Coming off a big season in which it went 19-4 and 10-0 in the Ohio Cardinal Conference, the Mount Vernon Lady Jackets softball team is looking to fill the gaps left by seven graduated starters off last year’s team. 

The 2021 squad won its fourth straight conference title, outscored its opponents 274-67 and advanced to the OHSAA softball state Div. 1 regional semifinals, where its run was stopped by Pickerington Central, 6-2, on May 26.

Mount Vernon softball coach Ryan Pentz said the biggest challenge the 2022 team will face is replacing seven starters and getting the new players to gel with the returners. To accelerate this process, Pentz will adapt his approach to fit the team. 

“My coaching strategy changes year to year as I try to develop our strategy to fit the mental and physical strengths of our team. Of course, we have some consistent strategies that are used yearly, such as ‘all in.’” said Pentz.

Pentz has spent the past three years at Mount Vernon softball and prior to that, evolved his skills and coaching techniques at the travel softball level for 10 years. 

“I spent about 10 years coaching at numerous different levels of travel softball. Further, I developed a travel softball program called the Ohio Storm,” he said. 

The Storm program is a family-based curriculum that teaches the core fundamentals of fast-pitch softball and provides the core morals and values of a family environment. Coaches and players' families are encouraged to interact throughout the season to build a warm and welcoming environment.

Pentz embraces Mount Vernon’s softball history and preaches the legacy to his team.  

“This is the 41st year of Mount Vernon High School softball,” he said. “This program was built by a legend, Coach Lynn Apple. The most recent success of the program was built by former coach Mike Marcum. I walked into a program three years ago that was ready to compete at a high level because of those two coaches. The history of this program is spoken about regularly at practices. I ask the girls daily, what's your legacy going to be? We don't shy away from our recent success. We embrace it and challenge ourselves to continue the great success of this program.”

Pentz sees the Lady Jackets’ depth as its strength. 

“We are very fortunate to have so many athletes that play year-round, that it has created a ton of depth in the program,” said Pentz. “When we can compile two JV teams every year that have athletes that are good enough to play varsity softball on many teams in the state, you quickly realize the depth is a strength. When I look at the varsity team this year, I believe we will have a very good defense. Our offense may not be as quick as last year's team, but I do believe this group of athletes has a ton of pop in their bats. Our weakness is high school softball experience. We hold a ton of overall softball experience, but with graduating seven starters last year, our experience together as a group and our overall experience playing high school softball is minimal. Our goal is to overcome this with patience and time.”

Pentz believe five seniors on the squad will play at the college level after graduation. 

“Over the last four years, we have seen approximately 20 players take their game to the next level. I also believe we have numerous younger players that have the ability to play at the next level, and those athletes are currently in the recruiting process,” he said.

Rhyli Pope (D2 University of Findlay,) Makaylia Schlosser (D2 University of Cal U PA), Addison Christopher (NAIA Rio Grande), Kelly Sullins (D2 University of Charleston), and Emma Calkins (D3 Otterbein University) have signed letters of intent. Pentz expects McKenzie Krownapple (sophomore),and Kennedi Endsley (junior) to be recruited as well. 

“We are also in the beginning stages of recruitment with numerous other players in the program,” he said.

The coach said the 2022 schedule is loaded with talented teams, beginning in Destin, Fla., with five games during spring break. After coming home from Florida, the Lady Jackets have five games in six days. 

“The team should be challenged early and often throughout the season, as the Ohio Cardinal Conference is deep with talented teams,” Pentz said. “Like every year, our goal is to win the conference title."