Softball 2024: Questions for all 10 Marion-area squads ahead of the season
River Valley and Elgin won softball league championships a year ago, and those two along with Highland and North Union made trips to the district tournaments.
The Scots and Wildcats both played for district titles, and Highland made it to the regional tournament for its first time in more than a decade.
It was a good 2023 for many programs around the Marion area, and 2024 looks to be even more promising for squads.
With the softball season starting in earnest this week, here's a question for each of our 10 teams to ponder this year:
More softball: 2024 Softball Preview Capsules: Team-by-team look at the upcoming season in the area
Who were the best in 2023? Delaney, Roth earn inaugural All-Marion Star softball top honors for 2023
Can River Valley be better in 2024?
Losing Riley Hamm to graduation and Liv Collins to an ACL team, the Vikings are still loaded from a team that went 20-5 and won a share of the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference championship. River Valley has an All-Ohio pitcher in Lanie Wooten and a number of other productive players throughout the lineup for 17-year veteran coach Phil Shepler. Another MOAC title and a Division II district championship are on the goal sheets for a reason as the Vikes look ripe to make it a special season.
Will Elgin continue its NWCC domination?
The Comets have won four straight Northwest Central Conference championships and have lost just one NWCC game since joining the league for the 2018 season. While they graduated All-Marion Star Pitcher of the Year Alyvia Roth plus Kyra Wilcox and Mekena Smith, Elgin remains loaded with big bats up and down the lineup. Miley Corbin, Madison Hill and Chloe Atha will get their shot at replacing Roth in the pitching circle. Head coach Wendy Muselin, who is in her 24th season, can downplay it by saying they should be in the middle to top of the league, but Elgin remains the favorite until someone else proves otherwise.
Will Ridgedale upend the Comets in the NWCC?
If there is a team in the NWCC that can knock off Elgin, it's Ridgedale. The Rockets return the reigning Marion Star Player of the Year in Kenzie Delaney, who will be among the top pitchers and hitters in the area this year. Like the Comets, Ridgedale has strong bats and lots of experience throughout the lineup. New this year is the head coach as Austin Reigel replaces longtime Rockets mentor Rick Ferguson, and they will miss Abigail Bridges, Katie Collins and Hanna Mulvaine, but Ridgedale is stacked.
Can Cardington get back to its glory days?
From 2016 to 2022, the Pirates were regulars in the regionals, making four state tournament trips and bringing home a pair of state runner-up trophies in the run. Last year, an uber-young group finished 12-11 and softball architect Tod Brininger retired. Taking over the program is one of his top former players as Baylee Adams returns to her alma mater. She has two All-Ohio caliber players in pitcher Genevieve Longsdorf and third baseman Ari Simpson to lead a roster with eight other letter winners back, so they should be much improved in 2024.
What can Highland do for an encore?
The Cinderella Scots upset their way to a Division II district crown and a spot in the Sweet 16. While they lost All-Ohio pitcher Stevie Asher and all-district outfielder Guinevere Jackson to graduation, they bring back 10 veterans from last year's 14-win team and have hopes of continuing what they started. "We are looking to utilize the experience from our 10 returners and add in some new, young talent to progress as a team and be a fighting contender in the MOAC and Central District," Highland coach Abby Steele said.
Will Marion Harding 'move the program forward?'
That's what third-year coach Brett McCrery wants to see after a 9-19 season in 2023. The Presidents brings back six proven letter winners who are ready to take the next steps of bringing winning softball back to the program. Look for big seasons from players like Kameron Biederman and Abbie Hoertz among others.
Can North Union continue the legacy?
Winning seasons are expected in Richwood, the Marion-area's most consistently outstanding softball program for decades. The Wildcats are coming off a 20-5 season where they finished as runners-up in the district and the Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division. Expect more of the same this year as they welcome back nine letter winners, including all-leaguers in Reese DeCamp, Kale Keigley and Ryleigh Rasey. Pat Grove takes over as the new head coach, but the expectations remain.
Will Pleasant start stringing wins?
After a 1-18 season in 2023, Pleasant is ready to get competitive, according to coach Hannah Wilson. They have eight letter winners back led by senior Hannah Miller and senior Katie Jordan. With the varsity experience comes an improved softball IQ to go with team speed and greater depth in the lineup. Expect improvement at Pleasant.
Will Northmor challenge in the KMAC?
Don't sleep on the Golden Knights. They went 16-9 last year and bring back a bevy of experienced talent with 10 letter winners led by senior third baseman Madison Simpson and junior pitcher Kate Kissling. Coach Matt Wiseman said they have "a ton of experience and untapped talent." Northmor will challenge Cardington, Danville, Centerburg and everyone else for the KMAC. "This league is a meatgrinder and whoever wins it will earn it by beating many quality opponents," he added.
Can Mount Gilead continue the rebuild?
Only in her second season, Morgan Dettra is tasked with rebuilding the Mount Gilead softball program. The Indians won three games last year and hope to increase that this season. They only lost one player to graduation and return a pair of all-conference players in Greer Simpson and Kierra Main, but they are still a young group competing in the tough KMAC.
rmccurdy@gannett.com
419-610-0998
X @McMotorsport
Instagram @rob_mccurdy_star
Vote: Marion Star 2024 Preseason Softball Player of the Year Poll
With softball season starting, here is a poll for fans to pick their Marion Star 2024 Preseason Softball Player of the Year. Here are the nominees:
● Genevieve Longsdorf, Cardington.
● Madison Hill, Elgin.
● Aubree Bellamy, Highland.
● Abbie Hoertz, Marion Harding.
● Greer Simpson, Mount Gilead.
● Madison Simpson, Northmor.
● Reese DeCamp, North Union.
● Hannah Miller, Pleasant.
● Kenzie Delaney, Ridgedale.
● Lanie Wooten, River Valley.
Voting will continues at MarionStar.com and its app through early morning on April 1.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Softball 2024: A look at the Marion area's 10 teams this season
