Mount Vernon High School's softball coach, Ryan Pentz, is preparing for another season, bringing with him two decades of coaching experience. This season presents new challenges and opportunities as the team transitions into a new league.
Pentz's journey into coaching began when his daughters developed an interest in softball. Having a background in baseball, he naturally moved towards coaching. "I started coaching softball about 20 years ago when my daughters showed an interest in the sport," Pentz said. After his daughters graduated from Mount Vernon High School, he continued to be involved due to his passion for the sport and desire to support young athletes.
According to Pentz, this season marks a significant transition as the team joins the Licking County League, known for its competitive programs. "The league is historically one of the best in the state," he said. The schedule includes both league and non-league games against talented teams, promising exciting matches.
Several key players are returning this season with notable achievements from previous years:
- Hailey Rudrick, a junior catcher and Second Team Division I All-Ohio selection, has committed to the University of Indianapolis. She hit .479 last season with 10 home runs and 42 RBIs.
- Jocelyn Scarbury, a sophomore pitcher who earned First Team All-Conference honors last year, pitched 102 innings with 143 strikeouts and posted a 1.909 ERA.
- Keely Pollard, a sophomore infield utility player and First Team All-District selection as a freshman, led the team with a .500 batting average.
Other standout players include Brooke Dovenbarger, Rylee Myers, and Carly Kennedy—all of whom have received various district and conference honors.
For Pentz, coaching extends beyond wins and losses; it is about impacting athletes' lives positively. "I have always been passionate about the game of softball," he said. He believes that fans can expect to see significant growth in the team's maturity since last year. "We were extremely young last season," Pentz noted. The experience gained over the past year has helped them grow both on and off the field.
