Members of the MHS softball program are from left, front row, Abri Schmutz, Abby Gindlesberger, Lexi Williams, Jalyn Young, Ashley Dunn, Bre Ortman and Haley Winans; second row, Jordyn Ledley, Reagan Traucht, Avery Prohaska, Brooke Williams, Hannah Pack, Tareyn Born, Abby Christian, Chloe Heminger, Skyler North, Abigail Wilkerson and Sarah King; third row, Morgan Nevers, Kallie Schewinfurth, Sydney Calhoon, Maya Segner, Camryn Harbold, Caitlin Rigel, Avery Henry, Mia Carder, Ashlynn McAdow, Ally Clementz and Hannah Yu; back row, coaches Brent Maxwell, Jeremy Segner, head coach Jennifer Segner-Maxwell, Kaylee Bevins, Abby Strahm, Emma Howell and coaches Aaron Griffith, Dennis Simpson and Larry Fox. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
The Marysville High School softball team will be taking to the diamond for the first time since the 2019 campaign this spring.
The Lady Monarchs, like all other high school spring sports teams in Ohio, were shut down a year ago due to COVID-19.
MHS has several returning lettermen back from a 2019 team that posted an overall record of 20-7 and captured the Ohio Capital Conference Central Division with a 9-1 mark.
Veterans include Lexi Williams (shortstop-outfield), pitcher Abby Gindlesberger (who can also play in the outfield), second baseman Ashley Dunn, catcher Jalyn Young, Haley Winans (catcher, outfield and first base) and outfielder Abri Schmutz.
The veterans will be joined by newcomers Abby Christian and Taryn Born (pitchers), Bre Ortman (first base), Hannah Pack (catcher, third base, outfield), outfielders Chloe Heminger, Brooke Williams and Camryn Harbold and middle infielder Avery Henry.
Lexi Williams finished the OCC portion of the 2019 campaign with a .355 batting average, which included four doubles.
Ginglesberger posted a 3-0 record in conference games with a 2.63 earned-run average.
Dunn hit .393 against OCC pitching and led the team with 12 RBIs.
“Overall, we are young, but talented,” said MHS head coach Jennifer Segner-Maxwell. “Abby Gindelsberger returns with the lone varsity pitching experience.
“Abby Christian and Tareyn Born will also share time in the circle,” said the coach. “All three are strong hitters and fortunately, they all play another position besides pitching.”
The Lady Monarchs’ outfield will be new.
Schmutz was slated to be the starting center fielder for the 2020 season and will be in the outfield this year.
Gindelsberger and Lexi Williams both have some experience in the outfield when not pitching or playing the infield.
Winans is described as a true utility player.
“She is a catcher, first baseman and does a great job in the outfield,” said Segner-Maxwell. “With her strength of bat, she will be in the line up.
“There are a few of the younger players who will likely move up and down between varsity and JV including Skylar North, as a role player, along with Heminger, Brooke Williams and Henry,” said the coach. “However, our movement of players may be limited due to the fact we should try to keep teams separated due to Covid-19.”
Segner-Maxwell said the team’s inexperience is a concern.
“We have four players who have any varsity experience,” she said. “We have a total of five upper classman and 27 are sophomores or freshmen.
“They have never stepped on the field and a Lady Monarch,” said the coach. “However, these girls have worked hard since June 1, the day we were permitted to start practice as a team.
“They have come a long way and we (coaches) feel they are ready.”
Segner-Maxwell said one of the team’s strengths is its versatility.
“We have flexibility with many of our athletes,” she said. “They play multiple positions which is helpful when trying to put the best nine players on the field… 10 if we use the flex.”
The Lady Monarch coach said it’s hard to tell what the new OCC Cardinal Division will look like this spring.
“We played Dublin Jerome in 2019 and beat them 9-8 and beat Darby that year as well,” she said. “However, that was two years ago and our team has changed drastically since then.
“I imagine those teams have changed as well,” said the coach. “Our plan is to take it one game at a time. “However, our goal is always to win the league.”