2025 Softball Preview: Questions to be answered by Marion-area teams this season
With high school softball kicking off its 2025 season this weekend, there are questions that will be answered before the end of the season.
Here's a closer look at those questions surrounding Marion-area teams:
Can anyone beat Ridgedale in the Northwest Central Conference:
After back-to-back runner-up finishes in the NWCC, the Rockets ended Elgin's four straight conference titles last year, going undefeated in the process. Ridgedale is loaded again, paced by All-Ohioan and reigning NWCC Player of the Year Kenzie Delaney and seven other letter winners with years of experience between them all.
So Ridgedale could be even better in 2025.
"Ridgedale and Waynesfield-Goshen return a good core group of players," Elgin coach Wendy Muselin said. "North Baltimore was solid last year as well. Any of these teams could be the favorites in the league. We would like for our team to be in the top three in the league."
Can a Marion-area squad earn a championship in the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference?
River Valley earned a piece of the MOAC in 2023 and Pleasant did the same in 2019, but the balance of power in the league has tilted toward the north and east as has won three championship, Ontario has a pair and Shelby shared it with CF last year.
River Valley might be the best bet to crash the party with eight letter winners returning, including All-MOAC selections Samantha Woods, Addi Braun and Sidney Street.
"I think Clear Fork, Shelby and Ontario will be the favorites," new RV head coach Emily Clark-Lindsey said. "I think this team fits in the top three. The buy-in and preparation has been great, and these girls are ready to compete."
In order to make a run, Clark-Lindsey, who coached two years at her alma mater of North Union, has challenged her team to bat .310 and limit their errors to less than one per game.
Can North Union bounce back in the Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division?
The Wildcats won the division in 2021 and 2022 and was a runner-up in 2023. But last year, North Union went 7-9 in the league and 14-14 overall.
Second-year head coach Pat Grove needs to replace a productive senior class that was led by pitcher Reese DeCamp, but as is the case with the softball program at NU, they tend to reload.
Grove is high on his newcomers that will fill in spots around all-league and all-district players like Kennedy Harrah, Kale Keigley and Kaitlin McElroy. Pitching depth is a concern, but the goal remains the same, winning the CBC Mad River title again.
Can Cardington regain its status in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference?
After dominating the KMAC since its inception, it's been a couple of seasons since the Pirates were atop the standings. Last year, they went 7-3 and may be poised for a run in 2025.
While they lost All-Ohio pitcher Genevieve Longsdorf, they bring back the bulk of their lineup, including Ariana Simpson who will take over the pitching duties, plus remain one of the area's best sluggers. They have three other All-KMAC players on the roster.
Second-year coach Baylee Adams feels her alma mater can challenge Danville, Fredericktown and Northmor atop the KMAC.
Can Northmor claim a KMAC championship?
With eight letter winners back and a strong group of newcomers, Northmor coach Matt Wiseman is hopeful his squad can make a breakthrough in the league.
"We feel like we have a shot, but Danville, Fredericktown, Cardington and Loudonville all will be very good as well," Wiseman said.
The Golden Knights need to replace All-Ohioan Maddie Simpson, shortstop Raelynn Fulk, Brooke Kissling, Saje Miley and Mahaila Strobel, who is out with an injury. Still, they feel they have the talent to set the school record for wins which is 16.
Can Marion Harding and Pleasant see better seasons?
Harding won six games last year and Pleasant 11. Both programs have new coaches as Joe Biederman steps in after serving as an assistant at Harding, while Mike Lindsey takes over at Pleasant. Lindsey was a former head coach at Harding. Each team brings back talent.
"If we play good defense, I think we can compete," Lindsey said.
The same goes for the Presidents.
"It all depends on if our defense can handle close game," Biederman said.
rmccurdy@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Marion Star: 2025 Softball Preview: Teams will challenge for conference titles
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