The Loudonville softball team is coming off a 16-7 season where they won the Mid-Buckeye Conference, and Coach Serena Fenton sees this group being able to repeat that success, and make a strong push into the Division III playoffs.
“Our goal is to win our conference again,” said Fenton, who has a 122-93 record over her 11 years coaching the Redbirds. “To try and make it as far as possible in one of the toughest D-3 districts in Ohio, and to be a tough team to beat no matter when we go out in the tournament. Clean up some little things that lost us close games last year. Have fun and bond as a team.”
This year’s squad returns four seniors including Karena Burgess, Natalee Buzzard, Olyvia Fenton and Payton VanSickle. Junior Alesha Felix will be back with the Redbirds, as well. All of these players were All-MBC last year, and Fenton was second team Northeast District. Burgess and VanSickle were All-District honorable mention.
Fenton is coming off a season where she broke the single season stolen base record, and this season she could break the career record for a Loudonville softball player. Burgess is an RBI machine, and is coming off two straight years where she nearly broke the RBI single season school record. She and VanSickle could both hit the career record at Loudonville this spring.
Newcomers to the team include sophomore Addison Wolford and freshmen Jaiden Stitzlein, Helaina Gray and Avery Kline.
“We’re excited about the versatility the freshmen give us this year,” Coach Fenton said. “We have our pitchers from last year and add two new, but experienced, Freshmen pitchers as well.”
She added, “We’re excited for the potential and versatility that this team has.”
On March 23, the Redbirds will start their season at home, hosting Fredericktown for a double header starting at 11 a.m.
Loudonville Softball Roster 2024
#1 Payton VanSickle, Sr, C/IF
#2 Carlee Young, Jr, IF/C
#3 Lily Carr, Jr, OF
#4 Karena Burgess, Sr, SS/Utl
#6 Kylie Dininger, Fr, OF
#8 Gabby Frazier, Fr, OF
#9 Helaina Gray, Fr, Utl/C
#10 Elly Hensel, Fr, 1B
#11 Alesha Felix, Jr, IF/P
#12 Avery Kline, Fr, P/1B
#14 Natalee Buzzard, Sr, P/1B
#16 Addison Wolford, So, OF
#18/#5 Jaiden Stitzlein, Fr, P/1B
#19 Denae Eutin, Jr, 2B
#21 Olyvia Fenton, Sr, CF
