Members of Jonathan Alder’s varsity softball squad are from left, front row, Kylie King, Abigail Bush and Lily Walker; second row, Evan Platfoot, Kiersten Dolby, Marlee Jacobs and Alyssa Miller; third row, Lizzie Lombardi, Danielle Robbins, Jaden Phelps, Shanna Higgins and Natalie Neumeier. (Photo submitted)
Jonathan Alder’s softball team has been a thorn in the side of other Central Buckeye Conference outfits for several years.
Those opposing teams can expect more of the same during the 2022 season.
The Lady Pioneers repeated as Kenton Trail Division champions of the Central Buckeye Conference in 2021.
They had last claimed the divisional title in 2019, as COVID-19 prevented teams from playing in 2020.
Something else happened in 2019… the Lady Pioneers captured the Division II state championship.
The virus cheated the team from a possible repeat performance a couple of years ago.
The 2021 campaign, though, ended much sooner than the Lady Panthers wanted.
“We lost to Lakewood (4-3) in the district finals,” said coach Dave McGrew. “The girls are motivated this season after falling short of their goals a year ago.”
Alder still put together an impressive 22-4 record (15-1 in the CBC).
That entire squad returns as JA graduated no varsity players from 2021.
Seniors will play huge roles in the Lady Pioneers’ fortunes this spring.
The group is led by pitcher Marlee Jacobs.
She was the state champion pitcher three years ago as a freshman and the CBC’s player of the year as a junior.
Jacobs posted a 20-3 record with a 0.62 ERA in 2021. She fanned 197 batters as she earned second-team All-Ohio honors.
Outfielder Danielle Robbins led the team a year ago with a .466 batting average and 23 stolen bases.
That came after a .500 (40-for-80) season as a freshman during the state championship run.
Robbins was a first-team Central District honoree a year ago.
Jaden Phelps began her career as a pitcher, but has comfortably settled in as the starting first baseman.
She hit .323 and was a Central District second-team selection last spring.
Catcher Kylie King finished with a .328 batting average and drove in 19 runs.
Lizzie Lombardi hit .319 during her first softball season as a junior.
McGrew said the seniors are hungry for greater success.
“We expect good things from them,” he said.
Several sophomores will also play important roles for the team.
Kiersten Dolby finished the 2021 campaign with a .408 batting average. She led the team with 25 RBIs during her freshman season.
Shauna Higgins will man the shortstop position after hitting .361 in 2021.
Evan Platfoot has nailed down the starting third base spot. She finished with a .333 batting average as a freshman.
Lily Walker, who plays in the infield and outfield, has switched from the right side to become a left-handed slapper.
She has top-notched speed and is progressing after hitting .357 in a limited role a year ago.
Abby Bush will man one of the outfield spots.
Second-year player Alyssa Miller will give Jacobs some help in the pitching circle. She saw time in the circle during two games a year ago.
A freshman, Natalie Neumeier, is also on the varsity roster.