Members of Jonathan Alder’s softball program are from left, front row, Ellie WIlkin, Riley Magginis, Kallie Sajdyk, Emme Edwards, Mia Hilbert, Maggie McCoy and Raegan Tremayne; second row, Katelyn Rihl, Macy Pruitt, Caroline Timberlake, Ava Skorich, Eliza Shuping, Natalie Neumeier, Evan Platfoot and Shanna Higgins; third row, Mattie Piccolantonio, Lily Talik, Goldie Bowsher, Abby Bush, Lauren Ruetsch, Alivia Curtis, Myla Schilling, Anna Engle and Lucy Boyd; fourth row, assistant coach Tom Russell, head coach Dave McGrew, Alyssa Miller, Kylie Petersheim, Owyn Johnson, Kiersten Dolby, assistant coach Glen Widner and assistant coach MaeKenleigh Greene. Not pictured, Gracie Napier, Mallory Reynolds, Alaina Reynolds and assistant coach Heather Colvin.
(Photo submitted)
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Jonathan Alder softball boss Dave McGrew is someone for which opposing coaches aren’t going to feel sorry this spring.
That’s because there is an “embarrassment of riches” throughout the roster.
It’s not that the Lady Pioneers have an All-Star player at every position.
However, there are enough very solid athletes to go around who should make JA a contender in the Central Buckeye Conference while also being among the top Central District Division II ball clubs.
The Lady Pioneers posted an overall record of 20-5 last spring.
Their 12-4 mark in the CBC was good for second place behind Kenton Ridge in the Kenton Trail Division.
They also finished as runner-up in the district tournament.
Nearly everyone is back from that team and should supply Jon Alder fans with plenty of reasons to cheer.
An early look at the lineup at each position (with 2023 batting averages) includes Natalie Neumeier (.416, 25 RBIs) at first base, Evan Platfoot (.348, 16 RBIs in 2022) at second, Shanna Higgins (.405, 29 RBIs) at shortstop and Riley Magginis (.420) at third base.
Kiersten Dolby (.411, 18 RBIs) is a senior lettermen in the infield and outfield.
Platfoot is returning to the team after taking off the 2023 campaign to concentrate on AAU basketball.
There are plenty of candidates for outfield spots, including Abby Bush (.321), Maggie McCoy (.452) Anna Engle (.465), Katelyn Rihl (.328) and Caroline Timberlake (.500).
Kylie Petersheim (.429) will handle the catching duties and could see a bit of action at third base.
Alyssa Miller (15-4, 3.96) is the team’s No. 1 pitcher.
Neumeier could also take a turn or two in the circle.
Although it’s a stout, veteran team, there are several younger players who could challenge for varsity playing time.
They include Lucy Boyd (catcher-first base-outfield), Owyn Johnson (shortstop) and Eliza Shuping (pitcher).
Macy Pruitt pitched 14 innings in seven innings as a freshman.
“My biggest concern is finding varsity playing time for all the girls,” said McGrew. “In my 15 years as head coach, this is the deepest roster we’ve had.
“Some of these girls will need to play in junior varsity games in order to get reps,” he said.
“These girls are good athletes and they’re very coachable,” said McGrew. “I think our defense is going to be very solid and we’ll be good base runners.
“If we have any concerns in the preseason, it will be how well we hit from top to bottom in the lineup.”
The Alder coach feels his squad will battle Kenton Ridge for the Kenton Trail title.
As far as cross-divisional opponents, Indian Lake has its entire team back from a state runner-up finish.
North Union finished second in the Mad River Division behind the Lakers.
“North Union is always going to be North Union… they will be very good,” said McGrew.
“We want to win the CBC and district championships,” he said. “After that, we’ll just take it one game at a time.”