Jonathan Alder’s varsity softball team is pictured from left, front row, Danielle Robbins, Angela Brandel, Lindsey Potter, Jaden Phelps, Jillian Jakse, Allison Byerly, Caitlin Craig and Allison Caldwell; second row, Hayley Jaskiewicz, Olivia McCoy, Cierra Clark, Emily Walker, Sydne Hermiller, April Wagner and Kylie King; back row, Taryn Richey, Marlee Jacobs, Kelsey McDonald, coach Glenn Widner, head coach Dave McGrew, coach Cress Murdock, coach Heather Colvin and coach Char Palmer.
(Photo submitted)
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Jonathan Alder softball coach Dave McGrew has a plethora of lettermen back from a 2018 squad that won a Division II regional championship and fell to West Branch, 5-4, in the state semifinals.
Veterans for a squad that posted a 21-7 record a year ago include first baseman Kelsey McDonald, second baseman Angela Brandel, shortstop Emily Walker, third sacker Jillian Jaske, catcher Caitlyn Craig and outfielders Lindsay Potter (the Central District player of the year), Cierra Clark and April Wagner.
Newcomers to the varsity include pitchers Marlee Jacobs, Jaden Phelps and Allison Caldwell, catcher Kylie King, outfielder Danielle Robins and utility player Haley Jackowicz.
McGrew is pretty confident that opposing squads will have a difficult time sneaking the ball past his sure-handed defense.
“Our infield is a veteran crew and our outfield is very strong,” he said.
Those defensive players also know how to swing the bats.
Walker hit .510 and drove in 24 runs last season.
Jaske batted an even .500 and had 34 ribbies in just half of a season (due to injuries), Potter drilled eight homers and drove in 39 runs while batting .515 and Clark hit .400.
Alder’s team batting average was .386.
If there is a concern early in the 2019 campaign, it’s the inexperience in the pitching circle.
Katelynn Perkins graduated after last year and is now playing at Mt. Vernon Nazarene.
“We’ve got talent in the circle with Marlee and Jaden,” said McGrew. “However, they are young.
“Marlee and Jaden are both power pitchers with good velocity,” he said.
Caldwell, who has been nursing a back injury, could also see time in the circle as well.
“I think all of our pitchers will progress as the season goes on,” said McGrew.
The veteran coach said the Lady Pioneers, who finished as runner-up in the Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail Division, could once again challenge last year’s champion, Kenton Ridge.
“A lot of pitchers graduated from the division a year ago,” said McGrew. “Kenton Ridge, though, is a storied program and Springfield Shawnee is a scrappy team.
“I think we can challenge for the championship, but we’ve got to build some callouses on our younger players,” he said.
“I know this sounds like a cliché, but our goal for the season is always the next game,” said McGrew. “We can’t get caught up in the hype of getting back to the state tournament.
“We’ll just see how our pitchers come together.”