Check out the area's top softball players as a new season gets underway
With the impending arrival of the spring season, brings with it sunshine, improved weather conditions and cries of "Play Ball" from umpires filling the air throughout Guernsey County.
That also signals the return of high school softball to the Daily Jeffersonian coverage area with area teams from Cambridge, Meadowbrook, Buckeye Trail and John Glenn hoping for a successful season on the diamond,
With the local area comprised of plenty of talented student athletes, we take a look at some of the top returning veteran performers to keep an eye on during the 2024-25 high school softball season.
Here is a glance at 11 players who will be looking to lead their teams this spring:
Meadowbrook junior Sommer Ginn
Ginn, a slick fielding shortstop for the Colts, returns with an impressive resume after being a two-time All-Ohio performer, two-time All-Eastern District and two-time First-Team Muskingum Valley League, along with being tabbed 2024 Eastern District Player of the Year.
Ginn finished with a .479 batting average a year ago and used her wheels to swipe 27 stolen bases as she figures to be a major contributor for Meadowbrook again this season.
"Sommer has excellent speed on the bases and an excellent bat. She leads us at the plate and sets the tone for our offense. She also helps solidify our infield with her strong defensive work at shortstop. We are expecting another big season from her this year." — Coach Sean Frizzell
Meadowbrook junior Addy Sichina
Sichina is a key component of an impressive 1-2 punch from the pitching circle and a two-time district championship winning pitcher. Last season, she finished with an impressive 12-3 record and a strong 2.40 ERA.
Sichina, who is a two-time First Team MVL and Eastern District selections, also does plenty of damage from the batters box for the Colts. She swings a potent bat and had a .350 batting average a year ago while belting a total of six home runs.
"Addy is a solid veteran player who keeps batters off balance. Her bat began to explode at the end of last season and has already been on fire during the preseason. She is key to our success on the mound and at the plate this year." — Coach Sean Frizzell
Meadowbrook junior Mckendell Boyer
Boyer transferred in last season and teamed with Sichina to form a formidable rotation. She collected eight pitching wins on the season, finishing with 121 Ks in 105 innings pitched.
Just like her running mate Sichina, she contributed offensively with a .385 batting average last season. For her efforts, Boyer earned Second Team Eastern District recognition last season.
"Mckendell is a tall lefty flame thrower. She brings the heat and gives us a strong rotation with Addy, She also gives us another strong bat at the plate. Looking forward to seeing her have another big year for us this season." — Coach Sean Frizzell
John Glenn juniors Addi Babcock and Estelle Matheney
Babcock and Matheney will be counted on by first-year head coach Scott Johnson, who takes over the Muskies' successful softball program. Both played key roles last season as the team finished with a sectional title, district runner-up finish and a 20-7 record. John Glenn also captured the Muskingum Valley League Big School title with a 15-1 mark.
Babcock (C/1B) reeled in First Team MVL and Second Team Eastern District recognition after finishing with a robust .425 batting average with 30 runs scored and a .510 OBP for JG.
Matheney (SS) finished with Second Team MVL and Eastern District honors following a season of work that included a .359 batting average, 26 runs scored and a .427 OBP.
"Both of these young ladies are hard workers and never leave practice with clean clothes. No moment seems too big for them. They are well respected by their teammates and go out of their way to help the younger players feel comfortable. They will need to be the spark plugs at the top of the lineup." — Coach Scott Johnson
Cambridge senior Bailey Kenworthy
Kenworthy returns to hold down the hot corner at third base for Cambridge this season along with a dependable bat in the Bobcats' batting order. Kenworthy is a two-sport athlete for the Bobcats, finishing as a four-year letterman on the Cambridge football team and scoring the first touchdown in school history by a female student athlete.
Kenworthy provides great leadership with being a veteran letterman who sets a good example for the Bobcats underclassmen. Last year, Kenworthy finished with a .308 batting average last year and tallied 15 RBIs along with a pair of doubles and six stolen bases.
"Bailey brings a tough mentality to the game, and is always competitive with a strong attitude to excel. She is just a great leader for us, and we will be looking to her to help with run production this season. Bailey gives us a strong defensive effort at third base along with a solid threat offensively." — Coach Bob Shepard
Cambridge junior Miranda Cole
Cole turned in a solid job behind the plate, earning All-Eastern District honors for veteran Cambridge head coach Bob Shepard and the Bobcats, who finished with a 12-10-1 record. Cole also had a strong impact at the plate with a solid .416 batting average while tallying 16 RBIs, 35 runs scored and 10 stolen bases.
This season, Cole, a top-notch athlete, will be moving to shortstop and figures to lead the Bobcat infield once again both offensively and defensively.
"Miranda works hard in all areas of her game, which makes her a very versatile athlete. She did a great job at catcher last year along with being a highly effective leadoff hitter for us. I expect another big season from her as she moves to shortstop and will anchor our infield and will be counted on for more run production as she will fill the important role in the 3 hole of our batting order." — Coach Bob Shepard
Cambridge junior Laney Harper
Harper earned All Eastern District recognition last year and now takes over as the Bobcats' top option in the pitchers' circle with the graduation of Abby Mann. Last season, Harper was a dependable hurler and finished with a 2-2 record with a 4.48 ERA in 25 innings pitched.
At the plate, Harper led the Bobcats' offense with a robust .417 batting average along with a team-best 21 RBIs, two doubles and nine runs scored.
"Laney Harper was an all-district player for us last year, filling big roles offensively, defensively and pitching for us. She's just a complete player that gives us great effort each and every day. Looking for some big things from her this year and anxious to see what she does." — Coach Bob Shepard
Buckeye Trail senior Gwen McElwain
McElwain has filled the role of Buckeye Trail's top pitcher for the last three seasons. She will now be looking help the Warriors improve on last season's 7-16 record with a big senior season from the pitchers' circle.
McElwain, who earned Honorable Mention All-Inter Valley Conference honors last year, put together a 5-10 pitching record along with a 2.21 ERA and 97 Ks. Offensively, she will be looking to improve on last season's .224 batting average.
"Gwen not only carries the team through her ability to pitch with being our No. 1, but she has a nice swing as well. She had two home runs last year. We have leaned on her a lot the last three years and will be again this season. She has just improved so much since her freshman year and gives us leadership from the pitchers' circle." — Coach DevaniRoe
Buckeye Trail senior Lindsey Smith
Smith has teamed with McElwain for a solid battery the last two years, and the duo will be looking to close out their Warrior softball careers with a big final campaign. Smith, who excels with her defensive effort behind the plate, reeled in All-IVC recognition.
Offensively, Smith provided a source of power for the Warriors' offense by belting eight home runs last season, but she will look to improve on last season's batting average of .227 a year ago.
"Lindsey Smith has been our go-to catcher for the last few years and works well with Gwyn. I think the two of them are going to do well together this year. She has a great arm and does a great job blocking and keeping everything in front of her. Lindsey is a very solid catcher, and we depend on her a lot."— Coach Devani Roe
Buckeye Trail junior Ella Ashby
Ashby enjoyed a solid season a year ago for Buckeye Trail and head coach Devani Roe, anchoring the Warriors' defense at third base and swinging a potent bat that earned her First-Team All-IVC honors
She finished with a solid .281 batting average last year and provided plenty of power for the Warriors by belting a total of eight home runs. Ashby will be a key performer for Buckeye Trail as they look to improve on last season's disappointing 7-16 record.
"Ella Ashby plays third base for us, and she has a quick glove on that hot corner and hit eight home runs last year. Those three are going to be key to our infield this year. She supplies us power in our batting order and is a talented softball player. We are excited to see what she does this year for us. — Coach Devani Roe
KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Area softball deep with talent, experience as veteran letter winners lead the way
| 1d 9:39 PM ET ago |
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