Softball: 7 players to watch this season
Mar. 25—Although spring hasn't quite sprung, the high school softball season is here with plenty of intrigue among the area's teams.
Here are seven names to remember during the upcoming season.
Addison Fisher — Wapakoneta (P, Sr.)
Fisher, a future Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodon, is the defending Western Buckeye League Player of the Year and has been on the league's first team each of the past two seasons. Last year, Fisher began the season with 32 hits in her first 40 at-bats out of the leadoff spot, including 18 runs batted in and 29 runs scored during that stretch. As Wapakoneta's top arm, Fisher retooled her mechanics prior to her junior year and won eight of her first nine starts with 53 strikeouts in her first 50 innings. With several of the WBL's top players returning this season, Fisher should be in the mix for Player of the Year once again, but she'll have some tough competition.
Ila Hughes — Lincolnview (P, Fr.)
Hughes is the lone freshman on this list but she's here for a reason as a player who will immediately make an impact for Lincolnview this season. Standing at 6-1, Hughes sits between 65 and 67 miles per hour with her fastball and is coming off an eighth-grade season where she went 8-0 on the mound and allowed just one earned run. During her final junior high season, Hughes collected 121 strikeouts in 43 innings compared to just two walks and seven hits. Last April, Hughes tossed a five-inning perfect game in which she struck out all 15 hitters. She should be a valuable contributor right away on a Lincolnview team that has won 69 games since head coach Eric Schwab took over in 2023.
Lilly Sifrit — Elida (P, So.)
Sifrit is another young player with an imposing frame, standing at 5-10 and entering the 2024 season as a sophomore. During her first varsity action last year, Sifrit tossed 84 2/3 innings and worked to a 10-5 record with 91 strikeouts and a 2.39 earned run average. At the plate, Sifrit batted .683 with 8 home runs and 34 runs batted in. In Elida's Western Buckeye League opener against Shawnee last season, Sifrit tossed a six-inning complete game with 12 strikeouts and hit a pair of home runs in a 12-1 victory. In her second high school season, Sifrit should lead the way in what looks to be a strong group for Elida, who has 10 total returning letter winners in the mix.
Gracie Homier — Continental (P, Jr.)
The Pirates ran through the Putnam County League with a perfect 6-0 record last year behind Homier, the reigning Player of the Year, who had an impressive two-way season. Homier batted .568 with 25 hits, 5 home runs, 21 runs scored and 18 runs batted in last spring. Inside the circle, the now junior went 11-5 with 122 strikeouts and a 3.04 earned run average. In Continental's league matchup against Pandora-Gilboa last season, Homier threw a one-hit shutout, hit a home run and collected three runs batted in during the 15-0 victory. Homier, Raegan Clemens and Kimberly Grant are all returning for the Pirates after earning all-league honors last year, as is Leva Aguirre, the PCL Coach of the Year.
Jenna Bassitt — Ada (P, Sr.)
Ada finished second to Lincolnview each of the past two seasons in the Northwest Conference. The hope for coach Jeff Bassitt and the Bulldogs is to continue that type of success in the Blanchard Valley Conference with a veteran-laden group led by Jenna Bassitt, the team's top arm. Bassitt has the school record for pitching victories with 17 during Ada's 18-4 season in 2024. At the plate, Bassitt batted well over .500 and stole 26 bases, earning first-team all-district and second-team all-state honors. Bassitt is one of five seniors and 11 returning letter winners for Ada, who should be a favorite to compete for a league title in the BVC.
Ayvah Cullen — Defiance (INF, Sr.)
Defiance split the Western Buckeye League title with Kenton last season and Cullen was one of the main players in contention for the conference's Player of the Year with several other notable names, including Addison Fisher and Lilly Sifrit. During her junior season, Cullen batted .573, tied Defiance's single-season record in home runs with 12 and surpassed 100 career hits. She also collected 36 runs batted in and finished with a fielding percentage of .967, committing just three errors all season. Cullen picked up first-team honors in both the WBL and the district and was named second-team all-state. Last November, Cullen committed to play Division I college softball at Ball State University prior to her final run with the Bulldogs.
Angie Kohlhofer — Lima Senior (C/P, Jr.)
Kohlhofer collected a number of accolades during her sophomore season including the Toledo City Athletic League batting title and first-team honors in the conference. Last year she batted .575 and collected 40 hits, including six home runs. During her junior season, Kohlhofer is expected to anchor a lineup of strong bats which includes Mallory Gipson (.552 average, 37 hits in 2024), Ali VanMeter (.459 average), Kaydance Holbrook (.471 average) and Morgan Cunningham (.462 average). As a team, Lima Senior brings back 11 letter winners from a team that finished tied for third place in the TCAL last spring.
Reach Chris Howell at 567-242-0468 or on X @Lima_Howell
Featured Local Savings
Topics
-
2025 Softball Preview: Questions to be answered by Marion-area teams this season
Here are some questions that will be answered during the 2025 high school softball season for Marion-area teams.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
West Texas, San Angelo-area high school softball schedule, scores and top players March 17-22
The West Texas, Concho Valley and San Angelo-area high school softball regular season rolls on. Here are the schedules, scores and top players this week.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
Mark your calendar for these 12 Greater Taunton area softball games this spring
With the spring season upon us, and two local teams ready to defend their titles, here are 12 Greater Taunton area softball games to watch out for.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
Check out the area's top softball players as a new season gets underway
Plenty of talent on the softball diamond, and here's our list of some of the best in our coverage area.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Plenty of offense, pitching highlight rugged MVL softball divisional races
The softball season is underway, and here's a look at our area teams as they step on to the diamond.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
High School Roundup: Area softball teams getting the season started on the right foot
High School Roundup: Area softball teams getting the season started on the right foot, including Lancaster, Millersport and Fairfield Christian.Yahoo Sports - 2h -
2025 Marion-area softball preview capsules: A closer look at all 10 teams
Here is a capsule look at the Marion-area's 10 high school softball teams heading into the 2025 season:Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Find District 10 baseball, softball scores, other high school spring sports results here
Follow action during the District 10 high school spring seasons with the latest scores, schedules, box scores and more for teams in northwestern Pa.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Here's what's on deck for Gastonia, Shelby high school baseball, softball this week
Here are games to watch for Gastonia, Shelby area high school baseball and softball going into the week of March 17-22.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Bemidji High School Mock Trial honored at celebratory reception
Mar. 25—BEMIDJI — There are times when a team's victory necessitates public recognition. Such was the case for the Bemidji High School Mock Trial team, whose seventh-place finish at the Minnesota ...Yahoo Sports - 53m -
First all-Indigenous 3-man officiating crew makes history at basketball state tournament
Mar. 25—On March 14, Dan Jourdain made his first MSHSL state basketball tournament appearance in over two decades. Back in 2003, he made it to state while playing for Red Lake High School. But this ...Yahoo Sports - 53m -
4 Beavers named to CSC Academic All-District Team
Mar. 25—BEMIDJI — The Bemidji State women's basketball team landed four student-athletes on this year's College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Women's Basketball teams. Included in this ...Yahoo Sports - 54m -
4 Beavers named to CSC Academic All-District Team
Mar. 25—BEMIDJI — The Bemidji State women's basketball team landed four student-athletes on this year's College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Women's Basketball teams. Included in this ...Yahoo Sports - 54m -
Florida baseball blows comeback against FSU in grand fashion
Florida nearly pulled of a miraculous comeback against Florida State Tueday night. Instead, the Gators leave Jax still searching for answers.Yahoo Sports - 54m
More in Sports
-
Xavier hiring Richard Pitino: Musketeers move quickly, hire New Mexico coach after Sean Miller's departure
Pitino, 42, has spent the past 13 seasons as a Division I head coach and will now go up against his father, Rick, in the Big EastCBS Sports - 53m -
First all-Indigenous 3-man officiating crew makes history at basketball state tournament
Mar. 25—On March 14, Dan Jourdain made his first MSHSL state basketball tournament appearance in over two decades. Back in 2003, he made it to state while playing for Red Lake High School. But this ...Yahoo Sports - 53m -
Bemidji High School Mock Trial honored at celebratory reception
Mar. 25—BEMIDJI — There are times when a team's victory necessitates public recognition. Such was the case for the Bemidji High School Mock Trial team, whose seventh-place finish at the Minnesota ...Yahoo Sports - 53m -
4 Beavers named to CSC Academic All-District Team
Mar. 25—BEMIDJI — The Bemidji State women's basketball team landed four student-athletes on this year's College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Women's Basketball teams. Included in this ...Yahoo Sports - 54m -
4 Beavers named to CSC Academic All-District Team
Mar. 25—BEMIDJI — The Bemidji State women's basketball team landed four student-athletes on this year's College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Women's Basketball teams. Included in this ...Yahoo Sports - 54m