The Highland softball team has a strong returning group of players with seven letter winners, including five seniors, and Coach Abby Steele feels that the experience her squad is bringing to the table this year should lead to success in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference (MOAC), which the team is rejoining to this season.
Last year, the Scots finished the season 21-6 and were 10-4 in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference (KMAC), and Steele said they will be relying on senior experience this season with seven total on the team. There are also five returning juniors and two others joining the team for the first time.
Steele said the biggest challenge Highland will have is adapting to the new league.
“Our challenges that lie ahead are what to expect as we are to join a new league this year – the MOAC. We faced a majority of these teams last year and saw great competition. We are looking to be a strong contender in the new league and make a run during tournament time in May," said Steele.
The returning seniors are Brooklyn Cory at catcher, outfielder Faith Geiger, shortstop Audrey Robinson, infielder Adyson Landefeld and Emma West, who plays first base and pitches. Returning juniors are outfielder Guinevere Jackson and pitcher Stevie Asher.
“As we go into the season, I am really counting on our returners to lead this team and pick up where we left off last season,” Steele said. “With Stevie Asher on the mound and Brooklyn Croy behind the plate (both returners), we are looking to these two to command the defense. Our Infield consists of three out of four returners as well, with Adyson Landefeld at third, Audrey Robinson as our shortstop and Emma West at first. Our outfield will have two returners as well in Faith Geiger and Guinevere Jackson. With these returners as well as newcomers Julia Varney, Brooke Arata, Abi Burke and Abby Jordan, I am excited to watch our team transition into a new season and compete.”
The Highland softball team has a motto this year of “working for a number,” which Steele said refers to the goal of not only being a strong contender, but to continuously fight and work toward winning the league title.
“If the girls are able to accomplish this, then they will be able to see that number and year 2022 put up in the gym on the softball banner,” Steele said.
This is the first season at the helm for Steele, but she is no stranger to Highland softball. Steele has been on the staff for the past seven years in a variety of coaching roles. She was the JV assistant for two years, the JV coach for four years and the assistant on the varsity squad last year.
“My No. 1 coaching philosophy is to educate, inspire and develop student-athletes through discipline and hard work, with a focus on the fundamentals,” Steele said.
Steele said she has had the privilege of having some great coaches over the years that she can model herself after, including Mark Thomas, who coaches at Steele's alma mater, Delaware Hayes. She also worked under previous coaches who mentored her, including Ashley Ball and Shelly Hornsby.
The team has a strong softball history, and Steele said she wants the girls to see that it takes a lot of people and a lot of work to build a program like this.
“As they look to strive toward various team records, one of the biggest team goals is to go after a conference championship in the MOAC this year,” Steele said. “This will be a very difficult task as we go up against such tea ms as Clear Fork and River Valley, who have established a strong presence in the MOAC. They have to put in the work to continue the tradition of Highland Softball and strive towards a successful season.”
The Lady Scots are off to a 7-3 start this season, with a full slate of games coming up. A complete schedule can be found at hlsdsports.us.
