MOUNT VERNON – The last time Mount Vernon's softball team played a game was approximately 22 months ago.
The date was May 25, 2019. It was a game that derailed the Yellow Jacket's hopes for a state title. They sustained their only loss of the 2019 season, dropping a tense 3-2 regional final to Westerville Central.
With most of the Jackets ready to come back for the 2020 season, one couldn’t help but dream of a state championship. Then along came the COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdown of high school sports last spring.
“It was frustrating not having a season last year,” senior catcher Brooke Radermacher said. “Our program definitely took a hit. That was a lot of reps and a lot of games we could have had. We did have unfinished business going into last year and we were really expecting to make it back to where we were the year before, so that was just very hard to take in.”
Radermacher was slated to replace the now graduated Bryn Elliot at catcher for 2020 and is expected to fill that role in the upcoming season. Radermacher has played behind the plate before and looks forward to catching in 2021.
“Last year, (Mount Vernon coach Ryan Pentz) told me I was going to be our primary catcher and play some outfield,” she said, “I am just glad I was able to take on that roll. I’m just really excited. That’s what I’m going to college for is to be a catcher. It’s one of the most important positions, and you’re in the game every single minute.”
Radermacher’s quick feet and great arm will keep opposing runners at bay.
“She has a cannon for an arm,” Pentz said. “I doubt that too many teams are going to try to run on her.”
Radermacher will be handling three pitchers, including senior Emma Jones and junior Rhyli Pope, who are both destined to go to the University of Findlay. The third is first-year varsity player Mackenzie Rine, a senior, who puts some spin on her pitches, giving opposing hitters something different to look at.
Junior Makaylia Schlosser will play third. At shortstop will be Ashland University-bound senior Maddy Burdette.
“Maddy has some incredible infield skills,” Pentz said. “She’s typically a third baseman. She’s doing well with the adjustment to short. The kid knows this game.”
Senior Mollie Pentz will handle first base. Offensively, she can beat the opposition with her power or by playing small ball. Teammate Emma Calkins, a junior, may rotate in from the outfield to get some time at first.
The Jackets have a pair of players to platoon at second base in seniors Carlena Fiorilli and Rae Straight. Expect Fiorilli to play center when she's not at second. When Straight isn’t at second, she will likely patrol left field.
“Carlena is quick and fast,” Coach Pentz said. “Right now, she’s our leadoff hitter. She puts a ton of pressure on a defense.”
Lefty-hitting senior Layne Cook will add speed to the outfield. Slugging Addison Christopher is a junior who will see plenty of action in right field. Junior Kelly Sullins is a versatile utility player. Junior Lilly Erb is a first-year letter winner with experience, who expects plenty of playing time. Defensive specialist Skylar Hill, a senior, will be brought into the outfield during the late innings to help protect a Jackets’ lead.
The Jackets, with 10 seniors and six juniors, are tired of looking back. After last year’s lost season, however, they’re also hesitant to look too far forward.
“We kind of don’t talk about going to state,” Radermacher said. “We’ll just try to take it one game at a time so we’re not stressed out.”
Preview capsules
CENTERBURG
Conference: Knox Morrow Athletic Conference
Division: 3
Head Coach: Tim Rioux, fifth season.
Assistants: Tom Beekman, Danica Hewitt and Dean McKee.
2019 overall (league) record: 13-12 (4-10)
2019 postseason: Lost to Amanda-Clearcreek in first round of Division III district tournament.
Returning letter winners: Allie Beekman, junior; Savannah Dehart, senior; McKenna Martindale, senior; Amelia Smith, senior; and Kaitlyn Tenzos, junior.
Key losses: Aubrey Clippinger.
Top newcomers: Viviana Brooks, junior; Rylee Bryant, freshman; Alie Crouse, sophomore; Sydney Daubert, freshman; Alyssa Harris, freshman; Shelby Morris, sophomore; Brooklyn Pankuch, freshman; and Sarah Stowe, freshman.
Strengths: Great mix of experience and youth; great character student-athletes.
Weaknesses: We lack experience at a couple of positions.
Outlook: Looking forward to playing again since we were cancelled last year.
DANVILLE
Conference: Knox Morrow Athletic Conference
Division: 4
Head Coach: Charlie Duncan, second season.
Assistants: Shane Coffield, Aubrey Dawson, Jamie Gronberg, Emily Hogg and Cameron Smith.
2019 overall (league) record: 18-8 (10-4)
2019 postseason: Lost to Peebles in Division IV regional final; defeated Delaware Christian, Fisher Catholic, Newark Catholic and Strasburg-Franklin.
Returning letter winners: Keaura Shilling, junior.
Key losses: Aubrey Dawson, Hannah Duncan, Cece Newbold and Brittney Holt.
Top newcomers: Tessa Ferenbaugh, Grace Gronberg, Taryn Mickley, Mykenzie Neitzelt, Camie Newbold, Taylor Price, Cordi Richert, Jaylyn Smith, Sophie Snively, Broegan Staats, Emily Weckesser and Maddy Wine.
Strengths: Many have not played at the varsity level, but most of the roster has played some form of high-level softball. We have a tough non-league- and league schedule, which will help us mature quickly and prepare us for a tournament run.
Weaknesses: Young and not many players with varsity experience. We will have to learn from rookie mistakes and grow from them.
Outlook: We expect to improve every game and be competitive every time we step on the field.
EAST KNOX
Conference: Knox Morrow Athletic Conference
Division: 4
Head Coach: Homer Simmons, third season.
Assistants: Ron Looney and Jake Ulrey.
2019 overall (league) record: 10-10 (6-8)
2019 postseason: Lost to Heath in first round of Division III district tournament.
Returning letter winners: Cami Bailey, senior; and Nataley Hull, junior.
Key losses: Hallie Rine.
Top newcomers: Bailey Comer, freshman; Kayla Finch, sophomore; Kendra Hayes, senior; Hannah McCoy, sophomore; Shanda Melick, sophomore; Anjel Montgomery, junior; Gracie Sheasby, sophomore; Natalie Smith, sophomore; and Ava Stiltner, sophomore.
Strengths: N/A
Weaknesses: N/A
Outlook: Very high expectations for this season. Not having a season last year was difficult to swallow. Our team is eager to make up for lost time. Our best attribute with this team is the positive atmosphere. This team is having fun and doing what they love.
FREDERICKTOWN
Conference: Knox Morrow Athletic Conference
Division: 3
Head Coach: Montana Huvler, fifth season.
Assistants: Allison Whaley.
2019 overall (league) record: 10-11 (7-7)
2019 postseason: Lost to Bishop Ready in second round of Division III district tournament.
Returning letter winners: N/A; our school did not give out letter winners due to COVID-19.
Key losses: Aria Hoeflich, Shelby Hughes, Macey Neer, Falon Smith and Kahea VanHouten.
Top newcomers: Sam Carwell, junior; Jesenia Montalvo, freshman; Miranda Payne, freshman; and Emily Rook, junior.
Strengths: We feel confident in our bats this season throughout our entire roster. Fredericktown consistently shows up with positive plate abilities. Speed and athleticism are going to be a huge factor for us this season, as well as playing into our aggressive baserunning. Top to bottom, we are confident in swinging away or laying down a bunt.
Weaknesses: Minimizing errors. As a program, we have placed an emphasis this season on defense. Errors equal runs, and we give far too many errors on defense. Our goal is to get over that hump and gain more confidence in our defensive play.
Outlook: Every season brings joy and positivity. We are thrilled to have returners and newcomers join as one to showcase our skills.
HIGHLAND
Conference: Knox Morrow Athletic Conference
Division: 2
Head Coach: Shelly Hornsby, fifth season.
Assistants: Abby Steele.
2019 overall (league) record: 16-8 (9-3)
2019 postseason: Lost to Granville in Division II district semifinal; defeated Olentangy Berlin.
Returning letter winners: Stevie Asher, sophomore; Haven Farson, senior; Savannah Fitzpatrick, senior; Guinevere Jackson, sophomore; Madison Peoples, junior; and Audrey Robinson, junior.
Key losses: Brooklyn Geiger, Jenna Rogers, Mattie Ruerhmund, Darcie Walters and Gena West.
Top newcomers: Brooklyn Croy, junior; Faith Geiger, junior; Paige Hicks, senior; Adyson Landefeld, junior; and Emma West, junior.
Strengths: We have a couple of good pitchers and a pretty strong defense. Team works very well together.
Weaknesses: Continuing to blend the team together. Staying focused on the task and getting our bats together.
Outlook: One practice at a time, one game at a time. Just staying mentally prepared and seeing how far we can go.
MOUNT VERNON
Conference: Ohio Cardinal Conference
Division: 1
Head Coach: Ryan Pentz, second season.
Assistants: Mike Fuller and Lauren Townley.
2019 overall (league) record: 23-1 (12-0)
2019 postseason: Lost to Westerville Central in Division I regional final; defeated Central Crossing, Pickerington North, Teays Valley and Gahanna Lincoln.
Returning letter winners: Maddy Burdette, senior; Layne Cook, senior; Lilly Erb, junior; Carlena Fiorilli, senior; Emma Jones, senior; Mollie Pentz, senior; Brooke Radermacher, senior; Makaylia Schlosser, junior; Alanta Spurgeon, senior; and Rae Straight, senior.
Key losses: Bryn Elliott.
Top newcomers: Emma Calkins, junior; Addison Christopher, junior; Skylar Hill, senior; Rhyli Pope, junior; Mackenzie Rine, senior; and Kelly Sullins, junior.
Strengths: Depth in all positions defensively and the versatility of the players. The team is well balanced with speed and power.
Weaknesses: Since we didn’t have a season in 2019, the glaring issues will be experience and team chemistry. These will be two issues that we will have to work on through the beginning of the season.
Outlook: With the depth of the team, we are excited for another year and we are expecting good things from this group of players. We have made an effort that we leave every off-season with a goal of winning another conference title and this year’s off-season no differently. The conference is very strong this year, and there should be many exciting games in the OCC.
UTICA
Conference: Licking County League
Division: 2
Head Coach: Staci Meyers, first season.
Assistants: Olivia Rodeniser and Whitney Scarberry.
2019 overall (league) record: 21-5 (11-4)
2019 postseason: Lost to Cardington in Division III district final; defeated Fairbanks and Elgin.
Returning letter winners: Ryleigh Lees, senior and Leah Swetnam, senior.
Key losses: Shayla Estep, Scarlett Elliott, Taylor Heckman and Sydney Hoover.
Top newcomers: Kayleigh Crowe, junior; Cassidy Fouty, sophomore; Karleigh Lees, freshman; Carlie Parsons, sophomore; Hailey Robinson, senior; Lexi Wiegand, freshman; Kiera Williams, sophomore; Ayrika Wolfe, sophomore and Makenzie Woodruff, senior.
Strengths: Hitting and fielding.
Weaknesses: N/A
Outlook: LCL wins back to back.
