Members of the Lady Monarch softball program are from left, front row, Genesis Brooks, Isabelle Shroyer, Sydney Wade, Hannah Moffett, Aggie Livingston, Emily Daniel, Leah Potter and Tayler Clabaugh; second row, Carly Connolly, Kaitlyn Lowry, Jaynn Young, Jewely Livingston, Lexi Williams, Olivia Davis and coach Dan Whittington; third row, head coach Jennifer Segner-Maxwell; Calla Best, Cassidy Van Dyke, Abby Gindelsberger; Ashley Dunn, Jillian Smith and coach Jeremy Segner; back row, coach Dennis Simpson, coach Aaron Griffith, Meghan McKinney, Bre Kinn Ortman, Bethany Bates and coach Larry Fox.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
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Marysville High School’s varsity softball team went undefeated (10-0) in the Ohio Capital Conference Central Division a year ago.
Head coach Jennifer Segner-Maxwell feels the Lady Monarchs (22-5 overall) have the talent to defend that crown during the 2019 campaign.
“Dublin Coffman and Upper Arlington are going to present challenges for us,” said the veteran coach. “However, we always shoot for the championship and we should be near the top (of the standings) again this year.”
Returning lettermen for the Lady Monarchs include centerfielder Emily Daniel, leftfielder Hannah Moffett, outfielder Sydney Wade, Isabelle Shroyer (right fielder-pitcher), third baseman Leah Potter, catcher Aggie Livingston, shortstop-pitcher Jewely Livingston, outfielder-shortstop Lexi Williams, first baseman Tayler Claybaugh and infielder-outfielder Ashley Dunn.
They are joined by varsity newcomers Genesis Brooks (infield-outfield), Jaylen Young (catcher-first base-third base) and freshman pitcher Abby Gindelsberger (who will also see JV action).
Shroyer and Jewely Livingston will share the majority of the work in the pitching circle.
“Both of them are a year older and they realize it’s not solely going to be on them,” said Segner-Maxwell. “They know they won’t have to win games by themselves.”
The MHS coach feels veteran leadership will be a huge asset during the 2019 campaign.
“They’re all a year older and their skills have matured,” said Segner-Maxwell. “We’ve also looked solid in all facets of the game (pitching, offense and defense) early in the season.”
Daniel led Marysville with a .559 batting average last year, swiped 15 bases and clubbed five home runs.
Moffett stole 11 of the team’s 47 bags and batted .454.
Jewely Livingston hit .392.
Segner-Maxwell feels the Lady Monarchs have a great deal of potential for another standout season.
“Every year, coaches say they want to see their team jell quickly and develop good chemistry,” said Segner-Maxwell. “That’s our goal as well.
“If we can do that, there is a lot of potential here for a very good season.”
Although the Lady Monarchs have their sights on another OCC divisional championship, their first order of business will be continued progression during the season.
“We don’t want to get complacent after having won the division a year ago,” said Segner-Maxwell. “We want to keep getting better every day so we can win the OCC once again.
“After that, we want to focus on winning the Division I district championship and going beyond in the tournament.”