The Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets varsity softball team returned from their annual Florida trip with more than just a perfect 5-0 record. For Head Coach Ryan Pentz, the journey is about much more than wins and losses—it’s about life lessons, team bonding, and personal growth.
“One of the goals when I was hired was this trip,” Pentz said. “High school sports miss out on a lot of life lessons. This trip is about growth, both on and off the field.”
Building a Tradition
Pentz, who was hired five years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic, spent his first year saving funds to ensure the Florida retreat could become a reality. While there were skeptics due to financial concerns, the program has since built a sustainable plan that allows the team to make the trip annually.
The coach/softball boosters personally cover the cost of the team’s housing, which includes amenities like a heated pool, a pool table, and games. Players are responsible for their own transportation to the house, and meals are a mix of home-cooked dinners and team outings. This year, the team stayed in a house with six bathrooms, and multiple bedrooms, with strict guidelines and a structured plan spanning five to six pages to ensure a smooth experience. Two female chaperones supervised the players in house, while coaches stayed at a separate location.
“This setup gives the girls privacy while also protecting the coaches,” Pentz explained.
More Than Just Softball
While the competition in Florida was intense, the heart of the trip was team bonding. Before leaving, Pentz questioned whether the talented squad could truly come together as a unit. Two weeks before departure, he even dismissed the team from practice due to a lack of respect.
“When we got to Florida, we sat down the first night and talked about what this trip means,” Pentz said. “It’s about how we grow as individuals and as a team.”
One of the team’s biggest bonding moments came after a rainout on Monday, when the players were forced to stay indoors. That night, they held a players-only meeting in the living room, discussing personal struggles and team dynamics.
“The turning point was when we just listened to each other,” senior Grace Bates said.
The trip also included nightly team dinners with a strict no-phone policy, reinforcing the idea of being present with one another. A beach bonfire—a team favorite—was initially threatened to be canceled due to earlier discipline issues, but Pentz struck a deal: the bonfire could happen, but without phones.
“It ended up being the best part of the trip,” senior Rylee Myers said.
Dominating on the Field
The Yellow Jackets excelled in Florida, going 5-0—only the second team in program history to achieve the feat. Competing against strong teams at a private facility, Mount Vernon showcased aggressive baserunning, strong pitching, and lockdown defense.
“We played really good softball,” Pentz said. “Every day, we got better.”
The team earned an A- grade for the week, with their hitting improving as the games progressed. Playing on 220-foot fences, Mount Vernon still found ways to clear the outfield.
Pitching was another highlight, as Jocelyn Scarbury struck out eight batters in a win against Fort Walton despite tight strike zones. The bullpen provided reliable relief, and the defense shined with diving plays and pick-offs.
“This group doesn’t play with fear,” Pentz said. “Their energy is through the roof.”
Looking Ahead
With their Florida success behind them, the Yellow Jackets have their sights set on even bigger goals. Pentz believes this team is capable of far more than just a league title.
“This group has the potential to be extremely special,” he said.
The players echoed that sentiment, recognizing how the trip prepared them for the rest of the season.
“We overcame a lot of problems, which made us grow as a team,” Bates said.
“Everyone grew in some way and found success,” Myers added.
For Pentz, the biggest takeaway wasn’t the record, but the team’s ability to handle adversity.
“This trip, we had some turmoil, and for the first time, I didn’t have to step in,” he said. “The girls fixed it themselves. That’s what it’s all about.”
As they return to Ohio, the Yellow Jackets aren’t just a stronger team—they’re stronger individuals. And for Pentz, that’s the true victory.
