SOLO BLAST Montpeliers Jada Uribes smacks a solo home run to lead off the third inning in an 8 6 win over Hilltop last season
By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
sports@thevillagereporter.com
Hilltop and Montpelier shared the BBC crown last season and figure to be the teams to beat in 2024.
Each team returns experience in the circle and the Co-Players of the Year in the BBC as Madelynn Hopper for Montpelier and Hilltop’s Joscelyn Layman shared that award last season.
The league will have four new coaches this season with Rebecca Harvey taking the reigns at Edon, Natalie Nofziger takes over in Fayette and Pettisville will feature co-head coaches as Steve Hastings and Chris Richer will share duties.
Below are the team-by-team previews for this season in order of last season’s league standings.
T1. Montpelier (15-8, 6-1 BBC; Lost in Division IV district semifinal to Edgerton, 10-0)
HEAD COACH: Andy Robinson (3rd Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Kaycee Humbarger (3B) – .250 avg, 19 hits, 27 runs; Arielle Bass (OF)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Bianca Phongphiou (1B/P) – 28 hits, .438 avg, 19 RBIs; Addison Dick (OF); Juniors: Kelsi Bumb (SS) – 39 hits, 5 home runs, .494, 33 RBIs, 34 runs; Madelyn Hopper (P) – 28 hits, .359; 24 RBIs; Pitching – 15-7, 210 strikeouts, 2.50 ERA, 127.2 IP; Lyla Mahan (C) – 20 hits, .286 avg, 12 stolen bases, 32 runs; Jada Uribes – 24 hits, .300 avg, 21 RBIs, 21 runs; Katie Terry (OF); Sophomore – Bella Ramos (IF); Zoe Uribes (IF/OF) – 15 hits, .278 avg; Shelby Terry (OF)
NEWCOMERS: Freshman – Maggie Jacob (Utility)
STRENGTHS: “We bring back nine girls from last year’s team and eight starters including all of our pitching from a year ago featuring the BBC Co-Player of the Year, Madelyn Hopper.”
“We have good team speed, and our best hitters return. We have a veteran group who has been very successful as of late and knows how to play in big games.”
WEAKNESSES: “We will need to be better at the bottom of the lineup to be a well-rounded team this season.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “Repeating as BBC champs is goal number one, but it comes with a different dynamic than prior years. We have been chasing success the last few years and now we need to learn how to stay at the top.”
“We have the bulk of our players returning in their third or fourth year at the varsity level and we will expect them to be great leaders.”
“We want to be competitive in each game this season so that come tournament time we can put together the best run possible. We are excited for a great season.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “I expect the upper level of the BBC to be very competitive. Hilltop brings back most of their girls along with adding a strong freshman class. I believe Edon will be solid, and Holgate will have a good team returning. Each night you must play your best if you expect to win out in the league.”
T1. Hilltop (16-9, 6-1 BBC; Lost in Division IV district semifinal to Ayersville, 6-3)
HEAD COACH: Tom Schaper (11th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Abby Austin (1B) – .329 avg, 2 home runs, 27 RBIs, 22 runs
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Joscelyn Layman (P/3B/SS) – .507 avg, 38 hits, 27 RBIs, 12 doubles; Pitching – 3-4, 4.74 ERA, 42 strikeouts, 44.1 IP; Shealyn Brown (OF) – .370 avg, 30 hits, 35 runs; Junior – Giada Rising (P/1B/OF) – .397 avg, 31 hits, 29 RBIs, 7 doubles, 21 runs; Pitching – 13-5, 2.40 ERA, 142 strikeouts, 110.2 IP; Sophie Graham (OF) – .384 avg, 33 hits, 20 RBIs, 6 doubles, 27 runs; Elena VanArsdalen (2B/OF) – .208 avg, 15 hits, 14 runs; Sophomores – Brooklyn Kuszmaul (Utility) – .398 avg, 33 hits, 14 RBIs, 31 runs; Kenley Routt – .239 avg, 17 hits, 13 RBIs, 24 runs, 14 stolen bases; Isabella Ackley (OF/C); Addison Vance-Zuver (OF/DP)
NEWCOMERS: Freshman – Kelsey Connolly (P/1B/OF), Halle Jones (Utility/P), Sophia Crossgrove (C/OF/DP), Maggie Altman (1B/OF)
STRENGTHS: “We were EXTREMELY low in numbers last season, only having nine available players in the entire program for last year’s district semifinal against Ayersville. This year, numbers should be a strength with the addition of a large, talented freshman class to the high school squad.”
“Returning experience should be a huge strength for us too this spring as we lost just one senior, Abby Austin, from last season’s starting lineup which regularly consisted of 6-7 freshmen and sophomores.”
“Leadership should be a strength as well with returning seniors Joscelyn Layman (BBC Co-Player of the Year) and Shealyn Brown, who bring seven years of combined varsity experience to lead this young group.”
“I also expect pitching to be strong for us this season. Junior lefty Giada Rising, a three-year starter, returns to the circle and will share innings with freshman hurler Kelsy Connolly. Layman and freshman Halle Jones will likely provide relief for Rising and Connolly.”
“The young staff should be able to provide a lot of quality innings for us and enable us to field another competitive squad in 2024.
WEAKNESSES: “Even though we’re returning nine letterwinners, we’re still quite young overall. Several freshmen and sophomores will likely see substantial play time again this year if they can prove their readiness and immediate value to the varsity team. Attitude, hard work, and communication will be extremely important to us again.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “I expect Montpelier to present us with our biggest challenge again this season, though several other BBC schools, including Stryker and Edon, have shown improvement as well.”
“The Lady Locos should return with a competitive squad again this year behind Maddie Hopper. In the end though, I know my girls will do their best to retain the league title this spring for an eleventh straight season.”
T3. Pettisville (8-10, 4-3 BBC; Lost to Ayersville in Division IV sectional final, 2-1)
CO-HEAD COACHES: Chris Richer/Steve Hastings (1st Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Elisabeth Rochefort, Alli King
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Senior- Morgan Blosser; Junior – Olivia Miller, Kelsey Bennett, Abbi Opdycke; Sophomores – Naomi Richer, Grace Hastings, Macy Hoylman
STRENGTHS: “We have a group of girls who are eager to learn, enthusiastic, and coachable. We have some skilled offensive and defensive players returning following strong outings last season.”
WEAKNESSES: “Being down six starters from last year’s team, so we are young and inexperienced overall.
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We look to field a competitive team this season.”
T3. North Central (8-10, 4-3 BBC; Lost to Edon in Division IV sectional semifinal, 11-2)
HEAD COACH: Joe Fidler (10th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Isabelle Burnett (P/SS) – .207 avg; Kendal Sutton (P/OF) – .400 avg; Makinzy King (1B) – .434 avg
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Ashlynn Martin (3B) .200 avg; Amara Wright (P/Utility) – .255 avg; Lilly McMillen
NEWCOMERS: Darbi Stewart (Missed 2023 season due to ACL injury), Addy Turner, Ava Gruber, Madison West, Ava Livengood, Gracie Zuver
STRENGTHS: “We have great positive leaders on the team and the team chemistry has been great up to this point. We have most of the girls playing new positions this year so we will only get better as we gain more experience in those new positions.”
WEAKNESSES: “One weakness will be that we have very limited numbers this year, so the girls will need to be flexible in possible playing multiple positions. If we can be solid on the defensive side, then we will have a chance in most of our games.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “I believe the group of girls I have for this year get along well and have a team approach. That is the biggest and most important strength. We also have a few girls that can pitch, so if they can all stay healthy, I believe we can have a solid group of pitchers.”
T3. Stryker (8-11, 4-3 BBC; Lost to Pettisville in Division IV sectional semifinal, 4-1)
HEAD COACH: Amanda Fritch (4th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Sage Woolace (SS) – .377 avg, 28 stolen bases; Gabby Ramon (1B) .317 avg; Abbie Meyer (IF) .333 avg
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Oliviah Clingaman (2B/3B) – .255 avg; Brooke Collins (OF) – .314 avg; Adysen Andres (OF) – .269 avg; Laura Leupp (OF) – .351 avg, 16 stolen bases; Emma Fulk (OF/C) – .452 avg, 29 stolen bases; Taylore Rethmel (C/P) – .424, 21 stolen bases, 5.50 ERA; Sophomore – Taygen Demming (OF) – .250 avg
NEWCOMERS: Freshman – Addalee Fulk, Mackynzie Drewes; Sophomore – Raegan Myers, Adelina Patterson
STRENGTHS: “We are very fortunate to have a large senior class to lead our team this season. Our upperclassmen have worked hard the past three years to be the confident players they will be this season.”
“Defensively behind the plate, Emma Fulk is a great leader and communicates well with her team. Offensively we are looking forward to seeing a lot from Emma Fulk, Taylore Rethmel, and Oliviah Clingaman this season, as we did last year.
WEAKNESSES: “In the past, we have struggled to be consistent both offensively and defensively. This year we are going to have to work hard on that in order to be more competitive in the BBC and in tournament play.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “This season, our team is focused on working together and doing the little things it takes to have a competitive and successful softball season.”
“It is going to take everything we have to compete for a top spot in the BBC, but we are ready to put in the work to make it happen.”
6. Holgate (5-12, 3-4 BBC; Lost to Miller City in Division IV sectional final, 5-2)
HEAD COACH: Ric Howe (7th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Olivia Blaker (C); Paisley Wilhelm (SS)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Kaelie Hagnerman (IF/OF), Madison Downing (OF), Aubrey Pennington (3B/1B/P), Lily Kirkland (OF); Juniors – Isabelle Blaker (P/SS), Hannah East (OF), Markey Wilhelm (C/IF); Sophomore – Grayson Jones (P/OF)
NEWCOMERS: Sophomore – Alicia Escasmilla (IF/P)
STRENGTHS: “We believe that our pitching should be the strength of our team this year.”
WEAKNESSES: “Replacing two 4-year starters will be difficult to do but we are working on that every day to fill their positions.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We are looking to be competitive every game and working to become better all season long.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “To win the BBC you always have to beat Hilltop and also Montpelier. They are both very good teams every year. We will do our best to compete not only with these two teams but with all the BBC teams.”
7. Edon (5-17, 1-6 BBC; Lost to Edgerton in Division IV sectional final, 14-2)
HEAD COACH: Rebecca Harvey (1st Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Emma Hickman – .342 avg, 25 runs; Emma Howard – .286 avg; Meghan Derck – .250 avg; Mackenzie Spangler – .114 avg
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Senior: Anatasia Owens (OF) – .250 avg; Juniors – Addison Warner (SS/3B – .232 avg; Natalie Wofford (P/OF) – .219 avg; Allyson Derck (OF) – .411 avg, 31 hits, .488 OBP; Sophomores – Adison Briner (1B) – .354 avg, 16 RBIs, 8 doubles; Madison Ogden (C/3B) – .368 avg, 3 home runs, 8 doubles, 16 RBIs; Brianna Fitch (IF/P) – .182 avg
NEWCOMERS: Sophomore – Amanda Schwartz (OF); Freshman – Makayla Anspaugh (P/OF), Alexis Breier (IF/P), Lydia Tracey (IF/P)
STRENGTHS: Competitive group, Pitching depth
WEAKNESSES: Young team/experience
SEASON OUTLOOK: “The team is excited to compete in the BBC and in non-conference games this year. We have put in a lot of work in the off-season and have a competitive pre-season schedule to prepare.
“These girls are a competitive group with a “team” mentality. They have great team chemistry and are willing to work for each other on and off the field.”
“We have the opportunity to be successful this spring as we have a group that is eager to put in the work. Our team is looking forward to the start of the season.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The BBC is a competitive conference. We are looking forward to competing for the league title this season.”
8. Fayette (0-13, 0-7 BBC; Lost to Hilltop in Division IV sectional semifinal, 28-0)
HEAD COACH: Natalie Nofziger (1st Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: None
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Senior – Alexus McClain – .860 FP, .323 OBP; Kenadie Ramay; Emersyn Sinks; Juniors – Aysha Shade – .348 avg, .423 OBP; Zoie Brown – .333 avg, .474 OBP; Sophomores – Willow Mitchell – .886 FP, .308 OBP; Mesa Gorsuch; Kayla Sliwinski; Reilly Bailey; Sophia McClain
NEWCOMERS: Freshman – Bailey Jennings, Maycee Beers
STRENGTHS: Willingness to try new things and learn
WEAKNESSES: Low numbers
SEASON OUTLOOK: “Our girls are coming off quite a few rough seasons in the past. We are looking to change that this season by building their confidence and pushing them to be aggressive on the bases and at the plate.”
“I’m also excited to welcome our new coaching staff to share their experience and knowledge.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “Montpelier will be the team to beat this season. Hilltop always has a tough squad, so they can never be overlooked to lead the league as well.”
