Marysville’s Abri Schmutz steals second base while Skylar North covers the bag during an instrasquad scrimmage. The Lady Monarchs’ 2020 season is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Marysville High School softball head coach Jennifer Segner-Maxwell is like a lot of spring sports bosses in this current uncertain world.
She would like to get the 2020 season under way, but doesn’t know when or if it’s even going to happen.
The coronavirus that has swept the globe holds a big lead on the scoreboard against all sports.
The disease has climbed to a huge advantage and has shut down programs and franchises from youth to professional athletics.
“The girls are really somber,” said Segner-Maxwell during what proved to be the final preseason practice before schools shut down due to the pandemic.
Segner-Maxwell feels the Lady Monarchs (20-7 overall and 9-1 in the Ohio Capital Conference Central Division in 2019) could have a very solid season this spring… if it’s allowed to happen.
The team could be led by several key seniors.
They include first baseman Tayler Clabaugh, third baseman Leah Potter, pitcher-outfielder Izzy Shroyer, shortstop-pitcher Jewely Livingston and infielder-outfielder Genesis Brooks.
While their senior season remains in doubt, those athletes will continue their diamond careers on the collegiate level.
Livingston plans to play at Urbana University, where her sister Aggie is a member of the team.
Brooks is set to play at Defiance University, Clabaugh will play at Muskingum University, Shroyer will play at the Coast Guard Academy and Potter is also scheduled to play at Urbana.
“These girls may not be able to play their final high school season of softball,” said Segner-Maxwell. “However, they will be playing on the collegiate level.”
The Lady Monarchs, who captured the OCC Central Division crown a year ago, practiced for a final time under the sunshine and cool temperature on a Friday earlier this month.
“We could practice tomorrow (Saturday), but the weather is going to be lousy,” the coach said. “We’re not going to, so today’s intrasquad scrimmage is our final activity for a while.
“I’m sure the girls will work out on their own,” said Segner-Maxwell. “We as coaches aren’t allowed to have any contact with our team until at least early April.”
That deadline will obviously be pushed back.
On Monday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered schools throughout the state to remain closed until at least the first of May.
If the 2020 campaign begins at some point, Segner-Maxwell said she doesn’t know what it would look like.
The schedule could be extremely tight in order to finish any type of regular season before the post-season begins.
“Our season, if we have one, could be a schedule of game-after-game,” she said. “I don’t know if we’d have much time to practice.”
Although Segner-Maxwell doesn’t want to see the season canceled, she acknowledged there are many things bigger than softball.
It starts with all those who have had their health and/or survival impacted by the disease.
“I also feel horrible for the economy during this time,” she said. “This is so much bigger than our softball program.”
Lady Monarch pitcher Izzy Shroyer completes her windup during an intrasquad scrimmage earlier this month. Shroyer is one of several MHS seniors who may not be able to play their final high school season. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)