Whether it was in the pitching circle or at the plate, Izzy Shroyer made an impact the past three seasons on the Marysville High School softball diamond. Shroyer will continue her softball and academic careers at the United States Coast Guard Academy.
(Journal-Tribune photos by Tim Miller)
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Marysville High School senior Izzy Shroyer knew she wanted to include softball and some type of military service in her future.
The Lady Monarch pitcher-outfielder looked into several schools, including nearby Capital University for its ROTC program, the United States Military Academy at West Point, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy and the Coast Guard Academy.
The Merchant Marine Academy was crossed off her list because it doesn’t offer a softball program.
Shroyer said the Military Academy, the Maritime school and the Merchant Marines are part of either the Department of Defense or Department of Transportion.
She wasn’t interested in either of those departments, so X’s went over those names.
That left the Coast Guard Academy which is located in New London, Conn.
And that’s where the lefty pitcher plans on studying and playing on the diamond for the next four years.
“I chose the Coast Guard Academy after reading and exploring all of the branches of our military,” said Shroyer, who added she visited several of those schools.
“I really like the mission of the Coast Guard, which is about maritime safety and security.
“The Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security,” she said. “I really like the idea of protecting our coastlines, as well as the opportunities to travel.”
Shroyer made her softball debut in Marysville as an eighth-grader at Bunsold Middle School. She and her family moved to the area from Alabama prior to her final year in middle school.
She then spent three seasons on the MHS varsity squad.
Shroyer worked her entire freshman campaign from the pitching circle.
She compiled a 12-5 record with a 3.46 ERA. She also fanned 61 batters in 84 2/3 innings.
The southpaw branched out during her sophomore season of 2018. She played outfield on days during which she didn’t pitch.
Shroyer hit .416 and drove in 22 runs.
She hurled 62 innings, during which she struck out 68 batters. Shroyer also posted a 5-3 record with a 3.84 earned run average.
Shroyer’s best pitching came during her junior season. A 14-3 record was accompanied by a 3.16 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings.
She also came through with a .409 batting average and 18 ribbies.
Along the way, Shroyer earned second team honors for the Ohio Capital Conference and Central District.
She was also part of OCC Central Division championship teams the past two years.
Shroyer’s senior season at Marysville High School was halted, like so many others, by the coronavirus pandemic this spring.
“It’s sad we couldn’t have played this season,” she said. “I think we would have had a really good season.”
Shroyer said she will always remember her Monarch career.
“We had some really good times,” she said. “All of the coaches were very supportive of what we did. We practiced hard and played well.
“I also enjoyed the spring break trips to Myrtle Beach and beating Central Crossing in close games.”
Shroyer made an impression on her teammates and coaches.
“Izzy was a constant in our program since she stepped on our field four years ago,” said Marysville head coach Jennifer Segner Maxeell. “She is a perfectionist and driven. She works to succeed.
“I have no doubt that she will do great things at the Coast Guard and not only on the softball field,” she said. “We will miss her. Izzy was a role model and made it a point to connect with the younger players.”
The Coast Guard Academy has a history of softball success.
The Bears posted a 9-1 record early in the 2020 campaign before COVID-19 shut down college and high school athletics for the remainder of the spring season.
Head coach Donna Koczajowski also surpassed 500 wins for her 23 years at the helm.
Shroyer said the school recruited her as both a pitcher and outfielder.
Exactly where she will play the majority of the time has yet to be decided.
Shroyer said she will study government with a concentration on international relations.
She will be obligated to serve in the Coast Guard for five years upon her graduation.
Shroyer said she is not certain as to whether she will make that branch of the military her career.