our focus is really about Elkhart this year,’’ Matt Walker said. “Out goal is to be the most competitive version of ourselves every time we step on the diamond.
Jimtown will be young this season, but coach Brandy Eberhart’s squad has three strong senior starters returning, while also getting out of the Northern Indiana Conference.
The Jimmies reached the 3A sectional title game last season, before falling 5-4 to defending state champion New Prairie with Jimtown’s No. 3 pitcher in the circle.
The top returning Jimtown offensive threat is senior shortstop-catcher Kendal McPhee, who returns for her fourth varsity season. McPhee his .437 last season with six homers and 38 RBIs. Skyler Pello returns to the outfield after hitting .389 with five homers and 26 RBIs.
The third Jimtown senior is pitcher Kiyla Eberhart, who battled a baffling leg injury last spring, missing most of the year after going 4-1 with 75 strikeouts in 40 innings.
“Kiyla is doing well,’’ head coach and mom Brandy Eberhart said. “Lots of doctor visits and specialists to see what was wrong with her legs last year, which shut her down after just a couple of weeks of the season. We never did get a real answer until mid-February of this year.
“It’s been rough, but she is tough and ready to give it one last ride.’’
Sophomore Lily Gaugler and junior Layla Winrott combined to go 15-7 in the circle last season after Kiyla Eberhart went down. The return of three pitchers, along with freshman Claire Carlson, gives the Jimimes some very important pieces.
The pitching will be especially important, as the Jimmies will be young at most positions.
Gaugler started at second base as a freshman, while Winrott and sophomore Olivia Campbell each started a handful of games in 2024.
“We are young ... this might be one of the youngest teams I am going to start a season with,’’ Brandy Eberhart said. “I have some great senior leaders that have taken the younger girls under their win and are really becoming coaches on the field.’’
Jimtown will move to Class 2A this year, escaping the South Bend St. Joseph-New Prairie sectional gauntlet they’ve faced recently. In addition, they will now be in the Indiana Northern State Conference, rather than in the Northern Indiana Conference.
NorthWood should open the 2025 season as one of the favorites both in the Northern Lakes Conference and in the Class 3A Fairfield Sectional.
Head coach Mandy DeMien returns seven starters this season, including senior pitcher Ana Beachy and six hitters that batted over .300.
“I’m excited to see what this year holds for the Panthers,’’ DeMien said. “The girls have worked really hard in the off-season and we only graduated two starters, so we are bringing back a lot of experience.’’
Leading the way is senior Ana Beachy, who led the team with a .387 average, three homers and 19 RBIs in 2024. She also won five games and posted a 2.32 ERA in the circle.
Senior Megan Yoder returns after hitting .380 last season, as does Payton Sears, who hit .361 as a freshman and was a first-team all-conference selection.
Junior catcher Brooklyn Davis (.300), senior Chloe Davis (.319) and shortstop Victoria Vega (.318) also return to the lineup, as does outfield Natalia Vega (.277). Davis also won five games as a pitcher last season.
Among the newcomers are Evyn Weldy, Lydia Paul, Amelia Ramer, Mady Grover, Taryn Marcum and Ella Haseley.
“The NLC is always competitive, so we will need to come out ready every night to be successful,’’ DeMien said. “There are a lot of new coaches this year in the conference, so I am excited to see how we compete with each team.’’
The Northridge Raiders return eight starters from last season’s 14-13 team, including two players that flirted with hitting .500 and a three-year letterwinner in the circle.
Senior Rielyn Goodwin returns at shortstop for Raiders’ coach Andrew Robinson after hitting .458 with six triples and stealing 27 bases in 27 attempts. Junior second baseman Rachel Humbarger was even better, hitting .489 with eight doubles, seven triples and stealing 28 bases.
Centerfielder Willow Staley also returns to the Raider lineup after hitting .326 with two homers and 23 RBIs as a freshman.
Senior pitcher Addison Knisley won games last season and struck out 99 in her third season as a starter. Humbarger went 4-1 in the circle with a 3.22 ERA.
“We look to 2025 with cautious optimism,’’ Robinson said. “The team will miss the leadship of Felice Blasko and Brooklyn Gigler, but we do return nine letterwinners and should be strong up the middle with Humbarger, Goodwin, Knisley, catcher Mia Branham and Stanley in center.’’
Also returning for the Raiders are juniors Angelina Barbaro, Kyla Kauffman and Claire Palmer, along with sophomore Halle Moeller.
With Penn moving out of the 4A local sectional, it should be wide open, with the Raiders and Elkhart going in as co-favorites.
Senior shortstop Cassi Reames is in a position to set a couple of records for Concord this season, while also extending another.
Reames, a three-year starter for coach Brent Bardo, already has the school record for career homers (17) and will be in position to break records for career RBIs and innings played.
The Minutemen are coming off a rare losing season (8-18), but coach Brent Bardo is excited about the young talent on this year’s roster to go along with 10 returning letterwinners.
“Our defense will be greatly improved, as will our offensive production,’’ Bardo said. “Allison Ralston has worked really hard in the off-season and will lead out pitching staff, along with freshman Kendalyn Spicer.’’
Bardo is counting on Spicer and a couple other girls to help Ralston through a grueling 28-game schedule.
A strong freshman class has at least three players pushing for starting roles, including first basemen Laela Moore.
Senior Morgan Weatherholt, injured in a care accident last fall, isn’t expected to play, at least for awhile.
“Morgan is an amazing leader for us,’’ Bardo said. “Right now, she is like having another assistant coach on the field, as her attitude and leadership are off the charts, especially considering what she endured over the winter.’’
Fairfield coach John Skibbe has won 457 games in his 32 seasons with the Falcons and his 2025 team should be in position to add some more.
Sophomore Madison Jones is coming off a great freshman season, where she hit .436 with six home runs. She was also stole 22 bases. Junior Lily Yoder is also back after hitting .386 with 10 doubles.
Adelyn Holsopple returns for her senior season after hitting .318 and slugging four home runs.
Faith Berkey won games in the circle last season and returns as the Falcons’ top pitcher.
“We have a good mix of experience and a solid freshman class to round out our roster,’’ Skibbe said. “Pitching and defense will be the key to how much success we have this year.’’
With just four letterwinners returning, this could be a rebuilding season for Elkhart Christian coach Brett Ehninger. But two of those bring heavy lumber and experience in the circle.
Junior Brianna Ehninger hit .521 last season with 12 doubles, while classmate Naomi Herbster batted .460.
Ehninger was 3-3 in the circle last season, but struck out an eye opening 66 in just 35 innings. Herbster was 2-1 in 2024.
Junior Ryleigh Viront also returns for the Eagles, as does Kaylee Morna-Linn. Brett Ehninger is also high on newcomers Kiara Trovatore and Mia Hiler.
“We graduated five seniors, so to start the season we will have five new players to identify, preapare and develop into the starting lineup,’’ Brett Ehninger said. “This is also very exciting because we have a young team with a lot of growth potential.’’
Edwardsburg repeated as a district champions last season, despite a very young team.
This season, coach Todd Tighe has 10 letterwinners returning, including seniors Kourtney Zarycki, Mia Castelucci and Lani Hardin.
The Eddies also have junior pitcher Victoria Pulling and sophomore Makhaya Heflin back.
As a program, we will continue to focus on the processes, not the results and all the little things it takes to win,’’ Tighe said. “We have lofty goals as a team this year, but the main goal is to enjoy the game and have fun.
Edwardsburg also beefed up it’s schedule this year, adding a trip to the Lake Central tournament in Indiana, along with a game against Dearborn Divine Child, Lakeshore, St. Joseph and Coldwater.
The Penn Kingsmen should be a true force this season, as head coach Beth Zachary has 11 seniors returning, nine of whom will be playing college softball.
All that senior class has done is win a 4A state title in 2023, a Final 4 appearance last year and a Final eight in 2022.
Leading the returnees is Notre Dame-bound shortstop Ava Zachary, who hit .473 with 11 doubles, seven triples, two homers and drove home 40 runs last season. She also stole 24 bases in earning first-team All-State honors..
Leadoff hitter Izzy Hanna is back after hitting .504 last season with five triples and going 25-for-25 stealing.
One of the keys to the Kingsmen will be the health of senior pitcher Olivia Signorino, who battled hip and back injuries in 2024, after helping pitch Penn to the 2023 state title.
“Our goal this season is to play the strongest schedule possible,’’ Beth Zachary said. “We went to learn every single day and get better, give back to our community, have fun and of course, we are always chasing a state championship.’’
Russell Claxton takes over a Goshen program that went 5-20 last season, but the RedHawks have a beautiful new facility for this season and will host a Class 4A sectional.
Claxton does have experience returning in the circle, as juniors Abi Blankenship and Emily Diaz are back to anchor the staff.
Goshen does have some hitters back, led by Blankenship, who hit .407 last season. Senior Kaelyn Marcum (.354) and classmate Ryen Yoder (.312) are also coming off solid seasons at the plate. Yoder will be the team’s catcher this season.
Claxton is also high on the potential of freshman shortstop Abby Snyder.
“Other than our pitchers and catcher, we do not have a lot of game experience,’’ Claxton admitted. “Seniors Mia Crist and Emi Ortiz have worked hard this off-season and are poised to have a good year. Seniors Janae Schrock and Rachel Aceves, who did not play their junior year, have come back to the program and will play key roles.’’
Claxton is also excited that Goshen will field a JV team this season after not having one in 2024. He said there are close to 30 girls in the program.
Continue reading...
