Fairbanks’ softball team is pictured from left, front row, Kyah Hendren, Jenna Dee, Claire Meihls and Hailey Dee; second row, Elizabeth Gregory, Miah Cheney, Maddi Sines, Abby Russell and Anna Dulle; back row, assistant coach Randy Rausch, assistant coach Madi Montenaro, Abby Skedell, Tiffani Harper, Macy Kise and head coach Amy Sines. Not pictured, assistant coach Alexia Smith.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)
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Fairbanks High School head softball coach Amy Sines has been looking toward the 2024 season with anticipation.
“I am very excited about this season as we have a lot of talent,” said the veteran head coach.
FHS lost only two seniors from a 2023 squad that posted a 13-12 record.
“We only have two seniors on the team this year,” said Sines. “We are still young, but talent-wise, we are solid.”
Returning lettermen include senior first baseman Abby Skedell and senior outfielder Hailey Dee.
Additional veterans include juniors Macy Kise (pitcher-third base), Jenna Dee (catcher), Anna Dulle (outfield) and Miah Cheney (infield).
Sophomores who have earned varsity letters are Maddi Sines (pitcher-third base) and Eizabeth Gregory (second base).
Rounding out the roster are freshmen Tiffini Harper, Kyah Hendren, Claire Meihls and Abby Russell.
Several of the returning lettermen employed big bats a year ago.
Hailey and Jenna Dee both hit .418, Kise finished at .409 and Dulle stood at .404.
“Some of our younger players also have great bats,” said Sines.
Kise and the younger Sines gained a great deal of experience in the pitching circle last spring.
Kise posted a 5-5 record with an ERA of 3.71, while Sines went 4-5 (3.47) as a freshman.
Hailey Dee won four of her five pitching decisions and could still be used in the circle on occasion.
The Lady Panthers tied for fourth in the Ohio Heritage Conference North Division with an 11-5 record.
West Jefferson went undefeated at 15-0, followed by Mechanicsburg (14-2) and Northeastern (11-5).
West Liberty-Salem (4-11) and Triad 3-13) finished on the bottom two rungs of the circuit standings.
“Our league is going to be tough again this year like in year’s past,” said Sines. “West Jefferson and Mechanicsburg will be the ones to look out for again.
“However, Northeastern will be pretty tough again as well,” she said.
Still, the Lady Panthers have huge hopes for the 2024 campaign.
“We have some big goals this year,” said Sines. “We want to win the conference championship, as well as the (Division III) district title.”